At 1:00 AM, the group laces up their boots to begin a midnight trek up Mount Batur, a sacred volcano. Walking alongside them is Sedana, an astrologer and spiritual leader who comes from an ancient line of healers. He’ll be guiding them to the summit, sharing ancient Balinese philosophies along the way to ground the experience — acting as the link that connects them to the land.
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, and the volcanoes in Bali are believed to be powerful sources of energy; according to local mythology, Mount Batur is the resting place of Dewa Brahma, the 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.
Sedana leads everyone in a group meditation and shares his wisdom, before connecting with each person individually for a private birth chart reading. Balinese astrological readings offer insight into your purpose and path in life, connecting people with ancient wisdom and celestial guidance to enable them to navigate wherever they’re headed with greater clarity and direction. Up there, simmering in ancient wisdom and confronted by nature’s abundance, the top of Mount Batur seems like a different world entirely.
There’s a lot more to Mount Batur than reaching the peak and marking it done. This experience puts just as much light on the in-between moments that are often overlooked; the locals waiting with baskets of just-picked snake fruit and carbs to refuel, and the nearby hot springs that provide the perfect spot to let the magic of Mount Batur settle in. 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.
