View of Batur
Canoeing on the lake
A road winds through the black lava fields from the edge of the crater to Toya Bungkah. The village by Lake Batur is known for its hot-water springs and this is where the trips to the top of Gunung Batur start in the early morning. The hot springs are a great way to relax after a long hike, but you probably won’t be alone. For real peace and quiet, as well as attractive surroundings, rent a canoe and head to the lake. Once in the centre, you’ll be overwhelmed by the grandeur of the crater and the scenery of Lake Batur.
Magical breakfast
To fully enjoy the stunning views at sunrise you’ll need to get up bright and early; the local guides depart for the top at 4:00 am! After a hike and climb of approximately 2 hours, you’ll reach the edge of the volcano. Any weariness will quickly dissipate when you see the first rays of sun rise above the misty landscape and shed light on a magical panorama. It has a sense of mysticism; the silhouettes of the surrounding crater combined with the misty lakes are just breathtaking. Breakfast at this site is a unique experience, and you can even boil your eggs in the hot crater steam.
Pura Ulun Danau Batur Temple
Sacred mountains
Mountains are sacred on Bali, seen as the places where the gods reside. When Gunung Batur erupted in 1917 the village of Batur was almost completely destroyed, yet amazingly the lava flow stopped just before the village temple. This was seen as a good sign and the village was rebuilt. The volcano struck once again in 1926. This time, however, only the altar survived while dozens of people perished. The village was once again rebuilt, and the altar placed in the new temple of Pura Ulun Danau Batur.
