Venture to the Top and Conquer some of Bali’s Most Impressive Volcanic Peaks

Other than the beaches, oceans, waves and the colorful culture the people bring, Bali is also dominated by volcanoes. Sometimes, they seem to just follow you everywhere. These are massive, impressive pieces of nature, and for some, obstacles in which to conquer. Keep in mind that these forces of nature are still very much active. But that shouldn’t deter you; the outdoor adventurer, shouldn’t it? Well, read on for some insight into two of Bali’s fire mountains. Mount Agung Perhaps none is more famous, imposing and respected as the 3142 meter Mount Agung, representing Bali’s highest point. The mountain is so revered that an equally holy temple, Besakih Temple (also known as the Mother Temple) is built on its southern slope. Ironically, it was almost toppled by the very volcano it paid homage to. An eruption in 1963 left nothing spared in its path of destruction. Lava flow destroyed villages and sadly killed approximately 1700 people. This very lava flow, however, missed the temple by mere meters. The fact that the temple was saved from actual destruction is regarded as a miracle by the locals, a signal from the gods that they wished to demonstrate their power but not destroy the monument the Balinese faithful had erected. Alright, now to the fun part. The volcano is very much a hiker’s paradise. True, the lower sections of the mountain contains lush forests and animals, but these become less frequent as you go up, a result of volcanic rock and accumulation of ash from previous eruptions. It is also interesting to notice that one side of Mount Agung is actually greener than the other. Clouds appear on the western half of the mountain more than the east, resulting in more rainfall there. In fact, there are almost no clouds in the east. So, you want a challenge? Mount Agung can provide you with one. Be wary though, conditions can get rough! First off, you’ll have to deal with the constant weather changes. Hot one minute, cold the other. Imagine that. Plus, the barren nature of the upper portions makes it so dry that water is pretty scarce. What many do instead is opt for an evening climb for a sunrise arrival at the peak. And you will not be disappointed.