Desa Belandingan, Kintamani: A Quiet Sunrise on the Batur Caldera Rim

If Pinggan is already crowded with tripods by five in the morning, drive another 15–20 minutes east. Desa Belandingan is a mountain Bali Aga village tucked between Pinggan and Songan on the northern slope of the Batur caldera, in Kintamani District, Bangli. It is tiny — a single administrative hamlet — and the village profile records an elevation of about 1,050 metres, roughly 15 km from the Kintamani district centre.

Why Belandingan Is Worth the Detour

• Far quieter: Penelokan and Pinggan absorb hundreds of people every morning, while here you usually find only villagers and a handful of riders.
• Caldera panorama: the village road follows a ridge with views over Lake Batur, the cone of Mount Batur and Mount Abang opposite.
• Highland gardens: siam oranges, coffee and vegetables; the orange harvest usually falls around the middle of the year.
• A supporting village of the Batur UNESCO Global Geopark.

Route and Best Hours

• Route: from Penelokan climb to Penulisan, then take the caldera-rim road through Sukawana–Pinggan–Belandingan, about 30–40 minutes.
• From Ubud allow 1.5–2 hours; from Denpasar or Kuta around 2.5–3 hours.
• Timing: leave at 04.00–04.30 to arrive before 05.30; sunrise is usually around 06.00–06.30.
• Road condition: narrow asphalt, tight bends and steep climbs with some broken sections — avoid it in pre-dawn fog if you do not know the route.

Batur Trekking from the North and What to Pack

• Belandingan is not an official trailhead. The closest northern route starts at Banjar Serongga in Desa Songan, roughly 5 km north-east of Toya Bungkah, a round trip of about 10 km over volcanic sand and loose rock — go with a certified local guide.
• Pack: a thick jacket as pre-dawn temperatures often sit at 10–15°C, gloves, a headlamp, grippy shoes, drinking water and cash — the nearest ATMs are in Kintamani or Penelokan.

Practical Info & Booking

• Location (Google Maps): View on Google Maps
• How to visit: just turn up, there is no ticket booth. For a trekking guide or a homestay, contact the pokdarwis (village tourism group) or village office, or a licensed operator around Toya Bungkah–Songan.
• Transport: a rented motorbike usually costs Rp70,000–100,000 per day, or a car with driver around Rp700,000–1,000,000 for a pre-dawn sunrise trip.
• Best hours & cost: 05.00–07.00; carry small cash of about Rp5,000–20,000 for parking or a donation, plus a warm coffee at a village warung.
• Social media: search on Instagram

Because you have to set off before dawn, sleeping in Kintamani or Ubud makes the trip far more humane — compare hotel voucher options and prices on AccessiaPass before you book.