OverviewGunung Agung is the highest and most sacred mountain in Bali. It offers spectacular views of the island, the surrounding sea, the "Gilis", of neighboring Batur volcano, Lake Batur, and of Rinjani (3,726 m) on neighbouring Lombok island.
Agung is a stratovolcano. There is no volcanic activity at the moment. The last eruption took place in 1963-64. It was one of the world's largest of the 20th century and caused extensive damage and many fatalities.
The starting point of the climb is the temple complex of Pura Besakih. The ascent takes five to six hours. It is not difficult or dangerous. It does not require any technical climbing skills or special equipment, just good boots because the lower section through the rain forest can be very slippery when it is raining (and it can rain heavily for hours at any time of the year, even in the so-called "dry season").
The best time for the climb is at night. Leave at midnight (or rather 11pm) to make sure you arrive at the top before sunrise, not only to experience a beautiful sunrise but also to have the best chance of getting a clear view. Later the view is generally soon blocked by clouds coming up from the rain forest. Do not forget to bring a torch.
CampingYou can put up a tent along the route, or do the climb in 10 to 12 hours (ascent + descent) without staying overnight on the mountain. There are no huts, and I do not remember seeing any shelters.Getting ThereGo to Pura Besakih, one of Bali's main tourist attractions, e.g. by chartered car with a driver. After the climb the car will pick you up at a prearranged time.
From the upper end of the Besakih temple complex (altitude about 1,000 m) go straight up on a narrow path of reddish cobble-stones to an eleven-roofed temple ( Pura Pengubengan [?], 1 hour). There you will find a signpost, and once you are on the track you cannot miss the summit.
You can climb Agung with a guide or without a guide. It is easy to find a guide at Besakih (just ask around) but you do not really need one to find the way up the mountain. The only difficult thing is finding the way out of Besakih village at night if you haven’t been there before. So before the actual climb, go there during daylight and check out the path which leads up to the eleven-roofed temple, which is the actual starting point. During the day there may be some hassle caused by locals trying to force themselves on tourists as guides, but when we started at 11pm no one was around at the temple complex (another advantage of setting out at midnight).
The route up from Selat via Sebudi and Pura Pasar Agung does not go to the very top and you do not get the 360° view, but it is a very worthwhile climb as well.
Map of Bali
Red TapeA permit is not required, but climbing the mountain is not permitted when major religious events are being held at Besakih, i.e. mainly in April. For the Balinese, Gunung Agung is a holy mountain, and Pura Besakih is Bali's most important temple.
When To ClimbMay - November (during the dry season; climbing in April is generally not permitted due to important religious ceremonies at Besakih)
Climate
Mountain ConditionsFor volcanic activity check the reports published in the Global Volcanism Program by the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution - Agung.
WeatherExternal LinksPics of the route
Photos of the route, text in Indonesian
Faszination Vulkane
Volcano website by Rolf Cosar (in German)
Global Volcanism Program
By the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution
Images
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