Kelimutu Lake is in Kelimutu Mountain with three summit crater lakes of varying colors. Kelimutu is a small but well-known as Indonesian volcano in central Flores Island. This is the most famous tourist attraction in central Flores Island, Ende District, East Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia.
The western lake, Tiwi Ata Mbupu (Lake of Old People) is commonly blue. Tiwu Nua Muri Kooh Tai (Lake of Young Men and Maidens) and Tiwu Ata Polo (Bewitched, or Enchanted Lake), which share a common crater wall, are commonly green and red-colored, respectively, although lake colors being changed periodically.
History of Kelimutu Lake
Lio Van Such Telen, wo firstly discover this area is a citizen of the Dutch father Mama Lio, in 1915. Then, its beauty was getting more famous after Y. Bouman describe it in his writing in 1929. Since then foreign tourists have started to come to enjoy the lake. Those who come are not only lovers of beauty, but also researchers who want to know that very rare natural occurrence as well.
Kelimutu Lakes, which are on top of Kelimutu Mountain, are parts of Kelimutu National Park. We can rach Kelimutu National Park from almost every regional capital in Flores by cars. Visitors from the west, can take the route via Ende and then continue on to Moni which is at a distance of 53 km. From the east they can pass though Maumere and then continue on to Moni which is at distance of 95 KM.
The area of the three lakes is approximately 1,051,000 square meters with a water volume of 1,292 million cubic meters. The boundaries between the lakes are narrow rock walls that are prone to landslides. This wall is very steep with a 70-degree angle. The height of the lake walls ranges from 50 to 150 meters.
What is the Meaning of Kelimutu Lake
Kelimutu is a combination of words from “keli” which means mountain and the word “mutu” which means boiling. According to local people’s beliefs, the colors of the Kelimutu lake have their own meanings and have very powerful natural forces.
The lake or Tiwu Kelimutu is divided into three parts according to the colors in the lake. The blue lake or “Tiwu Nuwa Muri Koo Fai” is a gathering place for the souls of young people who have died. The red lake or “Tiwu Ata Polo” is a gathering place for the souls of people who have died and as long as they have lived they have always committed evil / divination.
While the white lake or “Tiwu Ata Mbupu” is a gathering place for the souls of parents who have died. The residents around Lake Kelimutu believe that when the lake changes color, they must make offerings to the spirits of those who have died.
Tour to Kelimutu Lakes Flores island Indonesia
Kelimutu 3 Color Lakes are the famous tourist attraction in Flores as they have 3 different colors of Water in the Lakes which is changed periodically. Tour to Kelimutu Lakes is possible to do from Bali Island by taking a direct Flight to Ende, Flores Island, Indonesia.
There is daily Flight from Bali to Ende. And you can stay overnight in Moni before Trekking up to the top of Mount Kelimutu to enjoy Sunrise over the Lakes. Most People visit Kelimutu Lake combine with Flores overland Tour or Flores Package tour and Flores Roundtrip.
It is the best way to discover Kelimutu Lakes while exploring many other best tourist places on Flores Island, Indonesia. We can start the Tour to Kelimutu Lake Flores Island from Maumere District which is 95 km from Moni. And then, after visiting Kelimutu 3 color lakes, we can continue to explore to the west of Flores.
We recommend to visit Riung National Park and Bena Village at Bajawa District. Then continue to Ranamese Lake near Ruteng and Wae Rebo Village in Manggarai District.
It is also good to continue to explore Komodo Island to see the biggest living Lizard on Earth; Komodo Dragon.
Kelimutu Lake with Komodo Dragon Island
Komodo Island is getting more famous with the Komodo Dragons in Rinca and Komodo Island. There are many flights daily from Bali, Jakarta and Surabaya to Komodo Airport in Labuan Bajo. So the tour to Kelimutu Lake is also possible to run it from Labuan Bajo.
We can explore another best tourist place in Flores including Kelimutu Lakes in Ende District. In case you have limited time and only need to visit Komodo and Kelimutu Lake. Then you can fly from Labuan Bajo to Ende and stay overnight in Ende. And then going up by Trekking to Kelimutu in the next Morning. Afterwards you can fly out to Bali directly after visiting Kelimutu Lake, Flores Island, Indonesia.
