Lahangan Sweet Bali – A Mt Agung Viewpoint Like No Other!

Lahangan Sweet Viewpoint, located in East Bali is a must-visit spot for all photography lovers!

We live in Bali and in this post, we are sharing our expert tips on visiting Lahangan Sweet Bali and taking epic shots that will blow up on your Instagram!

I (Mal) visited Lahangan Sweet Bali in 2021 during covid-19 pandemic when the spot was still a secret! It was definitely a memorable trip, we went there for sunrise and managed to take a photo that has been reshared 100s times on Instagram (including used on various websites without my permission 😅).

Read up to find out everything you need to know about this epic Mt Agung Viewpoint to make your trip a success.

My Experience At Lahangan Sweet Bali

As mentioned, I had the honour of visiting this magical viewpoint as one of the first people (this is why I love living in Bali ❤️). It was during our travels through Sidemen, that we also did a few hotel collaborations with places like Samanvaya.

We set off on our adventure well before the crack of dawn, everything progressing smoothly until we hit the challenging part: a steep, unpaved road. The path was so muddy that continuing on our scooter became impossible, making us trek the final stretch on foot.

It was just me and my best friend Haley, two gals navigating through the dark, dense forest – you can imagine the adrenaline rush! Both of us are avid photography enthusiasts, eager to capture the golden light at sunrise, so we found ourselves practically jogging uphill, unsure if we were even on the right track.

But the moment we arrived at the viewpoint, it was as if all our worries vanished. We instantly fell in love with the breathtaking scenery. Just take a look at the photo below, the warm hues blanketing the volcano are so gorgeous.

And climbing the ladder to that quaint treehouse was an adventure in itself – post-rain, my sandals were caked in mud, making every step on the slippery terrain a heart-thumping experience.

Where Is Lahangan Sweet Bali?

Lahangan Sweet is situated in Karangasem Regency in East Bali, and it is a little bit remote from other places on popular Bali itineraries. The closest village to the viewpoint is Bunutan Village.

PRO TIP: What I definitely highly recommend when you’re travelling to East Bali is leaving early in the morning. Traffic in Bali can be very very bad, and there were countless times when we got stuck for hours what was supposed to be a 2 hours.

We also recommend combining visiting Lahangan Sweet with other exciting Sidemen destinations, such as Lampuyang Temple and Bukit Cinta, which is another awesome viewpoint (Mal’s absolutely favourite!) for photography aficionados.

Bali Lahangan Sweet Entrance Fees

The entrance fee to the Lahangan Sweet site is free for Indonesian visitors and 20k IDR for foreign visitors, which is around £1 or $1.3. Just make sure you bring cash!

Lahangan Sweet Opening Hours

There are no official opening hours for this viewpoint. If you arrive before the opening times (like I did), you can still access the site and pay on your way out.

Like other Bali attractions, opening times are from the first light to sunset, which is between 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., depending on the time of the year.

What To Expect At Lahangan Sweet?

If you follow the directions from Google, it should take you right to the point where you need to get off the main paved road and go right up the steep dirt track. This is the point where you probably should leave your scooter and continue on foot unless your riding skills are super proficient, equivalent to the skills local people seem to have.

The path is steep and covered in slippery mud, and it’s just really tricky to navigate. The last part of the way should take around 15-20 minutes on foot.

Arriving At Lahangan Sweet

You’ll be expected to pay the entrance fee (20k IDR) at the booth next to the gate when you arrive. Go past the gate, and if you arrive early enough, on your right, you’ll be able to see the magnificent Lahangan Sweet sunrise. On a clear sky day, from here, you can see not only Mt Agung but also Lombok and Mount Rinjani!

Continue straight, and on the left, you’ll find the main viewpoint with the platform built on the tree overlooking the mighty volcano – Mount Agung. Watch your steps while climbing the ladder. It may get muddy and slippery.

There are a few other viewpoints and places to take photos, so make sure you explore them, too. The tree house is obviously the best one, but there is also a wooden platform.

If you need to take a break, there are some picnic tables and seats. And, if you’re up for even more adventure, you can actually camp here. Just hire a tent, and you can stay here for the night. I mean, I can only imagine how amazing the sky must look at night.

Lahangan Sweet Photo Tips

The best photography spot is at the tree house overlooking Mount Agung. My photos from Lahanagn Sweet went viral on Instagram, and I’ll share with you how I took them.

If you’re planning to be in the photos, wear something nice, depending on your style, to create a mood. A white or red flowy dress would probably be ideal. Try a few poses, sitting on the edge, looking at the view, etc.

If you’re a couple, you have more options to play with- one of you can sit on the edge, and one can climb the tree, or you can try your best dance and swirl moves. Remember that you’re creating a mood, and the best photos are when they tell a story.

If you’re taking photos at sunrise or sunset, the light will be challenging. Try increasing the shutter speed and decreasing the F point to get more light through the lens. If that doesn’t work, increase the ISO until you achieve the desired effect. Taking photos is not a science but an art, so try a few different settings.

A tripod would be ideal in this scenario, it will allow you to you slower shutter speed instead of high ISO settings, which often results in noise (grainy or pixel’y photo).

The drone doesn’t really do the trick, as there is a line of trees behind the tree house and you can’t really go far enough with it. Lahangan Sweet photos are best taken with a camera or a phone, but you need someone to take the photo for you.

Remember that underexposed photos preserve more colour information and are easier to edit and bring back than overexposed, blown-out images.

If you’re big on your social media game, don’t forget to create a short video for Instagram or TikTok, too!

How To Get To The Mount Agung Viewpoint?

By Scooter

The most convenient way to get to Lahangan Sweet is to hire a scooter. It should cost around 60k IDR per day, for the most basic scooter.

This option is great if you’re an experienced scooter driver, as roads, especially in East Bali, can be a little challenging. Simply type in Google Lahangan Sweet, and you’ll get the accurate directions that will take you there.

If you’re planning to travel with a passenger, I recommend getting a little more powerful scooter such as a Vario or NMax. Me and Haley travelled everywhere on an old scoopy, but going uphill was always challenging and funny! 😂

Laos, make sure you carry with you enough money for petrol and always fill the scooter tank to the maximum to avoid running out of petrol in the middle of nowhere.

Hire A Driver

Another option is to pay for a driver to drive you around there in their car. This alternative is great if you’re not that confident with motorbikes.

This is an excellent option if you want to stay flexible and create your perfect itinerary. Just ask your hotel to recommend a driver for you. This should cost around 900k IDR for 8 hours. We use a driver

Lahangan Sweet Tour

If you rather go with a small group and have the transport arranged for you, which is so convenient, then book a Lahanagn Sweet tour. We recommend a tour by Viator, that combines the viewpoint with a visit to Gemblen Waterfall and Besakih Temple.

Best Time To Visit Lahangan Sweet

The best time to visit Lahangan Sweet viewpoint is in the morning. Early morning is perfect because it’s still cool, and you will most likely need to hike the last part of the route. It’s also great because you will have the site to yourself without other tourists spoiling your vibe.

Extra bonus for those that arrive at around 6:30 a.m. You will not only be able to watch the beautiful sunrise but also capture the morning sun rays adorning the volcano.

A really good time for photography is also at sunset. Lahangan Sweet sunset is also magical with the sun going behind Mt Agung. The only problem with coming here at this time is the hike back in the darkness and driving back to the hotel at night, too.

Another thing to keep in mind is the rainy season. Since Lahangan Sweet Bali is situated in the mountainous region it gets quite wet and muddy, especially in the rainy season. So, the best time to visit Lahangan Bali is during the dry season which runs between April to October.

Where To Stay Near Lahangan Sweet?

Wondering where to stay in Bali for the best access to Lahangan? Lahangan Sweet Karangasem is a little remote from any tourist hub, but there are a few options where you can base yourself.

You can stay in Amed, which is a coastal town with beautiful black beaches and excellent snorkelling. If you want to see the gorgeous and less touristy Sidemen Valley (which I highly recommend), then you can stay in Sidemen.

Lahangan Sweet: The Wrap-Up

I hope you found this comprehensive guide to visiting Lahangan Sweet in Bali helpful and that I have convinced you to go, even though this place is far away from any other tourist destinations.

If you’re an avid photographer like we are, you will absolutely love this Mt Agung viewpoint, which will give you the photo op of a lifetime!

Before you go, check out the post below which we think you’ll love too!

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