Multi-colored lakes of Kelimutu volcano, Indonesia (24 photos). Multi-colored lakes of the planet On the Kelimutu volcano you can see three multi-colored lakes

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 photos. And I was jumping 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 two more 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.

Mount Kelimutu with its colored crater lakes is one of the most amazing natural phenomena in the world. Moreover, Smoking Mountain is also the most mystical place of the Indonesian island of Flores

We continue the series of stories about the most mysterious places in the world. Mount Kelimutu is famous for the three lakes in its crater, each of which has a different color. There are many myths surrounding the origin of the mountain; it is a sacred place for local residents

Over the past years, the lakes have repeatedly changed their color, currently one of the lakes is brown, another is green, and the third changes color from green to reddish. The reason for these color changes lies in changes in the mineral composition of the water, but local residents believe that the lakes are colored differently by the lost souls of their ancestors



The first lake is called Tiu Ata Mbulu (lake of the souls of ancestors), the second is called Tiu Nuwa Muri Koo Fai (lake of the souls of young people), and the third is called Tiu Ata Polo (lake of evil spirits). The first two lakes are located next to each other, and the third is located one and a half kilometers to the west. Kelimutu is beautiful at any time of the day, but the best time to visit is early morning when you can watch the sunrise

The most convenient place to go to Kelimuta is the village of Moni along the Transflores highway. A few years ago, the entire road to the mountain had to be done on foot due to the lack of a road, but now a road leads directly to the foot. Here you can leave your car in the parking lot and take a 30-minute walk through the forest, straight to the colored lakes



The volcano crater lakes are just a small part of Kelimutu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Due to high biological diversity, unique natural sites and cultural heritage, these places attract thousands of tourists every year



You can get to the village of Moni from different cities. It is located 62 kilometers from the city of Maumere, and 51 kilometers from Ende. In Moni you can stay with local residents or in one of the local hotels

Kelimutu Volcano is located in Indonesia on the island of Flores. Its height is 1639 meters. The last time there was an eruption was in 1968. It is part of the “Ring of Fire” volcanoes that surround the Pacific Ocean. In the collapsed peaks of the volcano, they are also called calderas, and three multi-colored lakes of Kelimutu were formed. 1650 meters, this is exactly the figure they call when talking about the depth of lakes. The depth of the crater of the Kelimutu volcano is considered to be the same. You can see the colorful lakes while still in the sky above the island of Flores. The lake, painted in a bright turquoise color, especially stands out against the backdrop of lush greenery. The waters of the other two lakes are red and green. But this is not the only feature of these unique volcanic lakes.

Colored lakes of Kelimutu volcano, Indonesia on Google Maps.

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From time to time the color of the water in the lakes changes. Local residents have many beliefs and legends associated with all these amazingly incomprehensible and mystical processes.

Thus, on Flores, all residents are confident that after death, the souls of the dead end up in one of the three lakes of Kelimutu.

The souls of those who lived a decent life and passed away at an old age fall into the lake, with the green color of the water. This lake is called the Lake of Old Men or Tivu-Ata-Mbupu.

The souls of those who died at an innocent young age go into the lake, whose waters are colored bright turquoise. It is called: Lake of Boys and Girls or Tivu Nua Muri Kooh Tai.

The waters of the third lake are colored red, and sometimes it turns dark brown. They become an eternal refuge for souls who during their lifetime showed themselves to be scoundrels and villains. Its name is appropriate: Lake of Evil Souls, sometimes Enchanted Lake or Tivu-Ata-Polo.

The last two lakes are separated from each other by a thin partition, which is the wall of the crater of the Kelimutu volcano. Residents of Flores are confident that this is no coincidence. According to their beliefs, a thin partition is a symbol of such a thin and fragile line between good and evil, between evil and innocence. Lake of the Old Men is located somewhat remotely and serves as a symbol of the knowledge and wisdom that comes with age.

Colored lakes of Kelimutu volcano, Indonesia. Photo.

And one more thing, the inhabitants of the island of Flores claim that when the living anger the souls of the dead with their unrighteous deeds, the water in the lakes changes its color. Recently, the color of the water on the Island of Boys and Girls has changed especially often. In 20 years - 12 times. In general, there is something to think about.

Scientists explain the phenomenon of multi-colored lakes in Kelimutu much more prosaically. The lake contains many different minerals that change color when environmental conditions and natural activity change.

But both Flores residents and tourists prefer the ancient, mystical, almost fairy-tale version. After all, not only the colorful lakes, but also the whole nature here is imbued with peace, sublime silence and grandeur, which, willy-nilly, evoke mystical thoughts.

If you do not take into account the possibility of flying over the lakes by helicopter or plane, then the best place to see the amazingly beautiful multi-colored lakes of Kelimutu is the top of the volcano of the same name. Two hours of easy climbing and you are at the top.

We invite you to see the beauty of the colorful lakes of Kelimutu with your own eyes by viewing photos... or videos. Or better yet, both))) Enjoy watching.

At the top of the Kelimutu volcano, in its very crater, there are three lakes, it would seem that this is so unusual, but what is unusual is that they are all different in color. And they can even change their color from time to time, which is why these lakes are also considered mystical.

The Kelimutu volcano, located approximately in the middle of the Indonesian island of Flores, is considered perhaps the main attraction of the island. The volcano rises 1639 meters above sea level, which belongs to the Indonesian East Lesser Sunda Islands. Its last eruption was more than forty years ago. After the eruption, depressions-colders were formed in the magma, in which water from precipitation forms lakes, in this case as many as three.

Each of the three lakes has its own name; the local inhabitants from the Lio tribe give them the ability to absorb the souls of dead people, and when the souls in the lakes get angry, they change their color. "Lake of the Elderly" (Tiwu Ata Mbupu), located at the western point of the volcano and which is located separately from the others, is turquoise in color. And the souls of elderly people who led a pious lifestyle end up here. Two other lakes are located nearby and separated from each other by a crater wall, one of them is called the “lake of boys and girls” (Tiwu Nuwa Muri Koo Fai), it is green and the souls of young people fall into it. And the third - “Enchanted Lake” (Tiwu Ata Polo) is blood-red in color and, according to legend, the souls of sinners and murderers end up here. The lakes change colors from black to turquoise, red or green.

But scientists have their own explanation for the color of the lakes; the variability is explained by the presence of dissolved minerals of different natures in the water. It all depends on the chemical reactions and elements found in each of the lakes, and what is strange is that each of the lakes, even those that are in close proximity to each other, contains different chemical elements and is therefore colored in different colors. The green color is given to the lake by sulfuric and hydrochloric acids, the red color is the result of the reaction of hydrogen sulfide with iron, although in recent years the water of the red lake has darkened and has now become almost black. There is also a second explanation for the change in the color of the lakes, which is that incoming volcanic gases react with the minerals contained in the lakes and change their color.

The Kelimutu volcano on the island of Flores is a miracle of nature, which, due to its remoteness, remains wild, but, nevertheless, thanks to its unusual, colorful lakes, it has become famous throughout the world and has become a favorite place for tourists and travelers who come to this place every year. more.

In the morning, the lakes are covered with fog and are difficult to see, so it is best to visit the lake in the afternoon, by which time the fog usually clears or at dawn, before the fog appears. Tourists who decide to see the lakes need to be prepared for a long route, and it is best to stay overnight in the nearby small farming village of Moli, which often serves as a stopping point for tourists.

February 28, 2014

Indonesia 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