Mount Agung

What You Need To Know Before Trekking to Mount Agung

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Trekking to Mount Agung is very popular among travelers in Bali.  The good thing it’s fairly accessible and there are plenty of routes to choose from. Make sure you know what you need before hiking Mount Agung.

Mount Agung “Gunung Agung” is an active volcano and the highest mountain in Bali island, Indonesia. It is located in the northeast of Bali with a stratovolcano-type crater.

Sunrise trekking is one of the most popular things to do in Bali. You can see the amazing views of Mount Agung volcano, its crater as well as its active crater lake.

The sunrise trekking at Mount Agung in Bali is also a very challenging activity so you need to be physically fit in order to enjoy it.

Is Mount Agung Safe?

Mount Agung means Great Mountain, but the name does come with its meaning. Mt. Agung rises over 3,031 meters above sea level. The summit of Mount Agung is the highest point on the island.

Yes, Mount Agung in Bali is safe to hike, but also an active volcano. Signs of upcoming volcanic activity in Agung are now constantly monitored by the Indonesian government with seismic data.

The mountain may be closed to hikers when there is a growing thermal anomaly near the summit crater or a sudden eruption.

Before climbing Mount Agung in Bali, you should check the activity level of the volcano. It’s recommended to go with a guide. The guide will give you a brief summary of the hiking conditions.

When Did The Bali Active Volcano Last Erupt?

The last time Mount Agung in Bali erupted was in 2017 started with a small phreatomagmatic explosion, then became a massive 4-kilometer-high volcanic plume that wreaked havoc on Bali.

More than 100,000 people in nearby villages of Karangasem have been evacuated and hundreds of tourist flights have been canceled or diverted. But, the largest volcanic eruption was in 1963-1964 and killed around 2,000 people.

As one of the active volcanoes. Mt Agung’s seismicity decreased since the last eruptions. But sometimes seismic activity rose along with degassing of a thin white plume from the northeast crater floor.

What Happened to Mount Agung In Bali 2017?

Mount Agung
Source: backgrid

The last eruption was in Mount Agung Bali Indonesia from 2017 to 2019. In August 2017, Mount Agung suddenly woke with unusual heat currents and a marked earthquake became an active volcano.

After a gradual increase over several months, between September 16th and September 22nd, 2017, the quake rate and seismic energy increased rapidly from tens of times per day to hundreds of times per day.

The volcanic eruption began on 21 November. The most intense explosive eruptions are accompanied by rapid lava flows between 25 and 29 November.

The volcanic ash cloud soared into the air, triggering an aviation emergency that forced the closure of Ngurah Rai International Airport.

However, lava has impacted houses, roads, and agricultural areas. At that time, Authority announced a more than 12-kilometer exclusion zone. Now, Mount Agung is still known as an active volcano.

The latest news of Mount Agung erupting is based on ground reports, satellite imagery, and wind model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 3 April an ash plume from Agung rose to 3.7 km

How Long Does It Take To Climb Mount Agung?

The trekking route is about 8 km long, and it takes around 12 hours roundtrip. The path is medium to hard to follow, but you do need some stamina to make it up the mountain. It’s a very rewarding hike though.

Most Agung climbers start around midnight, the trail starts with a dirt path, steep slopes, rock hopping, and scrambling over rocks are becoming commonplace, and you can even get down on all fours near the summit. You can see the sunrise at the Agung crater rim.

Long pants are essentials to protect your knee, gloves for gripping rocks and leaves, and winter gear at the summit. Head Lamp is a life hack.

What is The Best Time To Hike?

it can be challenging to find the perfect time for your hiking activities. Every month or season has advantages.  The best time to hike is when the weather conditions are dry April to October. Sometimes late august can be pretty challenging since it is windy. The weather can be tricky on the mountain so always prepare a rain jacket.

For hikers who want to experience the sunrise, it’s best to start the trek at midnight. Many hikers prefer him to leave at 23:00. Some people prefer to start at 2 am. It depends on how fast the person walks.

How To Get to Agung Volcano?

If you just arrive on the Island of Bali, you can rent a car or immediately book a tour from Ngurah Rai International Airport. If you are already staying in Bali, find the local tour sometimes it cost you IDR 900,000 depending on the season.

There are two routes to trekking Agung volcano: From The Puru Pasar Agung takes 4-5 hours to the Crater Rim. Another way is from the Pura Besakih takes 6-7 hours to the summit crater. Most tours recommend Pura Besakih as the best route.

What Do You See In Mount Agung in Bali?

Sunrise In mount agung
Source: Freepik

As an active volcano, Mount Agung has four peaks. The lowest peak can be reached from the Pura Pasar Agung Trail. The Pura Besakih Trail has three peaks. The first two are easily accessible. To reach the final summit where you can see the crater.

You can smell the presence of a small, persistent plume and sulfurous-smelling gases. It began in October 2017 after steam emissions had visibly increased from the previous eruptions.

From the top of the mountain, you can see the whole of Bali from the highest point, you can also see the peak of Mount Rinjani on Lombok, although both mountains are often covered in clouds.

Tips While Climbing Gunung Agung

  • Mount Agung in Bali is an active volcano and is considered a very sacred place in Hinduism and you can see several shrines built on the slopes along the way. The trek may not be possible during Hindu religious ceremonies, which are common in April.
  • Everyone’s experience is different, but some people get altitude sickness. Be sure to drink plenty of water (a few liters!) to avoid symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and flu-like symptoms.
  • Be prepared for some pretty extreme temperatures on your trek to Mount Agung. Make sure to pack layers as it can be windy during the climb and temperatures can drop at the summit.

Are You Going To See Sunrise In Mount Agung?

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