Mount Agung

Offering the highest viewpoint in all of Bali, Mount Agung is a stratovolcano that is still active today. Sitting at over 3000m above sea level, Mount Agung is Bali's highest mountain and its unique natural landscape dominates the surrounding areas by influencing the weather and climate. As the clouds come in from the west, Mount Agung absorbs the water making the western regions of Bali green and lush and the eastern regions barren and dry. From the mountain peak you can take in the panoramic views of Bali and even see Mount Rinjani over on the island of Lombok.

Mount Agung is a very sacred Balinese landmark and is home to one of Bail's most important temples, Pura Besakih. Situated high on the slopes of the mountain, the temple holds deep cultural significance. Worshiped by the Balinese, locals believe that Mount Agung was brought to Bali by the first Hindus. Another traditional belief is that the mountain is considered the axis of the universe.

In November 2017 Mount Agung erupted for the first time in 54 years, sending lava and ash 2000 metres into the air. The eruption lasted 3 minutes and 47 seconds but caused havoc to the entire island. Causing mass evacuation, the 2017 eruption forced over 40,000 people to leave their homes and thousands of tourists left stranded in Bali, as the smoke and ash in the air caused the airports to shut down. A number of earthquakes in the area along with increases in seismic activity were said to have prompted the eruption. To this day, Mount Agung continues to spew ash and gases into the air.

Prior to the 2017 eruption, visitors could hike up Mount Agung, however, there are now 10km exclusion zones set up as a safety guard around the edge of the volcano. Mount Agung can be enjoyed from a distance by a number of viewpoints across the island of Bali, the most famous being at the Pura Lempuyang Luhur Temple, or 'gateway to heaven' as referred to by tourists - where the mountain sits perfectly between two framed gates.