We love Bali for a sheer number of reasons; its beautiful beach clubs, serene rice paddies, mouthwatering Balinese cuisine, therapeutic body massages and more. But the highlight of our recent trip to Bali was the strenuous hike up Mount Batur – an active volcano located 1,717 metres above sea level – where we caught the most gorgeous sunrise in our entire lifetime.

Like most other travellers, we wanted to catch the glorious sun rising from the horizon and that meant we had to start our ascent at an unearthly 4am in complete darkness. Armed with nothing but a mini torchlight, we navigated our way up the unpaved mountain. The route was extremely steep and narrow, and we urge those suffering from scotophobia and acrophobia to think twice.

But trust us, the high from watching the stunning sunrise is absolutely worth the physical pain. From sacrificing sleep, hiking in pitch darkness to wearing appropriate clothing, here are 9 Things One Should Expect and Prepare For When Trekking Up Mount Batur Before Sunrise.

#1 IT IS TOUGH AND NOT FOR EVERYONE

We don’t want to give you false hopes and claim that the hike is easy because it really isn’t. The entire trek covers approximately 12.5 kilometres and it would take slightly more than two hours to reach the summit. Getting down the mountain is even more challenging as the descent is characterised by slippery scree fields, broken rock fragments and steep inclinations.

A fellow hiker in our group gave up midway and she was a fit yogi, mind you. Evidently, stamina is not the only prerequisite – those who are afraid of darkness and heights will have to overcome their fears too.

#2 SACRFICING SLEEP IS MANDATORY

We left Ubud at 2.30am and commenced our climb at 4am. Those living in Uluwatu, Kuta or Sanur area would have to leave at 1.15am, 1.30am and 1.45am respectively. We suggest you have an early night (sleep in the evening) so that you are well rested for the exhausting trek.

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#3 YOU WILL BE HIKING UP IN DARKNESS

You are climbing up an active volcano after all, so don’t expect lampposts to light up your pathway. There isn’t even a pathway to begin with… Bring along a handy torchlight with you just in case your tour guide runs out of torches.

#4 BE IN THE RIGHT ATTIRE

Don’t let Bali’s warm and humid climate fool you. Temperatures do dip during dawn so it is recommended that you bring along a light windbreaker. Do not overdress though – the key is to layer! You are bound to break into beads of perspiration, so we recommend wearing a tank top and a pair of long pants. It is best to cover up your legs in case you fall and scrap your knees.

Needless to say, for your own safety, please wear comfortable trekking or sports shoes. Any other footwear should not be considered.

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#5 LOOK UP FOR A SKY FULL OF STARS

Walking endlessly for two hours in darkness is not only physically draining but mentally challenging too. Each time you are bored out of your wits or find yourself almost reaching the saturation point of exhaustion, look up and gaze at the countless number of twinkling stars! That should keep you going and will make the hike worth the while.

#6 WATCH YOUR FOOTING OR RISK FALLING

As you proceed further into the hike, you will realise that the ground gets looser and slopes get steeper. Do watch your footing as one wrong step could result in dire consequences. Falling while making your way down the steep and slippery slopes is actually common – yes, we fell.

#7 FOLLOW YOUR LOCAL GUIDE CLOSELY

The numerous operating tour groups can cause confusion when you arrive at the peak of Mount Batur. Follow your tour guide closely or you might lose him/her in the sea of people. The last thing you want to happen is to be stranded alone and struggle to find your way back, especially when there are multiple routes to descend.

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#8 BEWARE OF THE WILD MONKEYS

Wild monkeys are aplenty and while they may look adorable, please refrain from provoking them. These creatures, however tiny, are actually very aggressive – some actually tried to attack the hikers who had bananas with them. Do take extra precaution if you’re carrying food.

#9 TAKE YOUR CAMERA WITH YOU

The view from up above is one so incredibly stunning and unbelievably gorgeous, and surely you would want some pictures for memory keepsake. But we’d say bring along a compact one that will not weigh you down.