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4x4 Volcano Explorer Private Tour
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Reviewed August 26, 2016

Well, to begin with…first of all, I have NEVER been in volcanic areas. That’s why I have eagerly taken part in volcanic journey with Expedition Bali team. Destination: Mt. Batur. And here we go….
It seems hard to believe, but in spite of its paradise fame, the island Bali has very severe volcanic origin. It’s of no use going seeking here for white coral sand coasts. True Bali is all about volcanoes, ancient temples and tropical rainforests. That’s why Expedition Bali team’s mission is focus on unique nature of Bali, its culture and traditions.
This travel project was launched in 2014, but in less than a couple of years it has become well-known in Bali and beyond it. The owner and founder of Expedition Bali, Roman Denisenko heartily shared the secret of success (answering my question why the project is gaining high recognition): “It’s pure attitude. We love what we do. Offroad tours by Expedition Bali are original. Quite out of stereotypes. Each guest (and even children) feels like a true adventure seeker travelling with close friends while taking part in journeys. It’s not a plain excursion to crowded places, that’s real life is all about. These things are on one side, and careful arrangement, attention, responsibility on the other”.
Adventure spirit is also based on driving original vintage 1970s Toyota jeeps. Basically, I was astonished with their awesome condition. People fond of classic vintage cars would be surely impressed! And so was I. It’s like flying back in the past with the time machine. 40-year-old jeeps look new due to remarkable work of Expedition Bali technical maintenance staff. Four driving wheels and high clearance provide excellent passability in any terrains and out of them as well. Frankly speaking, it was the first time when I travelled in a jeep! This unexpected journey was definitely to broaden my outlook and grant me new volcanic experience.
So, the journey started. Together with Expedition Bali team, we were riding the Toyota jeep (by the way, 1976 YOM). Mt. Batur is located in the middle of ancient caldera in Kintamani area, and surrounded by the lake Batur on its right side. This is UNESCO’s global geopark. The caldera looked quite small on the map, but its real size was impressive. The height of Mt. Batur is 1717 m, and the climate around is not that tropic, but rather dump and cool. That’s why Expedition Bali team always recommends the guests to wear jackets and comfortable boots!
Slopes of Mt. Batur are covered with layers of lava, volcanic tuffs and volcanic bombs (huge pieces of magma, released out of volcanic pipe). This was due to volcanic explosions in different years of the 19th and 20th centuries. The last explosion of volcano Batur happened in 1974. Hazardous lonely mountain with fire inside it… Breathtaking view.
The slopes of Mt. Batur also contain a great number of caves. One of these caves was devoted to Ganesha – elephant-headed Hindu deity of prosperity. Believe me – that was really a mystic place. No one negative thought or vibe was able to survive inside this cave. This can be explained due to the fact that the mountains are considered to be sacred places, “dwellings of gods” in Hindu religion.
Let me get back to vintage jeeps. If an average person is able to drive a car, driving a jeep may seem quite simple, but it isn’t true. Jeeps require another driving style. It is a hard task, but Expedition Bali team is skilled and experienced in driving this type of cars. Nothing to worry about! And it was high time for me to relax and indulge myself in viewing “moon landscapes”. No trees, no grass, petrified lava only. Do you know that lava can be coloured in variety of shades? Its shade depends on dominating chemical element. Red shade points to ferrous iron, yellow means sulphur, dark grey and black mean basalt.
Finally this adventurous day came to the end. I was deeply impressed and completely blown away with everything I had seen during this journey. What else can I say? Nothing but to say thanks to Expedition Bali for breaking the limits and fabulous views of true Bali. These people love everything they do and you can’t but perceive it! If you are adventure traveller, seasoned tourist, or even perfectionist, Expedition Bali is definitely an exceptional choice.

Date of experience: August 2016
3  Thank Yaros31
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ExpeditionBali, General Manager at Expedition Bali Tours, responded to this reviewResponded December 11, 2016

Dear Yaros,

Thank you for so amazing, complete and full of emotions magnificent response.
We definitely love to read it again and again!

Thank you for choose Expedition Bali

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Reviewed August 8, 2016 via mobile

Have just come back from completing this tour in Bali, i did the Sunrise Volcano 4WD Tour and it was absoloutely amazing and worth the early wake up. Would highly reccomend this tour if your headed to bali, Roman and his crew were top blokes who made the day 👍

Date of experience: August 2016
1  Thank Taryn L
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ExpeditionBali, Owner at Expedition Bali Tours, responded to this reviewResponded December 11, 2016

Dear Taryn,

Day with you was perfect, lovely and your comment is the cherry on the top of the cake.
Thank you for everything!

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Reviewed May 17, 2016

We woke up at 3am excitied and ready to go on an adventure.
On time at 4:15 a car arrived to pick us up. In the car Roman explained the days itinary and told us a story about the volcano.
I took us about an hour and a half from Sanur to reach our destanation. Just in time to witness an fantastic sunruise.
After watching sunrise we cooked our breakfast on a camp fire. it was amazing experience and the children loved being involved.
Then we got picked up by a 4X4 and went an a tour of the volcano. From the car park there was a 30 minute walk to the top. The views were spectacular and we didint feel like we were in Bali. The atmosphere was so different, so quit and so peaceful.
Roman explained to the children all about volcanoes. They found this very interesting and loved learning something new.
When it was time to leave the volcano Roman took us to a hot spring where we could swim and relax. This was the perfect ending to a lovely day!!!!!

My Whole family really enjoyed this tour and learn a lot about the history of the volcano. I would definatly reccomend this to other families.
It was a full day of adventure and family fun.

Thank U Roman

Date of experience: May 2016
Thank BJ M
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
expeditionbali2012, Owner at Expedition Bali Tours, responded to this reviewResponded November 19, 2023

Dear BJ M,

Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience with Expedition Bali. We are so excited to hear that you and your family had an unforgettable adventure on our Batur Volcano Trekking Tour.

We sincerely apologise for the delay in our response. We recently had some technical difficulties with our Tripadvisor account, and we are only now able to access and respond to reviews.

We are thrilled to hear that you found the previous owner Roman to be friendly, informative, and engaging. His storytelling and explanations about the volcano made the experience even more enriching for your family.

We are also delighted that you enjoyed the sunrise hike and the campfire breakfast. These were two of the highlights of our tours back then, and we are always glad to see our guests appreciate them.

The 4x4 ride up to the volcano crater and the subsequent hike to the summit are indeed spectacular experiences. The views from the top are truly breathtaking, and the peaceful atmosphere is a welcome contrast to the hustle and bustle of Bali's tourist areas.

We are also pleased to hear that Roman's explanations about volcanoes were interesting and educational for your children. We believe that learning about the natural world is an essential part of any travel experience.

Finally, we are glad that you enjoyed the relaxing soak in the hot springs. It's the perfect way to unwind after a day of adventure.

Thank you again for choosing Expedition Bali. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back on future Balinese adventures.

Warmest regards,

Russ

Owner, Expedition Bali Tours

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Reviewed May 10, 2016

Awesome! It was an excellent day! From the wonderful sunrise next to a lovely temple to a great breakfast on the shores of the volcano, the fantastic 4x4 ride in superb Toyota Land Cruisers magnificently renovated (those incredible machines are older than me!), the hike to the top of a volcano, the fantastic meditation time, the visit to a secluded farmer and his cows & chicken & dog, the ride through the lava "lunar style" and a local meal while swimming in hot springs... All made it for a wonderful day! And despite of the bustling tourism in the island, it is all done far far far away from the touristic hot-spots... But of course, nothing of this would be possible without Roman (the owner) and Tom (the guide), two great Russians who displayed the utmost professional and sensitive attitudes during the 12 hours journey. An experience not to be missed!

Date of experience: May 2016
Thank landstein
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
expeditionbali2012, Owner at Expedition Bali Tours, responded to this reviewResponded November 19, 2023

Dear landstein,

Thank you for sharing your incredible experience with Expedition Bali. We are thrilled to hear that you had an unforgettable day exploring the diverse landscapes and immersing yourself in the rich culture of Bali with our team.

We sincerely apologise for the delay in our response. We recently had some technical difficulties with our Tripadvisor account, and we are only now able to access and respond to reviews.

Your detailed description of your tour highlights the many unique and memorable experiences we offer. From the breathtaking sunrise by the temple to the delicious breakfast by the volcano's edge, the exhilarating 4x4 ride, the challenging hike to the volcano summit, the tranquil meditation session, the heartwarming encounter with the local farmer, the surreal lava landscapes, and the relaxing soak in the hot springs, your day was truly packed with adventures and cultural insights.

We are delighted that you found the previous owner Roman and his guide Tom, to be professional, sensitive, and passionate about sharing Bali's treasures with our guests. Their dedication to providing exceptional service is a cornerstone of Expedition Bali Tours.

We are grateful for your kind words and highly recommend Expedition Bali Tours to anyone seeking an authentic and unforgettable Balinese experience. Thank you again for choosing us and for sharing your remarkable journey with others.

Warmest regards,

Russ

Owner, Expedition Bali Tours

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Reviewed May 6, 2016 via mobile

Amazing experience.
We were picked up at 04.30 to make it in time for sunrise at kintamani.
The view was spectacular.
Then we met with the classic landcruisers for breakfast with campfire.
The trip after with the landcruisers through lava and rough terrain was great.
We stopped to hike on the crater which still has steam coming out.
After driving through different types of terrain and coffee with a local who lives in the caldera we finished with a hot spring and some food with a beer.
Everyone was tired and ready for some relaxing by that time.
All the places we went to were not the usual tourist hot spots, so no busses full of tourists or people looking to sell souvenirs. The tour guides were very friendly and had a lot of background information.

Date of experience: May 2016
Thank Bart M
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
expeditionbali2012, Owner at Expedition Bali Tours, responded to this reviewResponded November 19, 2023

Dear Bart M,

Thank you for sharing your amazing experience with Expedition Bali. We are thrilled to hear that you had an unforgettable adventure exploring the hidden gems of Bali with our team.

We sincerely apologise for the delay in our response. We recently had some technical difficulties with our Tripadvisor account, and we are only now able to access and respond to reviews.

Your review perfectly captures the essence of our tours – off-the-beaten-path adventures, stunning natural beauty, cultural immersion, and personalised service.

We are delighted that you witnessed the spectacular sunrise at Kintamani, enjoyed the campfire breakfast with our classic Land Cruisers, and embarked on a thrilling 4x4 ride through the lava landscapes and rugged terrain. We don't have those Landcruisers anymore, however, we have a better purpose built vehicle now.

The hike to the active volcano crater, with its steaming vents, must have been an awe-inspiring experience. And the opportunity to interact with a local coffee farmer in the caldera added a unique touch of cultural authenticity to your journey.

We are also pleased that you found our hot springs and local meal to be a perfect way to unwind after a day of exploration.

We pride ourselves on providing our guests with access to Bali's hidden treasures, far from the usual tourist crowds and souvenir hawkers. Our knowledgeable and enthusiastic guides are dedicated to sharing their passion for Bali's history, culture, and natural wonders.

Thank you again for choosing Expedition Bali Tours. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back on future Balinese adventures.

Warmest regards,

Russ

Owner, Expedition Bali Tours

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