Mount Batur: Still Open, Still Bali's Best Sunrise
Planning a sunrise trek in Bali? Mount Batur is one of the island’s most popular early-morning hikes, taking you up an active volcano for views across Lake Batur and the surrounding caldera. But there is one question travellers often ask before planning it: is the trek still open? The route remains accessible, with permits and local guide arrangements now part of the experience.
This guide covers the trek’s actual cost, start times, difficulty, guide rules and the jeep alternative for non-trekkers. If you are planning a wider Bali itinerary, our Bali travel guide can help you map out the rest of the trip.
No. As of September 2026, Batur is open for trekking. The confusion traces back to a 2023 proposal to restrict tourist access to Bali's sacred mountains, including this popular Kintamani trekking site. That proposal never became law, so climbing Batur was never formally banned.
The sunrise trek still runs today, with a permit fee of IDR 100,000 per person and a local guide fee of IDR 300,000–600,000 per group (verified September 2026), though access is managed more tightly than before. A guide is required in practice, arranged through the village association at the trailhead, particularly for the pre-dawn climb.
| Quick Fact | Details |
| Type | Active volcano |
| Elevation | ~1,717 m above sea level |
| Access | Open 24/7 |
| Sunrise Trek Start | 2:00 AM to 4:00 AM, depending on your location and tour |
| Entry Permit | IDR 100,000 per person |
| Guide(Mandatory in practice, village-enforced at the trailhead) | IDR 300,000–600,000 per group |
| Shared All-In Tour | ~IDR 500,000 per person(includes pickup and breakfast) |
| Ascent Time | ~2 hours to the summit |
| Round Trip | 4–5 hours total |
You need a local guide for the sunrise trek. Local trekking associations enforce this at the trailhead, so trekkers arriving without a guide may be refused entry.
There are also practical safety reasons for the arrangement. The ascent begins in darkness, parts of the trail have loose volcanic scree, & the route can be confusing in places, particularly for first-time trekkers. A local guide can help with navigation, pacing and staying on the established trail.
Guide charges generally range from IDR 300,000–600,000 per group, depending on the arrangement and group size. Solo travellers and couples can also consider a shared trek, which spreads the guide cost across several people.
So, while independent hiking may seem straightforward, the current local arrangements make a guided climb the practical option.
The Mount Batur sunrise trek is manageable for reasonably fit beginners, but it is not an effortless hike. The route climbs steadily towards the rim, with some sections of loose volcanic scree that can make the footing less stable. A decent pair of shoes and a basic level of fitness will help.
The final climb brings you to the crater rim around sunrise, when the surrounding caldera and Lake Batur begin to appear as the sky gets brighter. On a clear morning, you can also see the outline of other volcanoes across the landscape.
One unusual part of the experience is the volcanic steam around the crater. Guides sometimes use the natural steam to cook eggs, which you may get to try after reaching the summit.
Cloud cover is the main uncertainty. Even during the drier months, clouds can move in around the summit and limit the views. So while the sunrise is the main reason most people make the climb, a clear panorama is never guaranteed.
If you want the sunrise experience without the full uphill climb, a Batur jeep tour takes you by 4x4 vehicle to a sunrise viewpoint on the mountain. You can watch the landscape light up over the caldera from the viewpoint without taking the trekking route to the summit. Some jeep tours also continue to the Kintamani black lava fields after sunrise.
This option suits travellers who do not want a strenuous hike, are travelling with older family members or children, or simply prefer a more relaxed morning. Check the itinerary before booking, as inclusions such as hotel transfers, breakfast & the black-lava stop vary between operators.
As per September 2026:
*Prices are indicative and can vary based on the operator, group size and inclusions.
Trek if reaching the summit and crater rim matters to you; choose the jeep if you mainly want the sunrise views and volcanic scenery without the climb.
After the trek, you can head down towards Lake Batur for a soak in the geothermal pools at Batur Natural Hot Spring in Toya Bungkah. The hot water and lakeside setting make it a practical way to relax after the climb.
*Prices can change, so check the current rate before visiting.
If you would rather keep the morning lighter, stop at one of the Kintamani coffee spots along the caldera rim. The area is known for locally grown Kintamani coffee, and several cafés have views across Lake Batur and the surrounding volcanic landscape.
You can also take a caldera drive around Kintamani after the trek, with stops for views of Lake Batur, the volcano and surrounding highlands before heading back towards Ubud or South Bali.
The best time for the Batur sunrise trek is generally during Bali’s drier months, when there is a better chance of clearer skies and more manageable trail conditions. Bali’s dry season typically runs from April to October, while the wetter period is generally November to March.
Dry Season: April to October
Wet Season: November to March
For a broader month-by-month breakdown, see our best time to visit Bali guide.
If you are staying in Kuta, check our Kuta tour packages when planning your Bali route. A Mount Batur Kintamani sunrise trek requires an early start, so allow extra travel time from South Bali. Staying in Ubud the night before makes the logistics easier.
For instance, WanderOn's 6 Days Exclusive Bali Tour: Lovina Beach, Mt Batur Trek where the trek is scheduled on Day 2:
Batur sits early in this route, with North Bali and South Bali's beaches following across the remaining days. Planning to add another North Bali stop? Our Handara Gate guide can help with the visit.
For Indian travellers, check the Bali visa for Indians guide before your trip for the latest entry requirements.
If you want Batur included in a planned itinerary rather than arranging the trek separately, explore our Bali tour packages.
Pooja Aski
10 Jul 2026We went on a trip to Bali with WanderOn, and had a great experience throughout. A special thanks to our POC, Deeksha, for being so helpful and ensuring everything was smooth and hassle-free. From beautiful sunsets and beaches to unforgettable moments and photos, Bali gave us memories we’ll cherish for a long time.
Moumita Haldar
10 Jul 2026We went on a trip to Bali with WanderOn, and it was truly one of the most amazing and memorable experiences we've ever had! 🌴✨ A special thanks to Deeksha Sharma and Suneha Chib from WanderOn, who helped us plan the entire itinerary for our Bali trip. From the very beginning, they were incredibly helpful, patient, and responsive. They provided us with all the necessary information before our trip and were always available to answer our questions and address our concerns. What impressed us the most was that the support didn't end once the trip began. Throughout our journey, the entire WanderOn team stayed connected with us, guided us at every step, and ensured that everything went smoothly. Their constant support, professionalism, and attention to detail allowed us to enjoy Bali completely stress-free. From breathtaking sunrises and beautiful beaches to exciting activities and countless picture-perfect moments, every day in Bali was filled with joy and unforgettable memories. The trip was exceptionally well-organized, and we genuinely felt cared for throughout the experience. Thank you, Deeksha Sharma, Suneha Chib, and the entire WanderOn team for making our Bali trip so special. Your dedication and warm support transformed this vacation into a collection of memories that we will cherish for a lifetime. We would highly recommend WanderOn to anyone looking for a seamless and memorable travel experience, and we are already looking forward to travelling with WanderOn again on our next adventure
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6 Jul 2026Had a great experience on booking 8D7N Bali trip with Wanderon. From the start sharing itinerary, addressing enquiries, sharing milestones, sending across all important information, scheduling calls for explaining itinerary every thing was well coordinated. Thanks to Deeksha sharma and Rithika sharma. Being my first international trip, they have set the bar high. Would highly recommend.
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3 Jul 2026We went on Bali tour with Wanderon The arrangement, and support by Diksha and Shivam was top notch with excellent on ground support too. Overall a very good experience.
Your right to Know!
No. The mountain is open for trekking as of September 2026. The 2023 proposal to restrict tourist activities on Bali’s sacred mountains did not become a permanent ban. Sunrise treks continue to operate, although access is more tightly managed and local guide arrangements are enforced at the trailhead. The ban also does not affect other Kintamani experiences. You can still visit the Kintamani black lava fields and other volcanic viewpoints around the area.
Pricing depends on the setup: a basic guided climb, a shared group tour, or a full package that bundles in transfers and breakfast. A local guide and trek arrangement generally runs IDR 300,000-600,000 per group & shared all-in tours land closer to IDR 500,000 per person. Booking a private tour with hotel transfers increases the Batur trek price, with the final figure depending on pickup location & group size.
Local trekking associations enforce the guide requirement right at the trailhead, so Batur without a guide rarely gets past the checkpoint. Solo hikers who show up unaccompanied are typically asked to hire a guide on the spot or turned back before the climb starts.
Reasonably fit beginners can usually handle it, though calling it easy would be a stretch. The climb runs about 2 hours, with a steady uphill push before the summit. Between the pre-dawn start and the uneven volcanic terrain, Batur difficulty tends to feel higher than the distance alone would suggest.
Most sunrise treks begin between 2:00 AM & 4:00 AM, depending on your starting point, chosen route and the sunrise time that day. The earlier start gives you enough time to reach the summit before sunrise. If you are staying in Ubud, the pickup can usually be later than if you are travelling from Kuta or South Bali. Build in extra travel time when planning your itinerary.
Yes. Batur jeep tour uses a four-wheel-drive vehicle to take you to a sunrise viewpoint, so you can enjoy the early-morning volcanic scenery without making the uphill climb. Jeep tours can also include stops around the volcanic landscape after sunrise. Indicative prices are around IDR 400,000–700,000 per person for shared tours & IDR 1,000,000–1,500,000 per jeep for private tours, depending on the operator and inclusions. Choose the trek if reaching the summit and crater rim is important to you; choose the jeep if you mainly want the sunrise views without the climb.
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