There is nothing quite like watching the sunrise from the summit of Mount Batur. It’s only around a 2-hour trek from base to summit and the effort will be rewarded with an epic sunrise over the ocean with spectacular views of Agung, Abang and Rinjani mountains and all the way to Lombok Island.
Trekking to the summit of Mt Batur isn’t that difficult from a technical level – it’s a steady climb that most people can achieve with an average level of fitness. The inclines aren’t that difficult, but the inexorable trek towards the mountain top will have you congratulating yourself when you reach the summit for having made the effort.
Trekking to Mt Batur Summit
After getting picked up from your hotel or villa, you’ll be driven to meet your personal guide for the trek at Toya Bungkah village and a safety briefing.
From there you will prepare you’ll start your trek around 4 am under a blanket of stars and climb safely at a pace that suits your group on your way to the summit, arriving around 6 am.
From the summit, you’ll watch the sky turn from dark purple to burnt orange and pink as the sun rises over the ocean to the east. Mount Batur is an active volcano and part of UNESCO’s Global Geopark Network. Standing at 1,717 meters (5,633 feet) above sea level the hike to the summit will be a highlight of your trip to Bali.
Daylight reveals the volcanic valley below and spectacular views of Mount Agung, Mount Abang and Mount Rinjani all the way to Lombok island.
After a light breakfast (banana, eggs and coffee or tea) you will be trekking back down the mountain past recent lava flows and the amazing volcanic landscape overlooking the crater lake.
Recommended Pick Up Times
If you want to see the sunrise on your Mount Batur Sunrise Trek you will need to be picked up at the following times.
- Nusa Dua, Tabanan, Tanah Lot, Uluwatu 01:00 AM
- Benoa, Canggu, Jimbaran, Kuta, Legian, Seminyak 01:15 AM
- Sanur 01:30 AM
- Gianyar, Ubud 02:00 AM
Checklist for Mt Batur Sunrise Trek
This is only advice, but I’ve been on some of the world’s greatest treks, and the one thing that always surprises me is seeing people completely unprepared for a trek.
I’ve seen several tourists start the trek up My Batur wearing flip-flops and carrying luggage like they were expecting to walk to a 5-star hotel and were surprised when they realised there was nothing but a volcanic plateau between them and the summit.
Sensible walking shoes, a warm sweater or fleece (a beanie is a good idea) and a small day pack for water and snacks will make for a more enjoyable adventure.
- A small day pack.
- Something warm for the upper body. A sweater or fleece at minimum, or a lightweight outer hiking shell. It’s surprisingly cooler from Toya Bungkah and much colder on the way to the summit before dawn. A t-shirt is not enough.
- Water bottle. There may be some entrepreneurial vendors on the path towards the summit that will sell water at extraordinary prices (good for them) but they are not always there, so relying on buying water on the way up is not recommended.
- Spare socks to change at the summit before the trek down.
- Sticking plasters in case of blisters. Handyplast is the local brand.
Mount Batur Sunrise Trek + Hot Springs
The best thing I can recommend after a Mount Batur Sunrise Trek is the Batur Natural Hot Springs located on the shores of Danau (Lake) Batur. A soak in these will cure the muscle soreness if you’re not used to trekking so much and make sure you’re nice and relaxed for your return to your hotel or villa for a nap beside the pool.
The cost of the hot springs is IDR350k which includes entry for swimming, towel and locker, with food and beverages not included.
Tour Timeline
01:30 – 02:30 am – Pick-up from Hotel or Villa
If you’re going to see the sunrise you have to head off early!
03:45 am – Toya Bungkah Village (starting point)
This is your starting point for the Mount Batur Sunrise Trek where you meet your guide.
05:45 am – The summit of Mt Batur (sunrise point)
Take your camera. This is going to be epic.
06:00 am – Crater rim trek
Fantastic views over the crater lake on the way back down.
08:30 am – Return to starting point
Back to Toya Bungkah Village.
09:00 am – Toya Bungkah Hot Springs
Time for a dip in the natural hot springs to soothe those aching muscles.
11:00 am – Tegalalang Rice Terraces
1:00 pm – Drop-off at Hotel or Villa
Back to your hotel or villa.
Mt Batur Sunrise Tour Map
What’s included:
- Toyota Avanza/Xenia or similar 6-seater SUV w/ air-con.
- English-speaking driver.
- Up to 12 hours of driving time.
- Includes the cost of a private car and driver for the entire tour, and your own private guide for the trek to the summit of Mt Batur for 1 – 5 people.
- Includes entry fee to Kintamani and a simple breakfast of banana, eggs, bread, coffee and tea at the summit.
- Headlamps and poles are provided.
Your itinerary is flexible, so if you choose to go over time you can simply pay your driver the extra IDR 100k per hour or part thereof.
Not included:
- Food and beverages.
- Lunch or other meals on the route.
- Entry tickets to hot springs (optional).
Reviews
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I’m a technology entrepreneur and traveller and began Bali Holiday Secrets as a guide for friends and family who came to visit after I moved to Bali, and has grown to 80,000+ visitors a month.
It’s it possible to book this with just cash?
Hi Michael –
Is there a way to leave from Munduk and arrive in Ubud with this Mount Batur hike? We’d love to do the hike on our day of transfer from Munduk to Ubud (but then of course would have luggage with us)
Hi Georgia,
Yes, you can! You can simply book your tour as normal, and inform your driver in the morning that you’ll be returning to Ubud instead of Munduk.
The luggage isn’t a problem as you can store it in the car while you go on your Batur Sunrise Trek.
Safe travels,
Michael
Hi Michael,
My partner and I are travelling to Bali from 26 June to 1 July, staying 5 nights in Nusa Dua.
I’m keen on the sunrise hike, the temple tour #1, itinerary #3 for Ubud day tour and itinerary #1 for Uluwatu.
With wanting to book all these, is there a driver you’d recommend for all of them.that we could negotiate a rate with, or a way to combine them more efficiently? Or, just book as is? I’d like to keep to your suggestions for itinerary.
Cheers
Claire
Hi Claire,
All of the drivers have years of experience with the tours, so you’ll be in good hands!
Some of the tours include tickets and entrance fees, so it won’t be possible to negotiate a rate especially being peak season.
I would suggest booking the tours separately and on my end, I’ll ensure you get the same driver.
Here’s a shortcut to all the tours you’re interested in:
Bali Temple Tour #1
Ubud Day Tour
Uluuwatu Day Tour
Mount Batur Sunrise Trek (on this very page)
Feel free to let me know if you have any more questions!
Hope you’re excited for your Bali trip.
Safe travels,
Michael
Hi Michael,
We are hoping to book Mt Batur sunrise trek (we are heading over in a couple of weeks).
Is it possible to drop the hot springs and rice fields portion and simply book the pick up from villa (Ubud), guide, trek and crater rim trek then head back to our villa?
Your site has been immensely helpful 🙏
Thank you
Michelle
Hi Michelle,
Yes that’s completely fine. The itinerary is all yours to adjust as you please.
Safe travels,
Michael
Hi Michael,
We have a group of 6 adults that will be touring in mid-Feb and looking to book this excursion around Feb 19/20. Is 5 the max each vehicle can take? Are we better off booking 2 trucks and meeting up at Toya Bungkah Village?
Your website is really well organized and full of great tips – we’ll definitely be booking a driver through you and not the hotel!
Hi Courtney, I’ve just updated the tour booking form to allow up to 12 people. We have speciality drivers for this tour and we organise 1 private mountain guide per 5 passengers, so for 6 passengers you will have 2 guides trekking together.
Safe travels, Michael
Hi there Michael,
great web site and looking forward to booking some tours with you.
If we book the Mount Batur Sunrise Trek, but would like to drop the Tegallang rice fields and rather drive to the lake bratan and the water temple, would that be possible? Do I let you know after the tour is confirmed?
We would be staying in Ubud.
thanks, Chris
Hi Chris, – yes, you can modify your itinerary to suit your requirements. Just let your driver know after pickup.
Safe travels, Michael
Hi Michael,
I’ve found you’re website really helpful and filled with great suggestions, thanks so much!
Can you tell me if a headlamp or poles are included for the trek to Mount Batur?
Also, do you know the cost of entry to the hot springs on this tour?
Thank you,
Kiralee
Hi Kiralee – I have heard back from the head driver for these tours that headlamps and poles are provided. The cost of the hot springs is IDR350k which includes entry for swimming, towel and locker, with food and beverages not included.
Hope this helps. Safe travels, Michael
Hi Michael, I know the guide cost is not included in the rate but will the guide be booked for us and ready for when we arrive at Mount Batur or do we sort it ourselves when we arrive?
Thanks
Hi Connor – Thanks for asking. I have reached out to my guide connections to find out the latest pricing post-covid (so much has changed) and will get back to you within 24 hours with detailed pricing and details.
Safe travels, Michael
Hi Connor – I have confirmed that the sunrise trek to the summit of Mt Batur is available. One of my drivers specialises in this tour as his family comes from Kintamani. The tour prices have been updated to include the entry fee into Kintamani, the cost of a personal guide and a simple rustic breakfast on the summit as you watch the sunrise.
I’ve also confirmed estimates for timing depending on where you are being picked up.
Previously I avoided all-inclusive pricing because the guiding operators would change their pricing dependent on demand (especially for tourists who turned up without bookings and are a captive audience).
But now I am more particular about which drivers I vet and work with for specific tours like this that depend on organisation beforehand.
Hope this helps and I look forward to your booking.
Safe travels, Michael
Hi, I am going to Bali in a month and was wondering if the mountain guide is included if I book this Mount Batur trek. Or does it only include the private driver?
Hi Gaelle,
The Mount Batur Trek cost of USD$45 per person for the guided trek to the mountain summit is not included and needs to be paid directly to the guiding company on arrival.
I’m looking at securing guide tickets for inclusion with this trip, but it’s easier and more efficient for this tour to only include the private care and driver along with touring the other attractions on the itinerary. That’s why the tour cost is only IDR 1.000k for up to 6 people.
Safe travels,
Michael