Climbing Gunung (Mount) Agung - Bali's most sacred volcano

This video shows the climbing (or rather descending) of the sacred volcano Gunung (Mount) Agung, the holiest mountain in Bali, Indonesia.

The highest point of this stratovolcano is 3142 m (or 9583 ft)

According to the Balinese the volcano Gunung Agung is a replica of Mount Meru, the central axis of the universe.

The most important temple on Bali - Pura Besakih - is the Mother Temple and is located on the slope of the mountain. Therefore the mountain may not be climbed on holy days.

Gunung Agung is an active strato volcano and last erupted in 1963-1964. The mountain has a large and very deep crater which occasionally belches smoke and ash. From a distance, the mountain appears to be perfectly conical, despite the existence of the large crater.

From the peak of the mountain, it is possible to see the peak of Mount Rinjani on the island of Lombok, although both mountains are most often covered in clouds.

09/2017 ALERT STATUS:

Due to current increased seismic activity and frequent tremors and lava flows (according to locals) under and on the volcano it is no longer possible to go trekking or climbing on or near mount Agung. Since mid September 2017 thousands of local people and tourists have been evacuated as authorities fear that the holy volcano might erupt. In fact there is currently a no go perimeter of 8 to 12 km from the summit. The last time Mount Agung erupted was in 1963-1964 killing an estimated 1100 people. The scuba diving resorts catering to tourists north of the volcano and close to the USAT Liberty wreck are within the perimeter and thus are no longer operational at the moment. More info on their websites and with your tour operator. The Airport in Denpasar, Ngurah Rai International may become unavailable in case of an eruption, so check before booking your air ticket to Bali. It seems the sea connection by slow ferry from Lombok to Bali is still operational.

Sources for updates on the volcanic activity:

Music:

'Le géant qui dort' by Alaclair Ensemble

Free download (creative commons 3.0) at:

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