Kintamani
Above the Clouds, Below the Volcano
About Kintamani
Kintamani is Bali's highland, a world away from the beach resorts of the south — cooler, quieter, and dominated by one of the most dramatic landscapes in Indonesia. The caldera rim road at Penelokan offers a view that stops conversation: Lake Batur, six kilometres wide, lying in the floor of an ancient collapsed volcano, with the active Gunung Batur cone rising from the lake's edge and the older, more massive Gunung Abang forming the opposite wall. The Batur volcano has erupted over twenty times in the past two hundred years — most recently in 2000 — and its presence is both beautiful and visceral. Villages on the caldera rim have a different culture from the south: the Bali Aga people, Bali's original inhabitants who predate the arrival of Majapahit Hinduism, have communities here that maintain ancient practices including the famous funeral rites at Trunyan village on the lake shore.
Highlights
- Gunung Batur Sunrise Trek
- Lake Batur
- Caldera Rim Viewpoint
- Trunyan Bali Aga Village
- Kintamani Coffee Plantations
Experiences
2 Experiences in Kintamani
Don't Miss
Essential Kintamani
Gunung Batur Sunrise Trek
A two-hour climb to the 1,717-metre summit, starting at 4am. The sunrise from the caldera rim — with the lake below, Agung behind, and Lombok visible on clear mornings — is one of the great dawn experiences in Southeast Asia.
Lake Batur by Boat
The caldera lake is best understood from its surface. Boat trips to the natural hot springs on the lake shore, and to Trunyan village where the Bali Aga practise open-air burial in a sacred banyan grove, take two to three hours.
Kintamani Coffee Plantations
Kintamani's volcanic soil produces Arabica coffee with a bright, citrusy profile. Several plantations on the road between Ubud and the caldera offer tours and tastings — including the famous luwak (civet) coffee.
Practical Tips
Before You Go
Book the Batur sunrise trek through a licensed guide via the local guide association. Solo trekking on the volcano is not recommended.
Bring a jacket — temperatures at the summit can drop to 10°C before dawn even in the dry season.
The caldera rim road is frequently foggy from midday to evening. Morning visits have the clearest views.
Luwak coffee tastings are widely available but vary in authenticity. Ask whether the civets are wild or caged; the ethical difference is significant.
Ready to explore?
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Handpicked by people who know the island. Every experience is led by a local.