A Guide To Kelimutu National Park (And Is It Worth It)

Is it really worth visiting Kelimutu National Park to see the crater lakes?

That’s the question I kept asking myself when I first arrived on Flores Island.

The short answer: yes! But the journey to get there is a long one.

I spent over 2 weeks on Flores, and visiting Kelimutu Lakes was the cherry on top of an incredible time on the island.

In this guide, I’ll share everything you need to know about Kelimutu National Park, including how to get there and the best time to see the Kelimutu crater lakes.

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How to get to Kelimutu National Park

The small village of Moni is the gateway to Kelimutu National Park.

To get here, you’ll first need to travel to Ende – a larger town with an airport and regular bus connections. Ende doesn’t have much to offer, so don’t spend the night here.

Getting to Ende | You can catch a flight to Ende from Bali or Labuan Bajo (Komodo National Park). If you’re traveling overland, there are regular public buses from Bajawa, Riung, or Maumere.

Getting from Ende to Moni | From Ende, you need to drive to Moni. This should take an hour, but in true Flores fashion, it took us closer to three! Our bemo (local bus) broke down halfway – which happens more often than you’d think. The ride costs 50 000 IDR per person from Ende bus station.

Getting to Kelimutu National Park from Moni

Once in Moni, it’s an 11 km ride to Kelimutu National Park (location here).

The easiest way to get around is by renting a scooter for the day. This gives you the freedom to enjoy Mount Kelimutu at your own pace and explore the rice paddies afterwards.

We paid 150 000 IDR for a day’s rental from our homestay in Moni (I highly recommend staying here).

Your other options include an ojek (motorcycle taxi) or you can hire a private driver.

What to expect

After arriving at Kelimutui National Park, you’ll pay an entrance fee of 150 000 IDR.

This allows you to revisit the lakes numerous times throughout the day, so keep this ticket handy in case you want to come back (which we did).

From there, it’s a short 1.5 km hike to the crater lakes. This shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes.

The path is well-marked with a gradual incline and is a pretty easy route to walk.

You won’t miss the lakes. They are as spectacular in real life as in the pictures!

Best time to visit Kelimutu Lakes

Sunrise vs daytime? This one’s debatable.

Most tourists visit Kelimutu Lakes for sunrise so they can leave Moni that same day. It’s a good option if you’re short on time, but expect crowds.

Also, keep in mind that you aren’t guaranteed perfect weather conditions. This was something I learned the hard way.

I visited Kelimutu National Park for sunrise (which was a disaster), so I headed back to the lakes later in the day.

Here’s my experience (in August).

Mount Kelimutu for sunrise

I left Moni at 04:15 am and began the trek to the peak at 05:00 am.

Instead of a clear morning with the perfect sunrise, I was met by a fierce storm. It was cold and wet, and there were lots of other tourists.

This was in August, which is the dry season in Indonesia.

Over the next hour, we all sat there anxiously waiting for the sun to beam through the clouds. When it did, everyone rushed to get a picture.

After an hour at the peak, we decided to head back down.

Mount Kelimutu during the day

After a rather disappointing (yet eventful) start to the day, we decided to go back to Kelimutu National Park after lunch.

Arriving at the top, I couldn’t believe I was at the same spot I had been a few hours earlier. The Kelimutu Lakes were all brightly colored with no shadows falling on them.

It was peaceful and quiet, with no crowds.

The sky was clear blue, and the views, spectacular.

I had given the magical Kelimutu Lakes a second chance at impressing me, and wow, was I completely blown away by their beauty!

This is why I recommend planning your Indonesia itinerary so that your days are flexible.

In my opinion, noon is the best time to visit Kelimutu National Park.

Can you swim in Kelimutu Lakes

No, you cannot swim in the crater lakes in Kelimutu National Park as they are made of toxic sulfur water. There are also steep cliffs surrounding the lakes, making them dangerous to access.

Why do they change color

The colors of these volcanic lakes change from blue to green to brown and even red.

This is caused by a chemical reaction of the lake’s minerals, the gas activity of Kelimutu volcano, as well as the changing weather conditions.

However, the locals have their own theories that are based on the idea that the lakes are the resting place of their ancestors’ spirits. They believe that the changing color is due to spirits that have become restless and begin to wander.

Lake of Young Men and Maidens | This lake is said to be where those young souls and children go to rest.

Enchanted lake | This lake is home to the spirits of those who have committed crimes and lived an evil life.

Lake of Old People | This is believed to be the home of those souls who have lived a long, good life. This lake was dark green in color at the time of our visit

Mount Kelimutu hiking

For those interested in hiking, there is a 10 km trek which includes a more scenic route through Kelimutu National Park. This takes 2 to 3 hours from Moni to Kelminutu National Park.

I suggest you take an ojek or taxi to the Kelimutu Lakes parking area (as most people do).

From there, make your way to the lakes. Thereafter, take the longer route down to Moni, where you will walk through the local villages and rice paddies before reaching the town 3 hours later.

READ MORE: The Best Places To Visit In Bali

Where to stay

Moni is a small village with only a few basic accommodation options available. It’s best to spend two nights here, which gives you a full day to explore the area.

I stayed at Rago’s Homestay and loved it. It’s a local spot just outside of town with lovely owners who helped us with logistics and scooter rentals. Highly recommend!

For something a bit more luxurious, The Geckos Homestay is an excellent option. The gorgeous bungalows are nestled in the countryside with beautiful views from their private balconies.

Is it worth visiting Kelimutu National Park

Absolutely. The Kelimutu Crater Lakes are spectacular and so worth seeing if you have time.

This part of Flores Island is incredibly beautiful. It’s not just the Kelimutu Lakes that make it worthwhile, but also the journey that it takes to get there.

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Looking for more Indonesia travel information? Check out my other posts!

• The Best Places To Visit In Indonesia
• What To Pack For Indonesia
• Exploring 17 Island Marine Park in Riung
• Sumba Island Travel Guide
• Surfing in Sumba
• 3 Day Ubud Itinerary

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