Bangli, Peace and Harmony

Mountaineering Tourism
Four Hours to Batur Crater

There was something unique when the Mount Batur erupted several years ago. Spray of hot molten or semi-fluid rock, black fumes and thundering sounds that rumbled even became an amazing spectacle to both domestic and foreign tourists. You know that the eruption occurred in 1999 was not so tremendous. Moreover, the Mount Batur with the height of 1717 m stands in the midst of calderas that are adjacent to Lake Batur. Different from the eruption took place in 1926 and 1963 killing many people and completely crushed the surrounding villages.

When the Mount Batur is normally active as seen today, apart from becoming magnificent panorama, it’s also taken advantage as adventure tourism for enthusiasts or mountaineers. This tourist service has been on sale since the issuance of decree of Bangli Regent No. 377A/1999 dated 4 September 1999. Since the decree was in effect, an association was established named the Association of Batur Mountaineering Tour Guide (HPPGR). This association has 53 members in which have held certification from the Association of Indonesia Tour Guide (HPI) of Bali Chapter.
According to Division Head of Education and Training of HPPGR, I Ketut Baru, the mountaineering tour guide aimed at delivering maximal service to tourists that do climbing. Everyday, there are four to five groups doing climbing. Every group is limited to four participants only. Route taken is 1031 metres and starts in front of Jati Temple. Climbing is usually starts at 04:00 in the morning and it will take 4 hours.
Furthermore, Ketut Baru uttered that during the climbing; the tourists will enjoy the allurement of panorama of Mount Rinjani in Lombok, Mount Agung and Mount Abang that situated not far from Mount Batur. Probably, the unforgettable thing for tourists who have climbed the Mount Batur is morning sunlight arising in the east when they struggle against cold air on the mountaintop and craters of Mount Batur.
Uniquely, there are many cracks of small diameter where smokes emanate are taken advantage for boiling egg or banana. “Just put down the egg on the crack and within 7 minutes it will be cooked,” said Baru. For tourists who would like to do climbing are expected to be escorted by a guide. A climbing package for a group of tourist (maximally 4 persons) is charged service fee amounting to IDR 180,000. (BTN/Suka)