Can You Hike Mount Batur or Agung Without a Guide?

For foreign tourists, no. Bali Governor's Circular (Surat Edaran) No. 7 of 2025 on the new code for foreign tourists, in force since 24 March 2025, requires foreigners to be accompanied by a licensed tour guide when visiting tourist attractions, and both Mount Batur and Mount Agung count. Hiking itself remains legal as of September 2026: the total climbing ban Governor Wayan Koster announced in 2023 was never passed as a regional regulation (Perda). The details below were checked in September 2026 against the Bali provincial government, BKSDA Bali, MAGMA Indonesia (PVMBG), and reporting by Kompas and ANTARA.

Did Bali's mountain climbing ban take effect?

Not in the form announced. In June 2023 Koster said he would ban all climbing on Bali's mountains, except for ceremonies and disaster response, and wanted it written into a Perda. Guides and local figures pushed back. The head of the Kintamani conservation section told media at the time that Government Regulation No. 28 of 2011 only allows temporary closure of conservation areas, for example during a disaster, not a permanent one. No climbing-ban Perda was ever issued. What applies now: mountains are designated sacred zones in provincial spatial planning, and tourism there is regulated, not banned. Koster returned as governor in 2025; as of September 2026 there is no new rule closing hikes to tourists.

Who has to use a guide?

Circular 7/2025 applies to foreign tourists. Violations can be sanctioned under existing law, and the provincial Satpol PP is tasked with enforcement. It does not apply to domestic tourists, but practice on the ground differs by mountain. Other general rules for visitors are in our article on tourist obligations and prohibitions in Bali.

How does it work on Mount Batur?

The main trails from Toya Bungkah and Pura Jati are served by local guides in the Mount Batur guides' association, known as PPPGB (Perkumpulan Pemandu Pendakian Gunung Batur). We found no Perda that makes PPPGB mandatory in writing, but many hiker reports say unguided hikers are approached at trailheads and directed to hire a guide. For foreigners, Circular 7/2025 makes a licensed guide a written requirement. Guided sunrise packages generally cost a few hundred thousand rupiah per person; compare at the guide post or through operators. Route details are in our Mount Batur sunrise trek guide.

Is there a ticket or fee on Batur?

• Mount Batur sits inside the Gunung Batur Bukit Payang Nature Recreation Park (TWA), 2,075 ha, managed by BKSDA Bali. Fees follow Government Regulation No. 36 of 2024; for Indonesians Rp10,000 on weekdays and Rp15,000 on holidays (ANTARA, February 2026). Foreigners pay a higher rate; check at the ticket post.
• The Culali ticket post in this park has been cashless since 31 January 2025, according to a BKSDA Bali notice.
• Separately, Bangli Regency charges a Kintamani area levy under Bangli Perda No. 5 of 2023; local media in March 2026 reported Rp25,000 for Indonesians and Rp50,000 for foreigners.
• Guide packages often include the ticket; ask before paying so you are not charged twice.

What about Mount Agung?

Agung is far harder (over 3,000 m, a 6-8 hour night climb from Pura Pasar Agung or longer from Besakih) and is managed by trail operators together with customary villages. Trails close during major ceremonies at Pura Besakih. In 2026 closures ran 28 March-24 April for Karya Ida Bhatara Turun Kabeh and 26 June-2 July for the pujawali at Pura Pengubengan, covering all nine routes (Kompas, June 2026). Ask your guide about the ceremony calendar before booking. Route and preparation notes are in our Mount Agung sunrise trek guide.

Are Batur and Agung safe to climb right now?

As of 27 September 2026, the MAGMA Indonesia (PVMBG) activity-level page lists both Agung and Batur at Level I (Normal). Status can rise at any time, and at Level II (Waspada) and above PVMBG usually sets an exclusion radius. The dry season brings another risk: BKSDA Bali has recorded five fires in the Gunung Batur Bukit Payang park since January 2026, the latest in the Tunggiran block on 23 September 2026. Do not light fires or drop cigarette butts on the trail.

What else should I know?

• Dress modestly; Circular 7/2025 bans taking photos in improper clothing or nude at sacred places, and summits are considered sacred.
• Do not climb shrines (pelinggih) or sacred trees.
• Carry all rubbish down; the same circular bans littering.
• Drones in the TWA carry a separate BKSDA fee.

One last tip: book your guide at least a day ahead and get the pickup point and start time in writing. For Batur, starting around 04.00 is enough to catch sunrise; for Agung, a midnight departure is normal.