Unexpected Adventures and Serene Escapes: a 3 Day 2 Night Trip to Kintamani, Bali

I began my journey at 4 am from Denpasar to reach El Lago café to catch the sunrise. The drive took around 1.5 to 2 hours. Sadly, it was raining heavily when I arrived, and I couldn't see the sunrise. However, I decided to make the most of it and had breakfast at the café instead. The breakfast cost was approximately 50,000 to 100,000 rupiah per person. El Lago café is also famous for its photo spot, which features a glass balcony offering breathtaking views of Mount Agung, Mount Batur, and Mount Abang in the background. You can definitely capture stunning pictures (if you're lucky) while enjoying your time there.

The next stop was (free of charge) Batur Geopark. Batur Geopark is a UNESCO Global Geopark that encompasses the volcanic landscapes around Mount Batur and Lake Batur. It offers you a chance to explore volcanic formations, learn about the region's geological history, and experience the unique cultural heritage of the local communities.

Continuing my exploration, I made my way to Pura Ulun Danu Batur. Although there was no official entrance fee, visitors were kindly requested to make a voluntary donation of 10,000 rupiah per person. Additionally, we were provided with sarongs to respectfully wear during our visit. This allowed us to experience the serene beauty of the temple while honoring the local customs and traditions.

I had initially planned to visit Trunyan Village, but after reading the reviews on Google, I became hesitant. It seemed that the village had become quite expensive to visit, and more dishearteningly, the cemetery area was reported to be in a dirty condition. I was afraid the experience might not be worth it, so I started exploring other options for my trip.

Feeling disappointed with the reviews about Trunyan Village, I shifted my plans and decided to head to Batur Natural Hotspring instead. Upon arrival, I paid the entrance fee of 70,000 rupiah per person as an Indonesian visitor (or 190,000 rupiah for foreigners). They provided towels and a locker for convenience. The hotspring boasted an array of eight pools, each offering varying levels of warmth. To add an extra touch of excitement, they even had three slides, making my time there even more enjoyable.

After feeling tired, I went to Bali Sunrise Camp and Glamping for my stay for the next 2 days. Shockingly, reaching the campsite proved to be quite challenging as the road was treacherous, with a lot of steep ups and downs. My motorbike couldn't carry 2 people going up, so 1 person had to walk and hike the road. No wonder why the price was cheap during the long weekend. However, upon arriving, I was greeted by a breathtaking view that made it all worth it. The staff were incredibly kind, and actually, you can get picked up from a flat road to pass a steep incline.

I opted for a tent accommodation which offered shared toilet and bathroom facilities, and at just 210,000 rupiah per night, it was an affordable choice. The following day, I decided to take a break from traveling and simply relished my time at the campsite. I spent the day simply relaxing, soaking in the stunning views of the two magnificent mountains while savoring the most delicious Mujair Nyat-Nyat I had ever tasted. Later on, I upgraded to a cozy lumbung room with a private toilet and bathroom, which came at a reasonable price of 230,000 rupiah per night.

On my final day, I embarked on an exciting Jeep Tour to Batur Mountain and Black Lava. Since I made a spontaneous decision, I booked the tour just 8 hours before it commenced, right from the campsite. The price for the Jeep Tour was 750,000 rupiah for 2 to 3 people in one jeep. We began our adventure at 4:30 am, aiming to witness the breathtaking sunrise atop Batur Mountain. Unfortunately, the weather wasn't cooperative, with cloudy skies obscuring the sun. Again. Undeterred, at 6 am, we headed to Black Lava to explore the fascinating lava rock ruins and capture some memorable photos. Finally, at 8 am, we concluded our tour and made our way back to the campsite, cherishing the memories of the remarkable journey.

As the day progressed, I made my way back to Denpasar around 11 am. However, I decided to take a detour and stop at Montana del cafe for a delightful lunch and to capture some pictures at their famous photo spot. The cost for a satisfying and complete lunch ranged from 50,000 to 100,000 rupiah per person. Additionally, I visited Paperhills and Eco Bike Cafe, where I indulged in a comforting cup of coffee accompanied by a delicious slice of cake. Despite encountering a few setbacks and the uncooperative weather, my vacation remained a tranquil and relaxing experience.