Mount Batur Sunrise Hike, Bali, Indonesia
Hiking Mount Batur for Sunrise – The Hardest & Most Worth-It Hike of My Life!
Waking up at 12:30 AM felt absolutely insane, but that’s what you have to do for the famous Mount Batur sunrise hike in Bali. By 1:15 AM, we were on our way with our incredible tour guide, Yasa (I'll drop his info below—he’s the best!) Yasa had been driving us around Bali the entire trip, barely getting a break, so here’s a huge shoutout to him!
The Start of the Journey
We arrived at base camp around 2:30 AM, and they gave us a little breakfast: banana crepes drizzled with chocolate and coffee—not a bad way to start an adventure. We had also made smoothies before leaving the villa, so we had those too. Before heading out, I went to use the bathroom and had to laugh because the door was "locked" with a straw. Like... what? That’s really keeping someone out?
Before the real hike started, we got driven about a mile up the mountain to another starting point. Let me tell you, I needed that head start because this hike was no joke.
The Hike Up – Aka My Personal Struggle
At first, the hike wasn’t too bad—just a steady incline, nothing crazy. But then... oh man. It got STEEP. Like, full-on climbing, legs-burning, questioning-my-life-choices steep. I genuinely did not think I was going to make it.
Our hilarious tour guide kept calling me "America" because he thinks Americans are lazy and just sit on the couch all day. While that’s not true (I swear I’m active sometimes!), I definitely wasn’t proving him wrong at that moment. My brother literally held my hand and helped pull me up the entire way. I don’t know what I would have done without him.
When the sun began to rise, 6:12am
Reaching the Top – Absolutely Worth It
After what felt like a lifetime, we made it to the top! It was still pitch black outside, and they gave us another breakfast: eggs and bread (much needed after that workout). There were also locals selling drinks, souvenirs and bracelets at the summit. I honestly have no idea how these people hike up every single day to sell things—I could barely do it once!
Then, the moment we had all been waiting for: THE SUNRISE.
Watching the sky go from complete darkness to golden hues over the volcano and lake below was one of the most breathtaking things I’ve ever seen. The air was cool, the view was completely unobstructed, and the exhaustion from the hike melted away.
After taking it all in, we climbed a little higher to take pictures with the Indonesian flag and the summit plaque, showing we actually made it all the way up. The 360° views from up there were insane. You could see the surrounding mountains, the lake, and even a bit of Lombok in the distance.
The Way Down
Instead of climbing back down the way we came (which I would have refused), we took a much easier dirt path back to the bottom. I was beyond grateful for that. Once we made it down, Yasa was waiting for us, ready to take us on more adventures for the day. But that’s a story for another post!
Things to Know Before Hiking Mount Batur
Start early – The hike starts around 3 AM to catch the sunrise and you want to be there on time. It’s only one day that you need to wake up this early- just do it!
It’s tough but doable – If you’re like me and not used to steep climbs, prepare for a challenge!
Wear good shoes – The trail is rocky, and slipping is easy.
Bring a jacket – It’s cold at the top before sunrise.
Cash for snacks/souvenirs – If you want to buy anything, you’ll find vendors at the summit. We didn’t get anything as we were prepared with our own water and the guide brought the eggs and bread.
Book a guide – Guides are required, and they make the experience much easier. It’s pretty easy to get lost, especially when it’s dark out. Plus, they have the necessary equipment such as headlights to make sure you can see where you’re going. We spent about $35 per person to do this hike which was worth it, especially thinking about all the work the guides have to put in every day.
More Adventures in Bali Coming Soon!
Mount Batur was hands-down one of the most difficult but rewarding hikes I’ve ever done. If you’re visiting Bali, DO THIS. Just be ready for a serious leg workout! I’ll be sharing more about our Bali trip soon, including waterfalls, beaches, and hidden gems, so stay tuned!
Would you hike Mount Batur for sunrise? Let me know in the comments! ⛰️🌅✨
Bali Tour Guide Info:
Yasa: +62 858-6674-1912
