An active volcano, still steaming in places, sitting inside a much larger crater left by an older eruption. The summit trek is the main draw, but the mountain looks just as good from the rim.
Bali's largest lake, filling the eastern side of the caldera. The water is used for irrigation across a wide part of the island, and there are villages along the shore that see very few visitors.
The main lookout on the caldera rim. Restaurants line the road here, most with the same view. Mid morning is usually clearest before cloud builds up.
Geothermal pools on the lake shore, heated by the volcano. Good after a sunrise trek when your legs are finished.
An old Balinese village across the lake, reached by boat, with burial customs unlike anywhere else on the island. Worth understanding before you go, and not for everyone.
A large temple on the rim, rebuilt higher up after the 1926 eruption buried the original. Quieter than the famous water temples.
Pickup around 2am, on the trail by 4am, at the top for sunrise. About two hours up, a little less down. A local trekking guide takes you from the base, and that part is not optional on this mountain.
The 4WD version. Up onto the black lava field and the lower slopes without the climb. Suits anyone who wants the sunrise but not four hours on foot, and it's the better choice with kids or older parents.
The simplest version. Leave at a normal hour, arrive mid morning, eat with the volcano in front of you. No alarm at 1am.
On the road between Ubud and Kintamani. Expect a tasting flight and a strong push to buy luwak coffee. Worth a stop, and you're free to skip the expensive part.
Downhill most of the way, through villages and rice fields, back toward Ubud. Easy riding, and a good way to spend the second half of a sunrise day.
Destination
