Danau Batur

Danau Batur (Lake Batur) is the largest lake in Bali by surface area and the primary freshwater source for the island's entire irrigation system — the sacred origin point of the subak water-sharing network that UNESCO recognised as a World Heritage cultural landscape in 2012. The lake sits inside the outer caldera of the Batur volcanic complex at 1,050 metres elevation, enclosed by the steep caldera wall on three sides and the still-active Batur volcano on the south. The lake's waters are cold, remarkably clear, and — according to local tradition — inhabited by sacred fish (ikan) that cannot be caught or harmed. The Pura Ulun Danu Batur temple on the caldera rim above, one of Bali's most important directional temples (sad kahyangan), is believed to be the spiritual source of all water flowing through Bali's irrigation channels, and offerings are brought here by water temple priests from across the island. The northern shore village of Toya Bungkah is the principal access point for both the lake and the Batur volcano trek. Several natural hot spring bathing establishments here channel water from geothermal springs into pools overlooking the lake — soaking in warm sulfurous water with the lake surface and the Batur volcano's smoking cone visible simultaneously is one of Bali's most distinctive sensory experiences. A small but authentic fishing community still operates jukung outriggers on the lake, catching tilapia and carp for the local warungs.