Batur volcano eruption. The Great Journey of the Four Belyaevs

Gunung Batur is an active volcano located at the center of two concentric calderas northwest of Mount Agung in Bali.

The height of Batur volcano is 1717 meters.

In the southeastern part of the larger caldera is Lake Batur, above the surface of which the top of the main stratovolcano rises about 700 meters high. In total, there are 15 villages in the caldera.

The first official registered in recent history The eruption of Mount Batur dates back to 1804. The eruption of 1926 is considered the most destructive, when the temple-bentar was almost completely buried. The most remarkable is the frozen lava field after the 1968 eruption: today it can be observed from the side of the village of Kintamani, located on the southwestern ridge of the mountain. The last activity of the volcano happened in 2000, when the height of the ash emission reached 300 meters.

In 2012, UNESCO included Mount Batur in the Global Geoparks Network (GGN).

Every year the water level in Lake Batur decreases, which is associated with geological features terrain. Problems also arise due to the activities of fish farms and nearby agricultural lands. In addition, the authorities limit the influence and number tourist centers in the protected region.

The source flowing from Lake Batur is considered sacred, and according to the beliefs of the Balinese, the lake itself is patronized by the goddess of fertility, rivers and lakes Devi Danu. Hot springs are favorite place rest of tourists after conquering the mountain.

Climbing Mount Batur

Independent climbing of Gunung Batur is prohibited, and at the official station at the foot you need to take an accompanying guide. The main trail leads to the southern edge of the caldera, and there are convenient campsites along the way.

The entire route is about 3 km, while the elevation difference is 650 meters. Travel time is about 1.5-2.5 hours depending on the chosen pace. Closer to the top - cool and windy, you should take a windbreaker with you.

Since the volcano is active, along the way there will be small cracks with hot steam coming out of them. In such hot cracks, you can boil eggs or fry bananas.

How to get to Batur volcano

The most popular route for tourists to Batur is to the village of Kintamani. There are buses from Kuta, Sanur, Ubud. Often independent travelers get on their own - on rented bikes.

Video: Mount Batur from above, shot by drone

Aerial view of Gunung Batur - panorama on Google Maps

Volcanoes in Bali are an integral part of the Small sunda islands because they are of volcanic origin. On a small territory of the island, there are two active volcanoes at once: Batur and Agung. Rising above the island, from time immemorial they have caused awe, fear and admiration among the locals, who revere them as their shrines. Batur and Agung are completely different from each other: each of them has its own history, its own characteristics and legends. Therefore, when you arrive in Bali, it is worth going at least once and seeing both volcanoes and maybe even climbing one of them! So, what are they, volcanoes in Bali, what are remarkable and how you can climb them, this will be our article.

Volcanoes in Bali: location, description, photo

Batur

The famous Bali volcano Batur is located in the northeastern part of the island, and an observation deck overlooking it is included in almost all standard sightseeing tours By . The volcano is not very high: only 1717 meters, and even, at first glance, unremarkable ... But it's not. In fact, Batur is primarily a caldera (i.e. a basin) with a diameter of 13.8 x 10 km, formed about 30 thousand years ago as a result of the eruption of a huge volcano that existed on this site for hundreds of thousands of years. Then another eruption occurred and inside the first caldera a second one appeared, with a diameter of 6.4 x 9.4 km, in which the lake and volcano of the same name arose (the same one, 1717 m high, which we talked about at the beginning). And the last, on the opposite shore of the lake, another “descendant” of the ancient giant was formed - the Abang volcano with a height of 2152 m.

That is, it turns out that the Batur caldera is a huge territory, once occupied by one huge volcano, and now - by two small volcanoes and a lake, formed as a result of the eruption of the first one. This whole area is often called Kintamani - after the name of the area of the island in which it is located. The boundless expanses of Batur will open to you already on the observation deck located on the edge of the caldera: Abang volcano, Lake Batur (the largest in Bali) and Batur volcano itself, covered with black spots of hardened lava. This lava is the traces of its eruptions, of which the most destructive was in 1917, and the last in 2000.

By the way, the Batur volcano has three craters, which sometimes disturb local residents with tremors and ash emissions. To solve these problems, local residents resort to ceremonies to appease the spirits of the volcano, of which there are a huge number. This place is considered special, not for nothing that 27 temples were built along the perimeter of the caldera: the Balinese believe that Batur unites the spirits of all 4 natural elements: earth, water, air and fire.

Agung

Volcano Agung is located in the east of the island and is its highest point - 3014 m. Its history is not as eventful as that of Batur. In total, during the observation period, 4 eruptions were recorded, the last of which occurred in 1963-1964. It was also the most destructive: the eruption claimed the lives of about 2,000 people, and left tens of thousands of islanders homeless. Before him, the height of Agung was 3142 m, but as a result of large-scale destruction, a piece broke off from the top and the volcano became more than 100 m lower.

If we compare the volcanoes in Bali, then Agung is the largest of them, which on a clear day can be seen from almost everywhere. Its name translates as " great mountain”: according to, this is a sacred place where gods and spirits of ancestors live. All villages, courtyards and temples of Bali are oriented towards sacred mountain. So, for example, if in the north of the island the temples are located in the southern part of the courtyard, then in the south - in the north. It is on the slope of Agung, at an altitude of 1000 m above sea level, that the main and largest temple complex islands - Pura Besakih, consisting of 30 temples located on several levels. Balinese from all over the island make a pilgrimage here: to the temple, which is closest to the gods.

The worldview of the Balinese is characterized by the absolute completeness of the picture of the world, because the island is his whole world, and if demons live in the ocean, people live on the earth, then the habitat of the gods is a formidable mountain that makes itself felt when the gods are angry. This is how the volcanic eruption in 1963 was perceived, which coincided with the sacred rite of spiritual purification - a great holiday held in Pura Besakih once every hundred years. The Balinese believe that this happened because the gods were outraged that the wrong day was chosen for the ceremony. True, in some miraculous way, the destruction of the temple itself was not affected ... Since then, the volcano no longer worried the locals, however, the Balinese know that the gods are not asleep, and sacred mountain do not slumber with them.

Climbing Volcanoes in Bali

If you don't already know, you can climb the volcanoes in Bali and see the sunrise above the clouds, this event is very popular among tourists. After all, a fabulous view of the awakening island opens from the top, and besides, who doesn’t want to conquer the volcano and look into its crater? The ascent usually takes place at night. First, because it's easier: no need to go under scorching sun; and secondly, dawn is an incredibly beautiful time of day, especially if you watch it from such a height.

As a rule, the ascent to Batur starts at 4 am and lasts about 2 hours. Climbing Agung is a real test, which will take from 4 to 9 hours. Several routes lead to the top of the main volcano of the island: shorter and longer. The first one starts from the village of Selat in the south and takes about 4 hours. It will take you to the crater, but it will not be possible to reach the highest point of the volcano along it. A longer route lies from Besakih Temple and will take at least 7 hours. This is the path along which pilgrims climb Agung, and it is he who leads to the very top. If you choose it, then you need to start climbing no later than 10 pm, or even earlier in order to spend the night halfway and continue climbing with renewed vigor. Having climbed Batur or Agung, do not think that you have overcome the longest and most difficult part of the route ... The descent will be no less exciting and, most likely, will take even longer. However, don't let that scare you: what you see at the top will definitely be worth all the effort!

You can see the volcanoes in Bali both with an excursion group and on your own. If you choose the second way, do not refuse the services of local guides who will attack you already in the parking lot. It is better to pay them and be sure that you will not get lost at night and will not be late for dawn. Also, find out in advance if groups are running now. During the rainy season, for example, climbs are highly undesirable. And, of course, stock up on warm clothes (it will be very cold to climb), comfortable shoes, flashlights, food, water and go on an adventure!

Perhaps volcanoes in Bali are an inexhaustible topic. Ask your Balinese guide and he will tell you many of the legends and beliefs associated with them. Yes, you yourself will understand why they have such a strong influence on the worldview of local residents, finding themselves next to them and feeling their power. And if you have the desire and time, be sure to climb Batur or Agung: you will see the island from a bird's eye view, and also get unforgettable experience for life!

And finally, a short video about climbing Mount Agung:

A trip to the Kintamani volcano is an integral part of the excursion program of every tourist vacationing in Bali. Most often, guides take guests to a special observation deck, where there are restaurants with a beautiful view of the volcano.

Kintamani volcano erupted three times: in 1927, 1929 and 1947. This volcano has a double crater. After two strong eruptions in 1917 and 1927, Lake Batur formed in one of the craters, which is the largest in Bali. The contours of the lake are shaped like a Korean bowl. This lake has one interesting feature: throughout the year, its depth remains constant - both during the dry season and during the rainy season. This circumstance was the reason that the locals began to believe that it was God himself who was taking care of this lake. The area is also famous for its hot springs.

The volcano is quite active - even today, smoke and ash are emitted from its crater from time to time. Previously, the village of Batur was located in the crater, which, after the eruption of 1926, was moved to the edge of the crater, and the miraculously surviving architectural monuments were restored. In the evening, a very picturesque view opens up from the top of the crater.

Gunung Agung Volcano

Volcano Agung is the mother mountain, the volcano of the gods, whose crater diameter is about 500 meters. The southern side of the mountain, above the Besaki Temple, is considered the highest point in Bali. Altitude 3142m. Agung is a place of spiritual purification and worship. The life of a Balinese is oriented towards Agung. The entrances to all the temples of the island are located in the direction “to the mountain”, the name of all the houses and settlements of Bali sound translated into Russian as “to the mountain” or “from the mountain”. Even the head of a sleeping Balinese must be directed towards the sacred volcano.

In the spring of 1963, a terrible eruption occurred, flooding many villages in eastern Bali with lava and killing about 2,000 inhabitants of the island. Everything was destroyed. Traces of lava are still clearly visible on the northern coast of Bali.

The Balinese believe that the fault was the wrong choice of the date for the grand ceremony of spiritual cleansing Eka Dasa Rudra (the most important ritual in Balinese Hinduism, performed once every hundred years), which brought discontent on them from the gods and resulted in terrible revenge.

Therefore, the Balinese respect the gods and treat them with all seriousness, which is what tourists are advised to do.

Everyone who wants to meet the dawn above the clouds and plunge into the divine atmosphere should ask the gods for permission (here it is not necessary to memorize the most complicated prayers, it is enough to ask for a passage with a soul). Climbing the volcano does not require special physical preparation (the whole journey will take no more than 4 hours), but it requires great respect.

There are two routes to climb the volcano: the first will lead to the top along the western slope from the side of the Besakih Temple, the second will only lead to the lower part of the crater, from which a panoramic view of the eastern side of Bali opens. During religious holidays, climbing Gunung Agung is prohibited, but you are always welcome to enjoy the incredible landscape pictures of the island.

Lotus Asian Garden restaurant overlooking Mount Batur

Outdoor terrace of the restaurant with a panoramic view of the Batur volcano. opens great view. The cuisine is exclusively Indonesian, buffet style. Rice with vegetables is amazing.

Volcano Batur

Mount Batur is located in Indonesia, in the northeastern part of the island of Bali. The main cone of the volcano is crowned with 3 craters, and the highest point reaches 1717 meters above sea level.

Scientists suggest that the formation of the volcano in the area began more than half a million years ago.

Solidified basalt rocks left over from lava flows testify to past volcanic activity. Some activity is still observed today, which is manifested in episodic tremors and ash emissions. Last eruption volcano Batur, accompanied by human casualties, occurred in 1963. Lava flows wiped out a small village located nearby.

In 1999 - 2000, local residents and visitors to the island could observe volcanic ash emissions reaching a height of 300 meters. Despite its dangerous nature, Batur volcano is one of the main tourist attractions of the island. From the top of the volcano, you can admire the surrounding views and appreciate the power of the natural elements.

Attractions Bali

In July 2015, the Indonesian island of Bali was in the spotlight of the general public. The sky above it was covered with ash. Thousands of tourists were blocked at the airport. The government evacuated local residents from the natural disaster zone. But they were under a layer of volcanic ash. And several villages located on the slopes of the fire-breathing mountain burned down. How often does this situation occur in Bali? for Indonesia - a phenomenon not uncommon. After all, the state-archipelago is included in the so-called fiery belt of the Earth. This strip, stretching from Kamchatka to the equator along the coast Pacific Ocean, is still suffering from the violent tectonic activity of our planet. But Bali is also a popular tourist destination. Wide beaches with white sand, mountains with murmuring streams, crystal waterfalls and lush greenery of the tropical jungle... Add to all this first-class service and well-developed tourist infrastructure. Are travelers really at risk when they come to this tropical paradise? Read about it in our article.

Explosive Indonesia

Every year, seismologists register about seven thousand earthquakes in this country. The number is certainly impressive. But don't let this fact discourage you from visiting Indonesia. The lion's share of tremors is recorded only by sensitive instruments. But, nevertheless, seismologists vigilantly monitor the activity of the subsoil under After all, tremors can be symptoms of a much more dangerous phenomenon - a volcanic eruption. These mountains in Indonesia are truly deadly. Only one harbinger of an eruption - the release of sulfuric gases - can kill all living things nearby. Columns of smoke cover the entire sky with an impenetrable haze. Hot stones are falling - volcanic bombs. And the lava flows down, burning everything in its path. There are five hundred volcanoes in Indonesia. But only 128 of them are active, and 65 are recognized as especially dangerous. Are volcanoes dangerous in Bali and how dangerous? We hasten to assure you that most of the eruptions take place in Sumatra. In a favorite with tourists tropical paradise The situation is not so tense. Although…

Active volcanoes in Bali

To calm down a little, let's remember school science, or rather, fifth grade geography. Volcanoes are extinct, dormant and active. Seismologists decide which category to attribute this or that mountain to based on the date of the last eruption. Bali is a volcanic island by its origin. But not all mountains on it are potentially dangerous. After all, the island was formed millions of years ago. And if this or that volcano erupted for the last time more than ten thousand years ago, it is called extinct. When he was active 3500 years ago, he is recorded as dormant. Now about the situation in Bali. It is believed that there are only two active volcanoes on this island. These are Gugung ("Mountain") Agung and Batur. All other volcanoes in Bali are extinct or dormant. Therefore, you can safely go to this island. The last volcanic eruption in Bali occurred in 2000. You can’t call it a real explosion - Gugung Batur threw out a column of ash three hundred meters high, and that was the end of the matter. But in 1964 there was a real eruption (from the same volcano). highest point Gugung Island Agung has not been active for a very long time.

Dangerous neighborhood?

Two active volcanoes on one small island is still too much, fearful tourists will think. And they will be wrong. One has only to look at the population density around local volcanoes how you will dispel the slightest fear. Small villages can be found even in craters. Farmers are attracted to this neighborhood because the mineral-rich volcanic ash is an excellent fertilizer for the soil. Due to the altitudinal zonality, a mild microclimate has developed on the slopes of the mountain, conducive to a good harvest. There are also no problems with watering the crops, since it often rains for a short time on the slopes of the mountains. Any volcano in Bali is held in high esteem by the locals. Temples on the slopes testify to this. And since these structures are old, we can conclude that the neighborhood with the volcano is not considered dangerous by the locals. The tourism industry in Bali uses these mountains for excursions.

Significance of volcanoes for local residents

In the religion and culture of the Indonesians, the mythical mountain Mahameru was the center of the universe. This axis of the universe split in half. This is how Agung and Batur arose - volcanoes, on top of which the gods live. All villages in Bali are oriented towards the highest mountain of the island. Residents go to bed with their heads towards Gugung Agung - so that the soul is close to the gods. Legend has it that before the rise of volcanoes, the island was deserted and barren. This is partly true: the ashes fertilize the local soil well. The gods come down to the people on big holidays, and then return to the tops. To honor them, temples have been built on the slopes of the volcanoes. Since Agung is the most high mountain islands, then the Besakih complex is the most revered place of worship. This volcano in Bali is under the auspices of Batara Mahadeva (in local Hinduism, Shiva). Once every hundred years, the Eka Dasa Rudra ceremony is held at the Besakih temple on the slopes of Agung - "cleansing the world of all sins." And this holiday in 1963 turned into a tragedy.

Agung eruption

The world cleansing ceremony was scheduled for the spring of 1963. However, when Mount Agung woke up in Bali in February, the priests said that the inhabitants had chosen the wrong date for the ritual. Say, Shiva does not want to go down to people on this day and expresses his dissatisfaction with the columns of smoke coming from the crater of the mountain. Volcanologists also agreed with the priests. They warned Indonesian President Sukarno that Agung was showing signs of activity and an eruption might begin. However, he had already invited foreign delegations to the celebration and did not want to postpone the ceremony. On March 18, 1963, the Agung eruption entered an active phase. There were explosions of the crater, lava descended. The Besakih temple miraculously was not damaged. The lava flow passed only a few meters from the buildings. However, a large number of people then died. Now the top of the volcano resembles a lunar landscape, which tourists come to admire. And the locals still honor Agung. They hang offerings on a curved bamboo penjor pole, which in outline resembles the most high peak islands.

Gugung Agung

This is the highest stratovolcano in Bali - its peak rises 3142 meters above sea level. It is located in the eastern part of the island. The name Gugung Agung is translated as "Great Mountain". In the entire history of observations, a volcanic eruption in Bali occurred only four times: in 1808, 1821, 1843 and 1963-1964. The latter was the most significant and powerful. Then two thousand people died, lava and mudflows came down. Crimson sunsets, which were then observed in Europe, were associated, according to some scientists, with the release into the atmosphere of a large amount of ash from the mouth of the Agung. After the eruption, the parameters of the crater also changed. Now it is an oval funnel five hundred meters long and two hundred wide. The volcano showed little activity in the 1980s. In 2000-2001, an abnormally hot temperature in the springs was noticed near Agung. Now the "Great Mountain" is dormant... Under the close attention of volcanologists.

Volcano Batur in Bali

It is the third highest mountain on the island. It is located very close to Agung. For tourists, Batur is favorite place for climbs. Why? First, height. 1717 meters is not three thousand. The hike itself, if you start it very early in the morning, lasts half a day, and you can relax on the beaches. Secondly, at the foot of Batur there is a lake of the same name, the most picturesque in the area. There are temples on the slopes of the volcano. One of tourist attractions Batura are jets of hot steam. They make their way from various crevices of the mountain, reminding careless travelers that the volcano is active. Guides assure that it is quite possible to cook scrambled eggs in the jets of this steam. The last eruption of Batur occurred (in a duet with Agung) in 1964. After that, the volcano threw a column of ash three hundred meters up in 2000, as a result of which they closed for several days international Airport. Batur is quiet now. Only jets of steam warn of a hidden threat.

Batukaru

It is the second largest volcano in Bali. Its height is two thousand three hundred and fifty meters. On the slopes of this extinct volcano there is also a temple - Pura Luhur. The road to it leads through the forest with frisky monkeys. Climbing this mountain is recommended to take good pictures of the island from a bird's eye view.

Caldera Chatur

When our planet was still young, the volcanoes on it were just huge. When they erupted, calderas formed with many independent peaks. Such is now Chatur - a ridge of volcanoes stretching for eleven kilometers. Excursions go to Sengayang, Pohang, Lesung and Pengilingan, as this region is famous for its thermal springs. Still there are beautiful lakes- Bro, Tamblingan and Brawler. To the southwest of Chatur rises Batukaru, the second highest volcano in Bali.

What happened in the summer of 2015

On the third of June, the news came that the skies over Bali airport were closed. Because the island is popular tourist destination The news caused a stir. Is there a new volcanic eruption in Bali? Batur has been sleeping since 1964, and Agung too. What happened? In fact, the seismological situation has worsened in Java and Sumatra. Noise made He woke up in early 2014, killing sixteen people. The mountain is located in the north of Sumatra. In the summer of this year, Sinabung threw volcanic ash into the sky. Columns of thick smoke reached a height of two thousand meters, temporarily making air traffic impossible. In July, two more volcanoes in Java woke up - Gamalama and Raung. Nine hundred flights were canceled because of them.

Tourist attraction or serious risk?

So should you be afraid of volcanoes in Bali? As the reviews of tourists show, and measured and quiet life the islanders themselves, there is no cause for concern. Volcanoes do not wake up instantly and unexpectedly. Their eruption is preceded by various phenomena, such as an increase in the temperature of the sources, the release of gases. Especially attractive for tourists is such a volcano on the island of Bali as Batur.

Gunung Batur - active volcano on the island of Bali in the Kintamani region, its height is 1717 meters.

In this article I will give detailed description Batur volcano, I will tell you how to get to it and what to see nearby. For those who are going to visit this attraction, I will give some useful tips.

Batur is one of two active volcanoes in Bali. It is located in the eastern part of the island, in the Kintamani region. This is an area of about 3,68 square kilometers, it houses the volcano itself, the lake of the same name at its foot, as well as several villages.

Kintamani area where the volcano is located

Kintamani is a caldera, that is, a pit formed as a result of the collapse of a volcano. 5,00,000 years ago, a huge mountain with a crater on top formed in the area. After a powerful eruption that occurred about 3,000 years ago, a large amount of rock was thrown out of its mouth. In this regard, the thinned walls of the volcano collapsed, forming a depression with a flat bottom 13.8 km long and 10 km wide. In this depression, Gunung Batur formed, which is often called the "Kintamani Volcano".

And another 8,500 years after the next eruptions, a second caldera formed in this area, of a smaller size - 6.4x9.4 km. Over time, water filled it, and now this caldera is called Lake Batur.

By the way, this is the largest crater lake in the world, exceeding in size even the Crater in Oregon, USA. The waters of Batur irrigate the local rice fields. It is forbidden to swim and use motor boats here.

Another of its features is that the water level in the lake does not change at all during the year. locals a legend is often told that this is due to the fact that the lake is protected by the water goddess Devi Danu. It is also said that the lake is filled with eleven springs hidden at its bottom. Therefore, even in the dry period, it remains full-flowing.

Another legend says that there was once a village at the bottom of Lake Batur. After the formation of the caldera, it was moved closer to the top of the volcano. Today, there are several villages around the caldera, which are called "lake stars" (danu bintang). Despite the constant danger, the inhabitants of these villages are not going to leave. Firstly, this is due to the fact that moving is a troublesome and costly business. Not every Balinese has the money to move to another part of the island. Another reason has to do with the fact that regular eruptions have made the soil in Kintamani incredibly fertile. Here you can harvest several times a year. The lake provides the peasants with fish. In addition, residents make souvenirs from volcanic tuff, which is incredibly abundant here, and sell it to tourists. Also in the caldera is a quarry in which sand is mined.

There are several villages here:

Kintamani (Kintamani),
Penelokan (Penelokan),
Toya Bungkah,
Batur (Batur),
Kedisan (Kedisan),
Abang (Abung),
Songan

Description and history of Batur volcano

The top of the volcano is located at an altitude of 1717 meters above sea level. But the mountain cone itself has a height of 686 meters. There are three craters here: two of them have a total area of about 182,000 m2, and the third - 46,000 m2.

Now the volcano is silent. But in the past, he has repeatedly shown his power. Since 1800, there have been at least 22 eruptions of varying strength. One of the most devastating occurred in 1917. As a result, more than 1,000 people died, 65,000 houses and 2,500 temples were destroyed. In 1964, the volcano came to life again. The eruption was less violent, but still destroyed 16 buildings in the village at the foot.

Emissions of ash from the crater Batur occurred much more often. In the first half of the 20th century there were three of them - in 1926, 1929 and 1947. The last such release occurred in 2000. Then a column of ash rose to a height of 300 meters. The locals were very frightened - after all, by that time the volcano had been silent for almost half a century.

To appease the gods and avoid further catastrophes, the Balinese held a symbolic ceremony. They sewed a huge sarong several kilometers long and wrapped the volcano around it. The ceremony was attended by a huge number of people from all over the island. They came to pray and brought offerings. Whether it helped or not is hard to say. But one thing is known: since then, eruptions really did not occur.

In September 2009, the Balinese recorded seismic activity in the Batur area. For two months, it intensified, and in November of the same year, the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation of Indonesia joined the observation of the volcano. Scientists even talked about a possible eruption. However, by June 2010, Batur's activity began to decline, and on November 19, continuous monitoring was terminated.

Since the causes of this anomaly were unknown, scientists decided to explore the area near the volcano and in June 2011 went to Bali. In the vicinity of the caldera, a characteristic smell of sulfur dioxide was felt, and on the surface of the lake, scientists found thousands of dead fish. Greenish-white spots were also visible on the water.

This event dealt a severe blow to the island's economy. The water from the lake turned out to be unsuitable for irrigation and drinking for a long time, and the dead fish deprived local fishermen of food and earnings. When the damage was calculated, it was equal to one billion rupees.

In 2012 world organization UNESCO included the territory of the Batura caldera in the program "Global Geoparks of the World". This has made the caldera a geological heritage site of international importance. The assignment of such a status is a kind of "quality mark" for the attraction.

Climbing the volcano

Climbing Batur does not require any preparation. In one and a half to two hours, you can easily get to the top, making a couple of halts along the way. The main sight for which tourists climb the volcano is the sunrise. Meeting the dawn in the crater of an active volcano makes a strong impression and makes it possible to take great pictures.

To climb to the top, you need a guide. Local guides can be met at the foot of the volcano, or you can simply book a tour in advance. In both cases, you will be accompanied by a Balinese speaking English. Independent ascents to Batur are prohibited. There are cases when tourists were injured and lost in the forests on the slopes of the mountain.

Guides accompanying tourists to the summit carry walkie-talkies (in an emergency they can contact and request help), they know the route and will lead you to the crater in the safest way. Also, the guides will help you carry your things and tell you a lot of interesting things about the Kintamani area.

By the way, I can also organize an excursion for you with a rise to Batur. Contact me for more details and pricing.

There are several routes to the top of the volcano. They start in the villages located at the foot of Batur. The main trail goes to the southern edge of the caldera. There are several places to take a break along the way.

Once at the top, you will see a panorama against which the neighbors of Batur rise - Abang and Agung volcanoes. The latter has a height of 3014 m and is considered sacred mountain(translated from Indonesian, Agung means “great mountain”). The Balinese believe that gods and ancestral spirits live here. Abang is a mountain with a height of 2151 m, which is the remnant of the very huge volcano that formed the Kintamani caldera. Currently, Abang is not active, so its slopes are overgrown with forest and now the volcano has become a calm mountain peak.

The view from Batur is magnificent in the morning, afternoon and evening. The main thing is that the clouds do not cover it. However, this rarely happens: the crater is not very high.

Local residents have opened a small cafe on the observation deck where you can buy cigarettes, water, tea, coffee and something to eat. Just keep in mind that prices here are several times higher than "below": a half-liter bottle of water costs a few dollars. You can not buy anything, but just warm up and pass the time while waiting for the dawn.

One of the local entertainments is the preparation of steamed breakfast coming from the rifts of the volcano. In the depths of the vent, the temperature is incredibly high, and hot steam rises to the surface, on which you can boil eggs or bake bananas. The meal is often joined by curious and hungry monkeys, accustomed to being constantly fed.

How to get to the volcano

You can get to Kintamani by bus, taxi or rented car. Buses depart from the terminals according to a specific schedule and only reach the edge of the caldera without going down. Then you will have to travel by local minibuses, the fare in which is about 13 thousand rupees.

Here are some popular bus routes to Kintamani:

From Kuta. Departure at 10:00. The price is 150,000 rupees.
From Sanur. Departure at 10:30. The price is 150,000 rupees.
From Ubud. Departure at 11:30. The price is 100,000 rupees.

To feel free and build your own schedule, I advise you to rent a car or hire a taxi.

Using a navigator and landmarks, you can easily get to the volcano from anywhere on the island, including from the main resort towns. Now I will bring optimal route from Denpasar (71.8 km and approximately 2 hours drive). From others southern resorts the path is the same, but first you will need to get to Denpasar.

Leave the city to the east, to the highway Jl. Prof. Dr. Ida Bagus Mantra and follow it for about 15 km.
After that, turn left. Focus on the green road sign indicating the turn to Gianyar. If you drive straight ahead, you will arrive in Kusamba, and Pantai Siyut beach will be on your right. Remember to turn left.
This is the Banjar Siyut road. You need to move along it for about 3.5 kilometers straight (after 3 km, the asphalt road will turn into a dirt road), and when you hit a T-shaped intersection, turn left.
Drive straight for 320 meters and then turn right onto Jl. Taman Bali-Banjarangka.
Then drive in a straight line for 10 kilometers until the road hits another T-junction. There will be a sign in front of it that says "Batur Global Geopark". Turn right at the crossroads.
After another 320 meters you will come across a roundabout. Keep to the left on it. In principle, already from here you can follow the signs for Kintamani and Batur.
After 1.3 km, turn left (follow the sign for Kintamani) and then follow the main road. After 500 meters, a one-kilometer-long winding highway will begin. This means you are on the right track.
Once you reach the flat road, continue driving along it for another 17 km until you enter the territory of the Batur Geopark. You will not miss the entrance to the park - there is a high pyramidal structure with a large sign and red brick gates.
Continue straight for another 300 meters. Next, be careful: you need not to miss the intersection to the village of Toya Bungkah. It's not even a crossroads, but a 180-degree turn. In order not to pass by, look for a road sign indicating the direction to the village.
After turning, drive along the winding road for 3 km until you come to a high stone gate. To the left will be the entrance to Toya Bungkah, and straight ahead - Lake Batur.

To get to the volcano, get to the village (it's still about 3 km).

The path from all other resorts in southern Bali also passes through Jl. Prof. Dr. Ida Bagus Mantra. So you will need to get to this highway, and then move in the manner described above.

Distance and travel time from other resorts:

From Nusa Dua to Batur volcano - 86.1 km 2 hours 27 minutes
From Kuta to Batur volcano - 80.7 km 2 hours 24 minutes
From Sanur to Batur volcano - 67.8 km 1 h 59 min.
From Jimbaran to Batur volcano - 96 km 2 h 36 min.
From Legian to the volcano - Batur 80.6 km 2 h 21 min.
From Seminyak to Batur volcano - 82.1 km 2 hours 23 minutes

Gunung Batur Volcano on the map

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What to see next to the volcano?

In addition to the extraordinary views from the top of the mountain, in the vicinity of the volcano you can find many other interesting places for visiting. Now I will tell you about some of them.

Near Lake Batur there is a settlement in which the unusual people of Bali-Aga live. Unlike the main population of the island, who profess Hinduism, they still worship pagan spirits. Trying to be as close to nature as possible, Bali-Aga do not bury their dead, but leave them under the sacred Menyan tree. Thanks to the aromatic oils released by the tree, there is no characteristic smell. After only bones remain from the deceased, they are folded in a certain place. You can visit this cemetery, but you need to get there by boat.

The village of Toya Bungkah is located at the foot of the volcano. It is noteworthy that the Bali Natural Hot Spring thermal complex is located here - several pools in which the water is heated to a temperature of +38 degrees. After a long journey through Kintamani, you can have a good rest and relieve stress here. A beautiful view of Lake Batur opens directly from the baths.

coffee plantations

In the Kintamani region, there are several farms that grow and produce the most unusual coffee in the world - luwak. It is "produced" by palm martens - musangs, which feed on coffee berries. During digestion, they only digest the outer shell of the grain, and the rest is excreted. After that, the coffee beans are harvested, thoroughly washed, dried, roasted and ground. They say that the taste of this coffee is incomparable to anything - it is spicy, very soft, with a hint of caramel. In a local restaurant, you can try this coffee and buy it with you, although it is very expensive (about $110-120 per kilogram). The observation deck of this restaurant also offers a gorgeous view of the valley.

Water Temple of Lake Batur

Above, at the edge of the caldera, is the unique temple of Pura Ulun Danu Batur, which, along with the village of Batur, was moved here after the devastating eruptions in 1917 and 1926. The locals saved the most valuable thing - the Meru tower, dedicated to the goddess Devi Dan and consisting of 11 levels. They restored the temple and placed the saved shrine here. You can visit this temple complex, and maybe get to the festive ceremonies that the Balinese dedicate to their deities.

Here you can see a computer reconstruction of the volcano's eruptions and the history of its changes over a period of 26,000 years. The museum also exhibits maps with the location of 129 active volcanoes located in Indonesia. Through a telescope installed on the observation platform, you can look at the top of the volcano. By the way, if you want to take a look at Trunyan village, then in good weather it can also be seen with a telescope.

First of all, choose the right season, because from December to February there is wet and foggy weather, which will make it difficult to climb and prevent you from seeing the sunrise.

Due to the fact that Batur is an active volcano, be prepared for the fact that it may be closed due to its high activity.

On the Internet, you can often see stories that guides force tourists to pay them to accompany them to the top, that sometimes it comes to extortion. I fully admit that conflicts really can be. However, you need to understand that independent ascents of Batur are prohibited, so if you do not provoke the guides by trying to slip past them, then you will definitely not have any problems.

It is best to hit the road around 2 am: this way you will have time to climb up, sit on the observation deck and see the dawn from the very first rays, and there will not be too many people at this time.

If you climb at night, then stock up on comfortable and warm clothes, because it will be quite cold. Shoes should be comfortable and non-slip. I also recommend bringing flashlights and some snacks.

The height of the volcano is almost 2000 meters, so the elderly, parents with small children and people who have problems with the cardiovascular system and the musculoskeletal system should be cautious about climbing. Those who cannot or do not want to climb will see Batur from the observation deck, of which several have been built around the volcano. One of them is located at the southwestern foot.

On the way to the observation deck, there are many cafes and restaurants where you can try local and European cuisine and relax a bit. There are also small hotels for those who want to stay longer in Kintamani. The cost of hotel rooms is much lower than in resort area, almost all of them have their own restaurants and cafes on their territory.

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