If there’s one thing I wanted to do during my very first trip to Bali, it was the Mount Batur sunrise hike. But time was tight, and I had to skip it. Fast forward to a month after moving to Ubud—I packed my 30L backpack and set off for Kintamani with just one mission in mind: to hike an active volcano at sunrise.
Between the unpredictable weather and my desire for a meaningful (and not overcrowded) experience, I hesitated. But in the end, I followed my gut and booked that tour I had been thinking about for a few days.
And let me tell you…Bali showed up for me.
Got you curious? Keep reading. I’m sharing my full Mount Batur sunrise hike experience, the best tour I could’ve possibly booked, and how to plan your visit (because yes—there are a few things I wish I had known before going).
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Where is Mount Batur & How to Get There?
Mount Batur is one of Bali’s two active volcanoes and the second-highest peak on the island, right after Mount Agung (which is also a great—though much tougher—trekking option). It’s located in the Kintamani region, in northern Bali.
Kintamani is easy to reach from most areas of the island:
- About 30 km (1.5 hours) from Ubud
- About 76 km (2.5 hours) from the Seminyak/Canggu area
- About 60 km (1 hour 45 min) from Sanur
The Mount Batur trek is one of the most popular things to do from Ubud, since it’s more central and often part of any Bali itinerary.
Here are a few options to get to Mount Batur:
Join a tour with transport included: This is what I recommend! Most tours include hotel pickup from all over Bali, and honestly, I can’t imagine doing the hike without a guide (unless you’re following someone else’s group… which isn’t ideal).
Stay in Kintamani the night before – If you’re like me and want to be closer to the starting point, you can book a Grab from Ubud (or wherever you’re located) the day before and schedule it for early the next morning. I left Ubud around 7 AM and reached Kintamani in about an hour, avoiding the worst of the traffic.
(Note: to come back, you may need to arrange a taxi through your accommodation, as Grab isn’t always available in that area.)
Rent a scooter or car – This is a good option if you’re planning to stay in Kintamani for a couple of days. Since Grab isn’t as widely available as in other areas of Bali, having your transport gives you flexibility to explore (that’s what I wished I had done, if I wasn’t scared of driving in Bali).
✨ If you’re only planning a quick stop in Kintamani, make sure to check out how you can create the perfect day trip, combining the Mount Batur trek with a visit to the main sights in the area.
When Is the Best Time to Hike Mount Batur?
Like most outdoor experiences in Bali, the best time to do the Mount Batur sunrise hike is during the dry season, which runs from April to September.
That said, Bali’s weather is wildly unpredictable. And even now, looking at August 2025, there’s no guarantee of sunshine, no matter what the season says.
I did the hike on August 1st, and the weather was amazing: clear skies, visible stars, and a drizzle that stopped as we hiked up. But just three days earlier, it had been non-stop rain, thick fog, and heavy wind, my guide told me.
Even the morning I arrived in Kintamani, I couldn’t see more than a few steps ahead of me at 8 AM because of the fog—but the next morning, everything cleared up completely. So, there’s no way to know for sure.
My advice is to go for it. Cross your fingers, trust the moment, and be prepared for anything. That’s what I did—and honestly, I was ready for the worst.
What to Pack for the Mount Batur Sunrise Hike (Things I Wish I Had Known)
In terms of packing, there are a few things I wish I had known before the hike:
Wear layers: As you climb up, you’ll get warm and sweaty, even if it’s 3 AM. But once you reach the top and stop moving, it gets really cold—especially if you’re still in your sweaty clothes. For me, a pair of leggings, a sports bra, a sports top, a sweater, and a light jacket or windbreaker worked well.
Your shoes will get dirty: If you choose to hike down the longer ring trail, volcanic ash will turn your nice white New Balance into a pair of dusty black sneakers (why did I wear white shoes to hike a volcano, right?).
Snacks and drinks along the way: There are small stalls and vendors along the trail selling snacks and drinks if you need them.
Here’s what I suggest you pack:
- A change of bra/top – Keeping sweaty clothes on will make you freeze once you reach the top.
- Small towel – So you don’t end up using your sweater to dry off.
- Water and snacks – Most tours include breakfast on the volcano, but if yours doesn’t, bring some nuts, granola bars, fruit, or even a bit of chocolate.
- Insect repellent – My guide said there were no mosquitoes (and I feel he was right), but if you’re hiking in the rainy season, it might be a different story. Either way, it’s always good to have some with you.
- Deodorant – Maybe it’s just me, but I love feeling fresh after a hike. After sweating like crazy and feeling like a mess, it felt so good to spray some deodorant at the top.
- Windbreaker – As mentioned, it gets chilly at the summit. I brought a thin, light one from Decathlon, and layered it over a sweater; it did the job (even if I was still a bit cold).
- Hiking shoes are ideal since the ground is slippery and uneven in places. That said, I did it in my New Balance and didn’t fall once (okay, maybe just once).
- Sun protection for the way down – Bring SPF, a hat, and sunglasses. The sun in Bali is strong, and even stronger at higher altitudes.
- Cash – In case you want to tip your guide or buy something from the vendors along the way.
The Tour I Booked & Why
When I first came to Bali, I kept hearing how touristy the Mount Batur sunrise hike had become — and how once you reach the top, it’s so crowded you can barely enjoy the view.
Looking at the usual platforms I use to book tours, I kept seeing notes like “booked 20 times yesterday”, and all I could picture was hiking in line behind 20 people, adjusting my pace to match theirs (and I usually walk way faster than the average hiker). Not my kind of thing.
So I kept digging online and came across Seek Sophie and this private tour called “Mt Batur’s Hidden Paths with a Local.”
I had already noticed the site — they focus on authentic, off-the-beaten-path experiences across Asia — so I decided to give it a try.
My guide was a young guy from Kintamani who lived right by the starting point of the hike (we saw his two little kids waving at us when we got back), and the experience lived up to the promise on the website (I will tell you more about it in the following paragraph).
He took me to quiet photo spots where no one else was around, showed me different trails to avoid the crowds, and we were the first ones to reach the summit — at exactly 4:45 AM. Here are a few details about the tour I booked:
1. Private Tour
The tour I booked is a private one, which means that if you’re traveling with a group of friends, you can be up to 13 people. The more of you, the less you pay per person. I was alone, so I paid around $55 for the tour only — but if you’re four or more, it ends up being around $25 each.
2. Breakfast Included
As you can read in the tour description, breakfast is included. Once you reach the peak, the guide prepares a banana sandwich for you, along with a hard-boiled egg, a chocolate bar, a banana, and some other fruits.
3. Hiking Gear
The only hiking gear I was given was a headlamp — although I ended up holding it in my hand the whole time. I noticed that some people got hiking poles too, so you may ask your guide before the tour starts. I did the hike without poles, and I can say there were moments when they would have been useful.
4. Transport
Transport: This tour gives you the possibility to book transportation from different areas in Bali, and depending on where you are, it may be more or less convenient. From Kintamani, I paid $24 for the return trip from my hotel. I think this tour is especially worth it if you’re already staying in Kintamani.
5. Want to Join a Group (Up to 30 People) Tour From Ubud?
This is the Mount Batur Tour I initially wanted to join — as a solo traveler, I didn’t mind meeting new people, and it came with free pickup. But it turned out this tour only departs from Ubud (like, what? I came all the way to Kintamani for a reason!). So if you’re based in Ubud and looking to save some money and join a group, this is a great alternative.
6. Available Add-Ons
You can choose several add-ons when booking, including visiting the hot springs, Nung Nung Waterfall, or even taking a jeep back down from the peak if you don’t feel like hiking back. In my opinion, the only thing you’ll want to do after the hike is head back to your hotel, shower, and go back to sleep — so no add-ons for me.
Would I Choose This Tour Again?
Yes, I would. My Mount Batur sunrise hike was totally worth it. Even though I paid a bit more since I was on my own, it turned out to be the right choice.
Instead of walking in a line behind 10 other people, I was able to go at my own pace, which was fast, considering it only took me 55 minutes to reach the top (the average is around 1.5 hours). Here are a couple of reasons why I’d do it this way again — and why I’d recommend it to you too.
1. The Guide
Nengah, the name of the guide, was so positive throughout the whole experience — his energy was contagious. He’s from Kintamani and lives right at the base of the volcano, like all the guides employed by Seek Sophie.
He was incredibly knowledgeable: he showed me the best spots to take pictures (a bit higher up from where most people sit to watch the sunrise). He even offered me the option to take an alternative way down for a change of scenery, which turned out to be a skiing experience on lava sand.
2. The Overall Organization
Everything went smoothly and right on time. I was picked up from my hotel at the scheduled hour by a driver, brought to the base, and met my guide there. The hike itself went without a single issue. By around 8 AM we were already on our way back, and by 9 I was sitting in front of my second breakfast at the villa I was staying.
3. The Communication
Once the tour is booked, if you have any questions, you can message the host directly using the number provided in the confirmation email. Just make sure to confirm your pickup time and location, and remind them that you need to be picked up. They were super responsive every time I reached out, and communication was seamless.
If you want to book the same tour I took from Kintamani, you can do it HERE.
My Experience Climbing Mount Batur & Timetable
From Starting Point to The Peak
3 AM: The driver picked me up from my villa just five minutes behind schedule and drove me almost directly to the starting point of the hike. I say almost because at one point he asked me to wait at this random, obviously closed food stall in the middle of nowhere, and I remember thinking, “Great, I’ve been scammed.” But no, two minutes later he came back… with a jeep!
3:45 AM: Once we arrived at the base, I was offered coffee or tea (which I declined — I didn’t want to risk needing to pee with no toilets anywhere along the volcano trail). I met my guide and was given the headlamp, which is absolutely essential if you want to see where you’re walking — the path is dark, with not even light in sight. We started the trek right away.
Roughly the first 50% of the trail is a dirt road, wide and surrounded by dense jungle. It’s mostly uphill, with just a few short flat stretches here and there. In my opinion, this is the most challenging part: the humidity in the forest is intense, and those climbs are no joke.
The second half becomes rockier and less linear. There’s no clear path anymore, but by following the guide, you’ll know where to step. The forest thins out here — and this is when I had one of the most magical surprises.
Between the sweat and trying not to trip, remember to look up (if it’s a clear night, of course). I even caught a shooting star. The sky up there is unreal, full of stars like I’d never seen before — a good excuse to stop and catch your breath more often along this stretch. This section is a little less intense physically, but it does require more focus, as the rocks are uneven.
4:45 AM – That’s roughly when I reached the peak. I was in awe—first of all, there was no one else around, just me, and second, the sky was so clear. You could see the lights down in Kintamani and the stars shining bright above. Nengah went to prepare my breakfast while I slowly realized that if I kept my sweaty clothes on, I was going to freeze. Sitting still on that bench, alone, soaking in the silence and the starry sky, I managed to pull off a ninja move and change clothes. That’s when I wished I had brought an extra top or jacket.
Breakfast & Sunrise
5:15-5:30 AM – Breakfast arrived about 30 minutes later—and guys, I was starving! I devoured the simple banana sandwich and eggs as if they were a 5-star meal. Around 5:30, the first light of dawn began to peek over the horizon, and that’s when I knew I was about to witness the most beautiful sunrise against all odds.
6 AM – Breakfast isn’t served at the very top, but slightly lower down. Around 6 AM, Nengah took me to the highest point near the edge of the caldera (and shoutout to Nengah for taking the best pictures), beyond the crowd enjoying the sunrise around the seating area.
Exploring The Caldera & Volcano Steam
Right before the explosion of colors at sunrise and the following hour spent taking photos, Nengah took me to explore the area near the caldera. Since the volcano is still active, you can see the smoke rising from its core—it’s quite invigorating after sitting in the cold for so long. He showed me a curious little ritual: you blow on an incense stick near the source of the smoke, and suddenly the volcano’s steam comes to life.
That’s when it hits you—this volcano isn’t just dormant, it’s very much alive, and you can see the activity bubbling beneath the surface.
Descending the Volcano
Many people think the challenge is the climb. But for me, the real challenge is the descent. You’re tired, you feel like a mess, all you want is a shower and a bed, and yet you still have to hike down—and it’s not as easy as you’d think.
6:45 AM: After spending the following 45 minutes exploring the peak and taking pictures, we started the climb down. Here you have the option to take the same way down (which I wouldn’t recommend, as it was steep coming up, so it could have been quite hard to go down) or take the longer ring, exploring the entire path around the caldera. I know that “longer” doesn’t sound inviting, but between the two options, I honestly don’t know which is the easiest.
I took the longer route, all around the volcano’s caldera. Here, the path is covered in a thick layer of black sand—so much that it feels like walking on snow or in the desert. You have to be careful, because it’s incredibly slippery and it’s easy to fall.
Once you pass the caldera, the trail continues down toward the base, where the ground becomes rocky again for a while, before turning into a more or less wide path through the forest—still slippery though.
8:15 AM: It took me longer to descend than to climb (that’s how cautious I was). I was genuinely afraid of falling. After about an hour or so, we finally made it back to the base. I jumped straight into the car with my driver and headed back to my villa in Kintamani. By 9 AM, I was already sitting in front of my second breakfast.
Difficulty of The Mount Batur Hike
I saw all kinds of people completing the hike—kids, older folks, people who were a bit out of shape. The good news is that the hike only takes about 1.5 hours, and the elevation is around 700 meters. Depending on your fitness level, you can go at your own pace, which makes it accessible for everyone.
Breath and legs are the challenge on the way up, but focus is the issue on the way down—especially after waking up at 2 AM and hiking uphill for over an hour. It’s easy to get a bit distracted or tired.
Waking up at 2 AM to hike Mount Batur is likely the biggest challenge. But honestly, once you start walking, the excitement of reaching the top keeps you awake. (At least that’s how it was for me—and I had only slept two hours the night before).
That said, don’t expect to get much done the rest of the day. You’ll probably only manage a slow walk in the afternoon or a relaxing hot springs session in Kintamani.
Where to Stay in Kintamani?
If, like me, you’re planning a couple of days in Kintamani, I stayed at Ayodya Batur Villa, and honestly, I couldn’t be happier with my choice (not only because they upgraded me to a room with a direct view of the volcano!).
The view from this villa is insane—I genuinely believe it’s one of the best in the area. From the moment I arrived, I could tell the stay was going to feel almost luxurious.
The owner greeted me with a welcome drink, my room was stunning, and the savory breakfast was so good that I was already looking forward to it after the hike.
The villa is a bit isolated, so I’d recommend it if you’re planning to rent a scooter or if you don’t have too many activities planned around Kintamani and want to disconnect and soak in the views. They work with drivers, so it’s not difficult to book taxis from the villa. They also have a restaurant on-site with free room service—and let me tell you, eating with that view is next level.
✨ Will you be spending more time in Kintamani? I’ve put together a guide to help you plan your 2-day escape and explore many more activities in the area.
So… there you go. I think you’ve got everything you need to plan your Mount Batur sunrise hike in the best way possible.
Even if the peak gets crowded, the experience is still 100% worth it — for the hike itself, for the connection with nature, for the effort you’ll feel in your body, and most of all… for the gift waiting at the top: the sunrise (I wish you luck with the weather!).
If you’re planning to spend a couple of days in Kintamani and are still looking for a tour, I highly recommend this hidden path Mount Batur hike with a local guide. If you’re coming from Ubud just for a day trip, this option is perfect and can save you a lot of money on transportation.
If you still have any questions about the experience or the hike in general, feel free to drop them in the comments — I’m always happy to help!
