Bali. The Isle of the Gods. The land of immensely beautiful white sand beaches, lush paddy fields, coral reefs and of course, formidable volcanic mountains, both active and extinct. Volcano trekking is a highly-recommended activity, both by climbing and trekking veterans and novices. After relaxing in the serene beaches and taking in the local culture of the island, a trek up Bali’s iconic gunungs will prove to be a spectacular experience. Fancy Bali Volcano Treks? Here’s a list of the 5 best volcano treks in Bali.
# Mount BaturLocated in the village of Kintamani in north-eastern Bali, Mount Batur is easily the most popular volcano among tourists. The active volcano rises to a height of 1717 m above sea level and is considered holy by the locals. The trek is a fairly easy one compared to the other volcanoes in Bali and first-timers can attempt it without fear of extreme fatigue. As you complete your early morning 3 hour climb to the top , you will be rewarded with a beautiful view of the sunrise over the caldera’s lake and Mount Rinjani in the distance.
# Mount AgungUnlike Mount Batur, trekking up Mount Agung is a very demanding activity, and definitely not for those of us who need to take a couple of minutes to catch our breath after conquering a flight of stairs. Mount Agung is the highest point in Bali, with the enormous volcano towering a whopping 3031 metres above sea level!
The volcano is home to the revered Pasar Agung temple and the mother temple of Besaikh. The trek generally starts at either of these two locations, with the former route taking 4 to 5 hours to reach the summit, and the latter demanding an arduous trek of 6 to 7 hours.
# Mount CaturHoused in the Bratan Caldera in the northwest part of Bali, Mount Catur is an extinct volcano. Standing at 2096 m, Mount Catur or Pucak Mangu as it is commonly called by the locals, is the fourth highest of the volcanoes in Bali. The trek offers picturesque views, with the trail dotted by serene shrines and other historically significant spots.
Averaging 3 to 4 hours to reach the summit, the trek takes you through beautiful forests, so take your time to enjoy the views and the places. A breathtaking view of the three lakes of the Bratan Caldera awaits you at the top, along with the summit temple of Pura Pucak Mangu, where Indonesians still come to offer prayers. While the Mount Catur trek isn’t as difficult as Mount Agung, it still requires a moderate amount of physical fitness.
# Mount BatukaruLocated in the Tabanan regency of Bali, the dormant Mount Batukaru is the second highest volcano in Bali. The stark difference between this trek and the rest is that dense tropical rainforests mark the trail up Mount Batukaru. The trail is hidden away from the populated and more touristy areas of Bali, and dense forest cover often blocks the views.
If you want a respite from the crowded treks and places of Bali, the Batukaru volcano trek is a must-do. Through the 5 hour trek, you will be able to spot some of the local wildlife, like the Macaque monkey, the Pangolin and small deer species, among others.
# Mount RinjaniMount Rinjani, though not in Bali, is THE defining volcano trekking experience for people visiting Bali. Imagine a 3 day 2 night trek where you camp out in the mountains at night, with the stars above you and the Segara Anak crater lake resting beside you, far away from civilization!
That is what the Mount Rinjani trek offers. At 3726 m, it towers over the volcanoes in Bali, being the second highest volcano in all of Indonesia. Located at Lombok, which is a half-hour flight journey from Bali, the enormous mountain dominates the relatively small island that houses the volcano and the national park it is a part of.