Among all lakes on Bali Island, Lake Batur is not only the largest but also the most popular. It is located at the foot of a mountain with the same name, Mount Batur. The lake has a crescent shape viewed from above. From a height, notice that the whole Batur area is a large caldera with a mountain and a lake inside.
This huge caldera is formed by a series of eruptions that started around 23,000 BC. It is said that the old Mount Batur is around 4.000 m above sea level before the eruption happened. Today’s Mount Batur is only 1717 meters above sea level, the height has lessened so much.
Lake Batur itself is a result of old Batur’s collapsed magma chamber which was then filled with rainwater. Unlike most areas in south Bali, this site offers chilly mountain weather. There is no trace of a modern vibe in here at Kintamani. Except for a few cafes overlooking the lake, anything here is pretty much nature.
Trekking and hunting sunrise in mount Batur are among the top activities tourists should try while in this area. There are several old villages too that have been thriving for centuries around Batur shore. Most notable is Trunyan village, a village known for its unusual way of burying the dead.
Lake Batur Entrance Fee
There is a retribution fee to visit the Kintamani area. Both domestic and international tourists will have to pay Rp25.000. A boat ride to Trunyan is Rp750.000 per trip and can be shared by up to 10 passengers. At Trunyan village, prepare small bills for donation.
| Lake Batur Entrance Fee | |
| Retribution | Rp25.000 |
See: Kintamani Volcano Mount Batur Sunrise & Trekking.
Lake Batur Opening Hours
Lake Batur is accessible to visitors all day. While the operational hours for most natural hot spring in the area is from 7 AM to 7 PM.
| Lake Batur Opening Hours | |
| Every day except Nyepi | Open 24 Hours |
| Natural Hot Spring | 07:00 – 19:00 |
Nearby: Ulun Danu Batur Temple Tips & Guide
Lake Batur Landscape
Before getting down to the lakeside, make a stop at the Kintamani viewpoint. It is located just before the U-turn heading to lake Batur. Take several minutes here to enjoy the whole landscape of the mountain and the lake. A large body of water surrounded by several mountaintops.
Mount Batur and Mount Abang on the other side. The colors are just mesmerizing. A stark contrast of clear blue water and black volcanic sand on the mountainside. Green from the hill and farmer crop. Sit, relax and appreciate the view in one of the cafes on Penelokan street.
Overall, all the cafes along Penelokan street overlook the same scene. Mount Batur and the lake. On a bright sunny day, the outdoor sitting area is the perfect spot to drink coffee that is produced in the area, Kintamani coffee.
Boat Ride
A boat ride is a great way to explore the lake. Dipping hands into the freezing water as the driver takes passengers to the best spot around the lake. Spot many fishing nets and rims spread over the lakes. As the villagers in Batur is a fish farmers and it’s what they do for a living.
By boat, tourists could also see some water temples around the lake. Like Jati Batur temple, Segara Ulun Danu Batur temple and Ulun Danu Bangli.
Terunyan Village & Cemetery
A boat ride could transport tourists too to the old village of Terunyan, where the Bali indigenous tribe lives. The people of Bali Aga or Bali Mula live across the lake, on Mount Abang’s side. They retain their own tradition and dialect. They also pride themselves as the original inhabitants of Bali.
The most peculiar ritual of Terunyan is how they treat dead people here. Pay a visit to the famous Terunyan cemetery to find out that corpses are laid out above the ground instead of being buried.
What’s strange is that there is no smell coming from the corpses. The ancient banyan trees “taru menyan” growing in this village are said to absorb the smell of decaying bodies.
Lake Batur Hot springs
Batur Natural Hot Spring consists of three pools of hot water overlooking lake Batur. It’s a nice place to dip in especially after trekking Mount Batur. While the hot water soothes the sore limbs. The view of Lake Batur and the surrounding volcanoes is for the sore eyes. To get this view, pick a spot at the infinity pool, the closest one to the lake.
Lakeside Restaurants
Freshwater fishes are the specialty of this region. It will be a shame to leave without trying a dish or two of the Lake Batur fishes. Pick a restaurant with lakeside tables in order to dine with an ultimate view of Batur.
As for the dishes, grilled fish and warm rice can be a good start. Many restaurants have a buffet style. With only Rp80.000, enjoy up to 15 dishes in one visit – it’s quite a deal.
Segara Ulun Danu Batur Temple
Not to be mistaken for Lake Beratan’s Ulun Danu Temple, Pura Segara Batur is the water temple of Lake Batur. The temple is only a small compound consisting of one pagoda Meru. However, it still offers the same amazing view as in Beratan, and a serene ambiance, since it is much quieter.
Stroll around its ground. And feel how holy and serene the atmosphere is here while the lake and the mountains add up to the overall ambiance.
Facilities
Accommodations near Batur Lake are generally affordable, with rates starting around Rp200.000 for a night. Several upscale hotels are also available by the lakeside. Restaurants can be found practically everywhere.
However, prepare cash since in the village, some don’t accept cards as payment and there isn’t any ATM nearby. The nearest ATM machine is near the line of cafes on Penelokan street.
See: Prepaid Indonesian SIM Card, Price & Data Package
How To Get To Lake Batur
From Denpasar, it takes nearly 3 hours to get to the Batur viewpoint at Bangli. It takes another half an hour to go down the winding road to the villages near the shore. Many tourists opt for a rental car to get around the area, it cost Rp500.000 to Rp700.000 for day rent.
A motorcycle provides more flexibility and is cheaper. It cost Rp50.000 to Rp70.000 for day rent. However, drive carefully as the road has quite a traffic full of vehicles, especially tourist buses. There are several routes. The most popular is the Kuta – Ngurah Rai Bypass – Ubud – Tampaksiring – Kintamani.
There is public transport that stops around the Kintamani area. But it doesn’t reach the lake. The bus, DAMRI bus departs at 8 AM from Bali airport and will stop at Ulun Danu Batur temple at around 10:15 AM. The bus fare is Rp35.000. And from the temple, it is still 13 KM to go.
See: Bali Airport Guide, Airport Transfer & Public Bus.
Address & Location
Lake Batur’s location is in Songan B village, Kintamani, Bangli regency, Bali 80652.
