The Batur caldera is one of the great volcanic landscapes of Southeast Asia: a vast outer basin roughly 10 by 13 kilometers, with a smaller inner caldera inside it. Within this hollow sit Mount Batur, crescent-shaped Lake Batur, the largest lake on Bali, and a ring of farming villages. In September 2012 UNESCO added the Batur caldera to the Global Geoparks Network in recognition of its geology and living culture.
The outer caldera formed in a colossal collapse around 29,000 years ago, and the inner one some thousands of years later. Lake Batur is revered as the dwelling of Dewi Danu, goddess of the lake, and is regarded as a source of water for the island's springs and rivers. It is part of the UNESCO-listed subak landscape, linked to the supreme water temple of Pura Ulun Danu Batur on the rim.
Seen from Kintamani on the rim, the caldera unfolds in layers: lava fields, the cone of Batur, fish farms and onion fields on the lake shore, and the far wall rising toward Mount Abang. Down on the floor, villages such as Kedisan, Songan, Trunyan and Toya Bungkah keep their own rhythms, and hot springs at Toya Bungkah offer a warm soak after a morning on the volcano.
Highlights
- Rim views from Kintamani and Penelokan
- Lake Batur, Bali's largest lake
- Pura Ulun Danu Batur on the caldera rim
- Hot springs at Toya Bungkah
- Lava fields on the caldera floor
Good to know
- Mount Batur inside the caldera is active, so check the MAGMA Indonesia (PVMBG) alert level before visiting; access near the crater can close.
- Arrive at the rim early in the morning, before cloud often fills the caldera.
- Bring a jacket; the rim is noticeably cooler than the coast, especially after rain.
- Visit Pura Ulun Danu Batur on the rim in a sarong and sash to understand the lake's sacred role.
On the map
Bali 2027 Travel Guide
The complete island guide: where to go, how to get around, what to avoid, health and safety, and the phrases that open doors.