Sunset Tea Hike to Batur

Ready to start a journey to yourself?
Join me on a Tea Journey! Message me to reserve your spot in the hike.
Price: 700k rupiah

Difficulty: ●●○○○

Duration: 1 hr walk, 2–2.5 hr ascent, 2 hr descent

Height: 1717 m

Length: 9 km

Timing: Meeting at the foot of Batur - 2:50 pm. Descent down the mountain: 9-11 pm.

Group size: 5–16 people

Region: Kintamani, about 1 hr from Ubud

Equipment list
Price: 700k rupiah

Difficulty: ●●○○○

Duration: 1 hr walk, 2–2.5 hr ascent, 2 hr descent

Height: 1717 m

Length: 9 km

Timing: Meeting at the foot of Batur - 2:50 pm. Descent down the mountain: 10-12 pm.

Group size: 5–16 people

Region: Kintamani, about 1 hr from Ubud

Equipment list
The difficulty of the route is below average
A simple route. It may be challenging for those without hiking experience, but the most important thing is your willingness to join!

No prior experience required.
Route description
🏔 ABOUT🏔 ABOUT THE ROUTE:

I chose an unusual route - one where we’ll be alone (or almost alone) on the whole slope.

We walk in silence, giving everyone a chance to connect with themselves.

If you have a question in your heart , you can quietly ask the Mountains—they always answer if you take the time to listen 💚

At the volcano crater, I’ll guide a tea meditation and share stories about tea culture.

Few people choose to watch the sunset from the top of a volcano (most opt for sunrise), making this an unconventional experience that I offer only upon request.

We take our time, walking at the pace of the slowest member of the group. The route isn’t too difficult but does require attention and some preparation.

Instead of following the classic path, we’ll take an alternate route on the opposite side, where there are almost no tourists, allowing us to walk in peace and quiet.
Along the way, we’ll encounter warm volcanic steam, reminding us that the volcano is "alive".

At the summit, we’ll witness the sunset and hold a traditional tea ceremony to restore our energy, recharge from the volcano’s power, and enjoy a wealth of positive emotions from the great company, tea, and the breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.

The descent is not difficult and happens in the dark under a starry sky, with views of the glowing city lights of Bali 🌌

▶️ WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

The difficulty level of the hike is below average. It is important to have a flashlight (preferably a headlamp), a raincoat and warm clothes with you, which are needed not only on the way up, but also at the top, because there can be strong winds.

⏰ TIMING:

Meeting at the foot of Batur* - 2:50 pm
Descent down the mountain: 9-12 pm.

*🛵 We each get on our own transport.

💰 TRAVEL COST:

700k rupees (3500k minimum for the group)

What is included:

⁃ Accompanying the group along the author's route;
⁃ Participation in the tea ceremony on the top of the mountain;

Number of participants: from 5 people.
Places are booked in advance.
Your guide
  • Sergei
    Tea master, meditator, guide and facilitator of embodied awareness practices.
Hi everyone!

Right now, my life is filled with a variety of activities, and it's even hard to decide where to start. But I'll try 😊

Tea Ceremony and Meditation

For 10 years, I have been practicing tea ceremonies, and for the last 4 years, I've been engaged in tea meditation, which has become an integral part of my life. This practice has radically changed my life and helped me establish a deep connection with myself. Now, I share tea meditation with others and always enjoy watching them open up and return to themselves during this practice.

Tea Hikes

For 8 years, I have been organizing tea hikes in the mountains, combining my love for nature, the mountains, and tea ceremonies. In these hikes, we don't aim to conquer peaks but rather be present in the process, observing our feelings, thoughts, and the life around us. The tea ceremony brings a meditative aspect, making the hikes a path to self-discovery.

Contact Improvisation

Three years ago, I started practicing contact improvisation – an intuitive dance in free form, where people can dance solo or in contact with others. For me, it became an amazing practice for self-exploration, helping me reconnect with myself, learn to express myself, and explore interactions with a partner. Now, I share this practice by organizing weekly dance jams.

NoWay Project

For half a year, I practiced Butoh – a Japanese contemporary dance – which, along with meditations, inspired me to create my NoWay project. In this project, I explore the flexibility of our self-awareness, delving into deep questions like "Who am I?" through movement and dance. This allows us to touch answers through direct experience and self-expression. The NoWay practice has a profound effect on our everyday life, expanding the horizons of perception and bringing a sense of ease and freedom of being.

Individual Sessions

I conduct individual sessions both offline and online, where we can experience joint meditation and discuss you and your life.
If you want to learn more about tea meditation, you can take my course at the link:
Link
To organize tea hikes, contact improvisation jams, NoWay project sessions, and individual meditations, please contact me using the links below:
About Sergei
What People Say
Rachael Madore
Writer and facilitator, 25 y.o.
Route: Batur
Sergei’s tea hike up Batur was an incredibly powerful experience. He is a gentle, present guide, and exactly the kind of person you want to climb a volcano with. His grounded energy, pure intention, and connection to the natural world were palpable the whole way. He created a sense of calm and that there was time and space for everything.

The small group felt intimate and grew connected throughout the journey together. I really appreciated how Sergei opened the space with introductions and intention setting, and taking meditative pauses with tea along the way kept me connected to my presence and intention throughout, which made all the difference. The meditative nature of the experience created space for powerful insights to come through me. I understand why Sergei calls these hikes transformative.

Especially after seeing the hundred tourists across the crater, I am extremely grateful to have been inside the crater as the sun rose, in tea meditation, listening to Sergei’s beautiful flute with other connected beings. The whole experience was pure magic. I can’t imagine having done it another way. I recommend it to anyone who cares to experience being with an active volcano, instead of just checking a tour off their list.
Eva
Event manager / therapist / intuitive guide / healer, 32 y.o.
Route: Batur
Tea journeys with Sergei was an unforgettable experience. To be guided off the beaten track, in silence, away from the crowds of people also climbing up Batur. It was a breath of fresh air in my experience of Bali. A time for peace, silence, introspection, challenge met with grace & breaks for the finest tea. I loved the intentionality of this journey, and the tea ceremony at sunrise in a crater of the volcano is something I will never forget. I would recommend this to anyone, and already have recommended it to many! Thankyou Sergei for your humble guidance and open heart.
Anton Kochurkin
Architect, 47 y.o.
Route: Batur
Sergei, thank you for a new discovery in my life – Batur. I’m very glad I joined you. The ascent itself felt like a magical act, and the puer tea during the breaks added strength to the contemplation of beauty. I enjoyed climbing in different ways – in silence, barefoot. And I’m glad that there are no crowds of tourists on your trail. After the hike, the whole day felt like a fairy tale. Thank you!

Inna Naumenko
Designer, 48 y.o.
Route: Batur
An unforgettable hike to Batur with the best guide!

Hiking to Mount Batur with Sergei is not just a climb, but a truly meditative experience. Instead of the standard route, we ascended from a different side – following trails that only he knows. The walking pace was very comfortable – no rush, just a deep sense of connection with nature.

During the ascent, we took small breaks, drank tea, enjoyed the silence, the starry sky, the moon, and even saw a lunar rainbow – an incredible sight! We also tried walking barefoot for part of the way, which brought completely new sensations.

At the summit, a special moment awaited us – a tea ceremony in one of the most beautiful spots, with a breathtaking view of the sunrise and Mount Agung. It was magical!

Sergei creates an amazing atmosphere during the hike. If you want not just to climb Batur, but to truly feel its energy and beauty, I highly recommend going with him!


Stella
Advertising Manager, 25 y.o.
Route: Batur
I think this hiking trip was absolutely amazing! I'm really glad to have participated in this activity. I could feel the kindness and warmth from everyone during every process and moment. Of course, the scenery was incredibly beautiful, and the experience was extremely rich and colorful, truly interesting! Thank you and everyone for creating such a wonderful hiking experience.
Vladimir
Technical Production Manager, Russia, 40 y.o.
Route: Abang
A journey to the summit with Sergei is not just a hike but a profound process of discovering yourself and your life.
In silence, the subtle sensations of the trail, nature, and your own state unfold. The opportunity to observe, feel the scents, touch the earth—all without unnecessary words, only the most essential. This depth, this kind of interaction, is especially valuable and dear to me.
Sergei sensitively creates a space of trust and safety, allowing everyone to go through their own process.
What happens during the ascent and descent is a deeply personal experience, a reflection of the inner journey. Everything that stirs within, that calls for awareness, seems to manifest on this trail. And the pause at the summit, the tea meditation, offers a chance to integrate what has been lived through and savor the moment. The descent—already a different, special stage—feels like a return to yourself, to home, but with new realizations.
This process continues to unfold within me long after the journey, and that is its incredible value. I wholeheartedly recommend this unique experience to anyone seeking depth—a journey where silence and a carefully held space allow for a true meeting with oneself. 🙏🏻🌱
Nicola Naron
Painter, 29 y.o.
Route: Abang
Gracias to "Tea Journeys" for this amazing 2000+ft hike. She is beautiful.
Highly recco for anyone looking for a beautiful Bali adventure with 🫖, good vibes, and conversation 🧚
Anna Reznik
Painter, 34 y.o.
Route: Abang
Periods when exhaustion from all of life suddenly piles up and firmly pins me to the couch for a week or more have happened to me regularly. In the past, I used to get extremely upset about it and resisted with all my might. It was painful and completely useless.

Yesterday’s practice of renewal and self-gathering: a climb to Abang and sunrise tea in silence above the clouds with the Tea Journeys team. I love this challenging year for the fact that I happened to live in a place where such things are possible. The remnants of melancholy were blown away by the misty wind at the mountain’s peak; now it's time to return to work. 🤍


Sergei Melnikov
Game designer, Belarus, 41 y.o
Route: Agung
Climbing Agung is an unforgettable experience! The chosen route turned out to be quite manageable, and Sergei adjusted to everyone’s pace, making the journey comfortable. But the most magical part is the sunset and sunrise at the summit! The fiery sky, the silence, and the feeling of being on top of the world. To fully embrace the magic of the moment and avoid rushing down, be sure to go with an overnight stay – it’s absolutely worth it!
Barbara
Somatic therapist, Netherlands, 48 y.o.
Route: Batur
The hike up Mount Batur with Sergei was an unforgettable experience! The journey was deeply moving, from the powerful presence of the volcano to the peaceful, quiet ascent. The views from the summit were absolutely breathtaking, and the tea ceremony at the top added a special touch to the adventure. Sergei, an experienced and attentive guide, made the whole experience even more enjoyable by creating a welcoming atmosphere and being in tune with the group's needs. Highly recommend this hike for anyone seeking a memorable and enriching adventure!
Rahel
Somatic & Embodied Relating Coach, Switzerland, 35 y.o. (IG @rahellandolt)
Route: Abang
I love the combination of tea and hiking that Sergei offers. For me the hike to Mt Abang has been a journey toward deeper self-reflection, greater connection with myself and nature, it’s been an intimate group with people who appreciate tea, stillness, awareness. I meet my edge of comfort and outside comfort zone just rightly - Sergey’s experience in hiking allowed me to trust more. Thank you for this unique opportunity Sergei, I’ve been recommending your hikes to many friends of mine since.
What People Say
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