HIKING MOUNT BATUR: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

I haven’t talked to you yet about one of my greatest travel experiences so far.

I’m referring to the Mount Batur experience, during my trip to Indonesia last year. Mount Batur is an active volcano in Bali, which is 1,717 meters above sea level. One of the most popular activities in Bali is to climb this mountain and watch the breathtaking sunset from above. So, I said ‘let’s do it’!

We booked in advance a guided trek and at around 2am on our  scheduled day, the driver picked us up from our hotel in Ubud. In approximately 30 minutes we reached the starting point. Each group of people had their own guide; we also had our very own local private one.

After our guide provided us with torches, we started the walk to the base of the volcano. The adventure began! We were climbing in complete darkness, not really aware of what surrounded us. Honestly, if I was able to see what was around- a steep cliff- I don’t think I would have agreed to do it!

Anyways, let’s go back to the climbing. It was tough. I am not going to lie. I am not an expert, of course, or a person who hikes, so I found it really hard. After approximately 2 hours of climbing, we reached the top.

With the first arrays of sun, the monkeys came out, starting to ‘attack’ our snacks!

And then, the sunrise made its grand appearance. Darkness was gone. Gold rays were there instead. It was wonderful. I cannot really find the words to express how magical that moment was. Being in Indonesia, in Bali, climbing a 1,717 height volcano in the middle of the night, and watching the sunrise. It was truly magical. And deeply enchanting.

I felt so small in front of nature’s majesty. And at the same time so lucky to be able to experience something like this. The path was challenging, but the views and feelings so worth it!

We also felt the steam from the volcano. Fascinating!

The descent was much easier. We followed the path through the forest and soon enough, we were back where it all started.

What you need to know before the climbing

1. Make sure you have comfortable and sports clothes with you, and of course, the appropriate training shoes.

2. You need to have with you a hoodie or a waterproof jacket or something warm. Before the sun rises, it’s chilly up there.

3. You will be given water and snacks, but be aware of the monkeys! They will attack your things once they see them.

4. Your guide will be there for you and support you during the hiking. They do that every day, so they’re fully aware of the tricky parts. Don’t hesitate to ask for help when you need it.