Mount Batur Sunrise Trekking

Overall great experience. Careing guides, smooth trekking and smooth pick up and drop off. Very beautiful view making waking up at 2 am very much worthwhile! 400k for non-private tour.

Amazing experience. Great guide and smooth pick up and drop off. Our guide Dodot was very experienced and knowledgeable as well as good humoured. Our driver Putu was patient and attentive. The view from the top of the volcano was so beautiful both at night while the stars were out as well as when the sun rose. Well worth the early start!

Starting off with the great things: The area and views especially around sunrise are just phenomenal, a lasting memory.nNow the bad: This experience is extremely over-commercialized, resulting in hundreds of people climbing up the mountain like ducks in a row, most likely having a significant long-term impact to the natural beauty of the area. It certainly takes away from the individual enjoyment. The way the sunrise trekking tours are organized are probably well meant but really ridiculous - first being bussed to some place in Ubud just to have a (cheaper) coffee there and get the “breakfast” box (two slices of bread, a banana, an egg and some marmalade). Without this detour the trip could easily start 30 minutes later. But what cuts negatively into the overall experience is that we’ve been rushed up the mountain just to reach the top almost 2 hours before sunrise. In my eyes a clever way to rob lesser prepared participants of 50k for a blanket rental just not to freeze too much until sunrise. While I haven’t experienced the mountain mafia myself I did get fairly agitated after reading all those horror stories - this is an absolute gray zone that the locals exploit. To some extend it’s understandable but Mt. Batur is going too far in my eyes. And all these tours and trekking companies cater to this borderline legal system. I cannot recommend this trekking experience to anyone. Lots of “hot air” (starting from the drive up which felt unsafe as there seem to have been a 16 year old boy behind the wheel through an absolute lie about a “good English speaking” guide, which actually told us a lot of lies like we’re gaining 800 meters of elevation or each person has to pay 100k admission to get into the Mt. Batur area). I do understand people trying to hike by themselves as the trekking guide companies (like this one) offer very little value.

Great experience. Our driver Ngurah, and guide, Made, were excellent. Had amazing moments. Highly recommend the hot springs after. Coffee plantation is a bit commercialized but still nice of you want to pick up some certified wild Luwok.nMy only two caveats, temper your expectations in that there are lots of people who do this hike and the summit will be crowded, get there as early as you can make it.nSecond is that the hike can be tough on the body if you aren't careful and pace yourself. We didn't want to cheapen the experience by hiring a dirt bike taxi, but if you are out of shape or over 50 and don't hike regularly, I'd consider it as an option.

Professional guys. No nonsense people. Also gave nice breakfast after trek at the mountain top