Gunung Agung

Mount Agung

It dominates the surrounding area influencing the climate. The clouds come from the west and Agung takes their water so that the west is lush and green and the east dry and barren.

Gunung Agung last erupted in 1963-64 and is still active, with a large and very deep crater which occasionally belches smoke and ash. From a distance, the mountain appears to be perfectly conical, despite the existence of the large crater. The highest point is on the southwest part of the rim, a barren and rocky hill of fine volcanic rock. The summit area is above the treeline, due to the high winds and sterilizing effects of recent volcanic activity, but it is understandable that the summit never sees any snow.

Still, the weather of the surrounding rainforests of Bali is almost always cloudy, and the potentially awesome view of the entire island spread out beneath you is extremely rare. Rinjani (3726m/12,224') on the neighboring island of Lombok is often visble above the clouds, though.

The most commonly given altitude for Agung is 3142 meters / 10308 feets, but this is an old elevation that does not take into account a volcanic eruption in 1963. So the actual optimistic prominence is 3014 meters / 9888 feets.

The best way to the peak is from the parking by the Pura Pasar Agung, from where it's just only 3 kilometers of distance, around 1400 meters of elevation and around 2 - 4 hours to get there. You can take the guide by the parkong for 350.000 rupiah for max. 4 persons. Half of the way is quite easy in the jungle, but than on the open rock it is already more difficult - very strong wind and not quite well visible way. So I suggest you take the guide, because to find the way over the rocky walls is sometime quite confusing.

The best time to go there is to be at the peak for sunrise, which is at 6:00 - 6:30 (depends on the part of the year). And because at the top is very cold (around 4°C) and strong wind (around 60 km/h) I suggest you to well calculate the time when start you trip to prevent of the long waiting for sunrise. I get there always approximatly in 3 hours.

When you will climb up during the night I suggest you to take the head-lamp, warm cloths (long trausers, T-Shirt, jumper and wind-proof jacket with hood or cap), good trekking shoes, 1,5 litters of drinking watter and some breakfast.

Photo Hint ( Open in new window )