Mount Batur
Mount Batur is considered to be holy by the local Balinese people and going by data, is the most popular Volcano amongst the tourists. This active volcano is located in North-eastern Bali, near the village of Kintamani and towers to a height of 1717 meters above sea level. The trek to Mount Batur is easy to moderate and even first-timers with a decent fitness level can attempt – without the apprehensions of extreme fatigue. The trek is about 2-3 hours, depending on your fitness level. As you reach the summit, you will be rewarded with a beautiful view of the sunrise over Caldera’s Lake and Mount Rinjani at a distance. Most volcano treks start early in the morning say around 3-4 am, so that you can catch the glorious Balinese sunrise.
Location : North Eastern Bali
Summit Height : 1717 M above sea level
Trek Difficulty : Easy to Moderate
Time taken : 3 hours approx.
Ideal visit : April through September
Mount Kawah Ijen
Mount Kawah Ijen also known as the Kawah Ijen Crater is situated in Banyuwangi, East Java, far away from the bustle of Bali. It is the world’s largest active acidic volcano, with a turquoise-blue lake at the base and mounds of Sulphur adorning the lake’s shores. This is an active Sulphur-mining site and the best time to catch the spectacular “Blue Fire” is early morning before sunrise. The blue flames sometimes reach a height of up to 5 meters, but this phenomenon depends on a lot of factors. The water in the lake though, is known to be so acidic that it cuts through flesh, clothes and even metal. The trek is quite steep, and one has to be physically and mentally fit to undertake this trek. But the sights are, simply put, very rewarding.
Location : Banyuwangi, East Java
Summit Height : 2386 M above sea level
Trek Difficulty : Moderate but steep trek – average fitness required
Time taken : 3-4 hours (excluding transportation to base camp and back)
Ideal visit : April through September
Mount Bromo
Mount Bromo might not be one of the tallest volcanoes in Indonesia, but the stunning landscape attracts tourists by the hordes – both local and international. This active volcano is part of the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park that is around 800 square kilometers and is located at a 4-hour drive from Surabaya, the capital of East Java. The one thing you can’t afford to miss while on your trip to Mount Bromo is the sunrise – it is spectacular, breathtaking and easily gets into most trekkers’ and hikers’ bucket list. The geology of the cluster of five volcanoes around Mount Bromo is fascinating – these features and geologic pattern have been shaped by millions of years of volcanic activity in the region.
Location : Near Malang, East Java
Summit Height : 2329 M above sea level
Trek Difficulty : Easy even for beginners
Time taken : 1-2 hours
Ideal visit : June through August
Must have : Mask, to protect yourself from the gas emissions
Mount Rinjani (Lombok)
Out of the 130 odd volcanoes in Indonesia, Mount Rinjani rises spectacularly over the island of Lombok and is the second highest. Mount Rinjani is any trekker’s delight as well as a mighty challenge – however the rewards are multifold – from stunning views of the aquamarine crater lake, the Segara Anak to hot springs to some breathtaking waterfalls to the awe-inspiring, smoke-billowing active volcanoes, Mount Rinjani is a not-to-miss trip. However, this 2-3 days trekking activity is definitely not for the faint hearted or for the regular tourists. Apart from testing one’s stamina and endurance, the terrain throws in more challenges in the form of long hikes across scree, gravel and loose lava-black soil. But the rewards at the end of this trek is so huge, that it is a favorite amongst ardent international trekkers and climbers.
Location : Near Malang, East Java
Summit Height : 3726 M above sea level
Trek Difficulty : Difficult even for expert trekkers/climbers
Time taken : 2-3 days
Ideal visit : June through August
Mount Agung
Mount Agung towers over all the other volcanoes in Bali – at a whopping 3031 metres above sea level, Mount Agung is easily the giant in Bali. The volcano has the most revered Pasar Agung temple and the mother temple of Besaikh – treks usually begin at either of these locations. The trek up to Mount Agung is a very demanding trek and is only advised for tourists who are either experienced in arduous treks or join with a high level of physical fitness. It’s definitely not for the freshers. The trek from Pasar Agung temple takes around 4-5 hours and the one from Besaikh takes around 6-7 hours to complete.
Location : South East of Mount Batur, Bali
Summit Height : 3031 M above sea level
Trek Difficulty : Hard, demanding high levels of fitness
Time taken : 4-5 hours or 6-7 hours depending on the route
Ideal visit : April through September
