Can you climb Mount Agung, and is it dangerous?
Agung is Bali's highest peak (just over 3,000 m, or about 10,000 ft) and its sacred mountain: for the Balinese it is the spiritual centre of the island, and on its flank stands Besakih, the "mother temple" (see "Religion and temples"). It is also an active volcano.
Its history is turbulent. The 1963 eruption killed around 1,500 people and ranks among the biggest of the 20th century. Between 2017 and 2019 it woke up again: evacuations, ash plumes, the closure of Bali's airport in November 2017, and further episodes in 2018 and 2019. The climb stayed officially closed from 2017 to 2020.
Can you climb it today? Yes, with a compulsory guide, but access can close without notice (volcanic activity, ceremonies, especially in April). Check 48 hours before with your guide or the official MAGMA Indonesia app.
The two routes:
- Via Pura Pasar Agung (south): 3 to 5 hours up, 1,400-1,700 m (4,600-5,600 ft) of elevation gain, starting around 1-2am. It stops near the crater rim, about a hundred metres below the summit.
- Via Pura Besakih (west): 6 to 7 hours up, 1,850-2,000 m (6,100-6,600 ft) of elevation gain, starting around 10-11pm. The last hour is very steep, sometimes on all fours.
Prices: roughly US$70-125 a person for Pasar Agung, and US$100-170 for the summit via Besakih, with a private guide and a night transfer.
Verdict: this climb is for experienced hikers in genuinely good shape. For a first volcano, choose Batur. And if you don't climb, Agung is easy to enjoy from Amed, Sidemen or Tirta Gangga.
Tip: respect the mountain's sacred character: follow your guide's instructions, and turn back if the ceremony or the weather requires it.
Prices, hours and rules checked in October 2026. Confirm before you travel.
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