Indonesia - The Rough Guide to Southeast Asia on a Budget - page 264

CLIMBING GUNUNG AGUNG
At 3014m, Gunung Agung is the highest Balinese peak and visible from throughout eastern
Bali. The spiritual centre of Bali, it is believed that the spirits of the ancestors of the Balinese
people dwell there. Climbing is forbidden at certain times because of religious festivals .
Weather-wise, the dry season (April to mid-Oct) is best; don't contemplate it during January
and February, the wettest months. You'll need walking boots, a torch, water and snacks; for the
descent, a stout stick is handy.
ROUTES
There are two main routes. From Pura Pasar Agung , it's at least a three-hour climb with an
ascent of almost 2000m, so you'll need to set out at 3am or earlier to get to the top for sunrise.
From Besakih, the climb is longer (5-7hr) and much more challenging; you'll need to leave
between 10pm and midnight. A third, less-used, route, from Dukuh Bujangga Sakti , inland
from Kubu on the north coast, involves starting out in the afternoon, camping on the
mountain and completing the three hours to the summit pre-dawn.
GUIDES
If you want to trek at night to make it in time for sunrise, it's probably a good idea to engage a
guide, but be prepared to barter (very) hard. The local organization of trekking guides has
people on stand-by at Pura Pasar Agung day and night (from Rp350,000 for a guide for one
or two people). At Besakih, arrange guides at the tourist o ce (from Rp700,000 per guide for
two people).
Closest to Pura Pasar Agung is Gung Bawa, Jl Sri Jaya Pangus 33, Selat ( T 0812 387 8168,
W gb trekking.blogspot.com), which charges Rp500,000-700,000 per person.
Inevitably, prices are higher if you arrange the trek from further afield. Options include:
Bali Sunrise 2001 in Ubud ( T 0818 552669, W balisunrisetours.com; from Rp1,000,000/
person depending on the pick-up point), who pick up pretty much anywhere on Bali;
and Perama (contact any of their o ces W peramatour.com; Rp1,000,000/person, minimum
two people).

4

a big volleyball pitch just behind the
harbour, with a permanent game going
on that anyone can join.
Padang Bai is a good base for diving,
and the sites at Blue Lagoon attract eels,
wrasses, turtles, flatheads and lion fish
- plus there's a good chance of spotting
sharks. he operators also arrange dive
trips further afield to Nusa Penida, Amed,
Tulamben, Candi Dasa and Gili Selang.

By shuttle bus Perama buses stop at their o ce near
the port entrance (daily 7am-7pm; T 0363 41419,
W peramatour.com).
Destinations Candi Dasa (3 daily; 30min); Gili Islands via
ferry (daily; 5-6hr); Kuta/Ngurah Rai Airport (3 daily; 2hr
30min); Lovina (daily; 2hr 30min-3hr; Rp125,000); Sanur
(3 daily; 1hr 30min-2hr); Senggigi via public ferry (daily;
5-6hr; there's also another service via Perama's fast boat);
Ubud (3 daily; 2hr-2hr 30min).

INFORMATION
Tourist o ce The closest tourist o ce is in Candi Dasa
(see p.268). The glossy magazine Agung , widely distri-
buted across the island, is a good source of information
and has an up-to-date map of the village.

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
By plane A taxi to/from Ngurah Rai Airport is around
Rp315,000.
By bemo Bemos from Semarapura and Amlapura stop at
the port entrance at the western end of the bay, and
everything is within easy walking distance.
Destinations Amlapura (45min); Candi Dasa (20min);
Denpasar (Batubulan terminal; 2hr); Semarapura (30min).
By ferry The public ferry from Lembar on Lombok arrives
at the port, and departs every 90min daily (4hr-4hr
30min; Rp40,000).
By speedboat Speedboats to the Gili Islands and
mainland Lombok (see p.282) arrive and depart from the
jetty in the bay.

DIVE OPERATORS
Dive trips from $60; PADI courses up to Divemaster are
available (the PADI Open Water course is around $400).
Blue Bubble Jl Segara T 0813 858827, W bluebubble
-bali.net.
Geko Dive Jl Silayukti, on the seafront T 0363 41516,
W gekodive.com.
Water Worx Close to Geko on Jl Silayukti T 0363 41220,
W waterworxbali.com.