What To Pack For A Bali Volcano Trek

Bali's volcano treks confuse a lot of first-timers on packing, because the island feels tropical at sea level and genuinely cold at 2,000+ meters before sunrise. Here's what actually earns a spot in your bag.

Worth packing

• A proper layer system — a t-shirt, a fleece or light jacket, and a windbreaker. Temperatures at the summit can sit well below what you'd expect from a "tropical island."
• Closed-toe shoes with grip. Volcanic scree is loose and sharp; sandals or worn-out sneakers make the descent miserable.
• A headlamp with fresh batteries. Most treks start in full darkness — your phone flashlight will not cut it on scramble sections.
• A small day bag, not a suitcase. You need your hands free.
• Cash in small bills for donation boxes at temples along some routes, and for any snacks sold near the summit.

Safe to leave at the hotel

• A full change of clothes. You'll want to shower when you get back, not mid-trek.
• Heavy DSLR kits. A phone or a light mirrorless camera handles sunrise light fine, and you'll appreciate not carrying extra weight on the scramble sections.
• Valuables you don't need. Trailhead parking areas are generally safe with a guide present, but there's no reason to bring anything you'd hate to lose.

The one thing people always forget

Sunscreen. It sounds counterintuitive for a hike that starts in the dark, but you'll be exposed at altitude with no shade for the walk back down once the sun is fully up.

Every trek booked directly with us includes bottled water and a simple breakfast at the summit — one less thing to plan around.