masterthesis-playground/raft/corpus/topic=4__part=025__n=60.txt

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


(1) Just got back from climbing Mt Batur un-guided.\n\nWe were quite weary of all the bad stories about people trying to make the climb without a guide and we read up as much as we could before we left. We loaded a couple of maps onto our phone and used it as a gps on the way up.\n\nWe stayed in Toya Bungkah just to make things easy. It's also quite a nice little town and we loved staying at Arlina's Bungalows. They have their own private hot spring along with a cold swimming pool. Swapping between the two as you get too hot/cold is a great way to spend a day. The town can be a little noisy at night though with the trucks going past.\n\nWe woke up around 3am and were out the door by 3.20am riding our motorbike around to Pura Payogaan Temple. From there we walked on foot up the volcano. The bike was fine just parked up somewhere.\n\nTo our complete surprise we were not hassled at all as we passed a group of guides waiting at a small hut. Maybe it was our confidence or maybe we caught them off guard but we just said a big friendly 'Hello' as we passed. Someone asked if we had a guide and we replied with a big 'yes' and kept on walking. Nothing more was said.\n\nNone of the other guides asked where our guide was and some even gave us directions when we looked a little lost.\n\nThe sun rise was a little cloudy for us and I guess it was a little busy but it wasn't at all hard to get our own viewpoint.\n\nThe best part was walking around the rim of the volcano once the sun had risen. Childhood dream fulfilled! It was amazing!\n\nFor those trying to do it without a guide I would recommend getting something like Maps.Me. It's free and it's a pleasure to use in any situation.\nAlso the GPX map on wikitravel is quite good too.\n\nBe confident when they ask you if you have a guide. Just say 'yes he is behind' or something. Or maybe try to blend in with another group. There a plenty of large groups going up. Just tag along to the end and pretend that the guide is yours. Take the right track at the hut after Pura Payogaan Temple without hesitation.\n\nWe had a blast climbing Mt Batur and it was made even sweeter because it cost us nothing!
(2) You can choose the starting point from either Pasar Agung Temple or Besakih Temple, both of which covers a distance of 5 km on an average. If you choose Pasar Agung, then you can enjoy the view of craters and if you choose Besakih Temple, then the trekking commences through the dense jungle of Besakih. No matter which route you take, the view is destined to be mind-blowing. You can see small vents letting out smoke from the volcanoes. This is the moment where you fell the closest to nature. For both these treks, you need to be physically fit and is not recommended for family and kids. Also do carry water and woolen clothes.
(3) It is offcourse not obvious to get up at 2:30 am from the hotel when you are on holiday. Stay in bed and visit the pool is tempting at that moment. 4am is the best time to start the climb and to be at the top before sunrise which is around 6-6:30 all year round.\nThe last part of the climb is steep, on rocks and quite challenging, you need to be fit.\nThe view at the top is great at sunrise with a background of the lake and the other mountains. It is also interesting to visit the crater and the other things on the top.\nI climbed the mountain in september, and each day about 700 people start this climb with about 90-100 guides. The top looks like a market place, it is too crowded.\nOur guide took us via a road with less people for the first part, but the last part was just a long line of people climbing the rocks, you have to wait because in some parts you cannot pass people.\n
(4) Yes, it's a tall volcano but keep in mind they drop you off pretty high up so you really only end up climbing about 300m. You also complete the hike to the summit in 2 hours and that's with a huge traffic jam of tourists the entire way up. What ends up happening is you might hike up a few meters then you have to wait a minute for the crowd of people in front of you to clear, rinse and repeat for 2 hours. I was barely out of breath because of how slow-paced this was. I originally signed up for this hike as an appetizer to Rinjani, but that was a whole other beast and legitimately felt like an accomplishment. If you're interested in a very crowded midnight stroll, climbing Batur is not a bad experience. If you're trying to trek a mountain, you'll leave feeling disappointed.
(5) At first, I was more then reluctant to comply with my father's plans to hike up a volcano, an active one I might add. But now that I have done it I have no regrets ! it was truly an amazing experience. We went as a family of five.I was only 15 then and my siblings younger. But this hike is not for the weak hearted and the unfit. it is quite a tough hike up, tougher than most mountains as half the way up is through volcanic ash and sand, the amount of trees decrease slowly until all you can see is piles of sand and rocks. I would recommend that you have a good pair of hiking shoes with you with a good grip as it gets very slippery. You would need to get a guide for this hike which is not hard as many locals would take you up and even prepare a unique breakfast on top( nothing five star guys) for a small fee. it was not expensive. you could either choose to stay near the foot of the hill, which is what we did, or stay at your hotel and get a ride up to the foot very early in the morning. I would suggest staying overnight as the hike itself is tiring and trust me you would not like to spend a few hours in a car before it\n\nThe cottage we stayed in was a bit on the rough side but it was only for a few hours as we rose early( at 3.30am mind you ) to hike. If you were to take a ride up you would have to wake up even earlier. the hike up started at 3.45am and took about 2 hours. the first half is easy so don't let it fool you. For the 2nd half you will need hiking sticks to help pull yourselves up. our guides helpfully made us some walking sticks from the branches on the sides of the paths. the 2nd half is just ash sand stones and more ash. kind off like walking through quicksand. though when you get to the top, the feeling of accomplishment is truly satisfying. you can see the beautiful sunset and spot the great Mount Agung( I have yet to climb that one) . Its a bit chilly up there as you're not moving and there can be quite a bit of wind so bring a light jacket. the guides use holes in the ground which are hot from the volcano and cook your breakfast , it does not take very long to produce a nice breakfast of Half-Boiled (or full if you prefer, just tell them) eggs and steamed bananas on bread. trust me hot food tastes good when you're tired and hungry. You could choose to half a hot drink for a fee up there too, but don't expect things like stalls and tables and chairs as there's none of that. the guide will point out the craters and show you volcanic rocks that produce a crackling sound when held close to your ear. You could choose different ways down, you can pass all the craters or choose your route.\n\nhiking down is basically sliding down and skating. Your shoes will be filled with volcanic ash and you may have to stop periodically to shake them out. the hike down is less tiring, we arrived back at 9.30am . you could opt for taking a dip in one of the many hot springs there after your hike to sooth your muscles.\n\nfor those who plan on going, Good Luck and Have FUN!!! I hope this has helped you :)
(6) A hike of 2 hours takes you on top of Gunung Batur to a height of 1700 metres (5600 feet) from where you have a fantastic view over the whole caldera. Climbing in absolute darkness to see the sunrise was quite okay with good head lamps. Close to the top it got really cold, windy and little bit foggy. We were not able to see sunrise but the view totally worth it.\n\nBooked the tour with ubud sunrise hiking and they offer best price with excellent service. Bring warm jackets and good hiking boots.
(7) The trek begins with a guide around 3am if u are looking for a sunrise. Carry minimum stuff with you so as not to get heavy. Comfortable shoes and clothes for hike. Some stretches are quiet steep, rocky and muddy. For breakfast you don't have too many options up there. Just a few bread slices and boiled eggs and bananas. Our guide was very good and helpful. He showed us areas which other guides were not showing to their customers. Tipping your guide in the end would be a kind gesture as they are quiet poor. The atmosphere and experience is quiet breathtaking and gives once in a lifetime feeling. Entire trek is fillled with tourists. If you feel you are fit to climb till the top definitely go for it.
(8) Mount Batur is an active volcano on the island of Bali. The most recent eruption was in year 2000. This volcano is so popular because it is marked by a collapsed top, called a caldera. Strangely, many people set up homes in the caldera.\n\nMany tourists will trek & climb up the mountain. However, we did neither. We were short of time yet wanted to see the volcanic mountain from afar. It was just breathtakingly beautiful. We could still see the lava field surrounding the mountain.\n\nWe spent about half an hour taking photos from various angles. Perhaps, we would hike up the next time we're in Bali.
(9) This walk although not overly difficult is definitely not 'easy' and you will want some level of fitness to complete and enjoy.\nIts an early start (we were picked up at 2:30am from our Villa in Ubud) with the walk starting at approx 4:30am, took us 1.5hours to reach the top and that got us there in plenty of time for the sunrise.\nAmazing views and was great watching all the monkeys running around.\n\nOne of the best things I have ever done in Bali!
(10) The sunrise trek on Mount Batur is defintely worth the effort. You have to get up very early in order to start in time. We started in Ubud, which is around 1hour drive from the start of the trek, so we had to leave from our hotel at 2.30 am.\nWe had a very friendly and caring trekking guide. He provided us with torches, which are for sure necessary equipment to make the trek up the mountain during the night. The walk up was dark so you couldn't see much. It got more difficult towards the end, but it was definitely feasible for the non-experienced (and non-equipped) hiker like us. The views of the sunrise from the top of the mountain were spectacular and we got a nice breakfast provided by our tour guide. Going down, we could enjoy the views now with the daylight.\nBring good shoes to do the climb: this will help you in both the ascent and descent.
(11) Don't go if not sure, choose the easier route (4 hrs up) from Sebudi.\nIt was far more harder then expected, but the views and experience worths every your step. We had taken a local guide for 600K, Wayan - although he was great I can't understand why it's not possible to go alone.
(12) If you come to Bali and you want to do other stuff beside sunbathing this is one of the sights I'd suggest. It is important to know that you need to be somewhat in good physical shape to climb the mountain. Also, the best time to climb is for the sunrise, which means that the alarm must be set up at around 1am!!\n\nWe went up the mountain with a tour, one of the many tours available in and out of Ubud. We ended up paying about 600k Indonesian rupees for two, which I think is a bit high, but considering that we went at high season the tour sellers were a lot less elastic in their price range. Once up there we couldn't see the sunrise as the clouds were all over the place. Nevertheless, we could see some monkeys hanging out and we had the chance to walk near the crater where you can feel and see hot steam coming out of the volcano.\n\nMake sure you bring with you, in a bag, some additional clothing, warm and dry, for when you sit on top of the mountain and you are all drenched in sweat from the climb.\n\nAlso, we were clueless enough to not bring with us a torchlight, don't make that mistake as the 4am climb is very steep and full of obstacles. I lost count of how many times I almost tripped. The poor guides had to use their light to help us.\n\nFinally, bring some food with you. The tours often claim that they provide breakfast for you, but in all honesty it was more than mediocre. We all had a piece of dry white bread, an hard boiled egg and a banana. We ended up not wanting to finish our bread as it was awful. The tour guides were more than happy to eat our food, so make sure to not waste it and just give it to one of the tour guides.
(13) At around 4am two local tour guides took us up the Mt Batur trek (because there were 6 of us). It took us around 1hr20min to the top which is considered quite fast. Some bits were quite challenging with lots of loose rocks so make sure to wear good shoes. Would recommend that you are quite fit if you do the climb as you may find it abit tiring if you are not used to doing any sort of physical activity at all. Other than that, you forget how tiring the climb is once you get to the top and get to rest in the huts. Definately bring a jacket as it gets quite chilly at the top. Unfortunately it was quite foggy during sunrise the day we went and didn't really see much of a sunrise. We were told June/July is the best time to visit. The view from the top once sunlight hit was quite amazing. The tour guides took us down another path that led to a hot spring. The different trek down was definately much more enjoyable as there weren't many rocks after 100m-200m down. Overall worth the experience and worth the try for anyone who hasn't tried anything like this before!
(14) We had a private guide a local geologist, who guided us up to the third crater. Steam vents were amazing to experience and the climb was moderately difficult but very doable, and truly unforgettable
(15) We flew first class to PEK (Beijing) taking advantage of points I accumulated with Delta. When I booked the flight we were looking to go somewhere warm and tropical. We always wanted to go to Bali and the points cost was not bad. The flight from Seattle to PEK is a long journey but the option to sleep helps eat up time. Because our layover was about 12 hours, We made the decision to book a hotel near the Forbidden City. On the down side our flight got in at 7PM and was leaving the next morning at 6:45, so we couldn't do any tours. We made our own. Tip: book a driver ahead of time or go to the cab stand. There are people who will charge you 3 times the cost for a yellow and blue cab. Once we got to the hotel we dropped our day bags in our room. BTW - stayed at the JW Marriott - (great exec lounge closes at midnight) beautiful clean hotel and close to the subway. We stopped by the concierge and got some quick instructions and we were on our way! Tip: take the subway - it was a great adventure, easy, safe and way cheaper than a driver. During our self-made tour I received a notification that our bags (via Delta mobile app) were available for pickup at carousel 1. We were told that our bags were checked through to the final destination Bali, when we checked in seattle. We settled this the next day after a short conversation with the Garuda Airlines agent. However, this did cause us some stress... The Garuda staff tracked us down in the airport to tell us they had to open the bag after Chinese airport security saw a suspicious device that turned out to be a flashlight for our upcoming trip up a volcano. Garuda Airlines is AMAZING. Best agents and experience flying in my life. The flight attendants are an extension of the culture in Bali, laid back and very hospitable. After every trip to the very large bathroom, someone would go in and clean up and even fold the tissue. Every single detail was perfect.\n\nWe prearranged to have a driver pick us up at Denpasar International Airport (DPS). We heard about Made (pronounced “mah-DAY”) through   who have come here. Besides picking us up (he was always on time), Made built a program for us that met our mood, lifestyle and that met every expectation. He arranged everything. It was a go-go-go situation, but we saw all the temples we wanted to see and climbed a mountain to see the sunrise. We even drank some Luwak coffee. We stayed in 3 locations. When we first arrived we stayed at the W-Bali in Seminyak. The W is right on the beach and right next to the famous Potato Head beach club. Walking into town is no problem and shopping at Seminyak Square is good. Tip: buy booze for your room. The taxes here drive up the prices of hard liquor and wine unless what you want is made here (i.e., Bintang Beer). When you go through Duty Free in the US or other connection buy it before you get to Bali. Our next stop was Ubud.\n\nMy wife and I fell in love with Ubud. Here is where you will see more of the Balinese culture. This is a good launching place for temple excursions and seeing the Monkey Forrest. In addition, the market is great and you can find almost anything here including t-shirts and sarongs. Lots to do in Ubud, such as museums and other small temples - and food too! In Ubud we stayed at the Ayung Resort and Spa. It was amazing. The staff and food was the best of the trip. But the resort grounds were truly unique with a small deer enclosure, unique stone sculptures and beautiful landscape. One morning we saw a family of monkeys playing outside the gym.\n\nOur next and final stop was the Ritz Carlton in Nusa Dua. Huge beautiful resort. We were upgraded to a suite and blown away by the room (approx 1100 sq ft). The suite rivaled the size of our apartment in Seattle with his and hers sinks, 1.25 bathrooms, couch, 3 TVs and a huge closet. A couple of really nice details, huge King Alaskan bed, and the Toto toilets. The toilets.... the lid went up automatically when you entered the bathroom, they washed you too, and heated your bottom. I need one of these in my house! All the rooms have ocean views except the first floor that some have swim outs. We had a 6 floor suite on the side where there was construction next door. We heard the construction very seldom - it did not bother us. Tip: if you are thinking like I was that a Ritz Carlton is likely to have less children - think again. There is a kids club and accommodations for children galore. We were in Bali on our 23 anniversary and parents with children sometimes think that resort means \kids run free\". I am not against kids, I have raised 3. In the way of disturbances and noisy fellow tenants - this place was the worst. Not really the hotel's fault but worth mentioning that there was an abundance of children here. One other item worth mentioning about the resort, the women's bathroom and men's have one toilet stall (men's has 3 urinals). They also all have 2 changing rooms a shower. The women's toilet was backed up and filled with waste and discarded feminine products. It stayed that way until I mentioned it to the manager and he took care of it right away. My point is the bathrooms for a Ritz Carlton, were subpar over-all. The temperature in those bathrooms and smell made it almost unbearable. At the very least I would think they would prop open the door. Really, an unacceptable situation for the only pool and beach bathroom. The beach was also not the greatest. In the evening the water would recede and leave all this trash and seaweed. The resort paid people to spend the entire day everyday burying the seaweed - so they were really trying. If you are going for the beach or surf, this may not be the best fit. My wife and I took the shuttle to the shops near Water Blow and there was a great Marriott beach club there with food and drinks and a place to rent surf boards. The beach and ocean water was also a bit cleaner. Tip: skip Nusa Dua unless you have to see Water Blow. There is so much more to see in Bali. If I changed anything about my trip I'd spend more time on the west coast and central Bali and maybe North Bali. Also, we had nighttime layovers in Beijing and Shanghai. If possible, it would be great to experience these great cities in the day. We still enjoyed a unique experience in China and made the most of our time there.\n\nConclusion: Garuda Airlines is the best airline I've ever experienced. Made was an excellent driver and really did a great job of getting us to the places we wanted to see, and arranged everything. Ubud and the Ayung Resort was the highlight. Finally, make the most of your layovers, China was amazing."
(16) If you are in Bali you simply cannot miss a morning hike up Mt Batur for the sunrise. We spent the night in a hotel nearby and were up at 3am to make our way there. It was very crowded with tourist the day we went so go early if you can. Having said that it was the most stunning sunrise I have ever seen. Hike all the way to the top; don't stop at the first peak. And the hike down was equally as beautiful. Great view of the volcanoes, the ocean and over to Lombok. We were well above the clouds and it was breathtaking. You must go!
(17) Pretty unique experience - climbing a volcano in the dark for hours.\nYou'll want to give up, just don't.\n\nMake sure you bring super warm clothes for the way up
(18) We hired a tour to go to the mountain and it was expensive. The only thing the tour does is picks you up. They promise breakfast but it is a joke, white bread and boiled eggs. Horrible. You have to wear comfortable clothing to hike and climb and warm clothing because it is pretty cold on the mountain. I would recommend taking water and some food and warm clothing. Tour starts early for no reason. We had to stop for first breakfast which is completely unnecessary and then wait for sunrise 45 minutes. You need to be a little bit in shape because the hike is long and you cannot hold your group members.
(19) We booked our trek recently with balitrekkingtour.net\n\nThere are lots around but they seemed trustworthy company! We were picked up in our hotel Ibis Style Seminyak at 1:40am and drove to the base of Batur volcano.We were lucky enough to have our own guide with his good hospitality manner and knowledgeable about the area. The walk was slow but sure and take approximately 2 hours to the summit, we were chatting along the way up. We reached the summit around 5:55m. Our guide Ketut where cooked us eggs and steamed banana from a steam of volcano. The breakfast was yummy :) :). The views jus amazing. The sunrise was remarkable. This s the hidden paradise of Bali!!! Yeah it was a bit busy but was still fantastic-highlight of our trip!\n\nNoted!\n\nWe did reservation very was, we were contact the company in WhatsApp +6281904082208 that we found on the site.\n\nThe hike was easy to moderate but in some part need big effort, will be better wear hiking shoes or sport shoes w/good gear.\n\nThere is very changing temperatures, don’t forget bring jacket or layer, it will useful on the summit while waiting sunrise.\n\nThanks Ketut for awesome trip.!
(20) We did this as part of our Honeymoon and we couldn't end up with a better guide.\n\nWe had a great experience on our hike with the fantastic guide KARMA! He's careful, safe and will to please. A fantastic guy who's always on the lookout for your safety!\nThe only negative experience which we've had was with the drier that picked us up from the hotel at 2 am from Kuta Beach because on the way to the Mt. he took a nap while driving. Not the best thing to witness so I made sure to ask him open answer questions this way he doesn't fall asleep again.\nOther than than, the whole experience was beautiful and it is a must! You have to make sure you are well equipped when doing it.\n\nEssentials:\n\n1) Light jacket (it is freezy up, and you will be sweaty) in case you do not have one you could rent from them, but it will be 50,000IDK for it\n2) Full Pants and you could have shorts underneath\n3) Torch / Headlight (but the guide will provide one for you anyways)\n4) Water because it is quite expensive on the Mt. (understandable)\n5) Good shoes (it is slippery and a HIGH chance of falling)\n\nAlso, I would recommend having an extra shirt that you can change in above. In case you do like your sleep, it is recommended to leave for the tour from Ubud rather than Kuta.\n\nAll being said, KARMA is the best guy ever and I suggest if you do this to ask for him. He's well worth his pay and I would recommend tipping him at the end because he's not making much on this.\n\nHave fun and stay safe!
(21) When travelling, I stay open in the moment to connecting with the people where I'm visiting, and sometimes that means I might miss a photo opportunity of tourist attraction.  Our tour bus stopped outside the palace with 45 minutes to walk around and take pictures.  While everyone when right to the gate, I went left toward an open-air shop.   (My husband took a few quick photos but then came to join me.)\n\nMotion sick from the long bus ride, I wanted a cool drink and to sit down.  The shop owner spoke very little English, but with the help of a taxi driver who knew a few words more, we spent a lovely 45 minutes sitting on the front steps of her shop sipping soda and getting to know each other.\n\nHawkers came by to sell everything from pyjamas to sunglasses, but when they saw we were there to get to know them, not just do the typical tourist whirlwind, they ceased their selling and we had an enthusiastic conversation of few words and lots of gesturing!\n\nOne of the friendly hawkers proffered me a local herbal remedy for headache and nausea which I administered and felt better.  She spoke no English, but through sign language, I understood her to be telling me that when she drives her motorcycle behind large diesel trucks, she, too, gets nauseous and headhachey, so she applies the oil. The shop owner stocked the product which I promptly bought and still use - mint & camphor, works great.\n\nThey were such warm and friendly people and though we have no experience of the palace itself, I highly recommend taking a moment to stop by the shop, spend a few dollars on herbal remedies, soda and say hello to these lovely people.  The shop owner is Nama Igst Ayu Dresnig (pronounce Nama Igusti Ayu Dresning) and the cab driver is Ikm Cakra.\n\nBy the way - I've learned the best way to deal with hawkers, especially very assertive ones, is to smile and shake your head no and say thank you.  Indonesian for thank you is tareema kasee (with the emphasis on the double ee's).  Smile, shake you head no and say tareema kasee - keep repeating it as you move past them or as you sit and they approach.  They get the message after a while and this way you don't have to be the typical rude tourist (remember - they're just trying to care for their families on a few dollars a day).
(22) For those who had not seen a volcano before, this place is totally awesome. Beautiful, cold and serene. Totally worth every penny.
(23) I went to this region specifically to hike up Mount Batur. In the end, the weather wasn't friendly, but that's nature! I'll focus on facts to help others have a successful trek.\nFirstly, some reviews say it is cold. OK, it is cooler than lower altitude areas, but most travellers from Europe will still find it hot. I would still suggest lightweight hiking trousers though just to keep the creepy crawlies off your legs in the undergrowth. The lower slopes are challenging enough to warm you up. However, at the top, at least out of the steam, you will cool down quickly. Take a layer, and I would suggest this be waterproof. If you end up in cloud, you will get wet quickly and this will make you cold. Have something to keep your camera dry too.\nFootwear: something strong! You don't need proper hiking boots here, but a good deep tread will help you. There is a mixture of terrain from Tarmac to soil, to volcanic sand to bare rock! Of course there are people in trainers, but why risk an ankle out here?\nMozzy repellant for the lower slopes. A head torch for the dark early start which will leave your hands free for your water. (Some guides provide this, but it is absolutely essential.)\nIf you're used to being active for a few hours, you should find this a reasonable hike. Given the temperature, altitude and some sections of incline, give it a miss if you struggle to stay on your feet for extended periods.\nHotels will be able to recommend/contact a guide for you and the guides arrange transport to the starting point. Expect to pay between £20 and £45 depending on the length of your trek. The guides offer prices in USD but their currency conversion definitely works in their favour! Do give them a tip though if you enjoy the experience.\n
(24) Went for a daytime trek, unfortunately the top was covered in clouds all day.\n\nTrek it self fairly easy, we took the long route, past all the tops and down, did not return by same route.\n\nHad some bananasandwich and coffe, and of course steamed eggs on the top.\n\nPayed 300' pr person for our group of 4.\n\nIf we had hade some view it would be a 5 star rating
(25) This tour has an early start, and by early I mean EARLY. We got picked up at from our hotel at 01:30am and scraped by with a measly 1.5 hr sleep prior.\n\nNow, my wife and I are not terribly unfit, but with the lack of sleep this hike was pretty full on. We had a tough time walking uphill the whole time (and it really is uphill all the way through), and it can get quite steep. If you're from Melbourne, think the escalator at Parliament station, that's how steep it can get.\n\nI was feeling a bit sick in the stomache as well, so our guide was happy to top 3/4 of the way, where we were still able to catch a magnificent view of the sunset. Speaking of our guide, he was an absolute legend. My wife had bought a new backpack from a local Balinese shop, to take with her on the hike, and the damn straps snapped within 10 minutes. Our guide volunteered to carry the backpack in his hand the whole way that we went up as well as the whole way down. Could not give more praise to this man!\n\nAs everyone said, the views are stunning and well worth the hike. It gets quite windy up there though, so make sure to bring something warm to wear for when you get to the top (or as high as you can make it).\n\nNot sure if we would do it again, due to the mess it made of our body clocks, but it was an experience we're glad we had!\n\nWould definitely recommend.
(26) A day started with a 2:00a.m. pick up by our tour guide in Sanur. We got to the base of Mount Batur about one hour where the local guide was waiting for us. The day of our hike had 55 local guides, and each can take up to 4 people. We had to rent a wind breaker for $5 each since it was quite chilly on top. I wished I had a pair of gloves with me too. The hike was about 5 kilometer steep climb and took us 1:40 hours to the top. The air was very crisp at that time. We bought the best cup of coffee from the local vendor up there as we waited for the sun to pop up. We also witnessed a marriage proposal. It was beautiful!! A large family of monkey live at the top of Mount Batur by the crater. It was so fun to watch them play for a while. Afterwards, our local guide took us around the back and came down from a different route. At time we slide down the loose lava rocks. Wow It was a fantastic hike and experience for us!
(27) This climb is gonna be tougher than u think!! Please wear proper shoes that is non slippery. It’s a rocky and slippery route that requires moderate fitness. If u really can’t deal with the climb, don’t worry as they have motorbike ride up which cost ard 300k per person. View up there is really surreal but I’m not sure if I will do it again due to the level of difficulty. Bring water! And be prepared.\n\nAnd to those wondering if they should book online, just book it with local tours in Bali. It’s super expensive online so I took a risk to not book any tours. It cost 350k per person including your guide, ride to and back your hotel as well as breakfast if u book w tours in Bali.
(28) Need to do it when low season, Mass tourism and 500 000 RP at least.Not very difficult to do.Choose a place to stay, and then get a local guide to go at night. During the day it is too hot.Take a jacket for the wind, do not overdress.Choose a long trek to enjoy the place.Maybe you'll find my scarf that felt on the hike ;)
(29) My husband & i undertook this trek & although it was rather tough (both of us being 50) we , being reasonably Fit thru regular gymming, found it quite difficult in parts.we had a very very good guide who really helped us & egged us on. Took us 2 hours 15 mins to reach the top.and once we did, we realized how very WORTH IT it was.....the sunrise was Breathtaking!!!! made all that effort really worth it. had a small breakfast of eggs & banana sandwiches & coffee, which was included in our package, spent over an hour on top, knowing fully well, that was a once in a life time experience. Took us another two hours to climb down hill... Tough. but a wonderful experience. the Highlight of our Bali Holiday!!!
(30) The trek up to the summit is not difficult. Mount Batur (1717m) is not a challenging trek and has 2 options to trek up. Easy but longer and a little challenging but shorter ascend. We were a family of 4, with 2 boys aged 10 and 12 and doing our first family trek up to a mountain summit. We were rewarded by the most beautiful sunrise on the summit. The sun rises behind from Mount Rinjani, Lombok, which is a not in Bali and lights up the grand Mount Agung in Bali. The physically draining slippery slopes in the last 800m dissipated with the welcoming of the sunrise at the summit.
(31) The sunrise is enchanting to watch .. surely a must do if you are in bali..\n\nIt will be a bit crowded in the top.. something you will have to live with but still far worth it is what I would say\n..
(32) Did the trekking to the crater summit at 2900m. We started at 2am from Pasar Agung Temple and were back again at 10.30am. The view is breath taking at the summit!\n\nThree people in our group of 7 did not make it to the summit due to fatigue...\nThe trekking is really hard and sometimes scary and dangerous so be prepared...\n\nThings to do before and bring on the trekking.\n- Have a good sleep or relax at least 5 - 7 hours before.\n- Good mood\n- Good trekking shoes\n- Trousers, Jacket, hat and raincoat\n- Plenty of water\n- Chocolate or candy\n- Stick and flashlight
(33) Being a hikers back in the Rocky Mountains, we thought this trek was going to be easy considering the locals said that people of all ages participate in it. When we got to the site after being picked up at 2:30 am , we were given flashlights which were a definite necessity. We started the hike at 4:00 am and it was black out without the flashlights. The beginning of the trek was medium difficulty but as we kept getting higher up in elevation it got steeper and steeper to the point of climbing very high stairs. The trek is full of people which made it feel safer because of all the flashlights to help guide your way, but it was honestly more difficult having to wait for the people in front of you and try to find a spot to stand to take a break.\n\nOnly half of our group made it to the summit in about 2 hours to watch the sunrise. The sunrise was beautiful, but the trek was quite daunting. Not sure if I would recommend this to others who aren't avid hikers.\n\nThere were two different trails down the volcano (thankfully). The trail we climbed up on most went down on but was so steep that we could see at the bottom that many fell and got scraped up. We took the easier route down even though it took 20 minutes longer.\n\nWe didn't stay up at the top for very long - just long enough to see the sunrise - because people started feeding the hundreds of monkeys and we aren't fond of monkeys.\n\nAt times, it was somewhat frustrating because our guide who took us up the volcano spoke very little English and it was hard to communicate our questions and needs.\n\nThe entire hike up and down took a total of about 4 hours and we were going at a moderate to slow pace.\n\nAll in all, good experience.
(34) Nice place to have lunch while view the amazing view of the volcano and the lake. We also can view the mountain from the sidewalk and see the spectacular view.\nii recommend every visitors to Visit mount Batur when they make their visit
(35) We organised the tour with a taxi man who organised a lovely guide for the 4 of us. We are 4 girls in our 20's and this hike is very manageable! You trek up in complete darkness with only your torches and the stars. It's full of other people and guides it's really sociable! This was the best sun rise I have ever seen. It was freezing waiting at the top so being warm clothing.\nPlease do this- you won't regret it!
(36) We booked a private guided tour of mount batur sunrise trekking, hot springs and lunch at Kintamani. Our driver was very safe and friendly and waited for us the whole time. Our guide was very knowledgeable and patient and so sweet to be with :)
(37) Left 2:30am from Ubud to get to the rim by 5:15am to be treated to an amazing sunset within the 30 mins that followed. The guide, Bazir Bawak, is a true local who lives at the foot of the volcano. We had simple but yummy breakfast before setting off on a tour around the crater with Bazir sharing a great deal of local knowledge. It was great to listen to him while taking in the extraordinary scenery - you can tell that he and his family have been in the area for generations.Thanks Bazir, next time it won't be just me but I will bring the family! Anybody looking for a great guide, you can find Bazir Bawak via Facebook or WhatsApp: ‭+62 877 60381082.‬
(38) We hired a car and driver to take us from our resort and drive through the paddy fields to get to Kintamani and to see the volcanoes. The rice were beautiful and we stopped at the The Rice Terrace Cafe for some pics and refreshments. We then continued up to the volcanoes and drove around to get the best views. Unfortunately we couldn't go down to Lake Batur and the Lava Forest as there had been an accident on the road. If you venture this high up in the clouds take a long sleeved top or wrap as it is distinctively cooler than when you're at the beach. Great opportunity for photos. Lunch in the restaurants are all pretty much the same.
(39) I was intrigued at hearing about a silent volcano not so far from the city. The drive a short two hrs was very scenic and to see all the art and craft shops literally spilling onto some sections was interesting.. Also there's a lot of green throughout the way. On arrival it is a beautiful sight~ the mountain high cradling a beautiful calm lake.. And restaurants that dished up some authentic Balinese cuisine.\nThe views were fantastic.\nMade a good half day ride from Kuta
(40) The view of the sun rising over the horizon takes away all the pain of hiking upwards for close to two hours, but beware of the cold weather that you will face at the peak while you wait for the sun to rise (bring a jacket along!). The craters at the top of this still-active volcano are also nice to view, and you can see steam rising from the earth
(41) Anyone visiting Bali must include the trek to Mount Batur as a part of your itinerary. You can choose to do the Sunrise trek (like I did) beginning around 3 am in the morning and hike up to watch the spectacular sunrise view of Mount Agung and Lake Batur or you could do the day tour too. We were very fortunate to have the company of Dewata Li Bali as our guide. All of twenty-three years, he works with the local association like all other guides that accompany you for the trek. He was very patient, informative and humorous at the same time. Not once did we feel tired or bored during the entire trek. He took great photographs and helped tackle the tricky patches well. Not only is a great guide, he has great concern for the environment also. He patiently collected every piece of litter/ garbage on his way down from the trek..all this without any fuss or complaint. The trek is not that difficult even for beginners and can be enjoyed by one and all. You just need to have shoes with good grip as the small pebbles on the way (descent) tend to be loose especially if it has rained and can cause you to slip if you are not careful. You can also take the help of a walking pole/ stick especially during descent to protect those weak knees tired from the ascent. But all the trouble is worth the views from the top. While you are there, you could spend time and make   with the monkeys too :-)
(42) Magical experience climbing in the dark and stopping frequently to admire the stars above. The sunrise at the peak is stunning. Definitely worth the early start. It's not an easy hike but with a bit of effort and determination it's doable! There are many stops along the way if you can't make it to the top where you can still view the sunrise so it's worth a shot regardless. We actually enjoyed star gazing more than the sunrise!
(43) Mount Batur is an active volcano. The hike is 1717 meters and took us about 1.5 hours to get up top. Easy you say? Consider this: If you're like most people, you're staying in South Bali (Sanur, Kuta, Seminyak, Nusa Dua...) so the drive to Mount Batur takes a little over 2 hours. The best time to visit is apparently to watch sunrise. So be prepared to start the journey at 2:30 am for the long drive.\n\nWe started hiking around 4:45 and got up top by 6:15 am. The hike was not very hard for the average hiker but the pitch darkness and uneven lava rocks was definitely a curveball. We hiked on a morning that had been forecasted to rain. Because of the clouds and fog, we didn't get to see the sunrise. However, it was like breathtaking to watch the lake down below and the steam escaping rocks. It was so peaceful to be up there.\n\nBring some hiking sandals/shoes. Flash light (a good guide would have an extra one but don't count on it). Water. Light snack.\n\nNOTE: We paid our driver 700,000 rupiah to drive us to and from Mount Batur. He arranged payment with the guides of the Mount Batur association. Each party has to have a guide. You can arrange payment on your own but that could get tricky as we were told you could get ripped off (see my review on Besakih Temple).
(44) We did Mount Batur yesterday. For family with 2 children (15 and 9) wasn't sure how tough would it be. Last stretch from half way point was quite tough as stones and soil are slippery. You need to wear comfortable clothes and need shoes with good grip.\n\nIn the end sun rise was beautiful and enjoyed the view. It was bit cloudy however we could see sun rise from the first point.\n\nHighly recommended - could be tough for not so fit guys\n\nTip - We learn that rates vary heavily - we ended up paying 400,000 IDR per pax and learnt in the shuttle that other had paid 35 percent lesser. Anyways learning for others!
(45) Yes the views are incredible, but, the attraction is down right dangerous & irresponsibly managed. Tourists who think they're in for a challenging but doable walk down a mountain to a beach are in for a shock. At least half of the 'path' is sheer, vertical drops, requiring climbing, hanging, and holding on to broken side rails made literally of sticks & bamboo. Should you twist your ankle or break something you'd be in serious trouble, let alone hoe easy it would be to tumble through the 'side rails' and drop straight down the side of a cliff. With no room to pass walkers coming down or up, you have to find ways to get off the narrow path, again incredibly risky. I'm shocked that local & Indonesian tourism officials are ok with the state of the path. Should someone need critical, emergency care there'd be no hope. The least they can do is adequately inform tourists, who rock up in flipflops and carrying helmets, or in dresses for their Instagram photoshoot. Both hands are needed to literally climb up many stretches of the path, and nice clothes will end up dirty and torn. Beautiful as it is, this attraction is going to make headlines for all the wrong reasons if responsible action is not taken soon.
(46) Loved it. The guide was fantastic, nature is beautiful. What's a better way to see sun rising then from the top of the mountin. Not too heavy climbing.
(47) I travelled to Bali with 6 girl  aged 21-mid 50s. I'm in the latter category and by far the most overweight and unfit. When we decided five months ago to do this hike - I started getting into training, losing 17 kg and working out the gym - very determined to make it to the top of Mt Batur. Just so you understand, I still have more than 20kg to lose before being a 'healthy' weight.\nThis was so hard - so much more difficult for me than I imagined. The track is rocky and for the last third - extremely steep. Our Balinese friend Komang (Komang Sujati Balitour) took my pack from me before the halfway mark. And from halfway, held my hand and helped and encouraged me to the summit. Without his support and assistance, I doubt I would have made it. I had many rest stops and the more fit girls in my group went on ahead at my insistance. After the very arduous final third, which they found exhausting, they did not think that I would meet them there - so greeted me with surprise and enthusiasm when I made it.\nI am so thrilled with my achievement - very proud of myself but full credit to Komang and his wonderful, patient guidance. It was lovely up there but unfortunately this day had heavy low cloud so the sunrise was not spectacular - but that did not matter!\nComing down was tricky too - despite being in daylight, the path is so very rocky - with loose stones and whilst not physically puffed out like on the way up - it was hard on my old knees! Once again, Komang assisted my down every step.\nFacts: We started at 3am and it took me just under 3 hours to get up. (An hour or so to get down!)\nIf you are reasonably fit or better - you'll have no problem. You will sweat and be tired but you'll make it roughly 2 hours. If you are not fit (like me) ... train beforehand and have someone to help you - it is worth it!\nHave that head torch, take water and take a really warm jacket as it is cold when you stop at the top drenched in sweat!\nAll in all, a remarkable experience!
(48) The villages around the lake overlooking Mount Batur are sitting on a goldmine: Great views, nice trek up to the summit and so much potential. Yet they are wasting all this away because of the locals that push and push and push tourists with transport, treks and accommodation. What a shame because if the little town of Toya Bungkah got their act together they could provide an unforgettable experience. So i will say it loud and clear: you do NOT need a guide to climb Mount Batur.\nEveryone in the village will tell you otherwise. It is a lie. Do not believe these scammers.\nWe stayed at Volcano I which is i think the cheapest. It includes breakfast. The room is ok. The trail starts 5 minutes away. You can go by yourself, it is easy enough to find.\nComing independently from Penelokan it is maximum 10 000 rupiah to come down to Toya, no more. The prices we were quoted were just jokes.\nThe town could be a lot more charming. My recommendation: arrive in the afternoon, have dinner, early sleep then climb in the morning (sunrise if you want by usually it is too foggy for a view), return (we took 1h10 to climb and 50 minutes to decent), pack and leave. Start walking and you will soon see many people that offer to take you back up to Penelokan.
(49) We didn't intend to climb the volcano. We were hoping for a simple trek but you are not allowed to trek the volcano without a guide so we went with it. For 250.000IDR two guides drove is on the back of motor bikes to the foot of the climb. The ride is quite interesting through farmland. They are building a new temple at the foot of the volcano. A guide then escorted us to the first caldera about a 35 minute climb which is rocky so wear good shoes with grip. There we saw active steam rising from the volcano, a group of playful monkeys that live there, and the opening to a holy cave. The view of the valley and lava flow from early 1970s is impressive. We did not do the sunrise tour which I'm sure is pretty but I'm not up for a 2am depart from ubud.
(50) A must if you like a bit of an exercice, outdoors and enjoy great views (great photos to be taken).\n\nBut...\n\n- Hiking boots or good shoes required (some tours let people with flip flops going up, this should be strictly forbidden).\n- Bring headlamp, camera, hot sweater, shell, water (the one bottle they provide is not enough and snacks (the pancake and lunch they provide are lame). A paper mask could be an interesting option since the fine dust from the trail is airborne by the important quantity of people trekking. You can buy coffee, juice or water on top for approx 30K rp.\n- There will be 300-400 persons on the trek (it is a lineup of headlights going up through the night), no you will not be alone... You are not Robinson Crusoé discovering an island.\n- NEGOTIATE: we paid 250K rp per person. In our hotel, the price was 385K rp for the same trek... Just walk around Ubud and ask for the price around town in all the little activity tours stalls.\n- Book a massage in the afternoon you get back, you'll thank me for it!
(51) Amazing sunrise, definitely worth doing the trek. Also for people reasonably in shape. Not just for sporty people. I've also climbed mount Rinjani on Lombok which is at least twice as high but the sunrise on Mount Batur even trumped the one i saw there. It's only a 2 hour climb and you'll do a small trek around the crater where you'll walk on small ledges. Quite the adventure.
(52) I have decided to scale Mt Batur during my planning to visit Bali. And it turned out to be one of the best experiences throughout the trip. There are many stories about going for a cheaper option in hiring a “non-official” mountain guide so we decided to go safe. We hired Mr Ketut from the HPPGB (Himpunan Pramuwisata Pendaian Gunung Batur, or Mt Batur Trekking Centre Tourist Information Service), for a fee of 350,000 rupiah.\n\nThe transport arrived at our resort at 2am, reached Kintamani at almost 4am, and after a short registration, we started our trekking. The initial part was quite a walk in the park, then the inclination increases, one's footing starts to slip; that’s where the real climb begins. We stopped to take a breather every about half hour, and noticed the sky was littered with millions of stars which was simply speechless. Stargazers could spend hours here!\n\nWe reached the summit at 6am, where there were groups of people waiting for the sunrise. Disappointingly, clouds and fog covered the skies on the day we reached the summit, so we didn’t witness the famous sunrise. However, we continued with our crater walk and we were blessed with sights that blew our minds away. We trek on the rims of four craters, and our guide was helpfully giving us running narration on the 1963, 1974, 1994 and 2000 craters. At some point, the track was less than a meter wide with sheer drops on both sides, which is not recommended for those with vertigo. But crossing those stretches gives you a sense of living dangerously!\n\nThe view on the descent was awesome too, together with slip-sliding down the soft black volcano ash. We were back at the foot at 12.30pm, after spending the best eight hours of our lives experiencing real-time adrenalin rush on top of active volcanoes. It is one experience to be had.\n\nA word of caution though –\n1. Getting a good mountain guide will enhance your experience, and Mr Ketut Sidin Adiana from HPPGB certainly fits the bill.\n2. Wear comfortable and covered shoes. The sand, pebbles would get into every orifice in your gears.\n3. The weather at the summit is very windy, and it can be chilly at times, registering between 12 and 16 deg Celcius. A windbreaker is a must, and a trekking pole helps heaps.\n4. For those with photographic gears, do bring a cover to prevent fine sands from entering. And bring only one lens, as it would be downright foolhardy to change lens in such an environment. Going light is the key. On this note, a good point and shoot with long zoom suffice.\n5. As the mountain is 1717m with parts of the trek considered as dangerous, those suffering with vertigo may wish to reconsider.\n6. As this is a non-technical climb, anyone with a reasonable fitness is able to scale it.
(53) Spectacular mountain with views that are stunning. The top cannot be seen if it is cloudy, but on a beautiful day you can see everything. Had we been more into hiking this would have made for a wonderful trek, but we chose to just look and that in itself was enjoyable. A must see when on Bali!
(54) If you're in Bali, this is a must-do, especially if you love hiking. It's a tad far away from everything and requires waking up early but it'll be so damn worth it.\n\nHonestly you don't really NEED a guide to navigate for this because the trails so popular you just need to follow everyone else and their guides. We had a guide though, and the extra bonus was that he knew the less-crowded spots and also how to chase away the naughty monkeys - just lift a rock - and some extra fun facts about the area.\n\nWhat I noticed was that so many people were in inappropriate hiking attire - think shorts, denim jackets and white sneakers. So here's a packing list of the things you need:\n\n1. Torchlight - it's pitch black other than the torches of other people\n2. Proper hiking shoes - we saw many people sliding, especially on the way down. The volcanic sand is slippery!\n3. Wear long pants - before the sun rises it's cold\n4. A sweater and windbreaker - it gets warm on the way up but it gets chilly waiting for the sun to rise.\n\nI brought gloves up but didn't use them at all.\n\nOn top of all that, we were in Bali for a whole week but didn't see any shops selling hiking shoes, so make sure to bring those from home!
(55) Mount Batur is an active volcano fronted by a beautiful azure blue lake in Northeast Bali. We stopped here on a tour around that region of the island at a view point. The view is astounding on a clear day and you can see both Mount Batur and Agung separated by the lake.
(56) Spectacular views. We didn't go to climb it but enjoyed the breathtaking scenery from a restaurant anyway. Absolutely panoramic views. Worth a visit. Concerning reviews if you are planning to hike so please read others if you are thinking of hiking up this marvellous volcano.
(57) This was by far the worst experience we’ve had in Indonesia as far as people. I wish I could give two ratings since the hike itself was beautiful. We woke up for sunrise and arrived around 3:30 with our own hired driver. When we got there the people selling tickets would not sell them to us without 400,000IDR to hire a guide- on top of 100,000 entrance each. When we stated we didn’t want a guide they got EXTREMELY aggressive. They screamed and threatened us. It was scary. Several other groups left - imagine waking up for sunrise and leaving! In the end, we sucked it up and paid for the guide and hiked an amazing trail. Some of the guides were hovering in really uncomfortable ways- luckily our driver helped set us up with a guide we liked.
(58) This is a sunrise trek starting at around 3 AM from the foothills of Mount Batur. Every tourist is accompanied by a trek guide as it is the mandate set by the local government. It makes sense as trekking wasn't easy. I had difficulty trekking most of the time as it was very steep and dark in the early morning. The scenery is breathtaking and just cannot be expressed in mere words. The steam is hot that you actually bake anything that you like.
(59) From there we moved on to Kintamani, an active volcano, though it last errupted in the early 1900s (according to our guide). We were lucky, we were there early (around 11am) and the sky was clear so we had a great view of the volcano and lake. Again, awesome view! This is a definite must visit if you haven't.\n\nTip: give the traditional village near Kintamani a miss. There isn't much to see.
(60) This is an experience of a life, viewing the sunrise on top of a mountain. IT takes 2 hours to climb but it is not easy! Let me repeat it is not easy trekking up! but worth it when you are there! Ask your hotel for the breakfast, they will package it for you. Call +62 812 3882316 and ask Mr. Agung and he will arrange everything and make it smooth for you.