Batur, Active volcano in Kintamani highlands, Indonesia

Mount Batur is an active stratovolcano in the Kintamani district of Bangli Regency, Bali, Indonesia, rising about 700 metres above Lake Batur within a 13.8 by 10 km caldera. It consists of three cones, Batur I, II and III, each with its own crater. The summit holds two high points split by a shallow notch, and the upper slopes are cut by deep gullies above a broad dark lava field.

Formation happened through two major collapses of the magma chamber roughly 29,300 and 20,150 years ago. Several eruptions during the 20th century reshaped the inner cone and affected surrounding villages.

According to the Lontar Susana Bali, Mount Batur is the peak of Mount Mahameru moved by Batara Pasupati to become the Sthana Betari Danuh, the palace of the goddess Danu. At certain times Balinese Hindus from across the island come to Batur to present suwinih offerings to drive pests from their fields, and the area is held to become fertile as a result. Water from Lake Batur is believed to emerge as springs elsewhere on Bali and is regarded as Tirta Suci, holy water.

Hikers typically begin their climb around 4 AM and follow a roughly 3-kilometer (1.9-mile) trail with 500 meters (1,640 feet) of elevation gain to the top. Sturdy shoes and warm layers are advisable, as temperatures at the summit can be much cooler than in the valley below.

At the summit, hikers use the heat from steam vents to cook eggs or bananas. These natural openings reach temperatures that allow food to cook within minutes.