Kelimutu lakes are one of the most beautiful sights in Indonesia, and one of the reasons why I would recommend you to spend some time on Flores rather than only staying around the Komodo Islands. The national park itself is well-known by many for its three forever-shifting tri-colored volcanic lakes that are situated 1,639 m above sea level on top of a mountain.
Now, knowing where to go on Flores is half of the adventure. The other half is knowing how to get there, and that is why I decided to write this guide. Here is everything you need to know to get to Kelimutu lakes and hike up at sunrise.
- A Road to Kelimutu Map
- Where to Stay near Lake Kelimutu?
- How to Get to Kelimutu?
- Tips for Visiting Kelimutu
- Indonesia Travel Video
- When to Go to Kelimutu?
- Which tourist SIM card is best for Indonesia?
- Flores Tours & Activities
- What to Pack for Flores, Indonesia?
- Further Reading for Indonesia
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A Road to Kelimutu Map
Where to Stay near Lake Kelimutu?
Daily Budget
This place is quite affordable compared to all the other countries in the world. If you are planning a trip here, you can expect to spend around $25 - $45 USD per day per person, which should include accommodation and three meals.
Please keep in mind that these are suggested daily budgets based on my own style of travel, which leans more towards the budget side of things. If you aim to stick to this budget, anticipate sleeping in dormitories, dining out only occasionally, and being comfortable with the cheapest and most convenient modes of transportation, which often involve a considerable amount of walking.
How to Get to Kelimutu?
Getting to Ende
It is always a pleasure to fly over Indonesia.
Kelimutu lakes are located in the eastern part of Flores Island, and there are two cities with airports you can fly into: Ende and Maumere. Ende is a little closer, so I would recommend starting your journey to Kelimutu from there.
Getting to Ende is not too difficult. If you are coming from elsewhere, there are regular flights that come directly from Bali to Ende and Maumere, allowing you to fly into these cities.
- 2-Day Komodo National Park and Rinca Island Wildlife Adventure from Bali (2 days)
- 3-Day Komodo National Park Tour: Komodo Island and Rinca Island Trek (3 days)
- Private Transfer from Komodo City Hotels to Komodo Cruise Port (20 minutes)
If you are just finishing up your Komodo island trip in Labuan Bajo and you want the fastest way possible to travel to Kelimutu, there are several cheap flights you can take to Ende for as low as 30 USD one way via Wings Air or Garuda Airlines.
If you want to travel on land through Flores, you can take a bus from Labuan Bajo to Ende. It is a long journey, so I would recommend splitting the trip and stopping in Ruteng and Bajawa before arriving in Ende. Then, head over to Maumere after Kelimutu to take a flight back. Ruteng and Bajawa are really worth stopping.
If you want to book a flight, try searching on Skyscanner or Expedia for "H. Hasan Aroeboesman Airport" or "ENE" and compare prices between airlines. Whether you are coming from Bali or Labuan Bajo, you will find plenty of cheap domestic flights to Ende on Skyscanner or Expedia.
You can also browse Skyscanner or Expedia for the cheapest flights from where you live to Bali and from Bali to Ende.
Getting to Moni
The road from Ende to Moni is quite stunning.
Once you are in Ende, there are several ways you can get to Moni, which is the closest village to the mountain.
If you are arriving on a plane, you will likely arrive around 3 PM. Right off the gate, there will be some staff trying to group people together. When they do, they will issue a private taxi that goes directly to Moni from the airport.
This is the fastest way, and it can be easily done by finding some people from your flight and sharing the cost of the private taxi. It should cost you around 30 - 35 USD (450,000 - 500,000 IDR) per car, and it should take you around 2 hours to get to Moni.
The problem with this plan is that if you do not have any guesthouses reserved, like I did, you will arrive late with most guesthouses in Moni fully booked. Not many guesthouses are available to be reserved online, so you will either have to book them through a travel agency or call them up directly. Rest assured, though, even if the guesthouses are all booked, there are always friendly locals who will open their homes to you for a price.
The recommended way is to stay one night in Ende, a nice little town with an authentic feel to it, freshen up, have a nice Nasi Ayam at Sari Rasa (the best chicken rice ever), and early in the morning, take a local bus, a bemo, or a shared car to Moni.
- Shared cars are the fastest and most comfortable way to get to Moni. You will be sharing a Toyota Innova (Kijang) with a bunch of locals. It should cost you around 40,000 IDR and will take around 2.5 hours to reach Moni.
- Bemos are small vans that run throughout the island. For 20,000 IDR, you will be there in 3 hours.
- Local buses are the most authentic way to travel but not as reliable and quite slow. They will cost you around 30,000 IDR and you will be there in 3 hours.
Getting to Kelimutu from Moni
There are a few ways you can get to Kelimutu from Moni. You can rent your own motorbike and ride up the road, rent a motorbike + driver (O-jek), or rent a jeep with a driver. It should take around 45 minutes to get from Moni to Kelimutu.
If you rent your own motorbike, you will have to drive up the mountainous road yourself, and some parts are still under maintenance due to several landslides, so be cautious. You can rent a motorbike from many of the guesthouses along the main road, and it should cost you around 125,000-150,000 IDR for a day.
If you don't want to drive yourself, you can get a motorbike + driver (O-Jek) from any of the guesthouses, and they will drive you up to the entrance and wait for you. This is the one I personally chose, and it cost me 120,000 - 250,000 IDR for both ways.
If you are not traveling alone, you can also hire a jeep + driver to take you there. You will be paying around 350,000 IDR for a round trip.
You can also choose one of these transportation options for one way and then walk back to save costs. It will take you around 3 hours to walk back down from Kelimutu to Moni.
Tips for Visiting Kelimutu
Go at Sunrise
Go at sunrise so that you are likely to have a clear sky. The clouds often roll in during the afternoon, so you are less likely to have a nice view then.
Do not visit on Sundays or Public Holidays
Do not visit on Sundays or public holidays, as you will be charged more for the entrance fee compared to visiting Kelimutu on weekdays. On weekdays, the fee is 150,000 IDR, whereas on Sundays and public holidays, it is 250,000 IDR.
Ask for your driver's phone number
Ask for your driver's phone number if you have hired a driver for the sunrise, as you will be leaving at 4 AM. There were many tourists whose drivers didn't show up. Mine almost didn't show up, so make sure to get the number to call them up when things like this happen.
Wait until the sun shines on the lakes
Wait until the sun shines on the lakes before you leave because the colors of the lakes are most vibrant when the sun is higher up in the sky. Plus, there will be considerably fewer people then.
Don't stay at the viewpoint only
Go walk around the area outside the fence to find a quieter spot, as it can be quite crowded up there, especially during sunrise. Don't let the crowds ruin your trip; instead, find a quiet place and enjoy watching the sunrise.
Grab your Jackets
Layer up, especially if you are planning to visit Kelimutu at sunrise. It is quite chilly up there, so prepare a fleece and a windbreaker jacket when hiking up the mountain.
Have Sturdy Shoes
Prepare sturdy shoes, as you will be hiking for about 15-30 minutes before reaching the viewpoint. Most of the trail is paved, but if you want to go off the beaten path, you will need good shoes to do so.
Do not feed the monkeys
They are still nice and well-behaved here, unlike in Bali. They will become more aggressive the more you feed them, as they will expect food from people and start stealing.
When to Go to Kelimutu?
Indonesia's dry season runs from May to September, and it is the best time to travel in Flores. It will also be more crowded, but you are likely to have clear weather, which is essential if you want to travel around the mountain region of Flores like Moni. The weather changes fast in Moni, so I would recommend going up at sunrise or as early as you can.
Which tourist SIM card is best for Indonesia?
Update: If your phone supports eSIM, I highly recommend checking out Airalo, a global eSIM marketplace. It allows you to stay connected affordably while traveling in Flores, Indonesia without having to switch out your physical SIM card.
Gone are the days when you needed to scramble to find a local SIM card at an airport upon arrival. You can purchase an eSIM before your arrival, and you'll be good to go. If your phone doesn't support eSIM, here is how you can get a local SIM card in Flores, Indonesia:
No WIFI is available anywhere in Moni, so if you want to stay connected, be sure to have a local SIM card with you. I highly recommend the one from Telkomsel, and you will have no problem getting connected in Moni. Read more about data and SIM cards in Indonesia here.
Tips: To stay connected with people at home, be sure that you have a VPN, such as ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and you can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.
Flores Tours & Activities
What to Pack for Flores, Indonesia?
As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Flores, Indonesia:
- Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
- Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
- Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
- Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
- Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
- Swim Suits: A swim trunk is a must-pack item if you are planning to visit Flores, Indonesia in the summer, just in case there is a body of water you can jump in.
- Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
- Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
- Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
- Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
- Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
- Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
- Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.
For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.
That is it for How to Get to Kelimutu Lakes in Flores, Indonesia. Have we missed anything? Have you found the guide useful? Let us know in the comments below!
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to plan your trip to Flores, Indonesia! Here are some resources to help you get your trip going:
Are you planning to travel to Flores, Indonesia independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Indonesia
I hope this travel guide will help you plan your Indonesia trip. I have visited Indonesia more times than I can count and have written a ton of articles about the country.
If you are looking for more articles about Indonesia, here is a selection of articles that might help you plan your trip to Indonesia even better.
- Looking for a complete itinerary and travel guide for Indonesia? One Month Itinerary for Indonesia.
- Are you planning to travel to Indonesia as part of a big Southeast Asia trip? Check out our 3-month backpacking itinerary for Southeast Asia.
- If you are visiting Bali for the first time, here is a travel guide to get you started: 10 BEST Places To Visit In Bali.
- Jakarta is a massive city unlike any other, and there is quite a lot to do here if you know where to look. Here are the 8 Best Things To Do in Jakarta.
- Yogyakarta is a great cultural and historical place to visit in Indonesia, and there are plenty of things to see and do there. Here are the 9 Best Things To Do in Yogyakarta.
- Did you know that there is an island in Indonesia that is free of tourists? One of them is Karimunjawa, a true hidden gem island of Java. Here’s a complete guide on how to travel to Karimunjawa island.
- Looking for an article that summarizes a trip through the Java island? Check out my photo essay of Java, Indonesia.
- Lombok is now gaining in popularity, but one of the best things you can do on the island is to trek Mount Rinjani, a volcano on a lake in another volcano on an island. Here's a complete guide on how to trek Mount Rinjani.
- Gili Trawangan is one of the most popular Gili islands in Lombok, and even though it's crowded, you can often find solitude if you know where to look. Plus, it's cheap. Here's an article about exploring Gili Trawangan.
- Komodo Island is one of the most unique experiences you can never experience anywhere. Here's a backpacking travel guide on how to explore the Komodo Islands (what to do, which cruise to pick, and more).
- Flores is another great island that deserves way more credit than it receives. There's the Komodo islands, Kelimutu tri-colored lakes, and so much more. Here is a 10-day travel guide for Flores and Komodo Island.
- Watch a travel video I made about Bali, Lombok, and Flores here: Nusantara, a journey through Bali, Lombok, and Flores, Indonesia.
- Not convinced by my words about Indonesia and Southeast Asia? Check out my photographic journey through the subcontinent: 64 photos that will inspire you to visit Southeast Asia.
- Wondering where you want to go next? How about Timor Leste? Visit Timor Leste Travel Guide page for more travel information about Timor Leste.
- To see all articles about Indonesia, visit the Indonesia Travel Guide page.
- Looking for more travel guides for Southeast Asia? You can find more on my Southeast Asia Travel Guide page.
- For more of my travel guides, visit my Destinations page.
14 Comments
Hi Pete,
Thanks for your article.
I am thinking to go to Kelimutu by bike from Ende wishing single day. It’s 60km one-way - should be quite doable as per my earlier experience in Bali. What do you think - doable? And how is with scooters rental in Ende btw?
Thank you in advance!
Hey Cyril,
It should be ok but note that you are going up a mountain and there might be landslides and such so prepare yourself for some delays. It's a nice ride up though given it doesn't rain. Hard to know about how much the scooter rental are but I'm sure there will be people eager to rent you one. The best way is to ask your hostel/hotel where to rent one as I have a feeling many of the local places do not have someone who speaks English or rent out to foreigners.
I hope this helps!
Hello Pete!
The information you have provided is amazing, so thank you.
I have a question, how long would you say the hike is from the entrance and the difficulty? This is something that I really want to do, however I have a bad knee so want to prepare myself for it.
Thank you!
Hi, thank you for this nice article, very help full! We traveling around Indonesia and most of the time we sleep in hammock in the jungle. How is it in Kelimatu park? Is it all right just sleep out or anyone check this? Thank you. Tereza
Hey Sophie, they are not very long and the trail is all paved with rails on both sides along the steps. I think it took me around 15 minutes or less to get to the top, so you should be able to do it even with bad knees.
I hope this helps!
Hey Teresa,
I don't think that's possible since it's a national park and in order to get up there, you will have to register and go through a security gate.
I'm sure you can register and hide somewhere overnight but I wouldn't recommend it since it's probably illegal to do so.
There are cheap hostels in Moni so you can rely on that if you want to sleep properly or you can rely on the friendliness of the locals and camp somewhere in their backyard in Moni. Keep in mind that you are pretty high up and it gets quite cold and rainy at night so do prepare accordingly m
I hope this helps!
Hi Pete ,
How can I get to kelimutu from airport?
Thank you.
Hey Pete,
do you think arriving in ende in the morning, doing the hike to the lakes and flying out in the evening would be possible? How much time do recoomend spending up at the lakes? I suppose you can not swim in there? How long is the hike up? wanting to get there in April.
All the best,
Jenny
Hey Faith,
Sorry for the late reply. There is a shared taxi that will take you straight to Moni in a few hours but you will have to find people on the plane to share it with. Otherwise, there is a morning bus that passes through Moni. From Moni, you can get a motor taxi to drive you up there.
Hye Jenny
I highly doubt you could do that in one day unless you really wanna push it and get a private taxi to drive you up and down. The drive from Ende to Moni is 2.5 hours one-way and it takes some time to get up from Moni to Kelimutu and really walk around the area. You will need a super early flight in and and super late flight out which I don't think there is any. I could be wrong with the flight though but to make it easier for you, you will need about 8 - 10 hours between your flights to do it which I think is not worth the rush.
I hope this helps!