Climb Mount Batur

Batur is located in the mountainous region of Kintamani, in the north of the Indonesian island of Bali. It is a stratovolcano consisting of a vast caldera overlooking a lake of the same name.

Mount Batur is still active, but rest assured that its last major eruption was in 1926. Unfortunately, it completely destroyed the village of Batur at the time. Since then, only one small eruption has been recorded, in 2000, but the lava flow was not very large. At the foot of Mount Batur, farmers grow mainly rice, but also chillies. Mount Batur is considered sacred by Hindus, which is why numerous religious ceremonies are held there.

For those who are not seasoned hikers, fear not. The ascent of Mount Batur is considered accessible, even to children aged 12 and over! There are no difficult sections, just the occasional steep climbs. At the foot of Mount Batur, you'll find a host of guides offering to accompany you for around €40. The easiest way is to book your ticket online in advance. There are 800 metres of ascent to cover, and it will take you around two hours.

For those who want a more immersive experience, you can make the ascent at night. The hike generally departs around 3.30am. You should allow 10 hours for this excursion. Departure from the hotel around 2am and return around 10-12am, depending on where you are located in Bali. The climb takes 2 hours and the descent 2 hours.

Thanks to your night-time departure, you'll be able to catch a glimpse of the sun rising above a sea of clouds from the summit. You'll also have a panoramic view of Lake Batur, Mount Abang and the ocean. The perfect moment for a photo, and a lunch break! Your guide may even suggest cooking an egg in the fumes of the Batur volcano!