The sheer size of the crater conjures up images of the massive eruption of the original Mount Batur that occurred tens of thousands year ago.  The volcano is still active today as Balinese all over the island who still remember the great eruption of 1917 will ratify. It claimed thousands of lives and destroyed hundreds of temples. Old people might tell you this was "the year when the world shook".

Other eruptions have taken place since, forcing the local population to be relocated, along with several of their temples including one of the main Bali temples, Pura Ulun Danau. Initially inside the huge crater, this temple has been relocated to the top of the ridge overlooking it. Here it now offers an impressive view of Mount Batur.

For a complete panoramic view, you can drive half the circumference of the crater along its upper rim. The highest point is Bukit Penulisan. Here, one of the most ancient of Bali's temples contains the remains of carvings from the earliest Buddhist period. From Penulisan the road continues towards Buleleng and Kubutambahan.

One very interesting excursion in Batur is the climb down the inside of the crater from Penelokan to Kedisan. You can then drive around the smaller Mount Batur, through Songan. From Toya Bungkah, boats cross the lake to a Bali Age village called Trunyan. This place is notorious for its mortuary traditions. Instead of cremating the dead, as Balinese do throughout most of the island, the Trunyan community leave the bodies to decompose naturally in a special cemetery.

There are also hot springs and lodgings in Toya Bungkah. From Songan there is a beautiful trek to Tianyar to the north coast of the island. The adventurous traveler may even wish to climb Mount Batur itself.