As we were planning our trip to Bali, my husband and I knew we wanted to experience some of the island’s adventure offerings. And what better way to start our journey than with the famous Mount Batur Sunrise Trekking? Located in the heart of Bali, Mount Batur is an active volcano that stands at an impressive 1,717 meters in altitude. The trek to the summit begins in the early morning hours, when the stars are still shining brightly in the sky. The trail is well-marked, with stone steps and handrails to guide the way. Although the hike is steep and can be challenging, the stunning views of the sunrise over Mount Batur make it all worth it.
We were picked up from our hotel around 2:30 am and arrived at the base camp by 3:00 am. There, we were greeted with hot coffee and a delicious bread omelet to fuel us for the hike. We started our ascent at 3:30 am, when it was still pitch black outside. This lack of visibility actually worked to my advantage, as I couldn’t see the steep inclines or treacherous terrain ahead. Had I been able to see it all, I might have been too intimidated to continue. With only a headlamp to guide us, the farthest we could see was about 100 meters in front of us. This made it a true test of determination, as we had to take it one step at a time.
Each group was assigned a trekking guide, and after the first 15 minutes of walking through the trail, the path began to climb more steeply through the forest. The rocky soil and volcanic rubble created a slippery and unsteady surface, but our hiking boots came in handy to help us along the way. The trail gradually became narrower, steeper, and more unstable. Each step had to be taken slowly, and keep up with the person in front of us so that you don’t cause congestion along the path. As the altitude increased, breathing became difficult, and I thought “Maybe this was not for me, and I should stop and wait at the next point while my husband completed the hike.” But when I shared this thought with him and my guide. They were like Bear Grylls and kept motivating me to finish the hike.
As I trudged up the mountain, my legs felt like jelly and I could barely feel my limbs. But the encouragement of my hiking companions kept me going, one step at a time. After a grueling two and a half hours, we finally reached the summit. The view was breathtaking: lush green forests, the sparkling waters of Lake Batur, and the rugged terrain of the mountain. As the first rays of the sun peeked over the horizon, the sky was filled with hues of oranges and pinks. The beauty of the scene was awe-inspiring and made the entire trek worth it.
After watching the sunrise, we enjoyed a simple breakfast at one of the shacks at the top of the mountain. I never thought toast could taste so amazing, but perhaps it was the 1700 meter hike that made it so satisfying. After breakfast, we explored the area around the summit and marveled at the hot springs and volcanic fumaroles. It was a reminder that we were standing on top of an active volcano.
I am filled with pride as I recall the moment I reached the summit of Mount Batur. At one point, I felt like giving up and resting, but with the support of my partner and my own determination, I made it to the top. As we climbed, the views changed with the shifting light, and I was so captivated by the scenery that I barely took any photos. Once we reached the summit, all I wanted to do was sit with my husband, enjoy the sunrise with a cup of coffee, and take in the stunning views.
As the sun rose, we began our descent. It was then that we could see the trail we had taken up the mountain and realize how treacherous and exciting it had been. The steep cliffs and slippery path made the descent just as challenging as the ascent, but we made it down in half the time, reaching the base of the mountain in about an hour.
Despite the challenges, this trek was one of the best experiences of my life. It taught me the importance of pushing myself out of my comfort zone and how overcoming challenges can change my perspective. This is a memory that I hold dear to this day. Whether you are an experienced hiker or a beginner, a trek to the summit of Mount Batur should be on your bucket list if you are visiting Bali.