Mount Batur
Bali Island is part of Indonesia, an archipelago country stretching for almost 2 million kilometers square. As one of the biggest archipelago countries in the world, Indonesia is blessed with more than 15,000 islands with various landscapes. The landscapes are sitting on the route of the ring of fire, making this country dotted with volcanoes all over the island. Among one of the most active volcanoes in Indonesia, there lies Mount Batur in Bali on the eastern part of Indonesia. Your journey starts here, book your plane ticket first to Ngurah Rai Airport. Once you arrive, you can rent a car to your favorite hotel or villas, get some rest and prepare before your journey to Mount Batur.
Now Bali has been a major destination in Indonesia, known for its beaches, natural landscapes, clubs, small pristine islands surrounding it and the religion and culture that has been preserved for hundreds of years. The major religion in Bali is Hindu. This religion blended with the rich culture of Balinese has created a distinct atmosphere unlike anywhere else in the world. The Balinese believed in the sacred places, and among them is the mythical Mount Batur.
Mount Batur lies on Kintamani, Bangli Regency and towering at 1717 meters above the sea level. This mountain is one of the primary sacred places in Bali along with Mount Agung or Besakih Temple. As one of the most active volcanoes in Bali, Mount Batur has a cycle of eruptions, the last eruption happened on 2000, therefore, you need to always check the status of Mount Batur before going on a hike.
One of the biggest eruptions occurred a thousand years ago. The eruption created big caldera that spans around 13 square kilometers. While in 1926, the legend says that the eruption wiped out the surrounding village. Balinese people believed that the mountain is home of Lord Brahma because of its frequent volcanic activity, who is symbolized with a fire ring. In order to purify the area and balance the universe’s elements, the locals bring sacrifices to the mountain during sacred ceremonies. Therefore, this area is considered very sacred, and like many other sacred places in Bali, pregnant or menstruating women are not allowed to hike the mighty Mount Batur.
Hiking on The Sacred Mount Batur
The most prominent feature when hiking Mount Batur is to see the magnificent golden sunrise on top of an active volcano and see the caldera. Therefore, to get the best view, you need to hike before sunrise at around 6 AM. During your trip to Mount Batur, you will also be welcomed by the breathtaking Lake Batur right beside the mountain.
Hiking Mount Batur requires a licensed guide to support the locals and mostly to ensure your safety because they are the ones who know the track really well. The sunrise trek is quite popular among the tourists as well and you might stumble upon other hikers along the way or join them at the beginning.
The altitude of Mount Batur at 1717 meters requires approximately 2 hours to reach the summit for an average level of fitness, thus you will start hiking around 4 AM. The first half an hour of the trek might not be much trouble, but as you get higher, the path will be getting steeper. Always be careful of the dark and slippery path, do not hesitate to ask or get help from your guide.
Once you reach the top of Mount Batur, the view of shimmering golden sunrise will greet you. The color shifted from black to the yellow, orange, and blue sky as the background. Bring out your hot drink and cameras and enjoy the panoramic view. Look out for your surrounding especially if the weather isn’t very cloudy. You will be able to see Mount Rinjani on Lombok Island, Lake Batur view from atop, and across you lies the highest point as well as one of the most sacred in Bali, Mount Agung. Gaze down and you will also see the Batur Caldera.
Tips to Hike Mount Batur
Like any other hiking activities on the mountain, comfortable and good grip footwear is a must especially during the descent from the peak. During the hiking in the middle of the night, you will need to wear warm clothes and don’t underestimate the cold weather on the mountain during the night. Also, wear a layer of clothes so that they won’t be too heavy on you. Absorbent clothes will certainly help because the change in temperature will happen during your hiking and you will get sweaty while the temperature is cold. Sweaty shirts make you cold and it’ll be difficult to stay warm in it. Don’t forget to bring a headlamp, some of the guides will provide you with one and you may want to ask for it beforehand. You can bring your own food or buy them from nearby warungs to avoid heavy carriage. At last, reserve a licensed tour guide from a reputable agency. Ask about their name and experience as might save you from an unprofessional guide.
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