Bali: Mount Batur Sunrise Trek & Private Hotel Pickup

Summary

Early morning trek up Mount Batur for sunrise views and breakfast

You’ll set out before dawn for a private trek up Mount Batur with a local guide, watching stars fade as you climb toward sunrise over Bali’s volcanic landscape. Enjoy breakfast on the summit—banana sandwiches and hot tea—before heading back down with your guide and returning to your hotel by mid-morning.

What’s the experience like?

"You sure you want to start at 2am?" our driver asked, smiling in the half-dark outside my hotel in Ubud. I was groggy, clutching my jacket, but honestly — I didn’t want to miss this. The drive to Mount Batur was quiet except for the soft hum of the AC and the occasional rooster somewhere out there. When we reached the base, it was still black outside. Our guide Putu handed me a headlamp and grinned, “Slow or fast, up to you.” My shoes crunched over loose gravel as we started climbing. For a while all I could hear was our breath and someone’s distant laughter ahead.

I won’t lie — parts of that hike felt endless. The air smelled like wet earth and wood smoke from little warungs down below. Sometimes Putu would point out constellations (I only recognized Orion), or pause so we could sip water and catch our breath. There were other groups too, but it never felt crowded — just little knots of light bobbing up the trail. By the time we reached the summit, my legs were jelly but wow, that first hint of blue above Lake Batur made me forget everything else.

Breakfast tasted better than any fancy brunch: banana sandwiches (warm from the steam vents!), hard-boiled eggs, hot tea that steamed in my hands while everyone waited for the sun to break through. People cheered when it finally did — orange light pouring over clouds and all those tiny villages far below. I tried to say “terima kasih” properly; Putu laughed at my accent but said I did okay. Heading back down was easier somehow, maybe because I couldn’t stop thinking about how wild it felt being up there before most people even wake up. If you’re considering a Mount Batur sunrise trekking tour from Bali — just do it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Mount Batur sunrise trekking tour

• Pick up at hotel by private car
• Coffee break service
• Start trekking to Mount Batur summit
• Arrive at Mount Batur peak
• Breakfast at Mount Batur summit
• Walk down or around Mount Batur crater
• Arrive at finish point and return to hotel

Top questions

What time does the Mount Batur sunrise trek start?

Hotel pickup is between 1:30 am and 3:00 am depending on your location in Bali.

Is breakfast included during the trek?

Yes, breakfast is served at the summit—usually banana sandwiches, eggs, cakes, fruit, plus coffee or tea.

How long does it take to hike up Mount Batur?

The trek up takes about 1.5–2 hours depending on pace; total trekking time is around 4 hours including descent.

Is this a private tour?

Yes, you’ll have a private guide for your group and private hotel pickup/transfer.

What should I bring for the trek?

You should bring sport shoes, a jacket (it gets cold), mask/hand sanitizer, sunscreen, and some cash.

Is this tour suitable for beginners?

You need moderate fitness; not recommended for those with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

Are entrance fees included?

Yes—all fees and taxes are included in your booking.

How do I get back to my hotel after the trek?

Your driver will meet you at the finish point and transfer you back privately to your hotel in Bali.

What’s included

Your day includes early morning hotel pickup by private car, bottled water along the way, all entry fees covered, use of hiking equipment like walking poles and headlamps, plus breakfast with coffee or tea at Mount Batur’s summit before your return transfer back to your hotel.