A Bali volcano can be a sightseeing highlight on your next trip to Bali's highland region. The Kintamani volcano or Mount Batur, in particular, is a very popular trek. The captivating Mount Batur surrounds the 13-square kilometre Batur caldera lake. Those with a penchant for adventure can take a winding road down to the lake shore. This leads you to Toya Bungkah, Ulun Danu Batur temple, and a collection of hot springs.

The Kintamani area consists of three main villages, namely Penelokan, Batur, and Kintamani. There are also some old Balinese villages around Batur Lake, often referred to as Bali Aga villages. Penelokan is a popular stopover. It serves as a vantage point at the southernmost part of the crater rim. From here, you can enjoy the sweeping views over the magnificent Bali volcano.

Penelokan serves as the best site to enjoy the panoramas. You can view Batur's rugged features of dark lava slopes and black molten rocks from the village's roadside. The lush green vegetation and the blue-green coloured lake serves as a stark contrast.

Mount Batur is popular for climbing. You can observe the sunrise from the ridges of this Bali volcano on early morning treks. From high, you can enjoy the vista overlooking the large and beautiful Batur caldera to its northwest. Lake Batur is on the southeastern side of the volcano. The lake is 16 kilometres wide and is a popular fishing spot.

Batur's village of Toya Bungkah has hot lakeside hot springs, known for its curative mineral water. It is a popular choice among trekkers to spend the night before hiking up Mount Batur in time to watch the sunrise.

West of the adjacent Mount Abang is the secluded old Balinese village of Trunyan. It's a place that's known for its ancient burial traditions using an open graveyard. The Pancering Jagat Temple is an interesting site here. Its name is derived from a four metre-tall statue, ‘Ratu Gede Pusering Jagat’.

Mount Batur Volcano

Location: Kintamani, Bangli (approximately 3 hour's drive from Kuta)

Good to Know about Kintamani

The fertile Kintamani area is a top producer of fruit and vegetables in Bali. This highland area is at approximately 400 metres above sea level. Kintamani is also known as the largest bamboo producer on the island. The giant 'petung' type of bamboo harvested here is widely used for making traditional furniture items. Lake Batur is the main source of irrigation water for most of Bali. Locals also breed freshwater fish here.

The water temperature at the Toyabungkah hotsprings can reach up to 45 degrees Celcius. Kintamani is in Bangli, the only district on the island without a shoreline. Enjoy the best panoramic views from this Bali volcano from 10:00 to 15:00. Hiking up Mount Batur usually takes three hours. Official guides are recommended. ‘Mountain guides’, however, are self-titled and have a reputation for being rather pushy. You can book climbs from our tour options above. Like Mount Agung, Mount Batur is active. Be sure to check its volcanic activity alert levels before planning a trek.