If you are headed to Bali, you should add a Mount Batur sunrise hike to your itinerary! Mount Batur is an active volcano located between two calderas with its last eruption in 2000. Though challenging, the hike is very rewarding as you watch sunrise over the neighboring Agung volcano and Lake Batur!
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Mount Batur Sunrise Hike Timeline
Unfortunately, a sunrise hike means an EARLY wake-up time! I don’t think I’ve ever set my alarm for 1:30 am until now 😅. From Ubud, you will have about an hour and a half drive to the beginning of the trail and you can expect the Mount Batur sunrise hike to take about 5 hours, so prepare for about an 7.5 to 8 hour extravaganza.
1:30 am: Wake-up Call
2:00 am: Leave the hotel in Ubud
3:30 am: Begin the hike
5:40 am: Reached the summit (this varies depending on how quick your group climbs)
5:40-6:30 am: Enjoyed the sunrise, had breakfast
6:30 am: See the local monkeys before heading back down the volcano
8:40 am: Reached the halfway point back down where our bus picked us up
*The wake-up call and leaving time will vary depending on where you are staying, but most hikes should start at around 3:30 am**
And somehow you have a half day of activity before 9am 🤪
About the Mount Batur Hike
The Mount Batur sunrise hike is located about an hour and a half drive from Ubud. It begins around sea level, goes up to 1,717 meters (5,633 ft) and takes around 2 to 2.5 hours to reach the summit.
- The trail starts pretty flat and paved, then turns into grass, lava field and more rugged terrain.
- The elevation gain doesn’t get intense until after about halfway up the volcano.
- From the start, you can see the headlamps weaving up the mountain; it is both intimidating and cool to see!
- I’ve seen the hike rated as “moderate”, and I am here to say that our group was young (mid 20’s to mid 30’s) and everyone’s legs were like jelly and we were huffing and puffing when we reached the summit.
- I believe on AllTrails it is listed as “hard,” which I am more inclined to agree with. So don’t let some trail ratings mislead you into thinking the elevation gain won’t be too bad.
- I believe on AllTrails it is listed as “hard,” which I am more inclined to agree with. So don’t let some trail ratings mislead you into thinking the elevation gain won’t be too bad.
Weather During the Hike and at the Summit
Obviously the weather will depend on if you visit during dry, warmer season or during wet, cooler season. However, know:
- You will be nice and comfortable at the base, even at 3:00 am.
- Then as you begin climbing and throughout the hike you are going to sweat your butt off.
- Then, when you reach the top you are going to embrace the cool breeze. Until your sweat starts to cool off and then you’ll be chilly. 😅
NOTE: Bali has a distinct rainy season from November to the end of March/Beginning of April. Hiking this trail up the volcano in a torrential downpour sounds awful, but guided hikes do still continue through rainy season. It is more recommend to have an experienced guide with you in the rain.
What to Wear During the Hike
After reading about the weather change, it seems pretty obvious that layers are going to be key 😅 I recommend hiking in either shorts or light leggings.; you will get WARM while you are hiking! Then, again, you will get chilly at the summit with the wind, especially before the sun rises.
The trail is rugged and rocky, especially once you get to the lava fields and up toward the top of the volcano. I felt like a mountain goat for a second.
- So, wear sturdy shoes. Normal sneakers will suffice, or, if you have a tendency to roll ankles, hiking boots may be a better option for you! Whatever you do, I don’t recommend any type of sandal.
If you are on a guided tour, they will provide a headlamp. If you aren’t on a guided tour, you for sure need to pack your own headlamp!
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Breakfast Included on the Hike
If you opt to do a guided hike that includes breakfast at the top, be prepared for a simple breakfast. It is good, but it isn’t elaborate. You will be provided with some banana sandwiches, boiled eggs and the option to have a coffee at the peak.
Descending Mount Batur
As you ascend and climb Mount Batur like a common mountain goat, you may be worried about how the heck you will descend the same trail 😅 Don’t sweat, though. You will descend Mount Batur down a different, wider trail that is less rocky.
Get your knees prepared for the decent of Mount Batur. It is a constant downhill slope, which puts a lot of pressure on the front of your knees. If you have knees that don’t handle downhill or downstairs a lot, you may want to reconsider this hike or start training now.
If you are on a guided hike, you will stop halfway down the volcano and then get a ride down the rest of the volcano. If you are hiking on your own, you will continue down the main path that you originally climbed up at 3:30 am.
Hike It Alone or with a Guide? Which Guided Hike to Do?
The Mount Batur hike can be done on your own, but it is really nice having guides who know the terrain well. Also, if you are staying in Ubud, most guides offer hotel pick-up if you don’t have a source of transportation for the 1.5 hour drive.
Guided Hike With Hotel Pickup and Breakfast Included
If you are staying in Ubud or Kuta, this is really a good option for you. The drive from Ubud is about an hour and a half, so finding your own transportation for that distance will likely be more than the up-charge of a guided hike that includes transportation.
Guided Hike Plus Hot Springs Visit
This is my personal favorite Mount Batur sunrise hike option! After hiking 5 hours up and down a volcano, a soak in a hot springs is NICE! The Batur Hot Springs are less than 20 minutes from the base of Mount Batur, so is a natural add-on to your day 😜
When you check out, you can add the Hot Spring visit which will bring the total to $63 per person.
Guided HIke for the Non-Hiker
If you would like to see the sunrise on Mount Batur but don’t want to do the entire hike, you can opt to do a guided Jeep Tour that takes you about halfway up the volcano. Granted, even with this hike, you still have to do the more challenging part of the hike on your own. However, it does cut down the length and time of the hike.
Mount Batur Sunrise Hike Recap: Is It Worth all the Hiking?
In my humble opinion, the work is worth it! Despite the pretty intense elevation gain from the halfway point to the summit, the hike was really neat and it was especially awesome to accomplish the hike with a great group! The beautiful sunrise was the cherry on top.