Mount Batur Sunrise Trek from Ubud: summit before dawn

Climb an active volcano in the dark and watch the sun arrive from the peak

Mount Batur Sunrise Trekking is a guided early morning trek from Ubud to the summit of Bali's active volcano, departing in the pre-dawn hours and reaching the peak before sunrise. The trek takes 1.5–2 hours up and the same down; breakfast is served at the summit while waiting for dawn, and most tours include a visit to Batur Natural Hot Spring afterward. A licensed local guide, safety equipment, entrance tickets and hotel pickup are included; children from age 12 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Mount Batur sunrise trek and hot spring

• Hotel pick-up early morning
• Start trek at 3:30 AM
• Hike 1.5–2 hours to summit
• Enjoy breakfast at summit
• Watch sunrise around 6:00 AM
• Descend 1.5–2 hours to start
• Visit Batur Natural Hot Spring
• Return to hotel around 9:30 AM

The Experience

The day starts before it's light. Hotel pickup happens around 2:30 AM from Ubud, earlier from South Bali resorts, and the trek itself begins at 3:30 AM from the starting point in Toya Bungkah. The climb takes 1.5–2 hours on a trail of black lava, and the guide leads you through the dark to reach the summit around 6:00 AM just as the sun breaks the horizon. At the top, you're standing on an active volcano—steam rises from the crater, and below you the landscape emerges from a sea of clouds as light spreads across it.

Breakfast waits for you at the summit: boiled eggs, banana sandwiches, coffee, tea and mineral water. This is not a rushed meal; you sit and watch the view develop as the clouds clear and the lake below becomes visible. The descent takes another 1.5–2 hours, and by 8:00–8:30 AM you're back at the base. Most options then include a stop at Batur Natural Hot Spring, where you can soak in the warm water for about an hour before being driven back to your hotel around 9:30 AM.

The guide is a licensed local who speaks English and knows the terrain in the dark. Safety equipment is provided, and the trek is suitable for all fitness levels, though it is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, cardiovascular concerns, or pregnancy. The physical demand is the early wake-up and the sustained climb; the reward is the summit at dawn and the view that follows.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off by private car.
• a licensed local guide speaking English.
• entrance tickets to Mount Batur.
• safety equipment.
• breakfast at the summit including boiled eggs, banana sandwiches, coffee, tea and mineral water.
• a visit to Batur Natural Hot Spring (on most options) with about one hour to soak in the natural hot water.

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Mount Batur Sunrise Trekking

Is this one for you?Book this trek if you want to reach a volcano summit before dawn and watch the sunrise from the peak—the early start and the climb are what make that moment possible. Skip it if you're not comfortable with a 2:30 AM pickup from Ubud or if you have spinal injuries, cardiovascular concerns, or are pregnant.

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Top questions

How early do I need to wake up for the Mount Batur trek from Ubud?

Hotel pickup from Ubud is around 2:30 AM, so you'll need to be ready by then. The trek itself starts at 3:30 AM from the base, and you reach the summit around 6:00 AM as the sun rises.

What's included in the Mount Batur trek?

The trek includes hotel pickup and drop-off by car, a licensed English-speaking guide, entrance tickets, safety equipment, and breakfast at the summit (boiled eggs, banana sandwiches, coffee, tea and water). Many options also include a visit to Batur Natural Hot Spring afterward.

How long does the actual climbing take?

The trek up takes 1.5–2 hours and the descent takes the same, so plan for about 3–4 hours of walking. The full experience, including breakfast at the summit and the drive back to your hotel, runs 6–10 hours depending on your starting location and whether you add the hot spring visit.

Can children do the Mount Batur trek?

Children are welcome from age 12. The trek is suitable for all fitness levels, though the early start and sustained climb require a reasonable level of stamina.

What is Batur Natural Hot Spring?

Batur Natural Hot Spring is a bathing place with natural hot water located near the trekking starting point. After descending from the summit, you spend about an hour soaking in the warm springs before being transferred back to your hotel.

What does the view look like from Mount Batur's summit?

From the peak, you see black lava fields surrounded by green cliffs, steam rising from the active crater, and a lake that emerges as the sea of clouds clears with the sunrise. The view develops as the sun rises and the clouds lift, revealing the landscape below.