Hiking Mount Agung via Taman Edelweiss - a 2D1N hike experience

Towering at over 3,000 meters, Mount Agung is Bali’s highest and most sacred volcano, dominating the island’s eastern skyline. Revered by the Balinese as the spiritual center of the island, it’s home to the holy Besakih Temple and holds deep cultural and religious significance. For adventurers, climbing Mount Agung offers more than just a physical challenge—it’s an unforgettable journey through dramatic landscapes, dense forests, and awe-inspiring sunrise views from the summit above the clouds.

There are several popular routes to hike Mount Agung, and we chose the one starting from Taman Edelweiss 📍. This route struck a good balance between difficulty and duration, making it an ideal choice for us.

The starting point is located about 1.5 to 2 hours by car from Bali’s main tourist hubs like Ubud, Seminyak, and Canggu. To avoid an early morning drive and to start the hike feeling rested and energized, we decided to stay overnight nearby. Since the trailhead is close to the Besakih Temple, there are plenty of accommodation options in the area.

We’re sharing our firsthand experience of summiting Mount Agung in the hope that it helps you prepare for your own adventure during your time in Bali.

Planning

Mount Agung is a sacred site, and it’s regularly closed for hiking during religious ceremonies. These closures are sometimes announced with very little notice, so we recommend not planning your hike too far in advance. Ideally, wait until just a couple of months before your intended hike. You can check the latest updates on trail closures via this Instagram page.

Also, due to religious reasons, bringing beef or beef-based products onto the mountain is strictly forbidden.

Keep in mind that hiring a guide is mandatory for summiting Mount Agung. The mountain is challenging, and every year people get lost or injured—this requirement is in place for your safety.

To give you a sense of the cost: we booked a package that included a guide, a porter, four meals, and a tent for one night of camping. The price was 1,450,000 IDR per person. For larger groups, the price drops significantly—once your group reaches six participants or more, the cost is only 950,000 IDR per person. While the tents are included in the package, you'll need to bring your own sleeping bag, jacket, headlamp, and any extra items like a pillow for added comfort. A thin camping mattress is provided, which adds a bit of padding but don't expect anything too luxurious—this is still mountain camping, after all.

What to Bring

Here’s a list of essentials we recommend bringing for the hike:

• 🛏 Sleeping bag (essential for warmth at night)
• 🧥 Warm jacket or sweater (it gets very cold at the campsite)
• 🧢 Windbreaker (especially useful at higher altitudes)
• 🎒 Backpack (to carry your gear, water, and snacks)
• 💡 Headlamp (crucial for the pre-dawn summit hike)
• ☔ Poncho or lightweight raincoat (weather can change quickly)
• 😎 Sunglasses and 🧴 sunscreen (especially for the exposed summit area)
• 💧 At least 2–3 liters of water per person
• 🧻 Small towel, tissue, and personal toiletries (there are no facilities)
• 💤 Small pillow (optional, for added comfort at camp)
• 👟 Proper hiking shoes with good grip (essential!)

Being properly equipped will make a big difference in your comfort and safety during the hike—don’t underestimate how cold or steep it can get!

If you don’t have all the gear, don’t worry. Many items can be easily rented in Denpasar before your hike. In some cases, your guide may also be able to help arrange or provide additional equipment upon request. It’s worth checking in advance to make sure you’re fully prepared for the overnight stay.

The Hike

The hike begins at the Taman Edelweiss basecamp, where you’ll meet your guide for a short briefing. They’ll help you double-check your supplies and give you an overview of what to expect on the trail.

Day 1: From Taman Edelweiss to the Campsite

We started the hike on day one around 10:30–11:00 a.m. from Taman Edelweiss, making our way up to the camping ground over the course of roughly five hours. The hike is divided into five sections, each taking about an hour, with a rest post between every stage. The first section—slightly over an hour—is the easiest, offering a gentler incline and a good chance to warm up. After that, the trail becomes noticeably steeper and more physically demanding, but each rest stop provides a small bench or place to sit, which makes the progression manageable.

Around the second post, we paused for a quick lunch provided by our guide, which was a welcome break before continuing the more challenging sections. Up until the third post, the hike mostly takes you through dense jungle, alternating between shaded, tree-covered areas and more exposed clearings. Because the weather can shift quickly in this part of the hike, we highly recommend bringing a lightweight raincoat or poncho—just in case.

Between the third and fourth posts, we broke through the canopy and entered a more barren, rocky landscape. At this point, we were already above the clouds, with clear skies and strong sun overhead—so sunscreen and a hat became essential. The change in terrain and views made for an exciting shift in atmosphere as we approached the camping area, already feeling the majesty of Mount Agung beneath our feet.

Camping at the Base

We arrived at the camping ground around 5:00 p.m., just in time to catch the golden hour. With the sun setting between 6:30 and 7:00 p.m., we had about an hour to relax, soak in the views, and enjoy the quiet before nightfall. Luckily, our porter had reached the site ahead of us and had already set up the tents, which was a great relief after the long hike. As we settled in, we were welcomed with hot tea and coffee along with some light snacks—perfect for recharging and enjoying the scenery above the clouds.

After a bit of rest, dinner was served around 6:30 to 7:00 p.m., prepared by our guide and porter. It was simple but satisfying, and by the time we finished eating, the temperature had dropped and it was time to get some sleep. Since the sunrise summit push starts early—between 2:00 and 3:00 a.m.—getting as much rest as possible was essential.

The camping ground itself was fairly busy, especially since we were there on a Saturday night. There were around 45 to 50 people camping, mostly local Indonesian hikers. This particular route doesn’t seem to attract many foreign tourists, so it felt like a more authentic local experience. If you're looking for a quieter and less crowded hike, you might want to consider going on a weekday instead.

One final note: don’t expect toilet facilities at the campsite. There’s no formal restroom—just a designated area used by everyone when nature calls. It’s nothing fancy, so come prepared with tissue, hand sanitizer, and a sense of adventure.

Day 2: Summit Push

We woke up around 2:00 a.m. and had a light snack to fuel up before the final ascent. By a bit after 3:00 a.m., we were on the trail, headlamps on and hiking in complete darkness. Everyone at the campsite tends to start around the same time, so the trail was quite busy at first. But as hikers found their own rhythm, the crowd began to spread out and the experience became more peaceful.

It’s essential to bring a headlamp—without it, navigating the steep and rocky terrain in the pitch-black would be nearly impossible. If the skies are clear, you’re in for a real treat: from the trail, you can see the glowing lights of Bali stretching all the way to the coastline, where the sea begins. It’s a surreal and beautiful experience to hike while the island quietly sparkles below you.

The ascent to the summit took us about two and a half hours, including a longer break of around 30 minutes midway. Guides tend to start early to make sure everyone reaches the top in time to catch the sunrise. As we neared the summit, the trail got busier again—this is where groups from the other routes converge. On the weekend we hiked, there were about 80 to 100 people at the top.

Despite the crowd, the sunrise was absolutely breathtaking. From the summit, you get panoramic views of Bali’s dramatic landscape. We could see the entire island, the nearby mountains—Mount Abang and Mount Batur—and even, in the far distance, the towering silhouette of Mount Rinjani on Lombok. Standing above the clouds as the sun lit up the horizon was a moment we won’t soon forget.

Day 2: The Descent

After soaking in the sunrise and snapping plenty of photos at the summit, it was time to begin our descent back to the campsite. The hike down from the summit took around an hour and a half. With daylight now fully illuminating the landscape, we were rewarded with stunning panoramic views of Bali in every direction—mountains, coastlines, and even the neighboring islands visible on the horizon.

Once we arrived back at the camping ground, a proper breakfast was waiting for us, and we took some time to rest and recharge. Our guide kindly offered us the option to rest longer, but we were eager to keep moving and complete the journey while our legs were still warm.

The final descent from the campsite down to the Taman Edelweiss basecamp took about three and a half hours. There wasn’t anything particularly eventful during this stretch—we were mostly just feeling the fatigue after two intense days of hiking and limited sleep. That said, the sense of accomplishment carried us through. Tired but proud, we were all incredibly happy to have made it to the top of Bali’s highest and most sacred peak.

Final Thoughts

Hiking Mount Agung was without a doubt one of the most memorable and rewarding experiences we've had in Bali. To give you a sense of the effort involved: the first day includes about five hours of hiking up to the campsite, while the second day—summiting before sunrise and then descending all the way back to base—adds up to around eight hours of hiking in total. It’s a serious challenge, but completely worth it for those ready to take it on.

This is not a hike for beginners, and preparation is key. Don’t forget essentials such as a headlamp, poncho or raincoat, sunscreen, sunglasses, and sturdy hiking shoes. Make sure you're equipped with proper hiking gear and ready for both the physical and mental demands of the climb. If you are, Mount Agung will reward you with views and moments