Sunrise above the clouds
From the active volcano's summit.
Jnpet — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Christophe95 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Stefan Fussan — CC BY-SA 4.0
An active volcano inside two vast nested calderas in north-east central Bali, standing about seventeen hundred metres, with the broad Lake Batur beside it on the floor of the larger caldera. The calderas were formed by colossal collapses of the volcano tens of thousands of years ago, making the view from the rim one of Bali's greatest sights. There are two ways to visit. The easier is to stand on the caldera rim at Kintamani, lined with restaurants and cafes overlooking the volcano and lake, which suits families. The more famous is the adventure: climbing the volcano at night with a guide, setting off around four in the morning to reach the summit before dawn and watch the sun rise over the clouds and Mount Agung. The Kintamani area fee is about fifty thousand rupiah for foreign adults. The sunrise climb is by tour with a compulsory local guide, booked ahead and usually including hotel transfers, taking about two hours up a steep, sandy trail. Bali's tourist levy is separate. Climbers need good fitness, walking shoes and a warm jacket, as the summit is cold before dawn. Those who do not climb can enjoy breakfast or lunch on the rim with the view, and go down to hot springs on the lakeshore.
From the active volcano's summit.
Restaurants facing volcano and lake.
A broad lake on the caldera floor.
Kintamani, Bangli, north-east central Bali
Moderate: about two hours up in the dark on a steep, sandy trail, with a guide and torches. It suits people of reasonable fitness, not small children or anyone who struggles with long walks.