Kelimutu National Park, with its three mesmerizing crater lakes, stands as one of the coolest attractions on the Indonesian island of Flores. These three volcanic lakes regularly change colors due to variations in underlying gases and elements, showcasing hues of blue, green, pink, or brown! The color of Kelimutu Lake can change up to six times a year.

Importantly, reaching the triple lakes of Kelimutu from other parts of Indonesia, especially Bali, is both straightforward and budget-friendly. This travel guide will walk you through how to get to Kelimutu, ticket prices, the best time to visit, and everything else you need to know before you go!

Travel Tips for Kelimutu National Park

Most tours to Kelimutu National Park depart very early in the morning (around 4 AM) to catch the sunrise over the lakes, but this is not a necessity. We decided to skip the sunrise and head up the mountain just as it was getting light. We've seen too many spectacular sunrises on our travels, and this one didn't seem particularly special.

That said, the best time to view the lakes is definitely in the early morning. Soon after dawn, when the sun shines on the lake surfaces and the clouds haven't yet dispersed, the lake colors are the most vibrant. Regardless, try to arrive there by 7-8 AM at the latest and bring a jacket, as it can be quite chilly!

Twin Lakes

The twin lakes of Kelimutu Mountain are breathtakingly beautiful. When we visited, both lakes were turquoise, but they can turn into many different colors. You can view them from the main balcony with safety railings, or if you're daring enough, you can walk along an unsafe dirt path to the edge of the crater and stand between the two lakes.

Be careful of the monkeys! They'll try to steal anything you leave behind.

Drone Photos of the Twin Lakes in Kelimutu National Park, Flores, Indonesia

Local legends surrounding the Kelimutu lakes claim that they are resting places for the souls of the deceased. The eastern lake, known as Tiwu Ata Polo (the Magic Lake), is said to be where evil people are sent, while the other lake is called Tiwu Ko'o Fai Nuwa Muri (the Lake of Young Souls).

The twin lakes in the west are usually blue or green, while the eastern lake changes into various exotic colors such as red, green, brown, or black.

The Third Lake

If you continue along the path and up the stairs to the Inspiration Point, you'll see the third Kelimutu lake, hidden in a separate crater. This lake is named Tiwu Ata Bupu (the Lake of Old Souls), and locals believe it's where old people go after they die.

The lake water appears deep green or dark blue, with not much variation in color compared to the twin lakes.

Swimming in the Kelimutu Crater Lakes?

This is a common question, but no, you cannot swim in the Kelimutu crater lakes. Although these lakes are beautiful, they are also dangerous due to steep cliffs and toxic sulfuric acid water. So don't even think about swimming in the Kelimutu crater lakes, even if you could find a safe way to reach them.

In 1995, a Dutch tourist unfortunately fell into one of the Kelimutu lakes and died. After nearly a week of searching, his body was never found. Please be careful if you get close to the lake edge, as there are some loose rocks.

How to Get to Kelimutu

Since Kelimutu doesn't have its own dedicated airport, it takes a few steps to reach it. The complete process will be explained below. It may sound a bit complicated at first, but rest assured, reaching the lakes is actually quite simple!

Step 1: Fly to Ende or Maumere

The closest airports to Kelimutu are Ende (ENE) or Maumere (MOF). You can purchase flights to these airports on Skyscanner.

Both places have direct flights from Bali and Labuan Bajo, with a flight duration of just about 1 hour and a cost of 750,000 Indonesian rupiahs (USD 50) or less.

Step 2: Drive to Moni

Once you arrive at Ende or Maumere Airport, the next step is to drive to the town of Moni, located at the foot of Kelimutu Mountain.

If you drive from Ende to Kelimutu, it will take about 2 hours. You can take a private driver (400,000 rupiahs per vehicle), a shared minibus (50,000 rupiahs per person), or a bus/minibus (30,000 rupiahs per person).

If you drive from Maumere to Kelimutu, the journey will be slightly longer, taking about 3 hours, but the transportation options are the same as from Ende. Private drivers from Maumere cost 600,000 rupiahs per vehicle, while shared rides in minibuses/buses cost around 50-100,000 rupiahs per person. In both cases, Ende Airport and Maumere Airport are filled with taxis, and they will be happy to take you to Moni and Kelimutu in their private cars or direct you to shared vehicles with other travelers.

Step 3: Drive to Kelimutu National Park

Once you arrive in Moni, you're already at the foot of Kelimutu Mountain, with the peaks of the crater rim visible almost from the town!

You'll need transportation to get up the mountain to the parking lot of Kelimutu Lake. This journey takes about 30 minutes (depending on where you're staying in Moni), and sometimes the road is quite steep, but it's well-paved all the way to the top.

We rented a motorcycle from our hotel for 100,000 rupiahs per day (USD 7), and it worked well. You can also spend a bit more to rent a motorcycle with a driver (200,000 rupiahs round trip) or take a shared vehicle with other travelers for 300,000 rupiahs per vehicle and split the cost.

Most people choose to stay overnight in Moni and visit Kelimutu the next morning, but this is not necessary. Kelimutu Lake is beautiful at any time of the day.

Step 4: Trek to Kelimutu Lake

Once you arrive at the Kelimutu parking lot, you can easily walk a short distance to the lakes.

The path is suitable for all age groups and takes only 15-30 minutes, depending on your pace and fitness level. Voilà, you've arrived at the lakes of Kelimutu Mountain!

After exploring the national park, some people prefer to walk back to Moni instead of driving. The walk back takes about 2-3 hours and passes through scenic hills, terraced fields, and waterfalls.