My 2025 Review: Mount Batur Sunrise Trek & Hot Springs
So, there’s an experience in Bali that you really hear a lot about, you know, and it almost always involves getting up at an hour that frankly feels a little bit crazy. That’s right, I’m talking about the Mount Batur sunrise trek, which is basically an iconic Bali adventure. The whole idea, you see, is that you are going to climb an active volcano in the pitch black of night. I mean, the goal, pretty much, is to reach the top right as the sun starts to peek over the horizon, which is kind of a wild thought. We decided to go for the full package, the 2025 ‘All Include’ version that also throws in a stop at some natural hot springs afterward, which, honestly, seemed like a brilliant way to recover. This piece, right, is my full rundown of what that entire day was actually like, from that super early alarm clock all the way to the final cup of coffee. I mean, at the end of the day, it was definitely an experience to talk about.
Before You Go: Booking and Preparing for the Big Day
Choosing the Right All-Inclusive Package
Okay, so when you start looking into this trek, you will literally see tons of different companies offering what seems like more or less the same thing. I mean, the phrase ‘All Include’ gets used a lot, but what it means can be a little different from one provider to another, you know? So, what you want to do is, basically, look closely at the details. For us, the package we picked, frankly, covered all the bases we cared about. That included, like, a private car that would pick us up from our stay in Ubud, and then, obviously, take us back later. It also meant we had a private guide just for our small group, which, to be honest, was a really good feature. Entrance tickets to the Kintamani area and the volcano itself were also part of the deal, so we didn’t have to fuss with that. Plus, breakfast at the summit and a stop at a local coffee tasting spot were thrown in. In a way, picking a truly all-inclusive deal just removes all the thinking from the equation, which is pretty great when you have to wake up at 1 a.m.
The price for these kinds of tours, as a matter of fact, can be all over the place. You could probably find a cheaper option by arranging transport yourself and just hiring a guide at the base of the mountain, but that seemed like a lot of hassle in the middle of the night. So, paying a bit more for the convenience of having everything sorted out beforehand was, in my opinion, absolutely the right move. I mean, you book it online, you get a confirmation email, and that’s pretty much it. A guide for a group that you might be interested in, like our experience, typically messages you on WhatsApp the day before to confirm the pickup time and to answer any last-minute questions, which is really reassuring. That kind of clear communication, you know, makes you feel a lot better about the whole thing. It’s almost like the vacation truly begins when someone else is handling all the logistics, right?
What to Pack in Your Day Bag
Alright, so packing for this trip is a little different than, say, packing for a day at the beach, you know? So, you’re basically starting in the cold and dark but finishing in the warm Bali sun, which is a bit of a clothing puzzle. Layers are absolutely your best friend here, to be honest. I went with a moisture-wicking t-shirt, a long-sleeved shirt on top of that, and then a light jacket, and that setup was pretty much perfect. It’s surprisingly chilly before the sun comes up, so you’ll definitely want that extra warmth at the beginning and at the summit. Once you start climbing down, though, you will totally want to shed those layers. So, it is something you should consider before you even leave for your Bali trip, honestly.
Aside from what you’re wearing, there are a few other things that are just super helpful to have in a small backpack. Let’s make a quick list, right?
- Proper Footwear: This is, like, the most important thing. You are walking on uneven volcanic rock and loose scree. So, you’ll need sturdy trainers or hiking shoes with a good grip, seriously. Don’t even think about doing this in flip-flops; it’s just not safe.
- Water: Your guide will probably have some, but it’s always a good idea to bring your own bottle. You know, you actually get pretty thirsty on the way up, so staying hydrated is key.
- Camera or Smartphone: I mean, obviously, you’re going to want to take pictures. The views are just incredible. So, just make sure your device is fully charged, because you will be taking a lot of photos, and stuff.
- Small Amount of Cash: You might want to buy an extra drink at the top or leave a tip for your guide, you know? So having some small notes on hand is just a really practical idea.
- Swimsuit and a Towel: If your tour, like ours, includes the hot springs, don’t forget these. You’ll have a chance to change there, but it is just easier to have your gear ready to go.
- A Change of Shirt: After that hike, you will be, well, a little sweaty. So having a fresh, dry shirt to change into before you get back in the car feels pretty amazing, to be honest.
The Journey Begins: A Middle-of-the-Night Wake-Up Call
I’m really not a morning person, so that 1:30 a.m. alarm was, frankly, a bit of a shock to the system. You know, you kind of just stumble out of bed, pull on the clothes you laid out the night before, and question your life choices for a moment. But then, right on time, our driver was there, and that sense of real adventure started to kick in. The drive from Ubud to the base camp at Mount Batur, well, that takes about an hour, more or less. It’s a very strange and peaceful experience, you see, driving through the sleeping villages of Bali. I mean, the roads are completely empty except for a few other tour vans, all headed in the same direction, which creates a sort of silent community of trekkers. You’re pretty much all in the same boat, sleepy but excited.
Our driver was super friendly and spoke pretty good English, pointing out a few things along the way, even in the dark. We arrived at a small building at the base of the volcano, which is basically the central gathering point for all the hiking groups. It was kind of bustling, you know, with people sipping coffee or tea and meeting their guides. Here, they give you a flashlight—a headlamp would have been better, but the flashlight works—and a walking pole if you want one. I would definitely suggest taking the pole. Honestly, it makes a huge difference on the tricky parts of the trail, both going up and coming down. This is also where you meet your guide for the trek, the person who will literally be your lifeline for the next few hours, so you definitely want to start off with a great local guide experience.
The Ascent: A Two-Hour Climb in the Dark
Finding Your Footing on Volcanic Rock
Alright, so once you set off, you are literally just following the small beam of your flashlight. The first part of the trail is actually not too bad; it’s more or less a dirt path that winds through some local farms. You can, like, hear the sounds of crickets and not much else. But then, you know, the real climb begins. The path gets a lot steeper and turns into this collection of volcanic rock and gravel, which can be pretty slippery. This is where you have to really focus on where you’re putting your feet. Our guide, a super nice local guy named Made, was just amazing. He knew exactly where the best spots to step were and was always offering a hand on the more difficult sections. You actually feel very safe with these guides, because they climb this mountain practically every single day.
The pace is, well, steady. It’s not a race, you know, and the guides are very good at making sure everyone in the group is comfortable. They will stop for short water breaks every so often, which gives you a chance to catch your breath and look up. And when you do look up, seriously, the view of the stars is absolutely breathtaking. With almost zero light pollution, the sky is just this incredible blanket of stars. It’s so quiet up there, except for the sound of your own breathing and the soft crunch of boots on the trail ahead. It’s almost like you are in a completely different world, far away from the busy streets of Kuta or Seminyak. So you will definitely enjoy that moment, which can be an unexpected highlight of your time in Bali.
The Pace and the People
As you get higher, you can see this amazing trail of lights snaking its way up the mountain ahead of you, and also down below. You are, basically, part of this long line of trekkers, all aiming for the same goal. There’s a really nice sense of togetherness, even if you don’t speak to the people in other groups. Everyone is kind of in it together, which is a pretty cool feeling. The climb itself is moderately difficult, to be honest. If you are in decent shape, you’ll be totally fine, but it will still get your heart rate up. The final push to the summit is the steepest part, and your legs will definitely be feeling it by then. But the guides are, like, masters of motivation. They keep telling you, “Just a little more, almost there!” and it genuinely helps you keep going.
“The challenge of the climb in the dark is, in a way, part of the magic. You can’t see how high you have to go, so you just focus on the next step. It’s a very simple, yet powerful, state of mind.”
I mean, at the end of the day, it is a physical challenge, and you feel a real sense of accomplishment when you finally reach the flat area of the summit crater. You’ve made it. You climbed a volcano in the dark, and that is actually something to be proud of. It is an activity you can look back on and tell your friends all about for years to come. That shared effort with a line of strangers in the dark, well, it really is a special part of the whole adventure.
The Summit: A Sunrise That’s Truly Worth the Climb
First Light and Changing Colors
So, reaching the summit is just… wow. You get there, and it’s still dark and a little bit windy and cold, you know? The guides lead you to these simple wooden benches, and you just sit down and wait for the show to begin. And then, it starts. It’s really gradual at first, just a faint glow on the eastern horizon. But that glow gets brighter and brighter, and soon the sky starts to change colors. You see these amazing shades of orange, pink, and purple spread across the sky. It happens so fast, yet it feels like time is standing still. And then, the top of the sun finally appears. Everyone on the summit goes quiet for a second, and then you hear this collective gasp and the sound of camera shutters clicking away. It is a really beautiful shared moment, actually.
The view from up there is just completely insane. On one side, you have the huge crater of the volcano itself. On the other, you are looking out over Lake Batur, which is often covered in a sea of clouds, making it look like you’re on an island in the sky. And in the distance, you can clearly see the silhouette of Mount Agung, Bali’s tallest volcano, and on a really clear day, you can even see Mount Rinjani on the island of Lombok. It is one of those views that pictures, honestly, just can’t fully capture. You have to be there to really feel the scale and the beauty of it all. Making the climb is totally worth it just for those five minutes of pure visual splendor that visitors often look for on their search for amazing island scenes.
A Well-Earned Volcanic Breakfast
While you’re busy taking in the views, your guide is, like, preparing your breakfast. And this isn’t just any breakfast. They take you over to these specific spots near the crater rim where hot steam is rising from deep inside the volcano. Seriously, it’s hot enough to cook with. So, they have this little system where they put eggs and bananas into a metal container and lower it into a steam vent. About ten or fifteen minutes later, you get a hard-boiled egg and a warm, soft banana that have been cooked by the earth’s natural heat. It’s pretty much the coolest breakfast you will ever have.
The breakfast itself is simple—usually the steamed eggs and banana, plus some white bread with jam and a cup of hot coffee or tea—but it tastes absolutely delicious after that two-hour hike. You know, you are sitting on top of the world, feeling a real sense of accomplishment, sipping hot coffee to warm your hands, and eating food cooked by a volcano. It is just one of those perfect, simple moments that you’ll remember for a very long time. That unique experience is really what sets this tour apart from just a regular hike, and it’s something that kids and adults alike find pretty fascinating.
The Descent and Beyond: Geothermal Wonders
Once the sun is fully up and breakfast is done, it’s time to head back down. And going down, frankly, is a whole different experience because now you can actually see everything. You get a completely new perspective on the trail you just climbed in the dark. The landscape is sort of stark and beautiful, with black volcanic rock and sand everywhere. You can see just how steep some of the sections were, which makes you feel even better about having made it to the top. The guides often take a slightly different route down, one that circles around the main crater rim for a bit.
This path, you know, takes you right past the active steam vents. You can feel the heat and smell the sulfur, which is a powerful reminder that you are, in fact, walking on an active volcano. It’s a little bit thrilling. The guides will also point out the more recent lava flows from past eruptions. And then there are the monkeys. Yes, there’s a whole community of long-tailed macaques that live near the summit. They are very cheeky and very used to people, so you have to keep a good hold on your belongings. They are pretty fun to watch, though, and they add another layer of life to this wild, volcanic landscape. It’s definitely a sight to see while you check out Bali’s amazing creatures.
Soothing Your Muscles: The Natural Hot Springs
What to Expect at the Springs
After you finally get back down to the base camp, which can be almost as tricky on your knees as the climb up was on your lungs, your driver is waiting to take you to the next stop. I mean, at this point, your legs are probably feeling a bit like jelly, and you’re covered in a fine layer of volcanic dust. So, the idea of sinking into a natural hot spring is just about the best thing you can imagine. Most tours go to a place like Toya Devasya, which is located right on the edge of Lake Batur. It’s not a completely natural, rustic pool, to be honest; it’s more of a resort-style complex with several different pools.
The main draw, really, is the infinity pools that look directly out over the lake and across to Mount Batur itself. So, you are literally swimming in warm, soothing, mineral-rich water while looking at the very mountain you just climbed. It is a pretty surreal and amazing feeling, you know? The water is perfectly warm, not too hot, and it does wonders for your sore muscles. They provide you with a towel and a locker, and there are changing rooms and showers. You can also order drinks or snacks by the pool. It’s just a very relaxing and slightly luxurious way to cap off the morning’s big effort, which many find to be one of the most rewarding geothermal soaks in Bali.
Is It Really Worth It?
Okay, so some people might wonder if adding the hot springs to the tour is actually worth the extra cost and time. And to be honest, I think it absolutely is. The contrast between the strenuous, dusty hike and the clean, relaxing water is just fantastic. It turns a challenging physical activity into a more complete, well-rounded experience. You kind of get the adventure and the reward all in one go. Instead of just getting back in the car all tired and dirty, you get to wash up, relax, and appreciate the view you worked so hard for from a different vantage point. It just feels like the perfect ending to the volcanic part of the adventure. For anyone on the fence, I’d say that relaxing in those pools and just staring at the mountain is a memory that, well, really sticks with you. You’ll definitely be happy you opted for the full wellness and adventure package.
The Final Stop: A Taste of Balinese Coffee
So, on the drive back towards our home base in Ubud, most tour packages, like ours, include one last stop: a visit to a local coffee plantation. Frankly, these places are set up pretty much for tourists, but it’s still an interesting and tasty way to spend an hour. A guide from the plantation walks you through a small garden and shows you all the different things they grow, like coffee, cacao, vanilla, and various spices. They explain the whole process of how coffee is grown and processed, which is actually pretty informative. It gives you a new appreciation for your morning cup, you know?
The highlight, of course, is the free tasting session. They bring you this wooden paddle with lots of little cups, each one containing a different type of coffee or tea that they make on-site. You get to try things like ginger tea, lemongrass tea, ginseng coffee, and coconut coffee. It’s a lot of fun to try all the different flavors. They will also, of course, tell you all about ‘Kopi Luwak’, or civet coffee, which is famously one of the most expensive coffees in the world. You usually have to pay extra if you want to try a cup of that. After the tasting, they guide you towards their shop, where you can buy any of the products you liked. It’s a bit of a sales pitch at the end, but there’s no pressure to buy anything. It is just a nice, gentle way to wind down after a really big morning before you head off to your next Bali shopping destination.
