It’s no secret that Bali is home to spectacular beaches–Potato Head is idyllically positioned on the island’s southern coast. But Bali’s true essence lies as much in its towering inner peaks as its sandy coastlines–none more captivating than the sacred volcano Mount Batur.
At 1:00 AM, Sedana takes a group up to the summit. An astrologer and spiritual leader from a family of generational healers, Sedana shares Balinese philosophies as he guides the way.
For most Balinese, this isn't just a trek but a spiritual ritual. The island lies within a sequence of volcanoes in the Pacific known as the Ring of Fire, According to local mythology, Mount Batur is the resting place of Dewa Brahma, the Hindu god of knowledge. For centuries, locals have been making pilgrimages to the mountains as an act of devotion, bringing offerings to rebalance the forces of good and evil on the island.
Hiking in darkness with nothing but stars overhead hits different — so does scrambling to the summit, to find yourself above the clouds, looking out over the Indonesian archipelago bathed in the warm orange glow of sunrise.
With the stars overhead, Sedana pauses the trek for a group meditation, before reading individual private birth charts. Balinese astrological readings offer insight into your purpose and path in life, connecting people with ancient wisdom and celestial guidance.
Up there, simmering in ancient wisdom and confronted by nature’s abundance, the top of Mount Batur seems like a different world.
There’s so much more to Mount Batur than reaching the peak. This experience puts just as much light on the journey; passing the vendors carrying baskets heaped with snake fruit, and bathing in nearby hot springs.
Landing in a new place comes with a readjustment period, and connecting with locals on the ground is the best way to shake off where you’ve come from, and tap into the present.
