Mount Batur

"My favourite memory from this trip was our hike up Mt Batur. We slept 4 hours to be ready for a 2am pick up to Mt Batur. We planned to hike up for 2 hours at a near 45 degree angle through the jungle to watch the sunrise from the top. It was incredible. You know that feeling when you’re so out of breath and exhausted and your legs are burning with lactic acid and you know you almost gave up nearly 5x and had to poop in the woods, but you see the sky start to change colours and you are floored. THAT feeling. I realized how much I have been missing the mountains. I hadn’t been on a hiking trip in almost 2 years then! Absolutely much needed. I got a big dose of that high on this hike and watching my friends, from two different stages of my life, laugh with tired but bright eyes backlit with the rising sun induced a type of nostalgia even though I was right there with them. It is absolutely one of my favourite memories of my entire life. I am so humbled and know I have to go back just to do this hike again."

"If you want to move a little more on holiday, you have the unique chance to take a hiking tour from Ubud to Batur, one of Bali's two large volcanoes, where you hike up the volcano for the sunrise. But beware: The tour usually starts at 1 a.m. – after all, you will be picked up from your accommodation and then driven to Batur with your group (about 20min). You can find offers for a tour litteraly everywhere in Ubud – just choose the one that suits you the most. Price: 15€-20/person (snack + breakfast + trasfer + tour) TIP: if you are about 5 people, you have the chance to have your own guide. We had to team up with a family that had a very hard time with the climb, because of which it took us much longer than we wanted. Insider: if this is not your first hike, you can also make your own way to Batur. The trail can be found easily due to the many people if you arrive at the same time as the tours start. "

"The views from Mount Batur are well worth the uphill hike and early wake up call. To do this hike you will need to book a tour guide and be ready to go at the base of the volcano by 2am. When you get to the top you'll enjoy a sea of clouds with the included breakfast (a banana sandwich, a hardboiled egg, and coffee or tea). The hike down is just as pretty as the view from the top. You walk among the clouds on a steep ridge - at times it feels other worldly! If you are not able to do the hike, there is an option to be taken up the volcano be Jeep! I included a link below to one tour guide company that offers both the hike and the jeep. You can find many other companies on websites like Trip advisor. Note: While Mount Batur is considered an active volcano, it has a relatively low level of volcanic activity and is closely monitored by local authorities to ensure the safety of visitors. "