Mount Batur Sunrise Hike: Everything you Need to Know!
If you are headed to Bali, you should add a Mount Batur sunrise hike to your itinerary!
Though challenging, the hike is very rewarding as you watch the sun rise over the neighboring Agung Volcano and Lake Batur. We did a lot of fun things in Bali and this was one of our favorite activities!
Here is everything you need to know about hiking Mount Batur at sunrise including how early you need to get up, what weather to expect, fitness level required, what to wear and more!
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About the Mount Batur Sunrise Hike
Mount Batur is an active volcano located between two calderas with its last eruption just in 2000!
The volcano is located about an hour and a half drive from Ubud. It begins around sea level and peaks at about 1,717 meters (5,633 ft).
The Mount Batur sunrise hike takes around 2 to 2.5 hours to reach the summit.
While the trail does start pretty flat and paved, it turns into grass, lava field and more rugged terrain and then begins to really gain elevation 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!
Fitness Level Required
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.
With that being said, many people who did this hike don’t work out or hike regularly. So you don’t have to be in incredible fitness condition to do this hike. However, you should be prepared to work hard to get the top!
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.
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. The the Mount Batur sunrise hike will take about 5 hours, so prepare for about a 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: Enjoy the sunrise, eat breakfast
6:30 am: See the local monkeys before heading back down the volcano
8:40 am: Reach the halfway point back down (where your bus may pick you up if you are on a guided tour)
*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 🤪
Other Things to Know About the Mount Batur Sunrise Hike
Here are some other things to know about your hike up Mount Batur!
Breakfast Included on the Hike
If you opt to do a guided hike, most of them include breakfast at the top, which is a nice treat after a hike!
However, 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.
I enjoyed it all but if this doesn’t sound appealing, you may want to bring your own snacks.
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, no matter the time of year, here are some things to know.
At the base of the volcano and trailhead, you will likely be comfortable in shorts or light leggings. I was almost chilly even in my leggings, but I am cold-natured. It was definitely a comfortable temperature.
HOWEVER, you will warm up QUICKLY and will likely sweat your butt off during the hike. (moments of regretting my leggings happened).
Then, you will reach the top, the breeze will feel good on the sweat you have worked up and then within a short time said sweat will start to cool off and you will be CHILLY up on the summit.
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, so I recommend having a light jacket for the summit as well.
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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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 which is so nice if you don’t have a source of transportation!
We did the hike on a guided tour and really found the guides to be helpful by knowing the difficult terrain and best places to rest and where to stop to watch sunset!
Guided Hike + 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 this is a natural add-on to your day 😜
We did both a guided hike then enjoyed the hot springs afterward and it was a great combination!
+ Batur Hot Springs
Again, we enjoyed the hot springs after hiking up the volcano.
So, if you are going to go with a guided hike, I recommend choosing one that will also take you to the hot springs before taking you back to your accommodation!
Alternative Tours
If you don’t want to include the hot springs in your guided hike or if you want to see sunrise on Mount Batur without the hike there are options for these as well.
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.
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