Have you ever woke up at midnight for a sunrise hike? Probably not. The Mount Batur Sunrise Hike in Bali gives you this opportunity.
It is one of the best activities to do during your Bali vacation. Located in the North, Mount Batur is an active volcano approximately 1,717 meters (5,633 feet) above sea level. This blog gives an overview of the 9 things you should know about the Mount Batur Sunrise Hike.
Blog Contents
1. Cost of Mount Batur Sunrise Hike
Bali Hire driver initially quoted 825,000 Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) which is approximately 50€ per person.
What is included in the price?
- Guided sunrise hike to Mount Batur
- All entry fees
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Breakfast before the start of hike
- Breakfast at the top
- Beverage (tea, coffee, mineral water)
- Flashlight
- Insurance
Choosing a combination package
The above price also includes entrance to Batur hot springs and Luwak coffee plantation. I highly suggest adding these two to your itinerary. Both attractions are close by.
Final price after a bargain
There are hundreds of agents offering this tour. After doing extensive research, I got the same combination package from Bagus Bali for 500,00 IDR (approximately 30€) per person. Whatsapp: +62 82144554458
Therefore after a good bargain with my driver, we settled for 550,000 IDR (~ 33€).
I felt the price was fair as Sugik was our driver during the entire trip. It didn’t make sense to change your tour agent for only one day.
Is Mount Batur hike overpriced?
Yes, 100% in my opinion. While the car rentals in Bali are quoted per day basis (e.g. 38€/day), this sunrise hike is quoted per person basis.
I found this to be weird as you go in only one car. Every single tour operator does the same and this was the only option left for us.
If you are interested to rent a car in Bali, read my blog ‘Your complete guide to renting a car in Bali‘. The blog content includes rental prices, what is included in the price, and how to get discounts.
Alternatively, you can also book your trip through third-party apps like getyourguide.
Mount Batur sunrise hike cost breakdown (as of November 2022)
S. No Activity Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) Euro (€) US Dollar ($) Indian Rupee (₹)
1 Sunrise hike + coffee plantation + Hot springs (with bargain) 522620 32.1 35 2879.6
2 Motorcycle rental one way 358368 22 24 1974.6
3 Rental Jacket 104524 6.4 7 575.9
4 Sunrise hike + coffee plantation + Hot springs (without bargain) 821260 50.5 55 4525.1
2. You wake up early
The drive to Mount Batur takes 60 to 90 minutes depending on your location in Bali.
The sunrise is around 6 am. So the aim is to reach the top before sunrise. Your journey to the top is divided into three parts
a. Drive to the corporate office
We were staying at Ubud. So the driver picked us up at 2.30 am in the morning. It was an hour’s drive to the Pineh Bali Tours. They provide breakfast at this office. Use the washroom here if necessary.
You exchange your vehicle here.
b. Drive to the base of your hike
Pineh Bali tour operator now takes you to the parking where your hike starts. It is around 15 minutes drive. We reached around 3.45 am.
This is the common point where all the tours start. The parking has also a washroom.
If you don’t have a jacket, you can rent one for around 100,000 IDR or ~ 7€. There are other accessories that locals are trying to sell.
c. Sunrise hike to the top with your guide
From this parking, the guide accompanies you. The hike duration one way is 2 – 2.5 hours. The first 75 minutes of the hiking trail is a relatively easy one, more of a leisure walk. You hike on a proper path where rented motorcycles also pass by.
The journey is relatively dark. But you are always accompanied by a large set of tourists.
The second 60 – 90 minutes is steep. In no time, one can feel the ascend as you hike quite a distance in terms of elevation.
Now the sun is already out. You can see the cloud covering the mountain.
3. The Sunrise hike is time critical
Remember that you are on a sunrise hike. Reach the top in time to enjoy the views. We were at the top around 6 am and the sun was already out.
The views from the top are mind-blowing. I wish I arrived 30 minutes early so that I could have enjoyed more cloud cover. The scenery is magical when the golden light bathes the surroundings.
Once you reach the top of Mount Batur, the guide Mario gave us approximately an hour time to enjoy. He will be resting in one of the huts.
4. Renting a motorcycle
For the first phase, you can also rent a motorcycle for 350,000 IDR ~ 21€. In a few minutes, the driver takes you half the way.
If you decide to rent a motorcycle, make a decision early. The price is fixed no matter if you choose at the start or after 30 minutes of your hike.
5. Breakfast during the Mount Batur hike
You will be served breakfast at two places. Both are of basic level.
- At the corporate office, they serve banana pancakes with chocolate and coffee/tea. The quantity is limited
- At the top of Mount Batur, there are small huts that serve boiled eggs, bananas, bread, and water
6. Don’t miss the hidden surprise
Mount Batur is basically an active volcano. The last eruption was in the year 2000.
After having your breakfast, a short walk along Mount Batur’s top leads to an area where you see a large amount of smoke coming out of the rocks.
This is proof that the volcano is active. One should never miss this spot.
7. The return hike is on a different path
After enjoying quality time on the top of Mount Batur, it’s time to descend. This route is completely different. You now go through the route where the motorcycle took the tourists during the first hour.
Mario was an excellent tour guide, hardworking, gave valuable tips, and accompanied us throughout the trip. You can reach him on Instagram directly.
After 90 minutes of hiking down, you meet the driver again near the base parking. He drives you back to the corporate office. Then we continued our journey to the hot springs and coffee plantation.
8. Pack your essentials
Mount Batur Sunrise hike difficulty is moderate. Don’t forget to pack your essentials. Below is your packing list
- Sunglasses
- Light Jacket
- Good hiking shoes
- hiking pole if necessary
- Water bottles
- flashlights (if you decide to hike by yourself)
9. Check the weather during the hike
The weather in Bali changes rapidly. No weather app shall predict the weather accurately.
In case you hike during the rainy season (November – March), pack an umbrella.
Mount Batur sunrise hiking tips
- How much does the Mount Batur hike cost?
It depends on the tour operator and what you really need. All the tour agents offer the same service as all the tours in Bali are commercialized.
Get quotes from different agents and come to an agreement. Never settle with the first quotation. - Can you hike Mount Batur without a guide?
Yes, but the locals will force you to take a guide. Read the Wanderlust movement to know more. - Can you bargain for the Mount Batur hike?
Yes, but make sure that you come to an agreement well in advance before your hike as a lot of people are involved. They will get their commission. In my case, I confirmed two months in advance - Is there a place to rest at the top of Mount Batur?
Yes, there are numerous huts and wooden benches to take a rest. - How long does the entire Sunrise hike take?
The duration is around 8 hours for a total of 11 km. Therefore, one must be prepared physically. - Is there any other activity to do at Mount Batur?
Apart from the sunrise hike, you can also go camping, the Mount Agung trek, jungle trek, or river rafting. Have a look at Bali trekking exploration for more details.
Is the Mount Batur hike worth your money?
The Mount Batur sunrise hike offers an incredible adventure and a memorable experience of Bali’s natural beauty. There are designated hiking routes, and local guides lead the way. The Sunrise view from Mount Batur is breathtaking.
From waking up early in the morning to hiking all the way to the top, we had an incredible day. I highly recommend adding the Mount Batur hike itinerary to your Bali bucket list.
Time of visit: November 2022
Overall experience: 