Instant Alert: The most beautiful sunrise I've ever seen was on top of a volcano in Bali — here's what it was like

MANAGE SUBSCRIPTIONS   |   UNSUBSCRIBE   |   VIEW ONLINE   The most beautiful sunrise I've ever seen was on top of a volcano in Bali — here's what it was like by Harrison Jacobs on May 27, 2018, 10:55 AM Advertisement There are few things more rewarding in life than waking up in the middle of the night, rolling out of a bed, slapping on some hiking boots, and trekking up a mountain for a sunrise. At least, I think so. My girlfriend, not so much. She thinks it's more rewarding to skip the hike, sleep late into the morning, and then head to a local market for an early lunch (or late breakfast, depending on your view). But, on a recent trip to Bali, I convinced her that it would be worth it to do a sunrise trek up Mount Batur (Gunung Batur), an active volcano that most recently erupted in 2000 and is one of the holiest sites on the island. At 5,633 feet high at the summit, Batur isn't the highest point on the island — that would go to Mount Agung (Gunung Agung), which erupted earlier this year — but it is likely the island's most popular sunrise hike. At 6 a.m., we found out why. After traveling to 25+ countries and forcing myself up at the crack of dawn to catch the sunrise on countless beaches and mountains (not to mention New York City rooftops; hello all-night partiers), I'm confident saying the sunrise I saw on Mount Batur was the most beautiful I've ever seen. Here's what it was like: SEE ALSO: I rode China's superfast bullet train that could go from New York to Chicago in 4.5 hours — and it shows how far behind the US really is DON'T MISS: I visited the viral, 1,400-foot glass bridge in China — and it was a traveler's worst nightmare The hike started early. The tour company picked us up at 2 a.m. and drove an hour to the base of the mountain (stopping for coffee along the way). We were far from the only ones hiking. The parking lot was full of minibuses and tour groups. Here was our general itinerary: 2 a.m.: Pick up at hotel/hostel 3:45 a.m.: Arrive at base of the mountain 6 a.m.: Arrive at sunrise viewing platform near top of Mount Batur 7 a.m.: View volcanic steam crevasse 7:30 a.m.: Begin descent back to base of mountain 9:30 a.m.: Arrive at base of mountain and leave 11:15 a.m.: Return to hotel/hostel We were put in a group of 16 with four tour guides. The hike up the mountain took about two hours in pitch black. The first hour was mostly on paved paths. The second hour was up narrow, volcanic rubble-strewn switchbacks. The first hour of the hike goes through a forest on a paved path at a gentle incline. After about an hour, you get to a platform where the Balinese are building a temple. From there, you start the actual climb to the top. The climb to the top goes over narrow, single-file switchbacks. It's easy to slip on the volcanic rubble. There is a fair amount of rock scrambling that requires you to climb up small rock ledges. It's somewhat strenuous, but more in the panting, sweating, thighs-screaming way, rather than actually difficult to do. There are a lot of people on the trail. As you go up, you can see a line of flashlights sprinkled along the spine of the mountain. It's an eerie view. The stars in the dead of night were also spectacular. The timing was pretty spot on. After two hours of moderate trekking, we were at a platform just below the summit and the sunrise was starting. Burnt oranges and yellows peeked out from behind a blanket of clouds and mist. See the rest of the story at Business Insider   Share the latest business news with your network:    Email sent to: nguyenvu1187.love5@blogger.com   |   Manage your email preferences   |   Unsubscribe Terms of Service   |   Privacy Policy Business Insider. 150 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10011