Mount Batur: Sunrise Jeep Tour & Black Lava Fields with Pickup

Summary

Sunrise colors, volcanic black lava and a warm breakfast

You’ll ride a private jeep up Mount Batur before dawn with your local guide, watch sunrise spill over Lake Batur from a quiet viewpoint, then cross surreal black lava fields left by ancient eruptions. Includes hotel pickup, entrance fees, breakfast and hot drinks — plus those odd little moments you’ll remember long after you leave Bali.

What’s the experience like?

The alarm went off at 3:30am and I almost bailed — I mean, who signs up for this kind of early? But the driver was already waiting outside our Ubud hotel, so there wasn’t much choice. My friend Ketut greeted us with that sleepy grin locals seem to have mastered. The drive up to Mount Batur was quiet, just the hum of the road and a couple of stray dogs darting past in the dark. I realized halfway up that I’d forgotten my jacket (classic me), but the jeep’s seats were warm enough and honestly, it kind of added to the whole half-awake feeling.

We bounced along these rough tracks — not sure “road” is even the right word — until we stopped somewhere that looked like the moon. Our guide Wayan handed out tea and pointed at a faint glow on the horizon. He told us stories about Mount Agung waking up in 1963 while we waited for sunrise. There was this smell of earth and something almost metallic in the air from all that old lava. When the sun finally cracked over Lake Batur, everyone went quiet for a second. It wasn’t dramatic or anything — just this soft light creeping over black rock, making everything look sort of silver and strange.

I didn’t expect to love the black lava fields as much as I did. They’re massive — hard and crunchy under your shoes, weirdly warm in some spots from yesterday’s sun. We drove through them slowly, Wayan pointing out places where steam sometimes rises after rain (no luck today). Someone tried to take a selfie but kept slipping on loose gravel; we all laughed harder than we should’ve at 7am. The whole thing felt less like a tour and more like being let in on some local secret.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Mount Batur Jeep sunrise and lava fields

• Ride 4WD jeep to sunrise viewpoint
• Enjoy panoramic views of Mount Agung and Lake Batur
• Explore black lava fields by jeep

Top questions

Is hiking required for the Mount Batur Sunrise Jeep tour?

No hiking is needed; you'll reach viewpoints by 4WD jeep instead of trekking.

Does the tour include hotel pickup from Ubud?

Yes, round-trip hotel transfers are included from Ubud as well as Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu, and Sanur areas.

What is included in breakfast during the tour?

A warm breakfast with tea or coffee is provided after reaching the viewpoint.

Are there any health restrictions for this tour?

The tour isn't recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

How long do you spend exploring the black lava fields?

You’ll have time to explore after sunrise; exact duration can vary depending on group pace and interest.

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip hotel pickup from Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu, Sanur or Ubud areas, entrance fees for Mount Batur access, a private jeep with driver-guide throughout the adventure, plus a warm breakfast with tea or coffee once you reach your sunrise viewpoint before heading into those wild black lava fields.