masterthesis-playground/raft/corpus/topic=4__part=027__n=60.txt

[TOPIC] 4
[Stats] N=60 | Source=../data/original/reviews.tab


(1) I climbed Mount Agung last week with a friend and we really should have been more prepared! Our guide Ketut picked us up from our hotel at 1.30 am and told us that we needed warmer clothes because at the top it does get very cold- even when it is sweltering at the bottom!\n\nI think it would really help for other travellers to read ALL the other trip advisor reviews before they climb this mountain. I don't really know why I didn't do that myself!\n\nA few pieces of advice before you go:\n\n1- Take a backpack with lots of water, space for your breakfast (our hotel provided us with breakfast boxes) and bring some snacks for the way up and the way down, you'll need the sugar boost.\n\n2- Do it with a guide; they'll keep track of you and will hopefully have a phone on them so that if something does go wrong, they can call for help.\n\n3- Do it at your own pace, remember this is your journey. If you don't reach the summit by sunrise its really not the end of the world, the sun will rise again tomorrow. The view from any part of the mountain is stunning, even in the dark you can look out and see most of the south of the island lit up, and you can also see some of the surrounding islands which is picturesque, even at 3am!\n\n4- Take a few layers of clothing with you. You'll sweat like a beast on the way up, but about an hour or so from the top you'll notice a chill. The pinnacle will be biting as it is above the clouds, so a good fleece is advised. Also stow a pack-a-mac for when it rains on the way down (it WILL rain).\n\nWe climbed Mount Agung with Ketut, a very knowledgeable guide who claims to have climbed the mountain over 900 times in the last 10 years. He's great and really boosted our morale and gave us courage (and cookies) to keep going all the way to the top. I'd highly recommend him for anyone looking to go up Agung, or Batur if you want something a little easier. (Mount Batur is about a third of the height of Agung, and has easier slopes)\n\nHard as it is to get all the way to the top, getting down is just as treacherous. In some ways its worse because you can see the precipices you managed to side-step on your way up. Once the sun has risen you are fully aware of the dangers you once again have to tackle. But then you see the locals, there are always some going up and down for their respective ceremonies (generally involving the sacrifice of an animal). We allowed one group to over take us who were all wearing flip-flops, singing merrily to each other, and carrying large baskets on their heads with offerings and fruits to take to the summit. Some of them had lights, some didn't, and one guy was lighting the way with his iPhone! We also saw one man making the trek wearing scraggy clothes, flip-flops and a goat on his back. So no more complaining that your back-pack is too heavy or your shoes are rubbing!\n\nOverall it is a wonderful experience and you'll really get a sense of achievement when you get back to the bottom (as well as a sense of jelly-legs as you hit flat surfaces again) I'd recommend it to anyone wanting a real adventure. It is not for the faint-hearted by any means, but a really fun and quite exhausting day trekking!
(2) \nFor context, I am a rather athletic Swiss guy who climbed Mt. Batur with another Swiss (both in our 30s) at 6AM in July 2016 the day after a 7 hour, 50km, 2000 metre ascent by bicycle coming from Bali's north shore.\nThis was the Balinese dry season and although it had rained a little on and off in the previous days, it's certainly not comparable to climbing it in the wet season.\nNet: We did this in good shape but somewhat tired, during the dry seasons just before sunrise. I'm a seasoned hiker & Bali traveller (10 visits).\n\nI'm sharing what I now know after having hiked Mt. Batur as well as having talked extensively with one of the most experienced and accomplished guides in Batur Village (who has lead international mountaineering expeditions outside Indonesia).\n\nQuestions I had before deciding for the ascent were the following - I will address each of these in this review, first in a short verdict, then with more details:\n1. Is it necessary and advised to hike Mt. Batur in the early morning (speak middle of the night) to reach the top in time for sunrise?\n2. Can it be tracked alone, without a guide?\n3. Can it be done with a mountain bike (up and down)?\n\nMy verdict:\n1. It is worth climbing Mt. Batur if you have some mountain climbing experience\n2. It is NOT worth getting up at 2AM to reach the summit for sunrise\n3. It is worth hiring a guide for reasons other than \complying with a mountain mafia\" as some call it\n4. It can be mountain-biked down but I, as experienced MTBer wouldn't recommend it\n5. I wouldn't climb Mt. Batur with my family / young kids unless they had solid mountain climbing experience (Point 1) - it is not an \"easy family day outing\"\n\nIf you care about the detailed report, please read on:\n\n1. It is worth climbing Mt. Batur:\nYou probably never heard of Mt. Batur until you got onto it via TripAdvisor or through your hotel or travel agent while being on the ground and thought \"Wow - climbing one of Bali's highest peaks, a volcano and reaching the top by sunrise is a once in a lifetime experience, never mind the getting up at 2AM and let's go for it\".\nI'd say that ascending it is easy (3/10) for anybody fit enough to run at least 5KM, maybe a 5/10 for others, if you just look at the distance (4KM per way) and altitude gain (700 meters). However for the descent, due to a rather difficult volcanic terrain, I'd take this to 4/10 for experienced hikers and to 8/10 for inexperienced ones. The main reason for this difference being that an experienced hiker will bring the right gear and should be reasonably fit, while an inexperienced may not. In short, if this is the first mountain you're climbing (in very long time), I suggest to skip it and stick to the nice beaches and many temples Bali has to offer. If you want to see a sunrise from the top, drive up to Kintamani rim which is almost the same altitude as Mt. Batur.\n\nIf you go ahead, make sure you bring proper gear: Wear good shoes. The paths are very steep (steeper than many treks e.g. In the Alps) and slippery because volcanic rock is relatively soft and after being walked on for years turns into a sand-like ground which you literally roll on. I wore Asics Kayano, which is your typical running shoe with a high drop and I'd say as an experienced hiker it was just okay. I would have much preferred wearing hiking boots. Running shoes allowed me to run up and down parts though. If you don't plan to run it or are inexperienced, better get proper hiking boots with a hard sole, protecting your ankles. We saw a group of students struggling heavily on the downhill with their sports shoes and our guide confirmed that twisted ankles happen relatively frequently (about 1-2% of hikers).\n\nMt. Batur, at 1'700 meters is one of the smaller peaks around. If you are experienced, our guide recommended you go to Mt. Abang, Mt. Agung or Mt. Rinjani (on Lombok and the highest peak in SEA if I'm not mistaken). If you come towards the end of the dry season (September) we've been told that the ascent can be more difficult as the ground is very dry. If you climb in the rainy season, it obviously can be challenging for other reasons (slippery, cold and wet).\n\n2. It is not worth getting up at 2AM to reach the summit for sunrise:\nI have climbed peaks early mornings in time for sunrise in the past and based on that experience we decided not to hike this one at night. There probably are 3 main reasons why one would ascend a mountain during the night: To reach a far away place / peak in time to get back with sunlight OR to climb / cross a glacier or snowfield which becomes unsafe as temperature rises OR for meteorological reasons. Only the 3rd one somewhat applies here.\n\nWe started our ascent at 6.15 just after sunrise and got to the top a little before 8, taking it rather easy. The peak was shrouded in clouds pretty much until 8 and the hikers who had climbed it in the night and whom we met while ascending all told us that they hadn't seen anything at sunrise or after. They decided not to wait up there for the clouds to clear as it was too cold. Here is why I recommend climbing it at dawn or later and NOT at night:\n- It is fresh / cold: Starting at roughly 1000M altitude, it doesn't get really hot with sunshine (I've cycled many mountains in Bali above 1000M) - when cloudy or before sunrise it is very chilly, with winds can be cold. You sweat a lot: Assuming you're prepared and bringing layers of clothes to keep warm, you will sweat. Most of us will sweat a lot - in many cases T-shirts will be drenched by the time you reach the top. So as you reach the peak all wet and sweaty, waiting for the sunrise, with a steady breeze, you will be cold - very cold. If you are lucky, you've brought a change of clothes (hint hint). We did and were happy the sun had been up for a while as this, after changing into a dry long-sleeved top was the only thing keeping us warm (along with some very nice hot chocolate / coffee/ tea). If you are not prepared for the cold, don't bring appropriate (synthetic quick drying layered) clothing, it won't be much fun. And that's assuming you get a sunrise instead of clouds.\n- You don't see anything: Surprise - it's night! You can and should of course bring a good torch, ideally a head-lamp so your hands are free for the climb. As an experienced climber you would bring a quality lamp, nothing costing less than USD 80 or so to get decent lighting. Forget the lamps the guides give you (sometimes shared among 2 or 3 people). But even if you do have a good torch, you don't know the terrain and most probably you will walk very close to the next person in front of you, blindly following since you can't see ahead nor overtake the crowd ahead and you will take a less than optimal path. Navigating such a steep, volcanic path well makes the difference to ascending / descending in less than 90 minutes or doing it in 5 or 6 hours. And that assumes you have the right shoes and clothing. Ultimately the point though isn't about length spent climbing but about enjoyment. Will you enjoy the climb or will it be a torture, stressful and dangerous. And make no mistake, Mt. Batur has many dangerous drop offs with a key reason that fatalities remain low being the guides people \"have to hire\" (more about this below). Net: I recommend climbing this with daylight whenever possible, enjoying the ascent, the stay at the top (which can be long while waiting for freshly boiled eggs) and the descent. To the point on meteorolical condition, I can't say much. The day we hiked, the clouds cleared 90 minutes after sunrise and it was a wonderful view. Having observed the peaks over many days though, the chance of having clouds / fog at sunrise seems to be 50/50 with less clouds 2-3 hours after sunrise with more clouds building up around noon and in the afternoon. This will differ based on season and weather. Again: In all cases, good or bad weather / visibility, the climb with daylight is the choice to go for anyone inexperienced.\n- Too many people: Why the climb is promoted as an early morning climb beats me. If you take into account the hordes of 200 and more climbers who will do the same, blocking your path and the fact that you'll hardly have any space at the top, it becomes a very obvious choice to me. We enjoyed our hike up, seeing the valley, mountain (e.g. birds) come to life undisturbed by hundreds of other hikers. By the way, crossing downhill climbers isn't a problem with daylight because you easily see paths to pass each other + the fact that most downhill climbers are so exhausted from their nightly ascent that they sit around or will gladly stop to let you pass.\n\nThis is why, without getting into details on dangers of sleep deprivation and the consequences for your days ahead in Bali, I would not recommend climbing Mt. Batur at night. It simply is a technically too challenging slope - underground combination for a night climb for amateurs. You'll be able to do it, in 90% of cases yes (we saw few people who stopped mid-way and turned back). Will you wish you hadn't done it while climbing, most probably yes. Would you have enjoyed it more climbing it with daylight, this most definitely is a big YES.\n\n3. It is worth hiring a guide:\nTo answer this question, I'll draw on my experience travelling in South East Asia and having spent a total of 2.5 months in Bali in 10 trips, often with a guide as well as getting in close contact with the Balinese while travelling off the beaten track:\n- Technical climbing difficulty: For reasons mentioned above, for almost all people it makes sense to hire a guide to climb Mt. Batur. I'd expect that most climbers don't know Mt. Batur and having someone to guide you safely, carry your water & food, hold your hand when necessary, answer your questions simply makes sense. For those who want to \"challenge the status quo\" and climb on their own because they don't need a guide, there's a simple way out: If you are an experienced climber, my take is Mt. Batur isn't the right mountain for you. You'll have the right experience, gear and fitness to at least climb Gunung Abang, maybe Mt. Agung will be more suited to your level of experience. Either way, it seems like climbing those without a guide without the local climbing association after you you is easier. I don't know why - possibly because people climbing these indeed do have more experience.\n- Supporting local jobs: One could argue that the mountain guides are imposed onto tourists. But so are guides in many museums (guided tours where access is allowed only with guides) and on other occasions. The owners of the place / land make the rules and as guests we should follow them, whether we agree or not. While I believe that you do need a guide and you'll be happy to have one, there's also an element of supporting the local community, local jobs. And if there were no dangers and no need for guides the Balinese around Mt. Batur were to make it a mandate in order to make some money, I'd say this is a very valid and valuable work and we should support them. Most guides have worse shoes than us in most cases, because they cannot afford anything better - whatever they earn they'll spend on food, family, Banjar activities and education for their children. We often want to help the less fortunate, participate in charity events at home with little guarantee that the money will reach those in need - so if I get an opportunity to support the Balinese community on the ground, I'd do it any time. If you feel like you're ripped off, re-think what a 5 to 6 hours hike is worth a person's time with all the services they provide. I can tell you that we paid 460'000 for 2 people, including hot drinks at the peak (our guide had to pay the people who carry up the water, gas and food 100'000 for this), water supply worth 80'000, freshly boiled eggs, toast and bananas... What remains is maybe USD 20.- which goes to the guide and apparently partially to the mountain guide association. If you don't understand why money goes to this association, stay some time in Bali, study the social structures and organisations and you'll get it. If you pay much more because of transport by car and other things, complain with your tour organiser, not the local climbing association. In reality and once you know the Balinese better, you'll see that they are very nice and proud of the little they have, one thing being respected guides to tourists they welcome to their country and let climb on holy mountains, carry their water and support them knowing that they're undertrained, badly equipped and will need help.\n\n4. It can be mountain-biked but I, as experienced MTBer wouldn't recommend it:\nTo our surprise, our guide told us that there's nothing stopping you from carrying up your Mountain Bike and biking down. Given the tough terrain, the slope and the lack of downhill alternative routes to the ones Trekkers take, I wouldn't recommend it. Unless you are a downhill pro, you'll probably end up carrying your bike back down. It simply isn't fit for Mountain Biking. It doesn't seem to be forbidden though, if you decide to try it, please post an experience report to inspire us beginners :) There are however very nice Mt. Biking trails on the outer rim of the crater of Mt. Batur (Kintamani rim) and in many other parts of Bali.\n\n5. I wouldn't climb Mt. Batur with young kids - it is not an \"easy family outing:\nI believe that by now everyone should be clear about this point. I'd say though that a teenager as of 13 or so, if reasonably fit will likely master the ascent and descent relatively easily... The only downside being that towards the top the big drops are dangerous for anyone who isn't very reasonable (haven't we all been there) - so keep an eye out on those little buggers and if you make it up there as a family (with not so young children), you and especially they will be rewarded with a great memory for life... And then you can go on planning to climb the other mountains in Bali in your next trip. Enjoy!"
(3) It was lovely to see the mountain and learned that the last time the volcano erupted from there was back in 1963. The areas has wonderful views and great restaurants nearby which serve as great picture post cards....Restaurant offers buffet and the food wasn't disappointing either. Temperature was cooler compared to the bottom of the mountain, which I absolutely enjoyed!
(4) The drive to Kintamani where Mount Batur is located is very enjoyable and scenic. The view of the Mount Batur will also depend on weather conditions at times. If you are lucky, you definitely will get one of the best view of the Mountain along the lake. It is worth every penny and time spent to reach the place.
(5) This is one of the hardest things I have ever done in My life. I am physically very fit. But this is a long and tough climb!!! Doing this by Myself with My Tour guide did not make things easier for me.\nUnfortunately, I am one of few perhaps that got scared one Hour before reaching the top. IT just got steeper and steeper. Going up might not have been the problem but coming down sure would be for me.\nAnd for me this was the best decision at the time as iT can be dangerous. And wearing a pair of Nikes is clearly not the best choice for this climb.\nOn the way down I slipped Many times.\nIn a way it makes me feel bad that I did not make iT. But on the other hand I have still been walking for 7 Hours by Myself with no trekking experience at all.\nIT was quite an experience that I did not want to miss though I did not make iT to the top. I am glad I have tried afterall.\nMaybe next time I WILL make iT !!!!\n
(6) Out hotel Kamojang Jimbaran arranged this trip for us. We paid USD 50 for our trip (transport, guide, breakfast). We stayed in Jimbaran and we were picked up at 1am (the driver was almost half hour late). Only then were we told that we were picking up 4 other passengers before heading to the hiking starting point. We had to squeeze in with larger size passengers (not sure why we pay so much and be treated with no comfort).\nWhen we arrived at the hiking point, our driver showed us to our guide who was going to guide all 6 of us. We started our ascent with the guide walking in front of the lot of us. half and hour from the start, i needed a break so i stopped, my friend stopped along but the guide did not see me stop so they continued. We then continued to climb and found our group waiting. We continued to gather again and i needed a short break once again, when the group continued again. in the end, we had to climb by ourselves and were surrounded by new guide (they expected us to pay them) who wanted to take us to the top since our paid guide did not wait for us. We said no and continued hiking. We reached the top way before sunrise, so we didn't understand why they rushed up without enjoying the scenery and the stars.\nThe guide told us to come u, standing at the top, without telling us which path to use which caused me to fall and scratch my palms because of the distraction.\n\nWe were made to sit and wait for sunrise and were only served plain bread and steamed egg we had to crack the shell ourselves with dirty hands.\n\nWe asked the guide if we were going up to the crater, he said yes, after sunrise but only took us to the crater at the level below and did not bring us up to the highest point. it was a disappointment.\n\nWe then began decent and we were left to trail behind once again by the guide who walked up front and didi not check on the people behind. It became worse when other groups walked fast in front of us and got into the queue which made us behind even more. We keep walking down ourselves and it was hard. The stone was slippery. we carefully made our way down and found the group down at the level path. The guide did not do anything in helping us decent. He had poor skills to guide people.\n\nHe only decided to walk with us once we reached the bottom and had 1 km to the gates.\n\nAs we understand, mt batur can only be hiked with guides, but what happens if our guide leaves us?\n\nOur guides name was Nadi. and he is not fit to guide. Did not deserve any penny we paid.
(7) We were picked up by private tour bus at 2am. The hike up the volcano was long but very rewarding upon completion. Definitely bring a flashlight and sturdy hiking shoes. The last bit of the hike was the most difficult because we were treading volcanic sand. The view was amazing. Monkeys were friendly as well.
(8) First off, if you are at all into any physical activity on holiday please do this. Secondly, if not for our fantastic guide Ari, i might maybe have died(JK) but this is really not an easy trek. And lastly this is absolutely incredible, a great feeling of accomplishment and a few that cannot be duplicated on any camera, even better when shared with a loved one.
(9) That mountain has something special, maybe the shape, maybe the fact that still active...walking there is amazing and full of good energy, and views are unbelievable. Specially the sunset from Amed is stunning, just behind the Agung.
(10) The walk is about 1.5 hours each way, the tracks are narrow and steep at some points. The tracks soft sand and loose lava rocks. The view once you reach the top is pretty awesome. Visible steam hot spots at the top near the crater. A guide is well worth it. The climb needs to be done early morning as it gets to hot in the afternoon.
(11) For those who are not into hiking , it can be bit difficult but still manageable. It takes approximately 2- 2.5 hours to reach the top. Initially there is a normal path for 40 minutes after which the path becomes steep.as u climb upwards. Make sure to carry water and a warm jacket with you as it is cold once u reach up. while climbing however u sweat a lot. But all the efforts are worth once u reach the top. The sunrise view is just amazing . It's just u and nature all around you. There is active volcano that can be seen . Cold breeze at the top and it feels amazing to sit and watch the sunrise. Do not miss this if you are nature lover and go for a sunrise hike rather than the day hike.
(12) We arrived at the meeting spot at 1:30 nighttime. We then went to the highest temple in Bali and all the guides did a ceremony for the climb to go well. There was an air of excitement and eeriness among the group. Then we started and we entered the forest part of the mountain. It had rained a little so this made the path VERY slippery, lots of people fell and it taught everybody right away: this was a serious matter and was NOT going to be a walk in the park. Grabbing tree branches and rocks as not to fall we went on, but some people already were very discouraged after the first hour and a half. Not even halfway there, the guide advised them to stop then and there and wait for the sunset to go back down. We took breaks to eat and catch out breath, little did we know this was still the easy part. After about 2 hours you reach the rocky part of the mountain. No tree branches to hold on to, no earth to softly land on when you fall. All there was, was rocks and rocks and more rocks. The trekking turned into serious climbing soon after that and this was REALLY hard and if you are not very fit you will not likely be able to take this. I am a runner but this is way tougher than running 20 kilometres, to give you a basic idea of how tough it is. Some parts are also dangerous, you have to trust your body and your balance because if you fall, you fall long and hard. The guides are amazing, they help you so much and despite looking small they are very tough and able to help bigger people than themselves go up. The last hour is the hardest, the group paused every 15 min otherwise you will cry and get desperate of the pain of climbing. The night sky with stars is amazing. The thing which surprised me was how MENTALLY hard it was. It is dark and you can't see the end, you feel like being in an endless hell. Then suddenly you are there (appr 6:00 morning) and everybody was emotional. The view is like sheer heaven and the sunrise is so beautiful you feel like crying. The guides prepare hot food and take good care of you. It is VERY cold also because of the sweat & the hight of coarse. You best bring multiple layers. I underestimated the cold coming from Holland a cold country for Indonesian standards. For me it was so scary to go down because then it is light and you see the danger and the hight. The first 2 hours going down I wanted to cry, but the monkeys along the way amused me. As far as going to the toilet goes, prepare on having little to no privacy. When I reached the forest part it went quite fast, we were back at the temple from top in 3 hours total. I felt like I had been though utter HELL but also I felt like I had been to HEAVEN on top. Mixed very intense feelings which made this whole experience unforgettable. But think before you try this, it is harder than they say in the tourist books and stuff.
(13) Spent hours trekking up in the dark. Loose rocks and sand everywhere making it difficult. Full of tourists so struggle to actually walk. Got to the top for an awful breakfast - boiled egg. No sunrise just clouds. Overall waste of time, saw nothing and just gained a lot of pain.
(14) we did the camping over night on this mountain, what a brilliant experience, the climb up was harder than i expected but what a challenge it was. the meal we had was lovely cooked onto top of the mountain by our guide Gede wife, it was amazing,\n\nthere was only one other tent there and that was the other side of the mountain so basically we had our area to ourselves. the sunset was just out of this world and was coupled with lighting.\n\nthe next morning we were joined by loads of others who did the night hike, breakfast was eggs and bananas cooked in the steam.\n\nthe walk down was a lot quicker than going up and at the last rest stop, as my ankle was getting very painful due to a fall the previous day, i did the last bit on Gede wife bike...she whizzed around the forest safely and surely is there anything this women cant do?\n\ndo the camping rather than the day hike
(15) Highlights were the views, checking out the thermal activity and the local monkeys, and the exercise.\nThe downside was that it was crowded on top, but of course I am part of the problem so can't complain. I missed out on sleep due to an early pickup, 2am from Ubud. We spent nearly an hour picking up others, and had to go back again for one party who were still in bed, and finally arrived at the car park at 4am for a light breakfast. The climb can easily be achieved in 90 minutes if you're fairly fit. Some people on the ascent clearly weren't and appeared somewhat shocked and distressed by the exertion being demanded of their bodies. Hey, it's a mountain! Although only about 650m height gain. If you're a private party, and fit, you should be able to arrange a much later pickup and still be high on the mountain at sunrise. Our guide gave us breakfast of hot coffee, banana sandwiches and freshly boiled eggs. A guide is not necessary if you're happy to make your own way and organise yourself.
(16) It was incredibly windy when we went, which brought in the massive clouds (and cold winds) that blocked the entire view, even in the morning. However, on our way down, we saw some tourists hiking upwards, without a guide as the trail's pretty well marked. If you attempt the summit without a guide for the sunrise, they will insist you turn around and return with a guide, didn't seem like anyone minded them without a guide when the sun was up. Also, the weather seemed to clear then.
(17) First time to Bali for a friend's birthday and we've picked to stay at Ubud. When checked what we could do around, my friend suggested this hike to see the sunrise on her birthday. Never considered myself very fit (just got my exercise routine back 2 months ago with 3-4 hours K-pop dance per week) but I trusted my friend's assessment....WRONG 😳\n\nKnowing the hike starts at 2am, we went to bed early and got ready by midnight, all fine and appreciating the night scene at 2000m high, but when we were 500m away from the top, it was literally straight climbing up. The view was spectacular and the feeling being on top of the highest mountain in Bali was amazing. Big thank you to #wayandartha, definitely the best guide as many has written about!! He pretty much pulled me up and carried me down some of the most difficult slopes 'cos my legs were too shaky!!\n\nThe hike was well worth it but do beware of the long hours and steep slopes which require not just physical strength but good stamina and strong will power!!\n\nNow start plan yours!!\n
(18) The trek was quite intense but we did no research beforehand. Bring lots of water (there’s plastic water bottles but we refuse to use them), and food, get lots of rest and wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Our guide Dante was so amazing. So patient with our rest stops, so attentive and fun. He took pictures for us when we got to the top and always made sure we were doing well and having a good time. Message me for his WhatsApp number if you are planning a trip to Mount Batur, or request him if possible!
(19) We got there for the sunrise climb. Too be fare, wasn't sure if i would be able to make it. Cause it didn't seem like it would be an easy challenge, but i can't say it was a very hard climb, as our tour guide was there to make sure we were ok and stopped to hydrate, cause you really need to. We took about 2 litters for 2 of us, and finished it all. Make sure you wear decent shoes, sneakers or hiking shoes, cause the steeper you go, more slippery it becomes. My friend wore sandals and she struggled at points. But even if the climb seems challenging, the end result is so worth it. The view and sunrise is breathtaking. Definitely recommend it!!!
(20) Just returned from a amazing trip to Bali, where during our 14 day adventure we visited Ubud, Sanur, Nusa Dua and Seminyak which unfortunately was the low point of our trip.\nWe had been to Seminyak on a previous visit to Bali and didn't have any problems but this time We fell foul of unscrupulous money changers. They used misdirection and slight of hand to scam us out of approx 1 million Rupiahs. My advice is stick to the main money changers on main roads and always double check your cash before walking away. I went back and confronted my foe's and they claimed that i had dropped the money as I walked away which of course was rubbish, I did however manage to get half of the ill gotten gains back from them when they thought i might have called the police.
(21) You will be collected from your hotel between 2:30 and 3am depending on your location.\nFrom Ubud it is then a 1 hour drive to the start of the trek, fairly bumpy, dont exepect to get much sleep!\nWe organised our climb through Bali Sunrise Tours and would recommend them for a number of reasons:\n- they use an alternative route up to the view point which is not used by other groups. It is steeper but provides a more direct route up through some forest and onto the volcanic soil. footing can be loose in place but it is no where near as bad as the main route up which is almost scree. we encountered no one else on our route which was perfect as we are fast walkers so were able to make rapid pace up the mountain without being caught behind groups. As a result we arrived at the top first and got a nice cup of hot chocolate before the train of other groups arrived\n- they employ local guides who live in the area. Our guide was a young lady, a single mum, who had been a drinks seller earning a pittance until she was approached to do the guiding. It means early mornings but its a fixed salary and provides a good living for the local community - it's great to support this.\n\nUp through the woods, onto the fell and to the hut took us just over an hour so we were up for 5am. Sunrise was at around 6. It's then another 20 minutes up to the top of the caldera from where you can either turn back down or do an extended tour around the rim.\nWe chose the extended tour but there are a few points to note:\n-this is not recommended for those with vertigo. At points the rim is less than 1m wide with a sheer drop into the crater or down the fell on either side\n- be careful, last year two young men died as they fell into the crater after losing their footing on the loose scree\n- be prepared. Wear fully covered footwear as the tiny stones can get in sandals.\n\nOverall this took us through to around 8am at which point we were delivered back to the vehicle.\nAll food and drinks were provided but take extra water if you dont want to buy it from the guys en route.\n\nwe opted for a cycle tour after the walk which took us about 30km through the rice paddies before transport back to Ubud at 12pm.\nAfter the walk we were pretty shattered so the cycle was tough, but the views and village life were worth seeing.\n\nThe secnery on this trip really was spectacular, especially around the caldera rim. On the way down, we passed through gardens where our guide picked fresh tomatos for us to snack on. It was a really memorable experience and worth the early start.
(22) I almost booked this tour in advance for 80 USD online, ended booking it just the day before in Ubud for 250'000 IDR. You should not pay more than 300'000. All the companies seem to do the same: transfer, a pancake on the way then they bring you to the guide, and you start the 700m ascend in the night, with hundreds of others. Makes it pretty to watch all the lights along the way. Bring a flashlight if you have one, they are usually short of a few... The way is steep and slippery, you need good shoes, and don't rush... It gets really chilly on top but the views are great if there's not too much fog. A nice trip if you pay the right price, I'm glad I did it!
(23) My   and I traveled to Bali after completing a semester abroad in Australia. We took a tour around the island, and our guide suggested that we visit Mount Batur and climb it to watch the sun rise at the top. Of course, this meant that we had to scramble up the mountain in the darkness surrounded by sharp rocks with only dimly lit flashlights to help us...beginning our hike around 3am. However, even the climb itself was an incredible growing experience, and also really fun! By not really seeing the distance ahead of us, it allowed me to not dwell on how much further I had to go, and instead think about my footing, how impressive the young guides were that seemed to fly up and down the mountain, how my eyes almost adjusted better to the darkness than with using a light, and so on. How often in your life do you really subject yourself to that? It's very gratifying. Now on to the best part:\n\nWhen the sun began to come up over the hills in the distance, and the beams of light started to spread across the sky, it cast a majestic glow over all of the scenery around us. We sat there in awe, with endorphins still running through our veins after the long hike, and watched in amazement at all the monkeys that surrounded us! THIS WAS A FREAKING VOLCANO WE JUST CLIMBED!! Once the sun was fully up, we wandered around and explored the rocks and crater. For someone who studied geology and prides herself as an Environmental Scientist, I was in my absolute glory.\n\nPlease visit this place. If you have the opportunity, do the sunrise hike. It WILL change you in the most wonderful way.\n\nP.S. A note to any of you ladies out there -- As we were setting out for the mountain, our guide asked me and my female friend if it was \our time of the month.\" We both looked confused, but replied that it wasn't. It turns out that Mount Batur is a sacred place in Bali, and that women who are menstruating cannot enter the grounds. It obviously would have been nice to know that prior to our arrival at the base, but luckily it worked out. This is why I'm letting the rest of you know! Take precautions."
(24) We did our trekking on jan 4, 2017. A really nice adventure. Unfortunately the weather wasn't so good since it was a heavy rain. So we coulnd't see sunrise. The trekk took about 2 hours up and 2 hour down. A really tuff trekk so you should have a good condition to to the trekking.\nAnd it's also good to have sweet food as choklad because you will loose a lot of energy. Our guide Kan and Kadett were lovely with a lot of humor all the time. We would like to recommend them if you want to hire a guide to trekk the mount Batur.\n
(25) Extremely nice view of the sunrise with the mountains and lake. Weather was good, sky was clear. Very long and tiring 2 hours way up, steep and some part slippery, would advise to wear long trekking pants and a jacket, as it is quite cold for me and was shivering. But on your way up you will definitely perspire, but that it's why the more you need to keep yourself warm cause when resting at the peak waiting for sunrise, you will definitely feel cold again. However before climbing, there is someone renting jackets at 50,000IDR, you can rent one if you need. I came down from the other side of the mountain, the guide says it's easier, but the view is nice too, towards the lake into the forest, but journey a bit longer.
(26) We were with 6 (me and my bf and a family with 2 children from the hotel we stayed in) and when we arrived at mount Batur we first had to go through the Batur maffia. We already knew we would not need a guide for this easy walk, but they of course forced us to take a guide otherwise we would not be allowed to walk up. We agreed and wanted to pay for one guide, which is 400k Then they said one guide is only for 5 people and since we were with 6, we had to pay 200k more because the guide would gave extra work. So ridiculous!!! Normally you pay half the price for children and here we had to pay the price of 2 adults for 2 children. After this nice surprise we started the hike. We could immediately stop walking since the whole way up was just one big traffic jam of tourists and expensive guides that are useless. We were definitely waiting longer than we were actually hiking. Besides that me and my bf did not even see our guide for the entire way up. I was still a bit ill so did not feel like trying to overtake all the tourists, but the family did and the guide just went with them, so where did we even pay for?!! Eventually we reached the summit after a lot of waiting, but it was too cloudy to see the sunrise. After about one hr the sky became clearer and we had a nice view, but it was not worth the money and the traffic jam. Better just hike a mountain for free and without tourist traffic jams in Europe.
(27) Succumbed to the hype surrounding sunrise hike of Mount Batur and I'm glad we did. Our kids age 15 & 12 had a great time hiking this volcanic mountain as well. I'd rate the hike moderate one. We finished it in about 2.5 hrs.\nWe started at 3.00am from our hotel in Ubud and reached the parking lot at 4.00am. Met our guide and started hiking around 4.15am. We were at the top by 6.30 and were able to catch the sun rise views of the lakes and mountains of Bali.\nBreakfast up at the top is nothing to write home about, so carry your snacks and water. Please avoid taking plastic bottles from the vendors / guide.\nAnnoying part are all the mountain bikes that constantly keep going up and down the mountain to lure you into using them to climb instead of walking. The noise is awful, so try and take the steeper route if you can. There are no bikes on that route.
(28) After buying your tickets (we paid 700k IDR for 3 pax), you need to get a guide. I recommend 1 guide to 3 pax at the most. If there are more ladies and more people in your group, please get more guides for a better experience.\n\nStarting pitch dark , you will need to walk about 30mins to reach the base of the volcano.\nInteresting walk as it's flanked by tomato and chilli farms on the side and at it's 3am plus.\n\nit's not a difficult climb and the average person should only have start finding it more taxing from halfway up onwards. Look up and there is a long line of climbers above and infront and look down and you should see similar. Averagely, about 300climbers and more, climb this volcano every day. I recommend going even early if you went on a public holiday in the region , perhaps start climbing at 2am? It's only one way up and you won't want to be stuck forever and hampered by struggling climbers.\n\nFrom halfway up, the way starts getting rocky and its the shifty rocky kind, you need to take bigger and bigger huge steps , sometimes using hands to grip and pull yourself up or for balance while ascending. Your guide should be helping to pull you up and most guides are really doing a good job, even helping other climbers too.\n\nIf you have average fitness , it should be a problem. I was grossly unfit and had to stop many times but it's manageable.\n\nWe reach the top, and planted overselves at the side of the peak passed 6am.\n\nNote that this climb , during period of April and May , will be cloudy and clear cloudless views will be very much an exception. I stayed near volcano and noted the clouds every morning. You will be rewarded with a clearer good view of the sunrise in July/aug/sept I believe. However its still a good experience, good sunrise view or not.\n\nWay down is shifty loose rocks but manageable if you are not in a rush. Reached the base at 8 to 9am plus and followed by another 30min to 1 hour beautiful scenic walk back to the ticketing area. Tip your guide generously as they are mostly young people earning a livelihood for their family and will proceed to school in the later morning/afternoon.\n\nEnjoyable experience overall. Go for it.
(29) Too many people and at times very dangerous. Very difficult climb, in the dark. People slipping and you're climbing one after the next in a crazy long crowd.
(30) We made the trip from Purah Besakih to the true summit of Gunung Agung to catch spectacular views (Wayan is very helpful with the photography). Wayan knew how to read my level and take rest stops appropriately. Food, lights and gloves all provided. Very friendly. Would recommend him to anyone. We also trekked to the crater rim a few years ago with my 12 yo son. At that time Wayan was extremely supportive and helped my son all the way
(31) we start the journey around 3.30 am from the kintamani, its really cold & you need a wind breaker.. need some level of fitness to reach the top before Sun rise,, we went to top before 6.00 am & waiting for Sun rise. almost nice Volcano Trekking
(32) Fine place to visit once. But too far & also food & restaurants nearby to the location ar not much good.\nSit on Volcano view & enjoy simply , don't aspect too much.
(33) Hiked this as a couple during our honeymoon in June 2016. We booked a private driver/guide through our hotel (Greenfield Hotel in Ubud), and the price matched what the other companies advertised. So pleased with all of the logistics. Everything went smoothly, and we were introduced to a young but fun guide who led the two of us up the mountain in the dark with the rest of the hikers (and there were a lot!). It's a steady hike, but nothing too crazy. Definitely wear a pair of sturdy shoes, but hiking boots not required. It can get sandy and slippery at times, but nothing too hard. It's chilly in the dawn and at the summit, but hot when you head back down!\n\nBlock out a half-day for this. If I'm remembering correctly, you'll wake up super early (~3am), be hiking from about 5:00-10am, and back to Ubud around 11am.\n\nDefinitely try to add this to your trip if you can. A beautiful hike, stunning view, and wonderful memory.
(34) We went there specifically to climg Mount Batur for sunrise and we were not dissappointed. The climb in itself is not that easy but manageable though. Unfortunately when we reached the summit in time for sunrise it was very cloudy but eventually did clear.
(35) My wife and I got up at 1am to experience the Mt Batur volcano at sunrise.\n\nThe trip from Seminyak took a couple of hours and can not be avoided.\n\nThere were lots of people doing the walk. We arrived at the car park, met our guide and off we went.\n\nThere are lots of opionions on how hard the climb is from easy to hard. Be warned it is steep climb over rocks and loose stones. It is not for the faint hearted. However if you are fit and willing to have a go then it is very doable. The climb took us 2 hours and we were near the back. I was very glad to reach the top.\n\nAnd what a view!!\n\nComing back down was easier and much quicker (obviously).\n\nWell worth it - give it a go.
(36) Fabulous view of both the mountains and lake. Unfortunately you are constantly bothered by locals trying to sell various things. However you do not need very long to see everything, but you have to pay on the way in to enter the National Park which unless you are doing more is a waste.
(37) It was huge fun! We left our place in Ubud at 2.45am (yes!) and arrived at the start of the trek near Toya Bunkah at 3.30. At 3.45 we started hiking. It was difficult to wake up after only 4 hours of sleep, but now I'm quite used to my \sleeping sickness\", so it made no difference. =) Also, I was quite excited about the whole thing. I'd read so many things about this hike and while everyone goes on and on about how difficult it is, it is also considered breathtaking. So I was really looking forward to it and my excitement kept me awake all through the journey.\nThen we got to the start of the trek by the Association office (HPPGB), and let our driver handle the business. (About prices, etc. please see below.) We got our guide and off we strolled in what looked (sounded) like a forest in the pitch darkness. We left behind the forest and the volcanic sand, only to start searching the rocky slopes for a foothold -- soon we left behind all the other groups as well. You'll read estimates that the hike takes around 90 minutes or two hours to complete. Well, a lot depends on your \"equipments\" and your speed. Knowing that it would only be a relatively short hike (done in the dead of night), we opted for only a couple of very short breaks. It's not really advisable to eat while climbing or to drink cold drinks (these are bad for your body when all your muscles and veins are otherwise hot), so we kept to climbing and only took a couple of pics and deep breaths. =)\nWe also had nice hiking shoes that are both comfortable and reliable, so no problems in that department. I saw people attempting the hike in sandals, thongs (and barefoot!), and they were doing, well, I wouldn't say they were doing fine, but they were doing it, so I guess it's possible. That doesn't mean it's necessarily a nice experience. But sneakers are fine, I guess, if you don't feel like investing in anything else.\nAll that said, it took us an hour to get to the first shelter, and from there we just walked over to the second, at our leisure, not feeling the need to press on. So basically if took us 70 minutes to get to our vantage point, well ahead of the others -- and the sunset. =) Many people stayed at the lower hut, but I think it's foolish. Once you've climbed so far, it's an easy stroll to the second, higher point. You can also go to the top, 200 meters above the second hut, but we didn't bother.\nI really enjoyed this hike. It's fun doing it in almost complete darkness, watching your step, while holding a torch (you'll need one) as if onto some mischief, or using a headlamp, just like cave experts. And looking back at the long serpent of little lights all through the valley -- our fellow climbers. ;) It was definitely huge fun, if sometimes demanding (think ascending long stairs with considerable distance between steps), and I'm still laughing at our guide's comments about starting as the twelfth group and finishing as the second.\nThe sunrise was truly amazing (video coming up!), but I have to warn everyone that it is unimaginably cold up there. Not so much the temperature but the wind. So take a jacket or sweater, and definitely take a clean T-shirt. Otherwise, what you'll get is a nasty cold. (I'll tell you, I was enumerating silently all the jackets and sweaters I had left in Geneva...) We warmed ourselves with the incredibly hot, sweet tea our guide got us. But we were fine, huddled like penguins, till the first rays appeared around 5.45. Around 6am the sun started to appear, and in like 5 minutes it took its place above the clouds. From then on, there was not much for us to watch.\nWe had a breakfast of boiled eggs and \"banana sandwiches\" and decided to take the longest way down. There are at least 3 ways to climb down from this point. You can take the same path or similar, directly down. You can also do a small tour of the top crater (+30 mins). What we did was the longest tour, including the top crater and some of the outer treks, all round to a path that leads down. On the way we checked out the hot, steaming holes in the ground (the mountain's nostrils, so to say) and the older and newer lava flows of all the eruptions. We started the descent at 6.30 and by 9 we were already heading home in the car. So I'd say the crater rim, etc. took us around 90 minutes, plus the 45 minute descent. The longer trek is really worth it, if you're interested in volcano stuff. =) Also, there's no more real climbing, so it's rewarding as well.\nOur guidebook told us that it is inevitable to pay the Association around US$30-40, and have one of their guides tag along, even if you have your own. And that having your own is necessary (only during the night), and costs around another USD$30-50 (for one or two). Well, this is not really true. It seems that the system has changed, and you don't have to haggle with the guides at the bottom of the trek, plus be harassed by the Association. I don't know exactly how much the whole thing costs (see the next point ;]), but guides are allied to the Association and have their own number. A group gets the guide with the next number, and the numbers rotate, so one guide can do more trips a day, if he wants. So basically it's all fair, there's no competition, only the monopoly of the Association. (Sarcastic? Me? =D)\nWe were group no. 12 this morning, and got guide no. 1 (Wayan). He was really nice, even when we changed our mind and wanted to do the long trip. Our \"package\" covered only the shortest one, and he explained to us that he wouldn't ask for more money, for him it's more important that we like it and we can tip him whatever we consider fair. He mentioned that most people tip around US$10-20, so we tipped him $10 in the end and I thought it was alright. He was really nice, and got us breakfast,seeing how hungry we were, even though our hotel \"forgot\" to pay him for that...\nWell, we asked around in Ubud, and bargained at a handful of places, but the cheapest they would have gone was Rp.700.000 (around US$75) for the two of us. That seemed to be the magic number, and we guessed it's all agreed among them that they wouldn't do it cheaper. So we took our hotel's offer (Teba House, more of a guesthouse, review coming up!) and paid our driver that amount to get us a guide as well. What was included in the price? Offices will tell you the same: the medium tour, a breakfast with eggs boiled in the steaming holes, and after the hike a visit to the beautiful rice terraces. Well, our \"organizers\" forgot about breakfast, so we were left to the kindness of our guide, who fortunately was an angel about it. And then, though we were too tired to bother and make a fuss about it, our driver took us back to the hotel, instead of the rice terraces. But we had had our fair share of rice fields, so we didn't mind. But we'll definitely let others know to watch out for these potential annoyances. On the whole, I think it was a good deal. Anyway, this is the only price you can get (this way), and we were of no mind to haggle and spend our precious honeymoon time fighting over a couple of dollars.\n(The complete review is to be found at http://fleurageneve.blogspot.com/2010/08/taming-volcano.html)"
(38) The sunrise was gorgeous! Climb was very difficult. In my opinion this is not suitable for children or those with low fitness. Lots of people around us fell and if weather conditions were wet this would genuinely be really dangerous.
(39) I had never seen a sunrise over a mountain like this but now I have. Mt Batur trek is an amazing experience to have not just to trek up but to see the gorgeous sunrise over the bali sea and overlooking Batur lake and Mt Abang. We started from our hotel at 230am and the trek at 330am and there were already 100+ people lined up. Our trek guide barely spoke english but she was very helpful in certain steep areas and gave us ample time to trek up. We took 2 hrs to reach the top and still pitch dark and slowly started to freeze. Once the sun rose, it was one of the gorgeous moments seen ever in my life, lakes, mountains, villages, seas, farms and of course the sun, cannot describe all. The trek is easy to begin with but gets tougher towards the end. Steep rocky climbs, sliding sands/mud, have to take care at all times. Dont try climbing in hot sun, so earlier the better. Our guide boiled eggs using the hot springs for some fresh food and some sandwiches.
(40) Beautiful sunrise but to be avoided in August! Hundreds and hundreds of people standing and walking slowly in line from the parking lot to the top of the mountain...
(41) My girlfriend and I hiked the 'easy' option from Pasar Agung Temple to the crater rim at 2900m with Wayan Widiyasa and loved the experience. Setting off at 1.30 am for 4 hours up and 3 down. Having not done much hiking recently even if reasonably fit 30 somethings, I think we would have had difficulty in completing the harder routes from Besakih or option 3 from Pasar Agung crossing round to the south to reach the main peak. My advice would be to make sure you have good footwear, warm clothes and plenty of water. Wayan is a very professional guide who will take good care of you on the trek, even providing BengBeng bars, Pot Noodles and Coffee! It's a tough one physically but well worth the effort when you see the sunrise from the top. Your legs might be sore for a couple of days after but the memories will last much longer!
(42) We booked private tour with bazir, it was worth it.\nThe view is amazing, we could see the moon on the other side as the sun rise. And Mt agung and rinjani are really really beautiful..\nAfter mt batur we went to the hot springs (its not that hot though, i'd say lukewarm springs)\n\nWill definitely be back!
(43) Mt Agung is a tough climb, and if you'e never done much challenging treks or mountain climbs just make sure you're physically and most importantly mentally prepared. Our route began at Pasar Agung - apparently there is a longer but slightly easier route that starts at the other side of Mt Agung from Bersakih Temple. Ours was really challenging, it is a non-stop ascending/steep climb through trail and then gradually on gravel and huge rock boulders. The terrain is brutal and cruelly steep, and at some points dangerous (you know, one wrong step...).\n\nProper trekking shoes are helpful. We had regular trainers on which make it tricky when it drizzled making the rocks wet and slippery. Forget about wearing minimalist shoes - we encountered a couple on the way up and they were in those light soled shoes and were visibly suffering.\n\nHave a windrunner or a light jacket as well, as it gets really chilly up there in the night/early morning. I recommend light because you can easily pack or tie it round your waist. Sports tights or pants are recommended.\n\nIf you are climbing at night the guide should provide you with a head lamp - we brought our own. A walking stick helps too.\n\nOverall while it was a real challenge, it was worth it as well. Our views weren't that great because it was cloudy but it was one of the highlights of our Bali trip.\n\nOur guide was this incredible lady named Made - she was super supportive and helpful, and astoundingly nimble on the trail. But she grew up in the surrounding villages so it is a walk in the park for her.
(44) We climbed Mount Batur to see the sunrise. This was a highlight of our tour around Bali. It was even worth the 3.30am alarm call. Our guide was fantastic, she would hold your hand to help you up the steeper sections. The view at the top was fantastic. We could see across to Lombok. After sunrise everyone was sitting around eating some breakfast and a troupe of monkeys arrived.
(45) a visit to Bali is not complete if the tourists do not see the beauty of Mount Batur in Kintamani. Volcano that grows in the Caldera it has the most breathtaking panoramas in the world\nMount Batur, which has an altitude of 1,717 m above sea level, is in a position geography 8o 14.30 'South latitude and 115o 22.30' east longitude entered in the District of Kintamani, Bangli regency> need more info contact me at : info@transyasabali.com
(46) fantastic trek during the night from 4am to 6am to arrive at the top.\nNice and pleasant time to spend\nappreciate sunrise
(47) Hike was pretty doable . Not difficult! I would say a good pair of shoes help alot. And if you exercise frequently this shouldnt be a problem. Certain parts of the hike might be steep and difficult but you can get through it. Just beware of the rocky and slippery path.You need a torch for the dark parth! And dress lightly but with a jacket it can gets cold at the start but trust me you will feel your sweat coming when ascending ...!\nThe most beautiful sunrise ever!
(48) This is the smaller volcano and worth the sunrise hike. You cannot imagine or downplay the view of you have a clear day. My group was truly lucky to have a bank of clouds below us over the lake so we could watch the sun come up . I could never give justice to the pictures I took. The hike is not easy, but definitely doable by most fitness levels. There is even a stop about halfway that still has amazing views. The volcano is still active so you even get to see the steam coming out after top.
(49) Gede was our guide for this sunrise trekking trip. It was hell of an amazing experience for me. It was my first time doing trekking on an active volcano. Fear not, it's not really that active. Gede is very fluent in English, and has demonstrated great patience with us. He cracks jokes and explained to us about the history of how Mt Batur comes about. With his experience & knowledge, he brought us to the summit in less than 2 hours. He cooked us breakfast while we waited for the sunrise, and it was totally worth using all the effort n strength to climb to the summit.\n\nGede is one of the friendliest guide i have known, and i do wish him all the best for his future endeavors.
(50) If you areup for some adventure and trekking, get your good shoes on and bring a sweater, and climb the mountain with a local guide! I personally recommend the sunset - no early rising and waaay less people on the top :) Book it with Jero (Mount Batur Sunrise Tour, he has good program and very good and funny guides.
(51) The best part of Kintamani and Mt Batur area is their natural scenic beauty, the rustic villages around the lake at the base of the caldera, the towns sitting on top of the caldera summit and the surrounding temples. I wish the people here were less aggressive at hustling visitors and tourists. Many would come to offer their services, especially to hike up Mt Batur. It was certainly not a nice experience being stalked everywhere.\n\nOther than that, I'd enjoyed very much biking the base of the caldera. There is another temple by the same name of Pura Ulun Danu Batur next to the lake which was solitary and a joy to visit as there was no one there to bother you. The sculptures in the temple were very well maintained and highly detailed.\n\nRiding leisurely through the lakeside villages was an unforgettable experience; what more the opportunity to stop right by the waters and watch the locals feeding fish at the fish breeding structures not far from the lakeside.\n\nRiding along the perimeter road gave the chance to appreciate Mt Batur from different angles and also visit up close the black, rocky, shiny, chunky remains of the volcanic lava field.\n\nAt the caldera top, the road went round the rim to give one a good aerial view of the splendor of Mt Batur, the crater lake and the caldera base. It was cold up there, so you may want to bring appropriate clothing.\n\nAt the northern tip of the caldera rim lies Pura Puncak Penulisan, the highest pura in Bali. It is said, on a clear day, one could see as far as the Singaraja coast.\n\nCertainly, one of the top Bali sights not to be missed!
(52) We started the trekking at 3.30 am and reached the top around 5.30. It was amazing experience and able to see the trekking path clearly on our way back from mountain. I am sure if in daytime you see the mountain, you will not climb as it look far from the ground.\n\nSome people there ma YG offer the winter wear on rent but don't buy/rent anything because the rates are too high or either those are not needed at all. Take some breakfast food with u as there r not many breakfast options available on top.\n\nThis is mustvdo attractions and people with good health and life ve to trek should definitely try this. The Sunrise views are amazing and also the Batur lake. Lava lake can be seen from Top.
(53) Before you start climbing, you have to be well prepared as it's definitely not a easy climb. But neither it is that hard too. I've seen kids and elderlies who made it to the top as well!\n\nSunrise gotta depends on your luck, whether it is clear or sunny. Which in my case it was rather cloudy so sunrise wasn't that fantastic.\n\nBut standing on top overlooking the whole Batur Caldera is just simply breathtaking. Really worth your 2hrs climb up. The mountain guides are also very helpful and friendly. Mine is a young 19yo female guide and amazingly she is much fitter than me! Did not even hear a single panting from her while climbing up. And she is always constantly checking if I'm okay. Very caring guide indeed.\n\nYou can also have a good view of the main crater which is still emittiing steam from the bottom, and many cute monkeys roaming around the crater!\n\nOverall a good experience trekking up a volcano! If you conquered this, you can move on to Agung next!
(54) amazing sunrise views. Its 100% worth it. Try going as early as possible. Also wear good trekking shoes. If not, you might have trouble climbing
(55) I bought an online voucher to climb Mt Batur with Kintamani tours several months before our trip to Bali.\nThere was no problem using the voucher for the tour on the day of my choice\nI was picked up at 1 30 am from our Sanur hotel and after collecting a couple of other hikers we drove to a coffee plantation for a very early breakfast ( 2 30 am) of pancake and various coffee and tea samples\nWe drove to the start of the hike and set off. Fortyyunately I had read a couple of reviews about the climb a few days before we left for Bali and therefore packed some items which I had not intended taking .\nThese were my headlight torch, windproof jacket and trekking poles. These while not essential, they proved to be very useful. The path is very slippery with small loose rocks, especially on the way down. Even if you do not have these items you will need shoes with good soles. Those in our group without torches were provided with hand held torches\nI am a fairly fit 67 year old and didn't find the climb difficult.\nYou have the option of stopping at a viewing platform or continuing for another 15\nminutes or so to the top which was well worth it.\nWe were very lucky with the weather and the sunrise was magnificent.\nOur two guides for our group of five were very friendly and helpful and we saw no sign of aggressive behaviour from anyone\nThe downward track is longer than the ascent, but after the first steepish bit which is slippery, was a very pleasant walk.\nWe stopped at the plantation again on the way back. There was no pressure to buy tea or coffee but I did buy some fruit.\nI would recommend Kintamani Tours for this tour
(56) this is a seriously hard climb, its not a treck or a walk. the information in the brochures and tour guides don't explain this at all. most of our group dropped out at the start as they wern't prepared for the conditions and wern't expecting the hike to be so intense. make sure you take good shoes with grip as there's lots of loose small gravel; gloves, its freezing and you need to use your fingertips for grip climbing; warm clothes for the top - it is a mountain - and the view of the sunrise from the top is mind blowing so be prepared with warm clothes so you can enjoy it. also take some food - the tour we bought allegedly included breakfast but we got a banana and a small bit of french bread, clearly not enough for a 8 hour hike. do not attempt this treck on your own, we thought we were lost on the way back and that was in daylight - there are some tricky spots and it would be easy to get lost. if you can, i suggest getting a guide to yourself or couple as ours would often go ahead and we found we were on our own in the dark.
(57) It is not an easy trek make sure that you have a flash light and very good shoes. If you do not feel in good shape do not go there. Check the weather forecast if it is foggy it is not worth the effort be side when you arrive up you are nothing. Take the guides they're really friendly and helpful and could do a great breakfast!!
(58) Great hiking experience but please make sure that you are well equipped and you are fit for it. It looks pretty easy but it is actually not an easy walk. Make sure to have hiking shoes. It is a great view and worth the pain to get there.
(59) Best sunset we've ever seen.\n\nDid not get lucky in terms of our \guide\". She was over weight, and was not able to point anything out to us as she didn't speak English with frequent stops to rest. Because of this did not make it to the very peak of the Mt.\n-With this said, we made it to the top lookout point where most go and it was perfect. Also, our guide was very friendly & apologized for her lack of English ahead of time.\n\nLeft our hotel in Ubud @3AM, began the climb @4AM\n\n-Bring enough water. The guys selling water charge 25000Rp for tap water! (5000 for new bottles anywhere else!)\n\nGoodluck and pray for clear non-cloudy weather!"
(60) Although it might be tiring. It was well worth the effort. Guide was fantastic and helped us along during the steep parts. I had relatively no problem going up but slipped on loose rocks on the way down, have to be careful there. The best part was watching the sun rise through the clouds. At the rim of the crater, we buried eggs in the soil and it became a perfect hard boiled egg! This is a must do if you are looking for something that will push your own limits. You will be well rewarded for your effort.