Climbed Batur a couple of days ago for dawn – very straightforward as the starting point is at about 1,050m meaning less than 700m to climb. The guides seemed pretty pleasant this time though the (over-priced) warung owners are continually looking for customers. The guides talk of three different lengths of hike – short (just to the first warung at 1,550m and back) – medium (a circuit of the rim) – long (a circuit of the rim and an exploration of the crater area). Most people just do the short hike but if you want to reach the highest point make sure you do the circuit. I did the round trip in about 3 and a half hours. The highest point is the narrow section of the rim – past all the warungs (3 or 4 in all) and just above and a little way beyond a spot where guides boil eggs for hikers in natural hot water on the side of the crater cliffs. In additional to the great views of Agung and the forested Abang in the foreground on the opposite side of the lake, there are some suprb views to the Batukaru mountains west of Batur when you get further round the rim itself. I then descended down through lava fields where there seems to be some minor quarrying activity going on and where there is a small temple – apparently much larger before a recent eruption covered the area in black lava rocks. All in all, a fabulous and easy hike. There are tour agents all over Bali who can arrange transport for you but if you’re on your own it could be quite expensive so much better to try to join a trip with others (plenty agents can pick you up at Kuta, Sanur or Ubud at 2am on the way). Expect to pay no more than Rp400,000 each including guide, transport there and back and a couple of eggs and coffee.

I went there last weekend.
You just need around 2 hours to reach the TOP. A great Sunrise also nice track to the top.

Batur is a geological wonderland.A big exposed hole in the earth with a caldera and a strato volcano. Indeed the the guides can be pushy,and they will even try to tack on more guides to your group as your push torwards the summit. A quick summit with ethereal views of the Kintamani lake, marslike landscape with lush green hues contrasting the jagged black volcanic rock.Great place to catch a sunrise and see Agung and Rinjani under a purple and orange Balinese sun.