Volcanoes: Agung & Batur

Bali owes its existence to volcanism: The island is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, and two active volcanoes dominate the landscape and spirituality of the island.

Gunung Agung (3,142 m)

The holiest mountain of Bali — seat of the gods, center of the Balinese universe. Every temple in Bali is oriented towards Agung, and every house has its shrines on the side facing the mountain. Agung is a stratovolcano with steep flanks and a crater that regularly emits smoke.

The eruption of 1963 was one of the most devastating of the 20th century: pyroclastic flows and lahars (mudflows) killed over 1,700 people and devastated the entire east of Bali. In 2017/2018, Agung became active again — tens of thousands were evacuated, and the airport was closed multiple times.

The ascent takes 6-8 hours (starting around 1-2 AM for sunrise at the summit). A guide is mandatory. Two routes: From Pura Besakih (more difficult, to the true summit) and from Pura Pasar Agung (easier, to the crater rim). Cost: from 700,000 IDR per person with a guide.

Gunung Batur (1,717 m)

The more popular trekking volcano — easier to climb (2-3 hours), with a spectacular sunrise over the caldera (a massive collapse crater 13 km in diameter) and the crater lake Danau Batur. At the summit, guides cook eggs in volcanic steam vents — breakfast with a view.

The ascent is well-developed for tourism and manageable for averagely fit hikers. Guide is mandatory (from 400,000 IDR per person). Start around 3:30 AM from Toya Bungkah or Kintamani.