Mount Kelimutu, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

5kaalika 5:00 PM Jul 12, 2014

You have no idea!
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 :)

4mindythelion 5:00 PM May 22, 2014

Ultimate best date when you plan it properly.. see below!
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.