In the middle of this bowl (crater) is the active volcano Mount Batur (1717 meters) and at the foot of the
volcano is the beautiful lake Danau Batur. Since 1824, this volcano has erupted more than 20 times.
Since the last eruption in 2000, there is still steam coming out of the crater. Despite its activity the volcano is usually safe to climb.
Bali mountains are considered sacred. After all, this is the home of the gods. When the Mount Batur erupted in 1917, Batur
village was almost completely destroyed, but the destructive lava flow stopped in front of the village temple. That was seen as a good sign.
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The village was then rebuilt, but in 1926, fate hit again. This time only the altar was spared and dozens of people died. The village was rebuilt again and the altar was put in the new temple Pura Ulun Danau Batur.
The large crater in the middle is Batur. On the far left is the Gunung Agung.
Many people come to climb the volcano in the morning to enjoy the spectacular sunrise. The climb is not as difficult as that of the Gunung Agung. To enjoy the best, you need to get out of bed early. Because the guides leave because at 4am in the morning from the town of Toya Bungkah. After a long walk it's nice to take a break in a hot spring. Another town where you can start with the climbing of the volcano is Songan, which is on the north side of the lake. You can also start in Kedisan, a very small town between Penelokan and Purajati.
Those, who want to climb in the morning, better stay in a hotel or guesthouse on the lake. There are several accomodations for those people. Some hotels even rent bikes to tourists ,so that they also have a bike ride in the area. Kintamani, Batur and Penelokan villages sit on the rim of the huge Batur bowl about 1,500m above sea level, and offer dramatic views of the active volcano Mount Batur and serene Lake Batur. Toyo Bungkah village is down at the lake edge.