Tourist Quickly Deported From Bali After Hiking Bali’s Mount Agung Without A Guide

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A German tourist has been rapidly deported from Bali after he was apprehended by immigration officials after hiking Mount Agung without a guide.

Although it has always been the case that hikers must hire a local guide in order to embark on the route, new legislation was brought into effect this month that makes it illegal to go without a guide. 

The German tourist, known by his initials KES, was deported on Wednesday 22nd January, on a flight from Denpasar to Kuala Lumpur. He was detained by officials from the Singaraja Immigration Office, who spoke to the media after his arrest. 

Hendra Setiawan, the Head of the Singaraja Immigration Office, told reporters that KES was found to have violated the Circular Letter of the Forestry and Environmental Service Number B.24.500.4.1/95/UOTD.KPHBT/DKLH of 2025 concerning Prevention of the Risk of Climbing Mount Agung in Extreme Weather Conditions.

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Setiawan told reporters “In the context of monitoring and enforcing immigration law, we are deporting a German citizen who has violated the laws and regulations in force in Indonesia.”

KES had been reported to the Singaraja Immigration Office by a local guide who had spotted him parking in the car park at the Pasar Agung Temple, which marks the start of the most popular hiking route to the summit of the volcano. 

KES is said to have told the guard on duty that he only wanted to visit Pasar Agung Temple. The guard, who was suspicious of this explanation, informed him that he needed to be accompanied by a guide, but KES proceeded regardless. 

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On 12th January the Bali Provincial Forestry and Environment Agency (KLH) issued a new circular letter sharing updated public safety policies for accessing Mount Agung. The updates came after a sharp increase in the number of tourists, both domestic and international, attempting to hike to the summit without a guide and becoming injured and in some tragic cases even dying on the side of the volcano.

Speaking to the media in the hours after the circular letter was issued, the Acting Head of the Bali KLH Service, I Made Rentin, emphasized that climbers must not carry out climbing activities during heavy rain, storms, or other extreme weather conditions that have potential to endanger safety.

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Rentin told reporters, “Climbers are advised not to climb Mount Agung during extreme weather for safety. If the weather is stable, climbing can be done using the services of experienced local guides who understand the route and environmental conditions.” 

He reiterated that “Climbers are urged not to do climbing activities on Mount Agung during bad weather, such as heavy rain, storms, or other extreme weather potentials that can endanger safety.”

It is a testament to how seriously Bali is taking the new policy by deporting KES so quickly. This tough stance should be noted by tourists and travelers who have been considering hiking Mount Agung or even Mount Batur without a guide.

Officials are taking a zero-tolerance approach to those around and are disrespecting both the policy, the sanctity of the volcano, and the local communities who derive part of their income from guiding on the hiking trail.

It should also be noted that hiking both Mount Agung and Mount Batur is not easy. Though both hikes are completed by thousands of tourists every year, the routes are well-trodden but still treacherous in many areas.

With the routes not well signposted, in poor condition in many areas and the combination of hiking in the dark to reach the summit for sunrise, and rapidly changing weather conditions on the mountain, can make for disastrous consequences. 

The Circular Letter of the Forestry and Environmental Service issued last week also states that the authorities have the power to close down access to the volcano hiking routes should weather conditions become too dangerous.