Visiting Lahangan Sweet, Bali: Everything You Need to Know
Getting a glimpse of the highest volcano peak in Bali is an absolute must during your trip to Indonesia. Whether it be sunrise, sunset, or during a clear summer day, Mount Agung is mesmerizing and will leave you in awe. The best spot to capture this volcano beauty is at a still somewhat under-the-radar location known as Lahangan Sweet. For information and tips on how to get here, when to visit, and more, keep reading for everything you need to know to have the best visit possible.
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The Lahangan Sweet Travel Guide
Jacob and I at Lahangan Sweet in Bali during sunrise.
What Is Lahangan Sweet?
A beautiful overlook of Mount Agung, the rice fields, the coastline, and the local towns below. The iconic photos on platforms in the trees with Agung in the background are taken here. But believe me, although it sounds touristy, the view is absolutely worth it. I have visited during sunrise and sunset, so I have all the info. you need no matter when you go!
Where Is It Located?
Lahangan Sweet is located in Karangasem, the northeastern region of Bali, Indonesia, near Mount Agung. You can find the official entrance location here.
Where To Stay Near Lahangan Sweet:
I recommend staying in Amed, Bali – an incredibly beautiful coastal town on the northern coast of Bali renowned for freediving and scuba diving. I have stayed in Amed twice, and it is by far one of my favorite places in Bali as a whole. There are so many delicious food places, pretty beaches, and accommodations here. Amed is only a short 30-minute or so ride from Lahangan Sweet.
Best Accommodation Options For Every Traveler: Amed
Backpacker/Hostel Option: Mesari Homestay & Warung (private room) or Dharma Yoga Homestay/Hostel (dorm)
Best Low-Budget: Tudes Homestay or Coconut Beach Bungalows & Warung
Best Mid-Budget: d'Sawah Amed Homestay & Warung (I stayed here), Narayana Homestay, or Kura Kura Divers Lodge
Best High-End Budget - High-End: Villa Adi (Villas with private pools), Puri Wirata Dive Resort and Spa Amed (Balcony room)
Best Luxury Budget: The Angsa Villas or Villa Aska
You can also find hotel deals at Agoda and Hostel World!
If you prefer somewhere less coastal but more remote and jungly, the Karangasem region is a good option as well. However, bear in mind there are fewer food options nearby as opposed to Amed. Amed is slightly more Westernized than this area. So it really depends on which vibe you prefer to be in.
I stayed in Karangasem (around Candi Dasa) for a couple of nights before and it was a very peaceful and serene experience. I stayed at Jepun Didulu Cottages.
Best Accommodation Options For Every Traveler: Karangasem
What to Bring:
Something warm to wear– you are entering the hilly volcanic area of Bali, so there is more of a windchill welcoming you along your ride and at the top where Lahangan Sweet is located.
Comfortable and stable shoes–especially for those who plan to walk to the top.
Rupiah– (the Indonesian form of currency) to pay for the entrance fees and shuttle fee if you opt for it — (more on this below)
Camera– how else will you capture these epic moments?!
eSIM—so you do not get lost navigating your way. I always use Airalo for my eSims.
How To Get There:
You can reach Lahangan Sweet by motorbike. I suggest being a confident driver as the roads to reach the entrance point are extremely curvy and uphill. Once at the entrance point, there is an additional unpaved, bumpy dirt road that is VERY steep. You can opt to ride up with your bike, park the bike and walk up, or pay an extra 50,000 IDR for the jeep to take you to the top.
Remember, what goes up must come down–if you ride your motorbike up, you will have to drive down the same steep roads.
Walker Tips: If you plan to walk up, wear proper shoes, especially if it has rained. As mentioned, the road is super steep and it can be challenging to walk up without the right sneakers or shoes. You must give yourself an additional 20-30 minutes to walk up.
Confident Motorbikers Tips: This road is STEEP. My boyfriend drove up with me on the back of our scoopy and we had to lean forward to get up the road. It is manageable as long as you are comfortable offroading and maneuvering around rocks, dirt, and holes in the ground. This road will take an additional 5-10 minutes to ride up depending on speed, etc. The more time you give yourself the better. Once at the top, there is a space for parking your bike.
I do not recommend driving a car to Lahangan Sweet unless you have someone familiar with the terrain driving.
Pro Tip: The golden rule in Indonesia is to never trust Google Maps… it will take you down some scary roads sometimes (trust me from experience). The road running somewhat parallel to it that looks like it might lead to Lahangan Sweet, does not. It is a private road for access to The Gates of Heaven only.
Important Note:
On your way to the initial entrance point (not the unpaved road mentioned above, but the road leading up to the entrance to this road), some locals may try to stop you and try to force you to take a shuttle to the entrance for an extra fee (70,000 IDR). However, it is a public road and I recommend being adamant that you want to drive yourself (maybe even say you have been before). Or, you can try ignoring them and continue driving up.
When I went for sunset, I did not see the shuttle there nor was I stopped. However, the following morning, we were stopped at 5:30 AM on the way to sunrise and forced to wait until 5:50 AM to drive up. The locals tried to persuade us (and 7 other people who arrived shortly after us) to take the shuttle to the top by telling us the road was too hard by motorbike. But we were persistent in waiting until they let us up on our motorbike. However, if you do not feel comfortable driving your motorbike up the road, this could be a great option for you.
Keep in mind this locally-run shuttle is separate from the entrance fee and jeep fee up the dirt unpaved road (if you decide to take the jeep instead of driving this portion of road). You will be paying 70,000 for the local shuttle, 50,000 for the entrance into Lahangan Sweet, and an additional 50,000 for the jeep to the top where the view is (unless you choose to walk this second portion).
Entrance Fees & Hours:
Sunday - Saturday 6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Lahangan Sweet Entrance Fee:
50,000 IDR for all foreigners
40,000 IDR for those with a Kitas
Free for Locals!
Jeep Ride Up: 50,000 IDR
Locally-Run Shuttle to the Entrance Point: 70,000 IDR
There is no additional drone fee, but please be kind and respectful to others visiting.
What’s there:
Aside from an INCREDIBLE view of Mount Agung, there are small photo-op spots around the viewpoint. It is quite big. On a clear day, you can see Mount Batur peaking out behind Mount Agung. On the opposite side, you will see the edge of the world or at least the edge of Bali’s coastline, and even Mount Rinjani poking up from Lombok if you visit on a clear day.
There is also a toilet and warung there now offering food and beverages. I am not sure about its hours of operation.
A few photographers are up top as well offering to take photos for a fee.
Some of the photo-op spots include
Balinese gate at Lahangan Sweet, Bali, with panoramic mountain scenery behind.
Me looking out over the coastline at Lahangan Sweet in Bali.
Traveler standing on a viewpoint at Lahangan Sweet, Bali, looking out over mountain scenery.
A white candi bentar, or split gateway with Agung sitting in the middle. A photographer has a mirror if you would like to take a photo similar to the ones you see at The Gate of Heaven.
Two platforms sitting up in trees. One sits on a singular tree, the other sits on a double tree.
A platform that you can walk out onto, making you feel like you are floating above the villages below.
A wooden boat on the opposite side of Agung. If you take the angle right, it will look like you are floating on the coastline.
A few gazebos and benches for relaxing and taking in the views.
Getting the Best Photos
In truth, there is no bad spot to capture the beauty of Agung. The 3 platforms (2 in the trees and one to the left of them) are my favorite photo spots.
I recommend trying to have your friend or photographer find a few different spots until you find the angle you like. My favorite angle was actually up higher so you could see all of Mount Agung, as well as me on the platform with the 2 trees (shown to the right).
The best time for photos is the hour before sunset and the hour after sunrise. The softer light during this time is usually more flattering and easier for taking quality photographs.
Tips for A visit During Sunrise
I will be honest, I am not a morning person whatsoever, especially when it is before the wee hours in the morning, like 5:00 AM. BUT, the sunrise here is simply unmatched and I highly suggest making the trek there for it. The sunrises opposite of Agung, so the sun shines onto the volcano making the view nearly crystal clear with just a few clouds lurking above it. The morning also offers a better chance of seeing Mount Batur peaking behind Agung and Rinjani on the opposite side.
Pro Tip: You can spot Rinjani on your right, immediately proceeding the entrance at the top.
Remember, if you go for sunrise, you are likely to be stopped by the locals who will attempt to persuade you to pay 70,000 IDR for a ride to the entrance. When I went, they had us waiting until 5:50 AM to ride up. Luckily, we still made it to sunrise in time with riding our motorbike up both roads.
When to get there:
I suggest planning to arrive at the top by 6:00 AM (opening time) at the absolute latest. I stayed in Amed and the drive was around 30 minutes, plus the waiting time for the locals to let us through (15 minutes) and the time it took to ride up the second dirt road to the top of the viewpoint (around 5-10 minutes).
You will be driving on darker roads so be sure to wear your helmet, drive carefully, and have a headlight on your motorbike. Slow and steady wins the race.
I stayed from 6:00 AM until 6:45 AM when the sun was up. When I first arrived at the top, there were only 2 other people there. When I was leaving, there were around 20 people, with more on the way up.
Best Time For Photos:
I would say from 6:00 - 6:45/7:00 AM when the lighting on Agung is perfect and the sky is a magical mix of purple and pink. The earlier you are there the more colors you will see in your photos, followed by a clear view of Agung in daylight hours.
Tips For A Visit During Sunset
Although I recommend aiming for sunrise, sunset is still a magical experience. The sky is painted pink, orange, and purple with clouds encompassing Mount Agung. You will be less likely to have a completely clear volcano, but it is not impossible. Be sure to check the weather before heading there, but remember it is not always accurate in Indonesia.
When to get there:
Sunset is a seemingly busier time for visiting Lahangan Sweet. I would recommend planning to arrive at the top 45 minutes to 1 hour before the “sunset time” from your iPhone App or weather app. For example, I arrived at the top for 5:30 PM. The sunset according to my phone was 6:12 PM. This gave me plenty of time to take in all the colors of the sky changing around Agung and to wait in the short line for some photo-ops.
You will find most people rushing up closer to that “sunset” time and will therefore have longer lines to wait in for photos and less time to enjoy the experience if you arrive later on with them.
Pro Tip: View Point Resto is also an awesome place to catch sunset, sunrise, and views of Agung. It is a great place to stop on your way back from Lahangan for a coconut or meal!
Best Time For Photos: The 30 minutes leading up to and the 30 minutes following the sunset are the best time for photos. If you want to include golden hour then I would suggest aiming for 1 hour before sunset.
