Mount Kelimutu on the island of Flores, East Nusa Tenggara Province is a national park that offers impressive views. Has a height of 1,639 meters, there are three lakes, each of which has a different color.
Mount Kelimutu, at an altitude of 5,377 feet, three lakes with different and changing colors is called the Three Color Lake. Kelimutu comes from two words in the local language meaning Mountain (keli) Mendidih (quality). The three lakes above have names and meanings according to the color of the water. 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 have lived they have always committed evil / divination. While the white lake or “Tiwu Ata Mbupu” is a gathering place for the souls of parents who have died. The local people believe that when the lake water changes color, they must offer offerings.
The first time this lake was discovered by a Dutch (thousands of Lio people) in 1915, Van Such Telen. Scientifically, the change in the color of Lake Kelimutu is a factor in the mineral content, moss and rocks in the crater and also the influence of sunlight. Scientists believe that this lake was formed from volcanic eruptions in ancient times. This phenomenon has attracted the attention of geologists because of the existence of a lake which has three different colors but is on the same mountain. The local people in Moni believe that the people living around the lake have done something bad and have died.
Mount Kelimutu National Park is home to 19 species of birds that are almost extinct, therefore, when visiting here don’t disturb the birds. These bird species are Punai Flores (Treron Floris), Wallacea Owl (Otus Silvicola), Rimba-Ayun Flycatcher (Rhinomyias Oscillans), Flores Kancilan (Pachycephala Nudigula), Sepah Dwarf (Pericrocotus Lansbergei), Tesia Timor (Tesia Everetti), Opior Crested (Lophozosterops Dohertyi), Thick Beaked Opior (Heleia Crassirostris), Golden Chili (Dicaeum Annae), Flores Kehicap (Monarcha Sacerdotum), Matari Honey Bird (Nectarinia Solaris), and Flores Eagle (Spizaetus Floris).
What to do in Mount Kelimutu and its surroundings?
Climbing is the reason to come to Moni or Ende. Some parts of the national park are prohibited from visiting due to geothermal instability. The safest trekking is between Moni and Mount Kelimutu. The trekking length is 12 km and takes about 30 minutes.
Witness the beauty of nature when Sang Surya returns to his bed while enjoying ginger tea that is sold by the local community.
Shop for Flores Ikat Weaving. Each region in NTT has a distinctive style and color.
How to reach Mount / Lake Kelimutu?
Assuming you departed from Jakarta, the first destination by plane would be Labuan Bajo.
The closest town to this mountain is Moni, about 66 km from Ende City.
the distance from Moni to Kelimutu is about 15 km by car.
Distance from the main gate to the summit of Kelimutu National Park: 15 km (1 – 1.5 hours trekking)
What food can be enjoyed in Flores?
Titi Corn: A healthy snack without oil that is a bit ‘magical’ in the manufacturing process. Corn is roasted using an earthen pot. After blooming, the corn is pounded until it is flat, resembling chips. The real thing is that the mothers who make this snack don’t use silk or a spatula. Can you imagine the heat of the pot on the fire.
Hair Cake: This snack is made from rice flour, wheat flour and starch, as well as brown sugar. The manufacturing process is still simple. Only with the used cans (the clean ones) that are cut into small pieces, the dough is shaped like noodles. The result, sweet and crunchy.
Rebok: These are the traditional ‘biscuits’ of the Flores people. Rice flour and grated coconut are made into a dough, then sauté (frying without oil) over a fire.
Tapa Kolo: Tapa means Baked, and Kolo means Nasi Bambu is red / white rice, or white sticky rice grilled in bamboo. Before filling, the bamboo is covered with banana leaves or taro leaves. The contents can be added pork or chicken. Then the bamboo is burned for 1 hour.
Moke: This is a typical Flores drink. Moke is sap yielded from palm trees or palm trees. In other areas this drink is known as tuak. Flores people always enjoy tuak when there is a party. There is no party without tuak. Tuak has joined the party. Eating meat without tuak is tasteless and lacking. Tuak makes the taste complete. Moke is also served on traditional occasions, but only adults are allowed to drink it.
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