Bali Sunrice Trecking

Mount Batu sunrise tracking




The Mount Batur itself is actually just a small volcano, but sets in the heart of a huge crater 14km in diameter. Adjacent to the volcano is the large crescent-shaped Batur lake, all surrounded by the high walls of the crater rim. As the road rises steadily from Bangli or Tampaksiring , nothing in the surrounding gray landscape of bushes and garden plots suggests the presence of a volcano. But over one more small ridge a dizzying view awaits the ayes, encompassing the crater and beyond. From Panelokan, the main road runs right round the rim towards Kintamani, the panorama shifting as you circle around the crater.

The sheer size of the crater conjures up images of the massive eruption of the original Mount Batur that occurred tens of thousands year ago.

The volcano is still active today as Balinese all over the island who still remember the great eruption of 1917 will ratify. It claimed thousands of lives and destroyed hundreds of temples. Old people might tell you this was "the

Other eruptions have taken place since, forcing the local population to be relocated, along with several of their temples including one of the main Bali temples, Pura Ulun Danau. Initially inside the huge crater, this temple has been relocated to the top of the ridge overlooking it. Here it now offers an impressive view of Mount Batur.

For a complete panoramic view, you can drive half the circumference of the crater along its upper rim. The highest point is Bukit Penulisan. Here, one of the most ancient of Bali's temples contains the remains of carvings from the earliest Buddhist period. From Penulisan the road continues towards Buleleng and Kubutambahan.

One very interesting excursion in Batur is the climb down the inside of the crater from Penelokan to Kedisan. You can then drive around the smaller Mount Batur, through Songan. From Toya Bungkah, boats cross the lake to a Bali Age village called Trunyan. This place is notorious for its mortuary traditions. Instead of cremating the dead, as Balinese do throughout most of the island, the Trunyan community leave the bodies to decompose naturally in a special cemetery.

There are also hot springs and lodgings in Toya Bungkah. From Songan there is a beautiful trek to Tianyar to the north coast of the island. The adventurous traveler may even wish to climb Mount Batur itself.

On the way home from the trek we will stop off at a Balinese plantation to learn of the plants important to the Balinese and their culture, the process of making coffee and see some of those herbs you’re used to cooking with and tropical fruits growing in their natural environment. We also get to sample of them as well as local herbal teas, coffees and the unusually processed Coffee Luwak, the most expensive coffee in the world.

This trek is a relatively easy climb and is suitable for most persons and children. It is one of the most attractive volcanoes in Indonesia and one of the easiest to climb. The sunrise, the majestic views of the lake and surrounding mountains in the morning and the rugged beauty of an active volcano make this trip a must for visitors to this fabled island.