Mount Kelimutu
Mount Kelimutu
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
616 reviews
Excellent
427
Very good
144
Average
33
Poor
10
Terrible
2
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David M
Hertford, UK54 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
Awesome place with fantastic views, this is a clear highlight of a trip across Flores. Beautiful coloured lakes with sulpherous plumes of steam rising through the sunlight - you can really sense the power of the volcano and why it is so important to the local people. A fairly easy walk to the top from the car park, so very accessible and not crowded for such a fantastic sight. Visiting times were restricted to 6am to 10am at the time of our visit because of increased volcanic activity, so too late for sunrise but still wonderful on a clear day. A guide told us that the authorities had wanted to close the site altogether but had been persuaded to keep it open for 4 hours because of protests by local people/ businesses so we owe a big thanks to them.
Written August 23, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Theo V
Amsterdam, The Netherlands1,556 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
This place is a true wonder. We stayed more than an hour and it just was amazing every second. Not only due to the amazing and changing colours of the minerals in the impressive rocky sides of the craters, also due to the scenery, of course the immense lakes and their colours. It also is the energy that surrounds it, the atmosphere (providing other visitors shut up:)). Absolutely one of the most amazing and wonderful places we have been to. We didn’t go with sunset. We came there around ten thirty am.
Written July 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mindythelion
Vancouver, BC1,540 contributions
Jan 2014 • Couples
Here's how we recommend visiting Kelimutu:
Book two nights at a hotel in Flores with one night in between (ex: June 24 and June 26)
Book one night at either of the two hotels in Ende for the night in between (ex: June 25). Neither hotel is better than the other and you'll only want to stay one night.
Pack only a carry-on/day bag and fly into Ende on the 25th, spend the night, and get up before dawn to watch the sunrise on mt. Kelimutu
Go straight from Kelimutu back to the airport and fly back to Flores.
There is not much to do in Ende other than see Kelimutu. There is a black sand beach somewhere if you do decide to stay for an extra day.
The ride from the airport in Ende to either of the two hotels for Kelimutu is over an hour away, so try to connect with other people heading in your direction. It's also very important to tell your driver that you want to see Kelimutu. They will pick you up at your hotel before dawn and drive you to the base of the mountain (1H drive) and you will hike to the top (30-40mins). There's no fee for the attraction unless you have a camera. Believe it's a $10 charge per camera.
You'll want to head back to the airport from Kelimutu with the same driver. It's important you relay all this info with your driver at the airport, because there are no cars or taxi's available once you're in Ende, and the only motorcycles/scooters available for rent belong to locals and they will try to charge a LOT of money.
Flying is way, way better than taking a bus. It's an hour long flight versus a 12 hour bus ride, and the cost of flying is only $5 more.
We suggest booking two nights at a hotel in Flores so that you may leave your other luggage in their safe keeping.
Flying into Ende for one evening/day with only a day bag made for an incredibly fun date!!
Also, it is a bit of a hike from the base of the mountain to where you'll watch the sunrise, but it is doable in flip flops.
Book two nights at a hotel in Flores with one night in between (ex: June 24 and June 26)
Book one night at either of the two hotels in Ende for the night in between (ex: June 25). Neither hotel is better than the other and you'll only want to stay one night.
Pack only a carry-on/day bag and fly into Ende on the 25th, spend the night, and get up before dawn to watch the sunrise on mt. Kelimutu
Go straight from Kelimutu back to the airport and fly back to Flores.
There is not much to do in Ende other than see Kelimutu. There is a black sand beach somewhere if you do decide to stay for an extra day.
The ride from the airport in Ende to either of the two hotels for Kelimutu is over an hour away, so try to connect with other people heading in your direction. It's also very important to tell your driver that you want to see Kelimutu. They will pick you up at your hotel before dawn and drive you to the base of the mountain (1H drive) and you will hike to the top (30-40mins). There's no fee for the attraction unless you have a camera. Believe it's a $10 charge per camera.
You'll want to head back to the airport from Kelimutu with the same driver. It's important you relay all this info with your driver at the airport, because there are no cars or taxi's available once you're in Ende, and the only motorcycles/scooters available for rent belong to locals and they will try to charge a LOT of money.
Flying is way, way better than taking a bus. It's an hour long flight versus a 12 hour bus ride, and the cost of flying is only $5 more.
We suggest booking two nights at a hotel in Flores so that you may leave your other luggage in their safe keeping.
Flying into Ende for one evening/day with only a day bag made for an incredibly fun date!!
Also, it is a bit of a hike from the base of the mountain to where you'll watch the sunrise, but it is doable in flip flops.
Written May 23, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Melabaffi
Rome, Italy1,695 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
Can I say that it didn't excite me at all? For me, getting up at 4 to go and see the sunrise on this site is absolutely not worth it. The color of the water is what you see, between light blue and blue, it could be in Piedmont or Basilicata it would be the same. The fact that it changes color is a legend, don't be fooled. The route is not difficult so if you are in those parts you can pop in but nothing more. At high altitude there are many monkeys, some of them quite naughty, so be careful if you have something to eat with you.

Written September 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rafaelabreu87
Cape Town Central, South Africa49 contributions
Jun 2015 • Friends
The park was worth a visit, especially at sunrise. Though, this review is intended to warn travellers of an aggressive con artist, liar and thief operating a "restaurant" and guest house in Moni.
AVOID BAMBOO/BAMBU RESTAURANT AND MARIA INN AT ALL COSTS!. This curly haired short man called Iwan (Ivan) is a con artist of the highest degree. He walks around with his Samsung tablet and lures tourists in by hopping on your bus and talking about his restaurant and showing you photos of "customer" reviews on his tablet with no actual written reference to him or Bamboo restaurant (most likely photos of other successful establishment reviews). What is described as a traditional 4 COURSE meal is in fact a bowl of mashed pumpkin, plate of plain rice, a plate of over cooked dried out leaves with 4 thin slices of guava on top and a plate of chicken which never came haha. Price 95 000 per person. What an absolute joke!
The Maria Inn we stayed at and over-payed for belongs to his parents who are just as keen as him to get every cent off of you. The rooms are dirty, the sheets smell, constant leaking taps in the bathroom and their advertised hot shower is cold and dirty. They'll offer to organise bus trips/guided tours/rentals and quote you three times the value. We paid 25 000 Rp to get back to Ende, they wanted 80 000 rp. You won't get change back and you won't get refunds.
When we confronted Iwan he was very aggressive towards us, throwing plates across tables, shouting insults at us and threatening to show us just how crazy he is unless we paid.
Be very very careful of this guy and his family. You'll see similar reviews online from other travellers. And also worth mentioning is the fact that he asked to borrow our room key so that he could open the room next door to us. Fantastic!
AVOID BAMBOO/BAMBU RESTAURANT AND MARIA INN AT ALL COSTS!. This curly haired short man called Iwan (Ivan) is a con artist of the highest degree. He walks around with his Samsung tablet and lures tourists in by hopping on your bus and talking about his restaurant and showing you photos of "customer" reviews on his tablet with no actual written reference to him or Bamboo restaurant (most likely photos of other successful establishment reviews). What is described as a traditional 4 COURSE meal is in fact a bowl of mashed pumpkin, plate of plain rice, a plate of over cooked dried out leaves with 4 thin slices of guava on top and a plate of chicken which never came haha. Price 95 000 per person. What an absolute joke!
The Maria Inn we stayed at and over-payed for belongs to his parents who are just as keen as him to get every cent off of you. The rooms are dirty, the sheets smell, constant leaking taps in the bathroom and their advertised hot shower is cold and dirty. They'll offer to organise bus trips/guided tours/rentals and quote you three times the value. We paid 25 000 Rp to get back to Ende, they wanted 80 000 rp. You won't get change back and you won't get refunds.
When we confronted Iwan he was very aggressive towards us, throwing plates across tables, shouting insults at us and threatening to show us just how crazy he is unless we paid.
Be very very careful of this guy and his family. You'll see similar reviews online from other travellers. And also worth mentioning is the fact that he asked to borrow our room key so that he could open the room next door to us. Fantastic!
Written June 5, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hendra_Fu
Bandar Lampung, Indonesia16 contributions
Sep 2012 • Friends
I believe that this lake worths to be one of seven wonders of nature. With its periodically unpredictable change of colors, Kelimutu lake has a great view not only in it selfs, but also the view arround it. When i visited this lakes, the colors are navy blue, dark green and black (the local said that they were all pink one month ago,)
It's not difficult to get there. From Moni we can rent a motor cycle (IDR 80.000,-) or hire an ojek (public transportation using motor cycle, IDR 100.000,- for returns fare). It takes approximately 30-45 mnts by motor cycle to the parking lot and we have to climb up the hill through the stairs provided for about 1 km to reach the peak and see the scenery.
It is suggested for you to visit by sunrise because it will be covered by the cloud when the mid day comes
It's not difficult to get there. From Moni we can rent a motor cycle (IDR 80.000,-) or hire an ojek (public transportation using motor cycle, IDR 100.000,- for returns fare). It takes approximately 30-45 mnts by motor cycle to the parking lot and we have to climb up the hill through the stairs provided for about 1 km to reach the peak and see the scenery.
It is suggested for you to visit by sunrise because it will be covered by the cloud when the mid day comes
Written September 26, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kaalika
Mumbai, India852 contributions
May 2014 • Couples
This place simply blows your mind. Getting up early and the trek up is so worth it. It is magical to see the colors of the gorgeous lakes. I can imagine why many people jump in. They look absolutely intriguing and tempting :)
Here are some tips for your trip
1. The locals will try to sell you the idea of a guide. You don't need one. There are markers everywhere and you won't get lost
2. It gets pretty chilly up there. Do take a wind cheater or jacket.
3. The resourceful locals do quickly set up a small stall there for you to buy coffee/snacks. The coffee is awful but you do find the warm glass good to hold in that chilly breeze.
4. Don't forget to take a powerful torch as it's still dark when you start climbing
5. The black lake does not have an enclosure towards it's north end. Please don't follow tourist advice and get too close.
6. There is just one restroom near the black lake
7. Walk slowly on your way back as there are 200+ varieties of birds and you'll miss them if you hurry back :)
Here are some tips for your trip
1. The locals will try to sell you the idea of a guide. You don't need one. There are markers everywhere and you won't get lost
2. It gets pretty chilly up there. Do take a wind cheater or jacket.
3. The resourceful locals do quickly set up a small stall there for you to buy coffee/snacks. The coffee is awful but you do find the warm glass good to hold in that chilly breeze.
4. Don't forget to take a powerful torch as it's still dark when you start climbing
5. The black lake does not have an enclosure towards it's north end. Please don't follow tourist advice and get too close.
6. There is just one restroom near the black lake
7. Walk slowly on your way back as there are 200+ varieties of birds and you'll miss them if you hurry back :)
Written July 13, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
belgianguy1
Bruges, Belgium13,359 contributions
Jan 2015
Great view, and an easy walk up from the parking to the view point...I was lucky with clear sunny skies, as now (January) is rainy season
Be aware of the high entrance fee for foreigners, 150.000 to on weekdays, 225.000 rp on weekends! Compare it with the entrance fee for Indonesians, a mere 5.000 rp!?
Be aware of the high entrance fee for foreigners, 150.000 to on weekdays, 225.000 rp on weekends! Compare it with the entrance fee for Indonesians, a mere 5.000 rp!?
Written January 12, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mothy16
Bali, Indonesia93 contributions
Oct 2017 • Solo
I flew to Ende from Labuan Bajo with Garuda Indonesia at 9:25 am. There's another flight with Wings Air in the afternoon but I heard it was delayed for about 2 hours. If you don't wanna get to Moni too late, take the morning flight. Twice the price though.
We arrived in Ende and got off the plane we met some people going to Moni too. So we joined up with some people to share the cost. The normal price is 500K. but if you can haggle, you could get 400K for the whole car to Moni. It takes less than 2 hours.
We wanted to go to see the lakes right away in the afternoon, but it was cloudy. So we waited for the sunrise trekking. We stayed at Kelimutu Craters Eco Lodge. ( separate review )
Moni is a small village with nothing much to do. A few restaurants but that's pretty much it. Since we have a lot of time, we went to see Murundao waterfall which was just 200 meters off the main road. Small waterfall but refreshing. We saw some kids swimming and playing around.
We arranged a car to take us to the craters for the next day and we got a driver willing to take 5 of us for 300K one way. So 60K each. You probably could get cheaper.
In the evening we went to Mopi's place for dinner. (separate review)
We left the hotel at 4 am. It took about 45 mins drive up to the mountain. Entrance fee is 150K pp for foreigners, 5K for locals. After we reached the car park, we walked up a stairs for 20-30 mins. It was a beautiful morning as we were very lucky the sky was clear and it wasn't foggy or cloudy.
We got a perfect sunrise above the crater lakes. We stayed until around 7 am then we started walking down. It takes about 14 km back to Moni by foot. We walked down through Pemo Village.
There were signs everywhere but just before we got to the another village, you gotta stop and ask where the waterfall (air terjun) is. Because that's the shorter way to Moni.
We were lucky to witness a yearly ceremony in Pemo Village. They have this ceremony for four days every October with no exact dates. They were all wearing local traditional dresses.
Great national park with amazing scenery and people. The lakes were bigger than in the photos. Very mystical and beautiful. This place is a must to visit when you are in Flores.
We arrived in Ende and got off the plane we met some people going to Moni too. So we joined up with some people to share the cost. The normal price is 500K. but if you can haggle, you could get 400K for the whole car to Moni. It takes less than 2 hours.
We wanted to go to see the lakes right away in the afternoon, but it was cloudy. So we waited for the sunrise trekking. We stayed at Kelimutu Craters Eco Lodge. ( separate review )
Moni is a small village with nothing much to do. A few restaurants but that's pretty much it. Since we have a lot of time, we went to see Murundao waterfall which was just 200 meters off the main road. Small waterfall but refreshing. We saw some kids swimming and playing around.
We arranged a car to take us to the craters for the next day and we got a driver willing to take 5 of us for 300K one way. So 60K each. You probably could get cheaper.
In the evening we went to Mopi's place for dinner. (separate review)
We left the hotel at 4 am. It took about 45 mins drive up to the mountain. Entrance fee is 150K pp for foreigners, 5K for locals. After we reached the car park, we walked up a stairs for 20-30 mins. It was a beautiful morning as we were very lucky the sky was clear and it wasn't foggy or cloudy.
We got a perfect sunrise above the crater lakes. We stayed until around 7 am then we started walking down. It takes about 14 km back to Moni by foot. We walked down through Pemo Village.
There were signs everywhere but just before we got to the another village, you gotta stop and ask where the waterfall (air terjun) is. Because that's the shorter way to Moni.
We were lucky to witness a yearly ceremony in Pemo Village. They have this ceremony for four days every October with no exact dates. They were all wearing local traditional dresses.
Great national park with amazing scenery and people. The lakes were bigger than in the photos. Very mystical and beautiful. This place is a must to visit when you are in Flores.
Written October 22, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeff C
Sydney, Australia36 contributions
Dec 2017 • Family
Although the lakes are beautiful and worth seeing, in our case we made a special trip to fly to Ende, drive to Moni and spend two nights there just to see the lakes. It was definitely not worth all that time, expense and hassle. If you are anywhere near there anyway, then definitely make the visit, but not otherwise. Also, we went at dawn, as advised, and this also was a bad decision. It was crowded, freezing and extremely windy, and the sunrise was ordinary. Better to go later when there is no-one else there and the lighting is better. In summary: very pretty, worth seeing, but not at dawn and not worth making a whole extra trip.
Written January 7, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi!
I'll be self driving a car. Can I park my own car at Kelimutu's parking lot and climb or is this not allowed, so I have to hire a driver or a motorbike?
Thanks in advance! :)
Written May 19, 2024
Yes you can park your car at Car park..
Written July 23, 2024
Hai,mau tanya transportasi dari ende ke kelimutu & biayanya brp?
Trims
Written September 8, 2019
Hi.. would like to know if it’s worth visiting if we’ve already been to Kawah Putih and Mount Bromo. We have 2 kids, 4y and 10m.
TIA!
Written August 17, 2018
Depends on your expectations. It's different in the way that Bromo has no lake, Kawah Putih is one big lake and here you can see 3 lakes from one spot. And if you are lucky they got different colours and with a little sun the colours are even more incredible.
So yes it's worth visiting, but I can't tell if you feel the same. If you go, your best chances are in the morning, because normally clouds grow during the day.
Good luck with your choice and enjoy Indonesia.
Written August 17, 2018
Ciao a tutti mi dite per favore come raggiungere il lago???da dove e meglio partire nel senso si parte da Moni oppure si puo arrivare in giornata da Ende. Grazie in anticipo
Written July 8, 2018
Flight from Denpasar to Ende or Maumere .
Written August 2, 2019
Heb je echt wandelschoenen nodig om de Mount Kelimutu te beklimmen, of voldoen wandelsandalen met goed profiel ook?
Written June 24, 2018
Het zijn touristische bergpaden en trappen die je moet beklimmen. Prima te doen op sandalen, als je gewend bent om flinke stukken op slippers te lopen kan dat zelfs.
Veel plezier!
Written June 27, 2018
wirklich tolle Landschaft. Aber "Rattenfänger" gibt es halt leider überall auf der Welt.
Written June 3, 2018
If you need an overland tour driver at Flores Island,chat me +6282244499249
Written September 30, 2018
Hi
I am planning a trip to Indonesia and will be reaching Labuan Bajo on 7th September and have my return flight scheduled on 11th September.
I want to cover Komodo and also want to visit to Kelimutu.
Can I keep 1 day for Komodo and then reach out to Kelimutu.
Really want to cover both the places. How much time and cost will a taxi take from Labuan Bajo to Kelimutu.
Please help and suggest.
Written May 15, 2018
In my opinion, it's better to go to Kelimutu by plane, because it takes 12 to 13 hours by driving (but actually you can stop by Ruteng to see the famous "Spider-Web Ricefield"). It depends on your preferences. But I think, taking the plane would be such a great choice.
7th Sept: Arrive at Labuan Bajo
8th Sept: Island hopping (Komodo Island)
9th Sept: Back to Labuan Bajo & go to Ende (Kelimutu)
10th Sept: Enjoy Kelimutu & Back to Labuan Bajo
11th Sept: Depart from Labuan Bajo
or maybe you can reverse the tour. You do Kelimutu first and take the Komodo Island tour before you depart.
*Try 2D1N Live on Board if you want to go to Komodo Island. You can do island hopping there.
Maybe this help.
Written May 19, 2018
Where do you recommend to stay for the night? Did you get a guide when you arrive at hotel or do you have to pre-book?
Thanks
Kim
Written March 29, 2017
You can easy stay at Hotel silverin Bajawa and ask for the staff to looking for transport and guide to go there.
Written April 4, 2017
Hi everyone, planning on travelling to Flores and want to do Komodo but how do we get around the island? How would you recommend we get from Komodo to Mount Kelimutu. And where should I go for the best beaches to relax on and snorkel in Flores?
Written March 21, 2017
Komodo or Rinca Island located at Labuan Bajo, while mount kelimutu located in Ende. So either you want to do a road trip or took a flight. You can spend 2-4 days exploring Labuan Bajo (live onboard). There are many agents that offering those packages at labuan bajo. Then either you take a flight from labuan bajo to ende, or taking road trip. But if you're doing road trip I suggest you to rent car+driver, so that you can visit lovely places while on the road like Waerebo, Bajawa village, Riung and in the end arrive in Ende. Or you can start in Ende first and go to labuan bajo for finale since it'll be more relaxing at labuan bajo than your road trip.
Message me if you need arrangement, I still have a contact the local agents that i've used before.
Written April 26, 2017
Is anyone in Flores now (Feb 2017) or could fly here soon and would like to do a trip from Bajawa/Kelimutu to Labuan Bajo?
We are now 3 girls with 4 scooters (one of our friends had to fly back to Poland). We need a rider for one of the bikes, no rental fee, we just have to return the bike to the owner. And this is an opportunity for you to discover Flores :)
Written February 5, 2017
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