The Beauty of Three Colored Lakes at Mount Kelimutu

Kelimutu Lake

Kelimutu is a lake formed from volcanic activity and its position is above Mount Kelimutu. There are three lakes above the top of Mount Kelimutu. These 3 lakes have different colors, namely red, blue and white. Lake Kelimutu is better known as the three-color lake. The color of the lake can vary depending on the gas, temperature, and microbes in the lake.

Many local people believe that there are myths associated with the color of The Lake. For example, if the color of the lake turns red, it means there will be a disaster or a form of extreme weather, until the epidemic reaches hunger.

Lake Kelimutu is one of the favorite tourist destinations in the Ende region, Flores Island, East Nusa Tenggara. Kelimutu Lake is at an altitude of 1,639 meters above sea level.
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Three Color Lakes have different names according to their color. The three lakes are named Tiwi Ata, Tiwu Nuwa Muri Koo Fai and Tiwu Ata Polo. The blue lake or “Tiwu Nuwa Muri Koo Fai” is a gathering place for the souls of young people who have died. The red lake or “Tiwu Ata Polo” is a gathering place for the souls of people who have died and as long as they live always commit crimes. While the white lake or “Tiwu Ata Mbupu” is a gathering place for the souls of deceased parents.
Lake Tiwu Ata Polo is a lake that changes color most often. Up to 44 times the color change from 1915 to 2011. Lake Tiwu Ata Polo is also one of the water sources of the Ria Mbuli River that flows around Mount Kelimutu.

Why does the color of Lake Kelimutu change frequently?

According to scientists, the lake on Mount Kelimutu changes color due to changes in volcanic gas. This change is also caused by iron in the fluid that produces red and dark brown. While the green color is caused by natural biota such as mosses that are inside the lake. Erosion of lake walls can also cause changes in Lake Kelimutu.

Kelimutu - The Three Color of Lakes

Lake Kelimutu is a volcano area that is prone to earthquakes. Even the separation walls between the three lakes could have eroded. The tilt angle of the wall reaches 70 degrees with an altitude between 50-150 meters.

How to get there?

Your trip starts from Kupang to Ende on Flores Island and pick a flight with a travel time of up to 40 minutes. then the trip continued by using public transportation/ minibus, to Kaonara Village, which is 93 km away, with a travel time of about 3 hours. From Koanara Village to the Top of The Mountain, you have to walk 2.5 kilometers.

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JC. Princen

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