About Kintamani

Kintamani sits high up in Bali's northern mountains at about 1,500 meters above sea level, making it one of the coolest spots on the island. This highland region is famous for its massive volcanic crater lake - Lake Batur - and the still-active Mount Batur volcano that rises from its center. The temperature here is way different from the coast, staying around 18-22°C (64-72°F) during the day and dropping to 12-15°C (54-59°F) at night.

The area is about 1.5 hours drive from Ubud through winding mountain roads with incredible views the whole way up. What makes Kintamani special is the dramatic landscape - you're literally looking down into a huge volcanic crater with a lake and active volcano. The local Balinese consider this area sacred, and you'll see plenty of important temples scattered around the rim. Agriculture is big here too, with terraced vegetable farms and coffee plantations taking advantage of the cool climate. It's nothing like the tropical beaches - more like being in a completely different country.

Highlights of Kintamani

Mount Batur sunrise trek is the main draw - you'll hike up in the dark and watch the sun come up over the crater lake from 1,717 meters high. The trek takes about 2 hours and costs around 350,000-450,000 IDR ($25-32) with a guide. Lake Batur itself is huge - 16 square kilometers - and you can take boat trips or just enjoy the views from the rim restaurants.

The Kintamani viewpoint along the main road gives you that classic postcard shot of the volcano and lake without any hiking. Pura Ulun Danu Batur is one of Bali's most important water temples, sitting right on the crater rim with amazing architecture. Toya Devasya hot springs are perfect after a long hike - natural volcanic hot pools with lake views for 150,000 IDR ($11) entry. The coffee plantations here produce some of Bali's best beans, and many offer free tastings with spectacular mountain views.

Travel tips for Kintamani

Bring warm layers - it gets seriously cold, especially for sunrise treks when temperatures drop to 8-10°C (46-50°F)
Rent a car with a driver for 600,000-800,000 IDR ($42-56) per day since the mountain roads are tricky and parking is limited
Book sunrise treks the day before through your accommodation - most include hotel pickup around 2-3 AM
Carry cash since ATMs are rare up here and many places don't take cards
Download offline maps because cell service gets spotty in the mountains
Pack snacks and water - food options are limited and more expensive than coastal areas

Location & map

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Kintamani

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Things to do in Kintamani

Hike Mount Batur for sunrise - the most popular trek starts at 3:30 AM for a 6:15 AM sunrise.
Take a boat trip across Lake Batur to the hot springs on the opposite shore.
Visit Toya Devasya natural hot springs to soak in volcanic mineral water with lake views.
Explore the traditional villages around the crater rim where locals grow vegetables in the volcanic soil.
Try the famous Kintamani coffee at one of the mountain plantations with free tastings.
Walk around Penelokan area for different viewpoints of the crater without hiking.
Visit Pura Ulun Danu Batur temple complex, especially important for Balinese water ceremonies.
Take photos at the various scenic stops along the crater rim road.

Best time to visit Kintamani

April through September offers the clearest views and best weather for hiking, with less chance of clouds blocking the mountain views. The dry season means better visibility for those incredible crater photos. Sunrise treks are possible year-round, but during rainy season (October-March) you might get clouds instead of views.

Early morning is definitely the best time - not just for sunrise treks but also for clear views before afternoon clouds roll in. Weekdays are way less crowded than weekends when domestic tourists flood the area. If you're not doing the sunrise hike, arrive by 8-9 AM for the clearest lake views. Avoid Indonesian holidays when accommodation prices double and the viewpoints get packed. The temperature difference between day and night is huge year-round, so always pack warm clothes even if it's hot at your beach hotel.