Witnessing the sunrise from the top of Mount Batur is an experience sought out by many who visit Bali. The journey to the summit is an adventure on its own.
This booking is an opportunity to enjoy Mount Batur from the comfort of your own private Jeep, as you traverse through Batur’s pine forests and black lava fields.
Mount Batur (or Gunung Batur) is an active volcano on on the north-eastern side of Bali in the Bangli Regency, and part of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network.
If you’re not up for the more challenging Mount Batur Sunrise Trek, then this jeep tour is for you.
Mount Batur Jeep Tour at Sunrise
You’ll be picked up from your hotel or villa by your driver and driven to the Mount Batur Jeep Tour starting point in Kintamani.
Here you can have a coffee or tea and a small bite at a local cafe while your Jeep driver gets ready to head out.
The Mount Batur Jeep tour usually starts around 4:00 – 4:30 am. You can choose to sit in the passenger seat beside the driver or the 2-seater back seat.
I recommend sitting in the back as it’s roofless and can be more fun – giving you somewhat of a ‘safari’ experience.
It will be quite dark on the journey up Mount Batur, with the only source of light coming from the headlights. But you should be able to see the stars if it isn’t too cloudy.
It will also be relatively cold (around 15 – 18 degrees celsius), so make sure to pack a hoodie or light jacket if you’re not used to colder temperatures.
The initial ride will take you on a bumpy ride through the pine forest up to a cleared area at the (almost) top of Mount Batur where all the Jeeps park, overlooking Lake Batur (Danau Batur).
Here you can relax on the roof of the Jeep and enjoy the stars or get out and mingle with others while you wait for the sunrise.
You’ll also be provided a light breakfast (nothing fancy, a banana, egg, and sandwich). If you’re a foodie like myself, the breakfast can be quite underwhelming.
I recommend packing your own, or have your driver stop at an Indomaret or Circle K convenience store on the way to Kintamani.
Pine Forest and Black Lava fields
After enjoying the Mount Batur sunrise, you’ll head back down through the pine forest – which, to me, is an additional experience itself in the daylight as it doesn’t quite feel like Bali.
You can choose to stand up in the back of the Jeep and let the cold morning wind flow through your hair as you journey through the pine trees.
For the next stop, you’ll head towards Mount Batur’s black lava fields. If this is your first time visiting a volcano, prepare to be amazed!
Especially on a foggy day, the black lava fields gives you a literal ‘out-of-this-world’ experience, a very King Kong: Skull Island scene.
Here you can get out and walk around, take some photos, and simply enjoy the beauty of what a magnificent volcano can leave behind.
The volcanic rocks you’ll be walking on were formed during the Mount Batur eruption in 1963 – about 60 years ago!
After the black lava fields, you’ll make your way back to the meeting point in Kintamani where my driver will be waiting for you.
You can choose to grab a bite and coffee at one of the scenic cafes in Kintamani, or continue with the rest of your day exploring.
Mount Batur Jeep Tour with Photographer
Maybe the term “photographer” might be a bit of a stretch. But your Jeep driver will be able to take photos of you while you’re on the Mount Batur journey.
He’ll be able to use your phone or camera to take pics and suggest awesome spots and angles to take them.
During any of the stops on the Mount Batur Jeep Tour, you can ask your Jeep driver to take photos for you, and as many as you like. A friendly reminder to charge your smartphone or camera battery overnight.
Keep in mind, in some cases, the Batur Jeep driver may not be very fluent in English but will still be able to communicate with the basics.
Batur Natural Hot Springs (Optional)
After your Mount Batur Jeep Tour, you may want to warm up. I recommend heading to Batur Natural Hot Springs located at the base of Mount Batur, on the shores of Lake Batur.
Batur Natural Hot Springs can be quite relaxing, especially after an active early morning.
Where to go after my Batur Jeep Tour?
While you’re in East Bali, you may want to take this opportunity to explore nearby destinations after your Mount Batur Jeep Tour. Here are a few recommendations to tackle your Bali bucket list.
Tirta Empul (Pura Tirta Empul), is a water temple and one of the best temples in Bali. It is an ancient Balinese temple which was built during the 10th century and is considered one of the holiest temples in Bali.
You can bathe in the natural springs (Melukat) among locals and witness blessings and religious prayers.
You may also be interested in visiting a coffee and tea plantation to have a taste of Bali’s wide variety of coffee and tea, and learn more about how it is farmed here.
Some visitors also choose to visit the Tegallalang Rice Terraces after their Mount Batur Jeep Tour. Tegallalang Rice Terraces is one of the most beautiful and picturesque rice terraces in Bali and just north of Ubud.
Checklist for Batur Sunrise Jeep Tour
Like the Mount Batur Sunrise Trek, you may want to pack a few essentials with you for the Mount Batur Jeep Tour to make the experience more comfortable you. Here are some suggestions:
- A small day pack
- Warm clothing – it can get cold on Mount Batur!
- Your smartphone or camera for photos
- Extra water to stay hydrated
- Some snacks for the road
- Don’t wear white shoes
What’s included in the Batur Jeep Tour?
This booking includes being picked up from your hotel or villa by an English-speaking, trustworthy, and knowledgable driver with an immaculately maintained 6-seater air-conditioned SUV. Fuel, applicable taxes, and 12 hours of allocated time from pick-up to drop-off are all included.
With the SUV, the seating configuration is 1 in the front passenger seat, 3 in the rear, and 2 more in the rear-most fold-down seats.
If you prefer more room, you can consider upgrading to a Toyota Innova, which is slightly larger and roomier, and far more comfortable for 5 or 6 passengers.
Your driver will take you to Kintamani and personally hand you over to the Mount Batur Jeep driver. Your personal jeep driver and rental, some small meals, as well as the entrance fees are all included in this booking.
In summary, your Mount Batur Jeep Tour includes:
- Private, well-maintained, air conditioned SUV for the day (12 hours)
- Friendly, vetted, English-speaking driver
- Fuel and applicable taxes
- Professional Jeep driver and tour guide
- Well-maintained Jeep or similar off-road vehicle
- Entrance fees to Kintamani and Mount Batur
- Complimentary coffee / tea
- Sunrise Jeep tour on Mount Batur
- Jeep tour through the pine forest and black lava fields
- Simple breakfast on Mount Batur during sunrise
Not included
- Entrance fees to other attractions / stops (if any)
- Additional meals or beverages
- Tickets to any events (if any)
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Mount Batur Jeep Tour FAQs
The Mount Batur Jeep Tour is a fully private tour. Whether you book a solo adventure for yourself, or have 2 other passengers join you, it will always be private. The Jeeps do leave as a small fleet in the morning.
What kind of vehicle is used for the Mount Batur Jeep Tour?
Although it’s commonly called a “Jeep Tour” it’s not always an official Jeep model. But you’ll find similar safari-type off road worthy vehicles such as the Suzuki Katana. All the same in my experience.
Is the Mount Batur Jeep Tour suitable for kids?
If you can wake them up in time, the kids would definitely enjoy the Jeep ride, but I wouldn’t recommend it if they’re too young or need a child seat.
Are there toilets on Mount Batur?
Upon arrival at the sunrise lookout on top of Mount Batur (where all the Jeeps meet up to park), you be able to use the toilets there. There is a cost of 10k IDR ($1.00 AUD) to use them. Keep in mind, the toilets on Batur are sub-par compared to what you’re used to – an outdoor zinc shed with a whole in the ground.
How many people can join me on the Mount Batur Jeep Tour?
The Jeep is quite small and can fix up to 3 passengers – 1 in the front seat beside the driver, and 2 in the rear seat. If your group is larger than 3, the booking below will automatically adjust for a second Jeep.
Is the Mount Batur Jeep Tour safe?
Yes, fully safe! All of the vehicles are well maintained and the routes are used on a daily basis. You will not be going off the path on random routes.
