Bali’s Mount Agung Closure Enhances Cultural Experience for Travellers

Bali’s most sacred volcano will be closed to the public for the next month. Mount Agung, which is Bali’s tallest and most spiritually significant peak, will be closed for cleaning ceremonies; this means that all tourist visits and hikes will be prohibited. The upcoming closure of Mount Agung is no exception. Mount Agung is closed to the public on an annual basis according to the timing of ceremonies and rituals that must be performed on the land. As Bali’s most sacred landscape, there are often periods where the land must be let be to allow for cleansing and clearing of energies, in accordance with Balinese Hinduism, which is culturally the law of the land. All activities on Mount Agung, including hiking, walking, trail running, and sightseeing visits, will be prohibited for 28 days, starting on the March 28 through to April 24, 2026. This is to respect a series of major Karya Ida Bhatara Turun Kabeh (IBTK) ceremonies that will be held at the Agung Besakih Temple. Speaking to reporters, the Besakih Traditional Village Head, Jro Mangku Widiartha, stated that the decision was made through a paruman, or meeting with all the caretakers of Pura Agung Besakih. Information about the closure has also been communicated to hiking guides and travel agents, meaning that tourists and travelers should not even be able to book experiences on Mount Agung during the closure period. Jro Mangku Widiartha told reporters, “We hope that all tourists and climbers will understand and not force themselves to climb Mount Agung during the closure.”