Mount Agung is also known as Gunung Agung and stands 3,100m above sea level. Not only is it the tallest mountain in Bali, but it is also the most sacred as the locals believe that the summit of the mountain is the home of God. Located in Karangasem Regency, it is among the excursions offered by many a Seminyak Hotel in Bali and is summited by locals and foreigners alike.
Hiking Mount Agung is not a feat to be undertaken by the novice. It is a strenuous climb and requires practice and patience. The time of the climb could be anything between 4 hours to 7 hours, depending on the route you choose. There are two popular routes: via Besakih temple and via Pasar Agung temple.
The route via Besakih temple is the most difficult, but the most rewarding. The route takes you through the thick foliage of the rain forest with its array of animals. The hike takes about seven hours, with the last hour requiring you to get on all fours. The views that you encounter along the way is almost enough to make up for the tiredness, though. At the end of the hike, you would have ascended over 2000m, leading you to a spectacular summit. It is from here that you will be able to see the sunrise, a sight all the more beautiful due to the hard work you put into getting here. The alternative route, the one via Pasar Agung temple is not as tough. It will take only about four hours, and the trek, while by no means easy, is not as tough as the other. However, this route does not take you to the summit itself, but to a point, that is about 400m below the actual summit. The view from here is amazing, as well, though, and you will be looking right into the crater.
The best time to visit Mount Agung is during the night, so you can sit atop the mountain to wait for the sunrise. As you are climbing it in the dark, it is highly recommended that you go with a guide. Hotels like Anantara Seminyak Bali Resort list it as one of their excursions, while there are companies dedicated to taking you up and down Mount Agung.
Filled with wanderlust that seeks to explore distant shores and captivated by the colors and vibrancy of exotic cultures, Kanya Mae writes on the beautiful, exciting, and enchanting wonders of the world. She is a writer who not only has a passion for travel, but also has a background in fashion, art and media.
