read this before going for "let's climb a volcano adventure" in bali

Most of the tourists somehow conveniently forget this fact when they visit. Their normal routine goes by partying for days at the trendiest spots and then sudden revelation of “let’s go climb a volcano”. Here everything changes and the tourists become different for the locals.While most tourist that visit Bali do their proper research considering the local culture and the information that is provided by the local administration or tourism department, some tourist just in the heat of the moment plan that overnight climb at the last minute. This is where things can go wrong as most of them have not researched about it. They are then more concerned about where to get the coffee earliest in the morning but are not aware of the Balinese cultural practices,beliefs and traditions.

 Mount Batur is the second most sacred mountain in Bali so there are some important things that you need to know and take in consider and no we are not going to talk about what hiking gear or boots you are going to need. A lot of effort, money and time is invested by Balinese people in terms of ceremonies and offerings to Mount Batur. The locals living around the Mount Batur hold huge ceremonies after every 6 months along with countless small ceremonies every now and then.As Mount Batur and Lake Batur both are sacred sites, one needs to be properly covered up when climbing you should not be wearing any revealing clothes as a respect. Also it is very cold up there so you normally need to wear proper warm clothes. A lot of tourists complain about locals of that area to be termed as aggressive, we can simply answer that by looking at the clothes they are wearing. Most females are wearing small booty shorts, men in single tops, this shows that they have not considered the feelings and traditions of the locals. As per local traditions and beliefs, single tops are to be worn only inside the house and not out in the open, wearing that while visiting any other area is frowned upon. Booty shorts are totally out of question as they are never worn by the locals and covering yourself from navel to knee is a must.

Just for your information majority of the Balinese guide are normally to shy to point this out to the tourists on a day trip thinking that tourist may feel disrespected or get angry and may not use the services further. In the Kintamani surrounding, the locals are truly traditional, you will see a lot of elderly farmers. Elder women here wear sarong so seeing a girl wearing a booty short with naked thighs is a shock for them and considered disrespectful so as a result you may feel a hostile aggressive approach. Sometimes you can get a thumbs up from a local old man as an appreciation when he sees you wearing a t-shirt and a batik sarong.So we strongly suggest and request that when you go out in Bali on a drive or a walk wear modest clothes. The respect isn't just about wearing proper clothes or following instructions while visiting temples, a lot of other things that you normally don't know are sacred as well for example rice fieldsrivers are sacred, lakes are sacred, mountains are sacred, so that just about covers 3/4 of Bali. 

So again if you are not going to the beach do take a moment to reconsider what you are going to wear. Balinese are also superstitious people, there are many beliefs, we could go into these beliefs, but it would take up too many pages, many superstitions mean that you may be thought of as instead of a visitor, a demon disguised to trick the people...hmmm ponder that one, when you decide on what to wear..So for the tourist who really care about the people of this area here is some information which can help you:Mount Batur is believed to be the home of Lord Brahma according to the local Balinese people. The frequent activity in Mount Batur is a symbolization of Fiery Brahma. So a lot of offering is made when there is significant activity to appease and please the fiery God. Dewi Danu is believed to be the sacred Lake Goddess by the locals and there are temples dedicated just to her. 

The Goddess is believed to give the soil fertility which maintains the life balance around the lake and you will see some amazing ripe vegetable farms around the lake when you go for the climb at Mount Batur.Most tourist who complain about why hiring a guide is mandatory to climb Mount Batur they need to know that everything that is normal to you is unusual for the people of the area. So just like Balinese people as they do not question but respect others belief you need to respect theirs.There are licensed, trained Guides that will escort you up Mt Batur, this is their job, their livelihood. Other Balinese know this, and do not just take a tourist up Mt Batur.  Just like you don’t go to the Post Office and start sorting the mail, it’s not your job.

Here are the most important things to follow before climbing Mount Batur.

You can't climb Mount Batur if you are pregnant, the same rule as the temples.

Make sure you visit the bathroom before going to Mount Batur as there are no toilets and it is a sacred place so if you feel the urge, hold it till you climb down.

No Drugs or Alcohol during or on the climbNo kissing or PDA Stay on your feet and do not pose in headstands or yoga poses that point your feet up, unlike India this is considered very rude and it is considered as one of the most disrespectful act towards Dewi Danu.

While this may sound a bit unrealistic but do not die on Mount Batur, so follow your Guide's instruction to the heart because if you die on the mountain it will be a tragedy to your family but it will also be a huge burden for the locals as they will have to perform a cleansing ceremony which is very expensive.

And mainly we reiterate again and again, respect the locals, respect their beliefs and respect the place you are visiting.

Other than paying your Guide, there is a mandatory fee to the mountain (payable to your Guide, or at the Guide Association office at Toya Bungkah),  100,000IDR per person. This was introduced after some major landslides in the area and this money is spent on local development, you can see the new road  that the money has been used for to get from Kedisan to Mt Batur.Another ticket you pay for is at Kintamani area which is for your accidental insurance, it will cover your liaise and travel insurer. So make sure you have proper travel insurance as the local one is not going to cover after you have left the area.So God forbid if you have any unfortunate accident at the Mountain, you guide will call a rescue team and your ticket will be covering your cost for rescue. 

However if you like to be a bad tourist and love breaking the rules, here is a question; you go alone have an accident who are you going to call or how are you going to get in touch with the rescue team? Also your rescue cost will have to be covered by someone else.  There are countless examples of locals volunteering countless hours risking their own lives to save silly inconsiderate tourists who preferred going alone.We strongly belief that tourists visiting any part of the world should adhere and adapt to the place, not to expect the people/place to adapt to the tourists.