Mount Agung Sunrise Trekking
If you want to go trekking, you need to book Mount Agung Sunrise Trekking!
Bali’s eastern seaboard is Mount Agung – or Gunung Agung to the locals. It is situated in the district of Karangasem, with its highest point at 3,142 meters above sea level.
Mount Agung is an active volcano. Revered by the Balinese as the home of the gods, the volcano and its surrounding regions are a sight to behold.
The presence of the volcano has greatly affected the climate, giving you a lush and fertile western slope. In contrast, the eastern slopes present a dry and barren view, still equally pleasing to the eye.
One of the main reasons Mt. Agung is popular is the presence of Bali’s mother of all temples, Pura Besakih along its hiking routes.
Entering this majestic temple requires you to ascend hundreds of steps before the main gate. The area within is vast and intricate, giving you a sense of the natural beauty of Bali.
The volcano is considered sacred ground and is also the highest point in Bali. With its height, you can well guess the sunrise from the top is beyond imagination.
You can look at all the photos you want, but we guarantee that seeing the view personally will be something you will never forget.
Mount Agung Sunrise Trek Overview
The hike to Mount Agung volcano usually starts a few hours before sunrise. This is because one of the main highlights of your experience is seeing the view and sunrise from the highest point.
If you’re looking for a mid-difficult trek with arguably the most rewarding views, this is a perfect choice. Climbers will be welcomed by a multi-color sky and seemingly reachable clouds all around.
On clear mornings, you will be able to see the beauty of Bali, Nusa Penida, and Lombok.
Here’s a summary of what to expect when trekking to Mt. Agung.
Duration
You can choose from two routes:
- From Pura Pasar Agung – about 5 hours to the top
- From Pura Besakih – about 7 hours to the top
Difficulty
Mid-difficulty or strenuous. Best for experienced hikers or trekkers only. You don’t need to be a professional, but a high level of fitness is definitely a requirement if you intend to reach the summit.
Best Time to Hike
The best time to go is during the dry season – from April to October. However, most routes are closed during April because of religious celebrations. Always call in advance to confirm availability.
Accessibility
About 20 kilometers North of Klunkung, roughly 2-3 hours drive from Besakih
Start Locations
- From Pura Pasar Agung
- From Pura Besakih
Required Permits/Fees
Hiking permit and a tour guide fee anywhere from IDR 400,000 to IDR 1,000,000 (USD 30-75)
Hike Essentials
Flashlight, walking shoes, walking stick, warm clothing, gloves, food, water, and sunscreen
Hiking towards the summit of Mount Agung is considered a special activity in Bali and definitely not for the faint of heart.
You need to prepare yourself physically and mentally – it is not what you would call a ‘leisure hike’.
You don’t need to be one of the best climbers in the world, but excellent stamina is a must.
If a few hundred steps put you out of breath, consider doing some cardio exercises first to improve your capacity.
Mount Agung Trek Highlights
Galungan celebrations
While it is mentioned that the dry season is the most suitable for hiking the Mount Agung volcano, you should aim to at least visit Besakih at Galungan celebrations.
It is a 2-week celebration held in the 11th week of the pawukon calendar – meaning there are usually 2 celebrations every year.
Due to the unusual 7-month interval, the dates vary every year. You just need to time your travels accordingly.
If you manage to visit the temple during this time, you will witness Balinese people dressed in their finest traditional clothing walking and praying to the temple.
There will be festivities and food offerings throughout the surrounding areas.
Pura Besakih Temple
During the Galungan celebration, you will see tall bamboo poles at the entrance. There will also be women in white costumes and laid-out offerings of food, fruits, and flowers.
On any other day, the temple is still a wonderful sight. Considered the mother of all temples, Besakih boasts 86 grand temples and smaller shrines located on the western slope of Mount Agung.
It has become a tradition for women to hike to the temple carrying a mountain of offerings on top of their heads. Thus, there is an easier route to reach it from below.
Amazing Sunrise from the peak
with its towering height of 3,142 meters, you can rest assured that an amazing sunrise is up ahead. Apart from the beautiful changing colors of the break of dawn, you also get an overlooking view of the surrounding areas.
Undisturbed Hike Experience
due to the difficulty of the trek, you get to experience it with very few crowds, most of the time. Except for religious celebrations wherein locals hike up to pay homage and offerings, you will have a fairly peaceful hike to the summit.
How to get to Mount Agung
Although the view and sunrise at Mount Agung give you a sense of peace and repose, remember that it is still an active volcano.
Thus, caution is still recommended. Its last eruption was last June 2019 and is part of a series of eruptions starting in 2017.
As if a blessing from the gods, the eruptions blanketed the surrounding areas with ash for months – resulting in more fertile lands that nurtured sweet potatoes.
Today, the landscape has totally changed to a greener scenery.
The highest point in Bali can be reached through two trailheads.
- The trail from Pura Besakih is the steeper, tougher, and longer trail.
- The trail from Pura Pasar Agung is easier, running along the southern peak.
How to get to the trailheads?
Pura Besakih
Situated on the western side of the volcano, Mother temple of Besakih is the easiest to reach from Klungkung. This is a large town near Ubud and is about 20 kilometers away from the trailhead. The route is a little windy but the road is well-developed and safe.
Pasar Agung
On the southern peak is Pasar Agung. The road is underdeveloped, a little steep, and also quite windy. It is about 30 kilometers from Klungkung or 50 kilometers from Ubud.
Here is an overview of your hike from the two trailheads:
Pura Besakih Route
This is the longest, but the most popular route to Mount Agung. Your tour guide will get you late at night from your hotel and drive to Pura Besakih.
If you want to catch the sunrise from the top, you will have to start your trek around midnight. From the trailhead, you will hike through the night until you reach the peak in time for sunrise.
That would be about 6 am. It is recommended to stay there for about an hour or two, just to take in the view as well as rest your body and prepare for the descent.
The route for the descent is different and will take less time. However, prepare yourself for steeper slopes. You will arrive at your endpoint, Pura Besakih around noon time.
From there, you can head home or explore the temple.
Pasar Agung Route
The only major difference here is that the time it takes to the summit is shorter, thus your trek will start a little later. Maybe 1 or 2 am.
This is a less popular route mainly because the drive to the trailhead is rougher and the trail a bit steeper. Once at the top, spend the same recommended 1 to 2 hours and then start your descent.
You will be able to reach the endpoint around 11 am.
Preparing for your Mount Agung hike
Have you hiked to Mount Agung? If this is your first time, it’s good to note the following tips for a better trek experience.
- Get a good tour guide. Do not skimp on the fees for this. I’m not saying the more you pay, the better the guide is. But, still, make sure you are getting a reputable guide for your trek. If it’s your first time, all the more this is essential. Also, make sure he/she can communicate well enough with you. If you will be mixed with a group, make sure your groupmates are also trustworthy. In general, be sure you know your companions and have your safety secured at all times.
- Pack comfortable hiking shoes. The one you are looking for should have a very good grip, mainly because you will be trekking through uneven terrain and possibly wet ground. Ever tried staying up all night while hiking for 8-12 hours on an extremely steep, rock volcano in the dark? You will need all the comfort you can get.
- Consider a walking stick. The hike will start before the day breaks. You will be climbing in the dark for approximately 2-3 hours. Apart from good lighting, it’s good to have a walking stick to poke through your way, especially in denser forests. It’s also a good tool when you need to lean on something for a bit. If you have a really experienced guide, he will probably make you one from some bamboo along your route.
- Wear appropriate clothing for your hike. Since you will be ascending through tall heights, you will notice temperature fluctuations all throughout the journey. Since this is a very strenuous activity, we suggest you wear clothing that is highly absorbent and quick drying. Make sure to have an extra shirt or layer of clothing to wear during your downtimes when you start feeling the cold creep up.
- Get comfortable gloves. While you will be visiting during the dry season, it is good to have gloves on for protection. You will encounter some terrain that might force you to touch or pick up things. No need for fancy, climate control varieties. Just a comfortable one to wear for grabbing branches and stuff.
- Food and water are a necessity but don’t pack heavy things. One, it will weigh you down if you have a lot of dense food on you. That goes for water too. However, make sure you have enough to keep you energized during the hike. Two, ration it out properly. You will not feel a lot of hunger during the climb simply because you’re mind and body are focused on getting you to your destination. Once you rest on top, your body will start to replenish its energy through getting nutrition. You need to have enough to eat by then. And of course, leave some for the hike down as well. Think isotonic drinks, energy bars, and maybe warm food for the cold.
- Take some sunscreen with you. After sunrise, you will be closer to the sun and will be exposed until you reach your descent destination. You might think your long sleeves will protect you. However, there are still other parts of your face and body that may be exposed. Remember you will be hiking during the dry season, so it’s always better to prepare for hot weather.
Other Useful Facts You Need to Know
- Take note of religious holidays and celebrations that may affect your trekking schedule. The routes are closed during certain dates for rituals.
- Prepare for possible sickness due to a change in altitude. This happens a lot to first-time climbers, so it’s best to prepare.
- Make sure to stay hydrated – thus, bring a lot of water. This also lessens the symptoms of altitude sickness like dizziness, vomiting, or nausea.
- Check temperatures around the area just in case so you can prepare your clothing as necessary. Climate can be unpredictable sometimes, especially at high altitudes.
Mount Agung: Tours & Tickets
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Mount Agung Sunrise Views Video
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