The 1,639-meter-high Kelimutu volcano, located on the Indonesian island of Flores, is known for its crater lakes that change color from time to time. Natural bodies of water, in which various minerals are dissolved, change color every few years, becoming turquoise, red-brown, green or black. At the same time, color transitions occur independently of each other, which strengthens the belief of local residents in the supernatural origin of the place. According to an ancient myth, the souls of the dead find their peace and shelter in the lakes of Kelimutu.
The source of the multi-colored shades and the reason for such a geological anomaly in the Kelimutu crater are the minerals that lie at the bottom of each of the lakes. They gradually dissolve in water, coloring it as a result of chemical reactions. The volcanic lakes have their own names: Tiwi Ata Mbupu (translated as “Lake of the Elders and Wise People”), Tiwu Nua Muri Kooh Tai (“Lake of Young Souls”) and Tiwu Ata Polo (“Enchanted Lake of Evil Spirits”).
Overnight accommodation in the village of Moni, the closest settlement to the Kelimutu crater, should be booked in advance, especially during peak dates (July and August). Guest houses usually organize transfers to lakes for an additional fee. To see the sunrise on the volcano, you should leave Moni no later than four in the morning. This is the best time to visit the reserve not so much because of the picturesque landscapes drenched in the sun, but because of the weather conditions: in the afternoon the lakes are often hidden by heavy fog. For the walk, you should choose warm clothing that protects from the wind, and also take a flashlight, water and snacks with you. However, early in the morning local residents prepare tea and coffee for tourists on the trail.
How to get there
Lakes Kelimutu are located in the central part of the island of Flores, 60 kilometers northeast of the city of Ende and 105 kilometers southwest of the city of Maumere. They have small airports that accept flights from major cities - Denpasar, Kupang, Labuan Bayo and Tambolaka.
Travel time from Maumere, the largest of the two towns closest to Kelimut, to the volcano is three to four hours, depending on weather conditions. The road passes through mountainous terrain and is quite exhausting, so most tourists stop in the small village of Moni for an overnight stay or a short rest before visiting the lakes. In addition, this is a convenient transfer point if you travel by regular buses; they travel to the village from Maumere and Ende several times a day. From Moni, located 15 kilometers from Kelimutu, buses also run to the crater. They are very popular among the local population and, as a rule, are crowded, so the best option to get to the attraction is by taxi, since local residents willingly give rides to tourists.
Location
The Kelimutu volcano is located in the territory of the national park of the same name, located on the island of Flores, part of the Lesser Sunda Islands group.
February 28, 2014Indonesia is the “land of a thousand islands”. How many fire-breathing volcanoes are there?! Some of them sleep, while others constantly disturb the inhabitants of the country.
The famous Kelimutu volcano is located on the island of Flores. Since 1968, this sleeping giant has shown no signs of volcanic activity. Kelimutu is an ancient one that has an amazing feature.
Bright spots on the top of the volcano
Kelimutu reaches an altitude of 1639 meters. At its top, after the last eruption, three craters of various shapes appeared, which over time were filled with water from atmospheric precipitation.
The bodies of water that are nearby change their color. Turquoise, red, brown, black, green – this is what the lakes look like at different periods of time!
Scientists theorize that the lakes change color from their contents due to a chemical reaction that occurs when various gases and minerals interact.
For example, the reaction between iron and hydrogen sulfide gas produces a brownish-red hue. As both hydrochloric and sulfuric acid levels increase, a rich green color appears.
The legend of the most unusual lakes in the world
Residents of the village of Moni, which lies very close to the foot of the volcano, believe that these reservoirs are the abode of the souls of deceased ancestors. If it means that souls are angry.
Lake Tiwu-Ata-Mbulu, located in the west of the volcano, is called the lake of old men. According to legend, it sheltered the noble souls of people who lived their lives with dignity, those who died in old age. “Lake of Old Men” is a symbol of faith, knowledge and wisdom that comes with age.
Two other strange chameleon lakes are located nearby. They are separated only by a thin partition - the crater wall. Residents of the island of Flores believe that this is a thin line separating good and evil.
The names of the lakes explain this idea. After all, one of these volcanic formations, Tivu Nua Muri Kooh Tai, which is called the lake of boys and girls, preserves the innocent, young souls of those who died very early.
Incredibly, over the last quarter of a century 12 times! the water in the lake changed its color. Behind the partition is the “lake of black, evil souls” Tivu-Ata-Polo, where the souls of sinners languish.
Miraculous transformations in the volcanic lakes of Kelimutu
It is impossible to know for sure what color of water will be in each of the lakes tomorrow. Now the “lake of old people” is black, the lake of “young souls” is green. The enchanted “lake of sinners” is currently brown.
Previously, these reservoirs were, respectively, white, turquoise and red. In 2010, Tivu Ata Mbulu was painted dark green, Tivu Nua Muri Kooh Tai a beautiful vibrant turquoise, and Lake Tivu Ata Polo a moss green hue.
How to get to the colored lakes in Indonesia
Thousands of travelers during their holidays in Indonesia visit Kelimutu National Park to see the chameleon lakes. The village of Moni can be reached from the towns of Ende (51 km) and Maumere (62 km). Next is the car route. 40 minutes - and you are at the parking lot near the foot of the volcano. Another half hour - and colored lakes will appear before you.
At the top there is a convenient observation deck from which guests of Indonesia can enjoy a fantastic landscape. Sunsets and sunrises give the lakes bright, rich colors. Late in the morning, thick fog thickens the atmosphere of secrets and mysteries in the area around the lakes.
Important: Beware of walking on volcanic rock outside designated paths. An experienced guide will help you plan your route. Remember that the surface of the stones on the slopes of the volcano is very slippery. Stay away from the lakes, as the fumes cause fainting.
Indonesia's volcanoes, including the mysterious giant Kelimutu with its colored lakes, are on the list of attractions of this island country. The natural sites of Kelimutu National Park in Indonesia are protected by UNESCO.
Kelimutu and its colored lakes photo
Two inseparable and incomparably beautiful lakes are located on Mount Kelimutu in Indonesia. This is the most unusual and mystical place with two lakes of different colors. There are a lot of such extraordinary creatures of nature in the world that delight simply by their existence. One of the lakes is called Tiu Ata Mbulu, which translated means “lake of the souls of ancestors.”
The second lake is located next to Tiu Ata Mbulu and is called Tiu Nuva Muri Koo Fai, translated as “lake of the souls of young people”, it is usually a different color.
The uniqueness and mysticism of these reservoirs lies in the fact that the color of the water constantly changes from turquoise to blue, from blue to blue, and can become red, green or even black.
Each lake lives its own life, so the color of the water changes individually for each one. Local residents living not far from the lake believe that the color of the water changes due to the souls of dead people and the lake reacts differently to each soul, either angry or happy. Others believe that the color of the water changes not as a result of the anger of the lake, but as a result of the anger of the souls themselves. In any case, lakes are a place for dead souls. So the lakes of “Tears” or, as they are also called, lakes of “evil spirits” in Indonesia will remain a mystery and mystical place for humanity for a long time.
They say that the souls of the dead live in the colorful reservoirs of Kelimutu. Elderly people found peace in the first lake, those who died young found peace in the second, and sinners languished in the third. And the foggy haze swirling in the mornings and the often changing color of chameleon ponds with intoxicating fumes seem to confirm this theory. Nevertheless, the colored lakes still attract tourists.
Dormant half a century ago, the Kelimutu volcano, Indonesia, is located in the south of the small island of Florence, between its largest cities of Ende and Maumere, and is one of the volcanoes of the Pacific Ring of Fire, which includes more than three hundred active volcanoes (out of five hundred and forty known). Mount Kelimutu has a height of one and a half thousand meters above sea level, and the last eruption occurred more than half a century ago.
The mountain became famous thanks to its unique crater lakes, which have no analogues in the whole world. Kelimutu is the only mountain on Earth where from one point you can see as many as three multi-colored reservoirs, and where tourists come from all over the world.
These are not just three lakes of different colors located almost right next to each other, but bodies of water that, like a chameleon, periodically change their color. No one (not even scientists) can predict exactly when this will happen. Each lake can be either turquoise, white, mustard, red, green, black and other tones.
The Kelimutu lakes are a kind of reservoir: since they are located in the crater of a volcano, they are almost not fed by groundwater, but are filled with numerous precipitation, which falls abundantly here during the rainy season, which lasts from November to March. The climate on Florence Island in Indonesia is subcontinental maritime monsoon, and there is plenty of water at this time.
According to one theory, these lakes were formed during the last volcanic eruption in 1968, after which depressions appeared in the cooled lava (in this case, as many as three). These reservoirs are extremely deep - according to unconfirmed data, the depth of the crater exceeds 1.5 thousand meters (that is, the height of a volcano). Judging by the myths of the Lio tribe, it is likely that before the eruption there were also lakes of a similar type there.
The reservoirs are located quite deep below, the slopes of the volcano around them abruptly drop down, so getting close to them is practically impossible, and even deadly. So, a few years ago, a Danish tourist climbed over the fence to take a closer look at one of the reservoirs, slipped and fell down. His body was never found.
The color of reservoirs is extremely difficult to predict, therefore, when climbing Kelimutu, you can never tell what color they will be. Over the course of several years (with short periodicity), the same lake can be black, green, brown, white, bottle blue, turquoise, red. Although, of course, predictions are made about exactly when the color may change.
The best way to admire the lakes is from a specially equipped area, which is located at the top of the volcano. It is advisable to walk along the lakes along specially designed paths, and you must wear shoes with non-slip soles (volcanic stone is extremely slippery, and therefore walking on it is quite dangerous ). The fumes emanating from reservoirs can lead to fainting (unfortunately, there have been cases where tourists lost consciousness at the most inopportune moment - and fell down, which almost always ended in death for them).
It is advisable to come to this amazing place either early in the morning, at dawn, or during sunset. Here, such a time comes extremely quickly, and the lakes acquire extremely deep, bright and rich colors.
It is especially beautiful here at dawn, when the lakes are still shrouded in morning fog and give the landscape a touch of mystery and mysticism. The suddenly appearing Sun in the blink of an eye makes the sky extremely bright, itself transforming in a couple of seconds from a bright red disk into a dazzling white body.
It not only illuminates everything around, but also decisively disperses the fog swirling above the reservoirs, in some places it even forms a rainbow (in the shape of a complete oval).
It is not surprising that local aborigines believe that this is where the souls of dead people move, after which, having been purified, at dawn, according to one version, they rise to heaven. And color transitions, which often occur in bodies of water independently of each other (that is, lakes do not change color at the same time), only confirm their beliefs.
Legends of the Lio Tribe
According to their beliefs, the Kelimut Lakes are untouchable and taboo for local residents. The aborigines of the Lio tribe are convinced that the souls of deceased people find their peace in the reservoirs of Kelimutu. To this day, every year they organize special ceremonies with dances, etc., especially for these spirits.
- According to their beliefs, each body of water is intended for different categories of souls:
- Tivu Nua Muri Kooh Tai. This body of water is located between two other lakes. The souls of people who died at a young age settled here. Interestingly, it changes color most often - in a quarter of a century this happened more than twelve times. Its name is translated as “Lake of Young Souls”.
- Tivu-Ata-Polo. Murderers, sinners, scoundrels and criminals, that is, those who lived their years unworthily and committed a lot of evil, settled forever in the “Enchanted Lake of Evil Spirits.” Moreover, it is noteworthy that it is separated from the central reservoir by a very narrow volcanic crater wall. Representatives of the Lio tribe are convinced that this symbolizes how thin and fragile the line between good and evil is.
Why do bodies of water change color?
Why the lakes in this amazing place constantly change color has not yet been fully studied. But there are versions, different and very interesting.
Version No. 1. Lio Tribe Theory
Local residents are sure that reservoirs change their color when souls are angry about something, so they must be appeased. For this purpose, they perform appropriate rituals on the top of Kelimutu. At the same time, the aborigines are convinced that their ancestors are answering them, since during the ceremonies (according to their belief) water boils in the reservoirs, and a blue fog appears over the surface.
Another theory of theirs says that a change in color signals the approach of major troubles (and not only for the island, but for all of Indonesia).
Version No. 2. Scientists' hypotheses
Scientists explain the phenomenon of this amazing place in their own way. They claim that reservoirs change their color depending on what kind of chemical reaction is currently occurring in the bowels of the earth and even on climatic conditions.
According to them, at the bottom of the lakes there are cracks through which volcanic gases rise, which, once in the reservoirs, enter into a chemical reaction with the minerals dissolved in it. In each lake, the minerals that are found on the bottom and walls of the volcano are different.
The presence of carbon dioxide contributes to the rise of deep waters to the surface of lakes, which are also enriched with minerals. The same process helps draw water down, which also affects the constant change in color of the lakes.
Lakes of Young Souls and Old Men
In the central reservoir (it is where the color change most often occurs) there is solfatara - when evaporations of sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, hydrochloric acid and other substances are released from cracks in the walls and bottom of the crater.
The temperature of solfatara usually ranges from 100°C to 300°C, therefore it is a constantly smoking crack.
Once on the surface, hydrogen sulfide reacts with air and turns into sulfuric acid. In this reservoir, as well as in Lake Starikov, there is an extremely high concentration of sulfuric and hydrochloric acids, which give them mainly green tones. Their shades change periodically - they can be bright green, turquoise, and dark green, deep blue, burgundy, white and black.
Lake of Evil Souls
Previously, the Lake of Evil Souls was a gorgeous, bright scarlet hue (it is quite possible that this is why it got its name). Now every year it becomes darker and darker. Now it has become almost black. This unusual color was caused by the high concentration of iron in the reservoir, as well as a higher level of acidity than in the reservoirs located near it. There are periods when it takes on more traditional lake colors, such as turquoise or green.
Trip to Flores
The island of Flores, Indonesia is worth a visit not only to look at the colorful lakes, but also at other attractions that are located quite compactly to each other: the island itself is small in size - about 350 km in length and 70 km in width .
For example, travelers all over the world will be interested to know that on this island the skeleton of a very small man was found (he was nicknamed a hobbit), whose age exceeds 18 thousand years and belongs to “Homo sapiens”.
19 species of animals, characteristic only for this area, live here. To see them, you will have to climb into the impenetrable jungle, but on the way to the reservoirs you can often see small monkeys living on the island, and at the observation deck they even independently run out to people for handouts.
On the way to unique reservoirs, you can admire flowering trees, beautiful mountain views and landscapes. The colorful lakes of Kelimutu themselves are surrounded by a small jungle (4.5 hectares), in which mahogany, pine, and casuarina trees grow, and the grass cover is decorated with edelweiss. There is also a protected forest, waterfalls and caves with stalactites and stalagmites.
In short, if possible, it’s definitely worth visiting near Kelimutu, Indonesia. You shouldn’t put off your trip: although the volcano is considered extinct, there are, in principle, no guarantees that it will not wake up. And after the eruption, it is not a fact that the reservoirs will remain in the same place or will exist. Indeed, recently the activity of the Ring of Fire volcanoes has increased significantly.
It's finished. I reached the Kelimutu volcano! By myself, across the country, making an unforgettable journey through Indonesia using public transport. After the village, I left for Ende and the next day to Moni, from there it is convenient to go to the volcano. I’m telling you about my visit to this masterpiece of nature and one of the best places on Earth, showing photos, and then useful information on how to get there and my stories. See the volcano on the map at the end of the article.
Kelimutu Volcano Kelimutu
Kelimutu Volcano is one of the best attractions in Indonesia, attracting tourists with colorful lakes in its crater. Mount Kelimutu is located on the island of Flores, 51 km from the city of Ende, the administrative center. About an hour's drive. I will write how to get there at the end of the article.
The volcano is considered extinct, although the last eruption was not so long ago in 1968. The height of the Kelimutu volcano is 1639 m. The height of the crater walls is from 50 to 150 meters. The name means "Keli" - mountain "Mutu" - boiling.
Colorful lakes of Kelimutu volcano
Three different colored lakes in the craters of a volcano- black, blue and red - this is the most interesting and extraordinary miracle of nature. The lakes change their color from time to time, and sometimes do not live up to their names at all.
Over the past 25 years, the red lake has changed its color 12 times. My photo was taken on March 8, 2013. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw this red (brown) lake in the photos taken this year at the end of August - it was light blue!!! As is usually the case, any mountain has its own legends, especially one as amazing as Kelimutu.
The best time to go look at the lakes is to watch the sunrise. The amazing views and colors of the lake changed before my eyes when the sun appeared, from gray-blue to emerald green.
I wasn’t sure that I would wake up, so there was no 100% agreement with the motorcyclist, even despite his inexpensive price. However, I woke up at night on my own and, just like a couple of weeks ago on , I persuaded myself to get up and go, so as not to regret it later. And she did the right thing. I came to the house of an elderly man I already knew, with whom I was traveling on the bus and with whom I had dinner in his home cafe. It’s good that he is a Muslim and did not sleep so early, but prayed. She knocked on the door of the tiny room where the light came from. He opened it and went to wake up his son. Within a few minutes we were riding a motorbike to Mount Kelimutu. to greet the dawn, it was still a little dark and very cool. I walked along the path straight to the observation deck, where local residents saved frozen tourists like me with hot tea and coffee from the thermoses they brought. Well done! Tea with lemon and fresh ginger, for mere pennies - sitting in front of the lake waiting for the sun to rise - it's super! And I was wondering where the locals were going with the bales when I walked from the entrance to the observation deck. 
Surprise
But an even greater super awaited me later. God, how happy I am and how lucky I am again! I met for the third time!!! times the same foreign couple who lived in the next room in the same family hotel in Bajawa. This is what I love most about traveling! A day earlier, by chance! I came across their house when I was looking for housing, and in a place where there was not a soul at all. And now again, to Kelimuta. There will be someone to ask to take a photo 😀 By the way, these guys came from Ruteng on a rented motorcycle (I envied them a little, although I saw the same beauties, but from the bus window)
Legends of Kelimutu Lakes
Three volcano lakes and each has its own name and mystical purpose.
A lake that is located separately - black (white) of the usual type is called in the local language “Tiwu Ata Polo” Tiwu Ata Polo - this is the lake inhabited by evil spirits or evil souls of people who have committed evil deeds or crimes. It is called “Lake of Evil Spirits”
Almost nearby, opposite this black one, is blue (green) lake “Nuwa Muri Koo Fai Tiwu” Nua Muri Koo Fai Tiwu- in this beautiful lake the souls of dead children and people who died at a young age found their shelter - this is a lake of girls and young men, boys and girls.
And next to him through a small wall is the red lake is called "Tiwu Mbupu Ata" Tiwu Mutu Ata- According to legend, the souls of deceased ancestors and parents live in it; some call it “the lake of old people.”
According to local beliefs, if the souls of the dead are disturbed, the lake will change color. Well, how else could illiterate people explain such a phenomenon?
Meanwhile, the sun was already dispelling the darkness and haze, and with every minute the amazing views amazed the imagination more and more. Such a mysterious natural mystery seemed to open its doors with the rays of the sun.
The views are amazing! I just wanted to walk around and look into every corner, climb a mountain and embrace the immensity. To get an idea of the scale, try to see me in a white jacket in the photo below. Cat point.
It became warmer and warmer, everything began to sparkle with bright colors - I was so happy that even these two foreigners gradually began to fool around with me and also take funny pictures. And I was bouncing around like a ball, here and there - everything was so beautiful, unusual, awesome, cool!
Having seen enough, we went for a walk around and closer. Therefore, after saying goodbye to the black lake and taking another photo, in clear weather, we headed to the red lake and the isthmus between the lakes.
The small white house on the top of the mountain is exactly the observation deck from where I started to watch the sunrise, where I drank tea and met a couple of these guys, with whom we had a wonderful time, mainly due to my overflowing emotions.
Here is this stone watershed. 
Wall between lakes. It just seems that she is short - she is not even small.
Along the way we met a bunch of monkeys, well, what would we do without them if they are ubiquitous. One agreed to take the photo.
The sun had already risen and was pleasantly hot, and the colors of the lake became simply amazing, brighter and brighter. The blue sky and stone walls of the volcano were reflected in the lake and gave additional shades. One became a real emerald color, and the other was dark brown with a reddish tint.
Why are Kelimutu lakes colorful?
In fact, real chemical reactions take place in lakes, almost like in a giant natural test tube. This can even be observed - sometimes traces appear on the surface - foam or.... The water in the lake contains many minerals, which, reacting with vapors and liquids from the depths of the volcano, color the water in the lakes in different colors. Hydrogen sulfide, hydrochloric and sulfuric acid seep into the cracks at the bottom, respectively, and do their job. It is clear that temperature, pressure and other factors also affect these processes.
Kelimutu National Park Kelimutu National Park
The area around Mount Kelimutu is a nature protection zone and has been declared a national park since 1992 - this is the smallest national park in Indonesia, occupying only 50 square meters. km., but it attracts with its beauty and amazing colorful lakes. The highest peak of the park is Mount Kelibara, 1731 m above sea level.
Entrance to the park was paid in 2014 and cost 20 thousand rupees for a ticket plus 3 thousand rupees for something else, maybe for entry on a motorbike. For photography with a camera you need to pay another 50 thousand rupees. I paid 23 thousand rupees and that’s it. There is a well-equipped path to the craters, which will take about half an hour’s walk from the parking lot.
There are such amazing views around! I so wanted to walk around, climb some mountain. Explore the entire national park. But the motorcyclist waited for me for several hours at the main entrance. So 6 hours was not enough for me.
On the way back we saw beautiful views, and in the distance you can see the blue sea. 🙂 We stopped to take photos, I said goodbye to my foreign friends and the driver took me to one of the hot springs, which turned out to be very small.
Then we stopped at a small waterfall and I returned to the village of Moni, where I spent another two days.
Kelimutu Volcano on the map
How to get to Kelimutu Volcano
From the city of Ende it is only an hour away by bus or car along a very picturesque road. The bus costs 15-25 thousand rupees, depending on your situation. I drove for 15 thousand.
From the city Ende, where there is an airport from which planes fly to other different cities too. From the airport you can even walk to small hotels or guesthouses. And of course, get where you need to go by taxi or bemo.
From the city Maumere, it takes about three hours to travel by bus that runs to Ende through the village of Moni. You can buy tickets in the form below or use this link to find a hotel
Moni- the most convenient point where tourists usually stop. There are guesthouses, home stays, and various cafes.
