Mount Agung: Highest peak in Bali

Been to Bali for spiritual retreats? Beach getaways? Parties? How about hiking? Enter Mount Agung, the highest peak in Bali, Indonesia. This active volcano is a cultural and spiritual icon, standing 3031 meters tall, and offers an unparalleled hiking experience with sweeping views of the island.

Mount Agung holds immense spiritual significance for the Balinese people. It is believed to house the gods and is central to many religious ceremonies. Hikers are expected to show respect, particularly when starting from sacred temples like Besakih or Pasar Agung.

If you've hiked neighbouring Mount Batur, then it's time to take things up a level and challenge yourself to this hike. This 12 hour round trip hike will be as challenging as it is rewarding. Along the way up, you'll get magnificent views of entire Bali island. Experiencing the sunrise at the summit is an unforgettable reward for your effort, and I captured my experience on this tiktok. You'd be able to see Mount Rinjani all the way at Lombok.

Need an even bigger challenge? Read about my experience hiking Mount Rinjani.

Getting There

To start your Mount Agung adventure, you’ll first need to get to Bali. The island is accessible via Ngurah Rai International Airport (Denpasar Airport), which serves international and domestic flights. Many airlines operate direct routes from major cities in Asia and Australia. If you’re already in Indonesia, budget carriers like AirAsia and Lion Air connect Bali with other cities. Alternatively, Bali can be reached by ferry from Java or Lombok, though flights are faster and more convenient.

Planning Your Climb

Mount Agung is an active volcano. Always check local advisories and consult guides for updates on safety prior to your climb. While a solo climb may appeal to seasoned adventurers, it’s highly recommended to hire a guide or join a tour. Mount Agung’s trails are steep, challenging, and not well-marked, with unpredictable weather conditions making navigation difficult. Local guides are experienced, and their knowledge of the terrain and safety measures is invaluable. Tours often include transport, permits, and basic gear, simplifying logistics.

The climb to the summit takes around 6 - 8 hours, which means a hike would require almost a full day, so plan accordingly. It is possible to split the hike up into 2 days and 1 night, since a small camping ground (marked Pos 2 Pengubengan on the map) is available before the summit attack. As for my group, we decided to do the hike in a single day - Tired is definitely an understatement. Covering 2000m+ elevation gain in a single hike pushed my body to its limits, and my legs were shaking by the time I got back down after 16 hours.

I booked my climb with IndoTravelTeam, which made the experience seamless. The team was responsive and ensured we were well taken care of. For a group of 5, we paid IDR 1,000,000 each, which was worth it since it included basic insurance, transportation to and from our hotel, 2 guides, breakfast and other fees needed for the hike (Permit, etc.). We were even given headlamps and hiking sticks for the hike which eased up some logistics planning on our end.

2 Routes to the Summit

When climbing Mt Agung, one should be aware of the 2 routes possible:

1. Pura Besakih Route (This article):
   Starting Point: Besakih Temple (Bali’s largest and holiest temple).
   Duration: 6-8 hours to the summit.
   Difficulty: Challenging due to its steep incline and rocky terrain.
   Highlights: Highest point of the volcano and true summit which gives panoramic sunrise views
2. Pura Pasar Agung Route:
   Starting Point: Pasar Agung Temple
   Duration: 4-5 hours to the lower summit (about 2,850 meters)
   Difficulty: Moderately challenging but less strenuous than the Besakih route
   Highlights: Stunning views and a shorter trek, ideal for those with limited time or less experience

Typical Climbing Conditions

Difficulty and Terrain

Mount Agung is not for the faint-hearted. The hike involves steep inclines, loose volcanic rocks, and sections (especially nearer to the summit) requiring scrambling. Good physical fitness and proper preparation are essential. Hiking poles can be helpful for stability, and sturdy footwear is a must. Expect minimal vegetation as you ascend, with exposed sections near the summit offering dramatic and challenging, conditions. The hike is steep from the start, so expect burning thighs and calves.

Weather and Temperature

Mount Agung experiences cooler temperatures at higher altitudes, ranging from 5°C to 10°C near the summit, especially during the early morning hours. Layers are essential for staying warm. Bali’s tropical climate means you should also be prepared for sudden rain showers, even during the dry season.

Best Time to Climb

The ideal time to hike Mount Agung is during the dry season (April to October), when trails are safer and visibility is excellent. The rainy season (November to March) increases the chance of encountering slippery paths, poor visibility, and increased risks of landslides, making climbing dangerous and often discouraged. I climbed Mount Agung in December and was fortunate to enjoy clear weather, only experiencing a downpour during the last 30minutes of our descent.

What to Pack

As Temperatures can vary between -5c and +25 degrees during the trek, it is recommended to bring the following:

• A small hiking backpack for the ascent
• Sturdy hiking boots with good grip.
• Warm layers and a waterproof jacket.
• Headlamp or flashlight (mandatory for pre-dawn starts).
• Gloves for cold conditions and scrambling.
• Sufficient water (at least 3 liters)
• A change of clothes for after the hike (T-shirt, socks, etc.)
• Rain gear and wipes (available at all stores and gas stations)
• Energy snacks

The Climb

Preparations and start point

As per arranged with our tour agency IndoTravelTeam, transport was arranged for us from Canggu area, picking us up at around 930PM. The journey to Mount Agung base camp (Labelled "Base Camp Gunung Agung via Edelweis" on the map) takes around 2 hours, so we used the time to get some rest. Upon arriving, we were greeted with our 2 guides, and got ourselves equipped with headlamps and hiking sticks.

Start point -> Base Camp

The initial part of the climb brought us through open farmlands, although the trail remained relatively narrow. It was dark, but we could faintly see the outline of the grand Mount Agung standing before us (Try spotting it below). It was daunting to think that we would be all the way up there in a matter of hours.

Before we knew, our hike brought us into the dense forest.

At this point, the terrain consists of dirt paths with occasional tree roots and rocks. It was slightly humid but relatively manageable. Along the route, there are unofficial rest spots (Labelled "Shelter" on the map) used by hikers to take breaks - These are great for hydration and snacks. The rest points are man made shelters constructed of wood and a waterproof metal foil ceiling - Some have makeshift seats made of logs as well. After around 2 hours of hiking, we made it to our first shelter for a quick break:

The night sky was clear as well and we got unobstructed views of the cosmos:

Another 1.5 hour of hiking and we arrived at another shelter:

While the fatigue was kicking in, the skies continued to impress and served somewhat as a little motivation:

The hike to the next shelter took us another hour. It was already 4:15AM in the morning by this time and we were definitely feeling it:

At the same time, we started to get clearer views of Bali island right beneath us:

Checkpoint 2 (Breakfast break)

Another hour of hiking and we arrived at Checkpoint 2 (Labelled "Pos 2 Pengubengan" on the map! The time was 5:15AM and we could already see the sunrise in the distance...

...along with the lights of Bali stretching out below us:

Our guides got down to preparing our breakfast - Instant noodles in hot soup, which was perfect for the cold weather up where we were.

Everyone was busy resting, eating or chatting:

Summit Attack

After 30 minutes of rest, we resumed our journey for the final push - The summit attack. The summit push of Mount Agung can be separated as 3 stages. First, you continue up the the trail as the vegetation becomes noticeably more sparse.

Then, you hit a portion of extremely steep rock climbing portion where scrambling is required.

Rocks can come up to waist level and higher, so this is where your gloves would come in handy - This goes on for about an hour. By this point, we were able to get a clear view of neighbouring Mount Batur in the distance.

It was definitely intimidating to see how 'tiny' Mount Batur was compared to Mount Agung, and was a sight to behold for sure. At the end of the rocky climb, we were definitely gassed out, but it was time for the last push of the climb so giving up was not an option!

The last section of the summit push is when you get into the clear and onto the mountain ridge line - When the views are almost panoramic, and the actual summit of Mount Agung can be seen (Identified as the further 'peak' in the image below):

The spiritual significance of the mountain can also be observed here, with a small offerings area being set up right along the ridge line of the mountain:

The skies were also clear enough for us to get a clear view of the Bali Sea to our north all while being high above the clouds

From here on, the ground becomes looser with volcanic gravel underneath. The ridge line can be very narrow, so exercise some caution when traversing the ridge line. Wind speeds are also noticeably higher here, so put on a windbreaker if needed.

Mount Agung Summit

After 15 minutes of traversing the ridge line, we made it to the summit! It was an accomplished feeling, knowing we conquered the highest point of Bali all within a day.

We were rewarded with excellent views of the crater. A clearer image of the crater below, although the clouds have moved in by this point:

Amidst the great weather, we could even see all the way to Lombok, home to the grand Mount Rinjani.

The difficulty of Mount Rinjani goes up a small notch compared to Mount Agung, and I got it covered here if you want to know more.

After taking in the views and soaking in the accomplishment, we commenced our descent back to Besakih Temple, which took us another 6 hours.

The descent can be equally challenging, particularly on loose gravel (Each of us slipped and fell at least once). Guides typically ensure safe navigation, but hikers should pace themselves appropriately to avoid slips and falls. Upon returning, we were brought to a nearby warung (cafe) for a warm meal and refreshing drink, which also marked the end of our hike.

Closing Thoughts

Mount Agung was definitely one of the tougher climbs I've done, and is a true testament to one's endurance. The good thing about the climb is the reward of standing atop Bali’s most sacred peak at sunrise, which is an experience that would stay with me forever. If you're an avid hiker and adventurer, conquering Mount Agung, Bali's highest peak, should definitely be on your list, and would be an achievement to treasure forever!