Have you dreamed of spectacular views of mountains being set on fire by the pink hues of the sun? This is one of the most popular hikes and once you hear about it, you have to go. If you’ve thought about climbing this amazing place at sunrise then this post will be dedicated to everything you need to know about Mountain Batur sunrise trekking. I went during tourist high season in August I’ll tell you how to score a cheaper tour, what to expect and advice on climbing the mountain.
1. Find a cheap company and email them directly
Whatever you do, don’t book your trip online. Aaron found a pamphlet for Pineh Trekking on a Naver blog and we went from there. Bali is the most expensive part of Indonesia. In my opinion and they will try to rip you off to make their paper. Don’t fall for it. Aaron and I emailed Pineh directly (pinehcoladabali@yahoo.co.id or booking@pinehbalitours.com). We negotiated a price and ended up getting a cheaper tour than that of our group. Included in the tour are: hotel pick up, 3am breakfast, tour guide, water, second breakfast including egg and bread with banana, and transport back to the hotel. Since we were staying in the Kuta area, we had to meet our driver at 1 am. The closer you are to Mount Batur, the cheaper your price will be.
Cost: 400,000 IDR
2. Breakfast at 3 am is rough
Waking up at 12:30 am sucks. It took two hours to get to our destination at the base of the mountain. If you’re staying in the Ubud area, you’ll get more sleep. I was barely awake when they started bringing crepes filled with delicious banana. I was so asleep I even forgot my phone in the car. Even though being awake at odd hours sucks, the breakfast was delicious.
3. Mountain Batur is Difficult
I like to hike but at my own pace. I’m really slow and I like to take my time, take photos and rest a lot. In the dark, you’re scrambling around with your light in front of you paving the way. Our tour group was hauling ass and I fell way behind at some points. In order to make the sunrise, you have to go pretty quickly for about two hours. As I was huffing and puffing, our tour guide had to hold my hand to help me up the mountain. #fail Even if you’re fit, expect this hike to be quick, exhilarating, and sweaty. You will need to catch your breath at certain points.
4. Dress appropriately.
I suggest bringing a small but comfortable backpack. Take a nice camera, your selfie stick and extra water. The tour guide will bring a second breakfast for you (eggs cooked in the volcanic steam, more bananas and bread). I suggest bringing more water if you get thirsty and a warm sweater. You’ll be sweating up the mountain, but once you stop moving and take a seat to watch the sunrise, you will be freezing with snot running attractively down your face. If there’s room in your bag, then take an extra shirt so you’re not shivering. Wear your gym shoes and comfortable hiking wear. I saw a couple dressed really well without the proper shoes, but at least their photos will be awesome, right?
5. Monkeys suck
If you want a selfie with one on your head then go for it, but they are terrible little creatures. Be aware monkeys bite and can get aggressive. They will steal your food, your water or anything else you have that’s loose and dangling. One was so bold as to stalk me just to steal my hand sanitizer. Cheeky little shit.
6. The sunrise is incredible
I took a time lapse of the sunrise and I took loads of photos. Even without a photo, the memory is still ingrained into the back of my eye lids. I liked watching the clouds roll around near the mountains and how the mountain lit up with pink as the sun slowly rose.
7. You may not see the sunrise
I hate to be the debbie downer on this one, but sometimes the clouds win over the sun and it’s possible you will not see it. We got lucky to see half of it and then the other half was doused in gray. Even if you don’t get to see it, the bright side is you burned all your calories for the day.
8. The way down is just as hard
I had bruises for days after going down Mount Batur. It’s really rocky and the ground isn’t so stable. I fell about three times and after the first time I was so ready to get off that mountain. Take your time and go slowly so you don’t injure yourself like I did.
Did you find out everything you need to know about Mountain Batur? Have you been or are you planning your trip? I would love to know more about it!
47 Comments on Eight Things You Need to Know About Mountain Batur Sunrise Trekking
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Awesome post! This is something I have yet to do – I don’t know why I haven’t done it yet, considering how many times I have been to Bali. And I must agree with you – Monkeys suck! They are so cheeky and the like to steal your stuff. The sunrise looks incredible, love the colours!
It’s definitely a must if you go to Bali! Monkeys are the worst creatures on the planet. I just want them to leave my things alone! lol. Thanks for repinning! 🙂
I just did my trek last weekend 🙂 It was and inspiring and as well gave me understanding that I’m not trekker 😀 We paid 250 per person from Ubud area but the cheapest like I know possible to get for 200 per person 🙂 But in any case it’s not toooo big money (I believe during party night in Kuta people spend even more:)) thinking that guys are working and trying to do it in nice way not begging or stealing 🙂
Ubud is definitely the cheaper area to go from. I think people in Kuta definitely spend more on partying. Luckily, Aaron and I aren’t big partiers so we just spend our money on food and fun. 😉 I’m glad that your trek was inspiring and it’s always good to learn new things about ourselves.
The monkeys look sooooo cute, but I’ll take your word that they can be awful lol I’ve always wanted to do a sunrise trek but I am a slow walker and would need to get a bit more fit to reach the top of the moment. How were the eggs cooked in the volcanic steam?
I was a bit out of shape myself and I hated getting left behind! The eggs cooked in the volcanic steam were phenomenal. I really enjoyed them. Then again, they probably tasted so good because I was cold and hungry. 😉
It does sound like a fast paced and tough trek. Getting up so early in the morning is a downer, but the amazing sunrise at the end of it, must be surely worth all the effort. You have given some great pointers for this trek which shall come in quite handy to anyone planning to do it.
I totally agree. The early rising was the toughest part, but the sunrise made it all worth it. I hope everyone will be able to get some good pointers from my experience!
Waking up early is a pain in the butt no matter what, but especially when it’s followed by climbing a freaking mountain! Totally worth it for that spectacular view, though!
I didn’t realise this was so close to Ubud. If I had I would have been tempted to do it. NExt time
I hope you do it next time! You definitely shouldn’t miss it! 😉
I climbed 4 volcanoes on my trip to Indonesia last year & I’m still kicking myself for missing out on Mt Batur, especially now! That sunrise pic is incredible! I’m also a slow hiker, even when I’m carrying nothing (that’s what boyfriends are for) – how long did it take you to climb up & down?
I saw your photos of all those volcanoes and they still look incredible! I want to do the same treks you did. My boyfriend also ended up carrying loads of my things. Hahaha. It took about three hours up and two hours down. It was definitely no easy feat!
awww I have heard a lot of people say monkeys are terrible. They are so cute though!
Your photos are spectacular! I love when the sky is hues of pink.
Thanks so much! I love my photography so I always try to do the best job when I capture photos. I’m definitely considering framing the Mountain Batur photo. What do you think?
3AM! At that point, I might consider just not sleeping! I have trouble adjusting my sleeping schedule so as someone who stays up till 12AM…
As of lately, I’ve been up to ungodly hours of the night. Hahaha. I love to sleep early, but sleep interruption is the worst! I hope you get sleep though!
Oh gosh this reminds me of when I had to climb Mt. Fuji as part of our hazing as Shizuoka JETs haha. I am not a naturey person and that climb was not easy for me, I think this one may have actually killed me. Good on you for negotiating down your own price and for sticking it to that mountain!
I had no idea that they made you climb Mount Fuji! I climbed it when I was in really good shape and my butt muscles were sore afterward. I can only imagine how hard it would be for inexperienced hikers!
I dread at not being able to see the sunrise after that trek.
Guess we need to respect the culture there and dress appropriately.
We only got to see part of it because it was covered by clouds, but I’m glad we got to see something! 🙂 We had to bring sweaters because it was so cold at the top!
Thanks for the honest tips on this trek Gina – I would LOVE to take in a Mountain Batur sunrise trek; we’re hoping to get to Indonesia soon. And yes, we have too learnt the hard way that wild monkeys can suck!!! Hold onto your things!!
When do you think you’ll be headed to Indonesia? What happened with you guys and the wild monkeys?
It looks really beautiful. I would love to go trekking there as well. The views around are extremely astounding.
The views are totally worth it! I’m glad I made the climb, but sad I fell down three times on the way down.
A wonderful guide for climbing Mountain Batur. I really couldn’t agree more: monkeys SUCK. They are little violent thieves! And the climb down a mountain can totally be worse than the climb up. The climb up gets my heart beat up more, but the climb down is much harder on my knees and legs.
Totally! They are so violent and I hate it when they jump on me or chase after me! My knees and legs definitely feel the pain on the way down! I need to get better shoes!
Amazing trek to Mountain Batur loved the sunrise picture. We do trek a lot and during one of our trek around Mumbai, India we had to stay overnight just to complete our trek. Thanks for the tips on Mountain Batur.
I would love to do a trek in Mumbai, India! Do you have any posts on how to complete the trek successfully?
Totally sounds like something I would do! We hike a lot in the states, and some of the mountains require waking up and starting your ascent at midnight if you want to make it to the summit by sunrise. Definitely tough, but the reward at the top is worth it!
I would love to do some hiking in America. What mountain would you recommend climbing?
Thank you for this informative post! I can only imagine how difficult it would be to eat at three am! I think I would also leave my phone in the car! I definitely want to climb mountains so will need to get fit so that the climb and the descent won’t be too difficult 🙂
Thanks so much for reading all the details of my post! I recommend doing Cross Fit to keep fit! It definitely helps with endurance!
Mount Batur looks amazing. Those sunsets are to die for but I not sure I would be able to make this hike. Breakfast at 3am is most certainly not my thing lol. Great tip on not booking online because I would definitely do that normally.
I usually book online to reserve my spot, but many of these companies are trying to rip you off and make more money. I had to read a lot of blogs to figure it out.
This sounds amazing but it definitely seems like you have to work for the view! I’m not much of a hiker, especially if I have to go down hill since I’m a bit of a klutz. That sunrise pic might convince me it’s worth it though!
Yay klutz club! I’m glad I’m not the only one. The sunrise is totally worth the hike up there. Trust me. 😉
I like the nuts and bolts guide – and that you include there is no guarantee of seeing a sunrise – despite the hard climb up! And I can totally relate to the guide having to pull you up the mountain – it’s happened to me this year too (after white water rafting in VicFalls) – so at least you know you’re not on your own with that one!
Hahaha. I’m glad that I’m not the only one who had to get pulled up a mountain. I’m terribly clumsy and I’m glad that he could pull me up, because I’m a bit heavy! How was white water rafting in VicFalls?
loved this!! And you are right! I used to think monkeys were cute and sweet until I was attacked by one in Bali who jumped on my backpack and wouldn’t get off of it! so scary!!
I thought the same exact thing! Monkeys do suck and they’ll stalk you if they see something they want.
Wow, I can’t imagine waking up at 12:30am to do a rigorous hike. I’d definitely want to stay in the Ubud area if I were doing this. It all sounds like it was worth it though. The monkeys would probably freak me out the most, maybe just because I’m not accustomed to being around them in the wild. Your last photo of the sunset is absolutely breathtaking.
I wasn’t used to monkeys in the wild and talk about the shock when one jumped on me and the sacred monkey forest in Ubud. That was no fun. I like them far away from me. Waking up sucks, but it’s totally worth it in the end.
Wow this sounds really intense (but worthwhile)! Great tip about contacting the tour company directly. I’d love to experience this if I make it to Bali, but waking up at midnight sounds so incredibly painful. Thanks for sharing your tips!
This is so amazing that you crushed Batur! Even better that you got to trek with your ♡. The wake up time sounds atrocious, but the view when you get it definitely seems worth it! Kudos on the hike!
This is so helpful! I’m actually about to go to Bali in 10 days and this is one of the things I really want to do!! Thanks so much for the tips and sounds like its a great idea to take water + stay as close to Ubud or Mt Batur as possible!
I did this yesterday!! I stayed it Ubud and still found it hard getting up early. I also got car sick 3 minutes from the drop off point and had to have a vom on the side of the road in the dark ha! Agree the hike was tougher than I thought and the way down was hetic! I fell so many times my legs are covered in scrapes today but so many good laughs! And.. what a sunrise! Up there with the best I’ve seen! Awesome tips! Couldn’t agree more!!
Kristie – you.theworld.wandering