Kelimutu lakes are one of the most beautiful sights in Indonesia, and one of the reasons why I would recommend you to spend some time on Flores rather than only staying around the Komodo Islands. The national park is best known for its three volcanic crater lakes, whose colors can change over time, at the summit of the 1,639 m Kelimutu volcano.
Now, knowing where to go on Flores is half of the adventure. The other half is knowing how to get there, and that is why I decided to write this guide. Here is everything you need to know to get to Kelimutu lakes and visit the viewpoints. I visited for sunrise, but opening hours can change with volcanic activity, landslides, and other local conditions, so check the latest park status before planning an early-morning visit.
A Road to Kelimutu Map
Where to Stay near Lake Kelimutu?
Daily Budget
This place is quite affordable compared to all the other countries in the world. If you are planning a trip here, you can expect to spend around $25 - $45 USD per day per person, which should include accommodation and three meals.
Please keep in mind that these are suggested daily budgets based on my own style of travel, which leans more towards the budget side of things. If you aim to stick to this budget, anticipate sleeping in dormitories, dining out only occasionally, and being comfortable with the cheapest and most convenient modes of transportation, which often involve a considerable amount of walking.
How to Get to Kelimutu?
Getting to Ende
It is always a pleasure to fly over Indonesia.
Kelimutu lakes are located in central Flores, and the most convenient airport for this route is H. Hasan Aroeboesman Airport (ENE) in Ende. Maumere is another useful gateway farther east, but Ende is closer to Moni and Kelimutu.
Getting to Ende is not too difficult, but flight routes change frequently. As of late 2026, there are no nonstop flights from Bali to Ende; itineraries typically connect through places such as Labuan Bajo or Kupang. Check current schedules when planning your trip.
If you are just finishing up your Komodo island trip in Labuan Bajo and you want the fastest way possible to travel to Kelimutu, Wings Air currently flies nonstop from Labuan Bajo to Ende. The flight takes about 50 minutes, although schedules and fares can change, so compare the flight with traveling overland before booking.
- 2-Day Komodo National Park and Rinca Island Wildlife Adventure from Bali (2 days)
- 3-Day Komodo National Park Tour: Komodo Island and Rinca Island Trek (3 days)
- Private Transfer from Komodo City Hotels to Komodo Cruise Port (20 minutes)
If you want to travel on land through Flores, you can take a bus from Labuan Bajo to Ende. It is a long journey, so I would recommend splitting the trip and stopping in Ruteng and Bajawa before arriving in Ende. Then, head over to Maumere after Kelimutu to take a flight back. Ruteng and Bajawa are really worth stopping.
If you want to book a flight, try searching on Skyscanner or Expedia for H. Hasan Aroeboesman Airport (ENE) and compare the available connections. From Labuan Bajo, a nonstop flight is currently available; from Bali, expect a connection.
You can also browse Skyscanner or Expedia for the cheapest flights from where you live to Bali and from Bali to Ende.
Getting to Moni
The road from Ende to Moni is quite stunning.
Once you are in Ende, there are several ways you can get to Moni, which is the closest village to the mountain.
When I visited, travelers arriving at Ende Airport were often grouped together to share a private taxi directly to Moni. It was the fastest option, and sharing the car helped bring the cost down.
I paid around 450,000 - 500,000 IDR per car at the time, and the drive took about 2 hours. Treat that price as a record of what I encountered rather than a current fixed fare, and agree on the price before leaving.
The problem with this plan when I visited was that I arrived late without a reservation and found many guesthouses already full. These days, more accommodation in Moni can be booked online, so I recommend reserving a room in advance if you are arriving later in the day, especially during the dry season.
The recommended way is to stay one night in Ende, a nice little town with an authentic feel to it, freshen up, have a nice Nasi Ayam at Sari Rasa (the best chicken rice ever), and early in the morning, take a local bus, a bemo, or a shared car to Moni.
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Shared cars/travel minibuses are generally the fastest public option. Current indicative prices are around 60,000 - 100,000 IDR per person, and the trip usually takes about 2 - 2.5 hours. Vehicles often leave when they have enough passengers.
- Bemos and local minibuses still operate on Flores, but departures and fares are informal and can change. Ask your accommodation or the terminal for the current departure point and price rather than relying on a fixed timetable.
- Private cars or ojek are useful if you arrive outside normal shared-transport hours. Agree on the fare before leaving; an ojek from Ende to Moni is typically more expensive than a shared minibus but can be convenient for solo travelers with light luggage.
Getting to Kelimutu from Moni
There are a few ways you can get to Kelimutu from Moni. You can rent your own motorbike and ride up the road, rent a motorbike + driver (O-jek), or rent a jeep with a driver. It should take around 45 minutes to get from Moni to Kelimutu.
If you rent your own motorbike, you will have to drive the mountain road yourself. Road conditions can change after heavy rain, landslides, or earthquakes, so ask locally about current conditions before setting off. When I visited, motorbikes were readily available from guesthouses in Moni; check the current rental price and make sure the bike, brakes, lights, and helmet are in good condition before leaving.
If you don't want to drive yourself, you can arrange a motorbike + driver (O-Jek) through your guesthouse, and they can take you to the entrance and wait for you. This is the option I personally chose, and I paid 120,000 - 250,000 IDR for the round trip when I visited. Current prices are negotiable, so confirm the total fare and waiting time beforehand.
If you are not traveling alone, you can also hire a car or jeep with a driver for the round trip. When I visited, this was around 350,000 IDR per vehicle; treat that as a historical reference and confirm the current rate with your accommodation or driver.
You can also choose one of these transportation options for one way and then walk back to save costs. It will take you around 3 hours to walk back down from Kelimutu to Moni.
2026 Access Update: Kelimutu is an active volcanic area, and access can change at short notice. The park was temporarily closed after the August 2026 Flores earthquake, and volcanic monitoring also recorded increased lake-water temperatures in 2026. Check the latest park and PVMBG/MAGMA Indonesia updates before traveling, and follow all barriers and ranger instructions when you arrive.
Tips for Visiting Kelimutu
Go Early If Sunrise Access Is Available
I visited at sunrise, and it was a fantastic time to see the lakes before clouds rolled in later in the day. However, do not assume the park currently opens before sunrise. Access hours can be restricted because of volcanic activity, landslides, earthquakes, or maintenance, so check the latest Kelimutu National Park announcement before planning a 4 AM departure.
Visit on a Weekday to Save Money
Foreign visitors currently pay 150,000 IDR on weekdays and 225,000 IDR on weekends and public holidays, plus a small vehicle fee if applicable. The park's standard published hours are 5 AM - 5 PM, but temporary restrictions can override them, so confirm both the fee and opening hours before you go.
Ask for your driver's phone number
Ask for your driver's phone number if you have hired a driver for an early visit. When I went for sunrise, I left around 4 AM and saw several travelers whose drivers did not show up. Mine almost didn't either, so having a number to call is useful. Just confirm the park's current opening time before arranging such an early pickup.
Wait until the sun shines on the lakes
Wait until the sun shines on the lakes before you leave because the colors of the lakes are most vibrant when the sun is higher up in the sky. Plus, there will be considerably fewer people then.
Don't stay at the viewpoint only
Explore the designated viewpoints and marked paths rather than staying only at the main viewpoint. It can get crowded, especially around the most popular viewing times, but stay behind barriers and follow ranger instructions. Kelimutu is an active volcanic area, and access around the crater rims can be restricted for safety.
Grab your Jackets
Layer up, especially if you are planning to visit Kelimutu at sunrise. It is quite chilly up there, so prepare a fleece and a windbreaker jacket when hiking up the mountain.
Have Sturdy Shoes
Prepare sturdy shoes, as you will be walking for about 15-30 minutes before reaching the main viewpoint. Much of the established route is paved or stepped, but surfaces can be wet or uneven. Stay on marked paths and do not cross barriers around the crater lakes.
Do not feed the monkeys
They are still nice and well-behaved here, unlike in Bali. They will become more aggressive the more you feed them, as they will expect food from people and start stealing.
Indonesia Travel Video
When to Go to Kelimutu?
Flores is generally driest from around May to October, making these months a good time for traveling around the island. Conditions in the mountains can still change quickly, though, so check the forecast and the park's current operating status before heading up to Kelimutu. If early access is permitted, morning usually gives you a better chance of clear views before clouds build.
Which tourist SIM card is best for Indonesia?
Update: If your phone supports eSIM, I highly recommend checking out Airalo, a global eSIM marketplace. It allows you to stay connected affordably while traveling in Flores, Indonesia without having to switch out your physical SIM card.
Gone are the days when you needed to scramble to find a local SIM card at an airport upon arrival. You can purchase an eSIM before your arrival, and you'll be good to go. If your phone doesn't support eSIM, here is how you can get a local SIM card in Flores, Indonesia:
Wi-Fi quality in Moni varies by accommodation, so I would not rely on it as your only connection. A local SIM or eSIM is useful, although mobile coverage can weaken in the mountains. Telkomsel generally has broad coverage in Indonesia; its current Tourist Prepaid Card costs 150,000 IDR and includes 25 GB of data plus 25 minutes of local calls.
Alternatively, if your phone supports eSIMs, you can set one up before arriving and have mobile data as soon as you land. You can browse through available eSIMs here.
Tips: To stay connected with people at home, be sure that you have a VPN, such as ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and you can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.
Flores Tours & Activities
If you are looking for more activities to do here, be sure to check out some of the available tours and day trips:
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. See our disclosure policy.
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16 Comments
Hi Pete,
Thanks for your article.
I am thinking to go to Kelimutu by bike from Ende wishing single day. It’s 60km one-way - should be quite doable as per my earlier experience in Bali. What do you think - doable? And how is with scooters rental in Ende btw?
Thank you in advance!
Hey Cyril,
It should be ok but note that you are going up a mountain and there might be landslides and such so prepare yourself for some delays. It's a nice ride up though given it doesn't rain. Hard to know about how much the scooter rental are but I'm sure there will be people eager to rent you one. The best way is to ask your hostel/hotel where to rent one as I have a feeling many of the local places do not have someone who speaks English or rent out to foreigners.
I hope this helps!
Hello Pete!
The information you have provided is amazing, so thank you.
I have a question, how long would you say the hike is from the entrance and the difficulty? This is something that I really want to do, however I have a bad knee so want to prepare myself for it.
Thank you!
Hi, thank you for this nice article, very help full! We traveling around Indonesia and most of the time we sleep in hammock in the jungle. How is it in Kelimatu park? Is it all right just sleep out or anyone check this? Thank you. Tereza
Hey Sophie, they are not very long and the trail is all paved with rails on both sides along the steps. I think it took me around 15 minutes or less to get to the top, so you should be able to do it even with bad knees.
I hope this helps!
Hey Teresa,
I don't think that's possible since it's a national park and in order to get up there, you will have to register and go through a security gate.
I'm sure you can register and hide somewhere overnight but I wouldn't recommend it since it's probably illegal to do so.
There are cheap hostels in Moni so you can rely on that if you want to sleep properly or you can rely on the friendliness of the locals and camp somewhere in their backyard in Moni. Keep in mind that you are pretty high up and it gets quite cold and rainy at night so do prepare accordingly m
I hope this helps!
Hi Pete ,
How can I get to kelimutu from airport?
Thank you.
Hey Pete,
do you think arriving in ende in the morning, doing the hike to the lakes and flying out in the evening would be possible? How much time do recoomend spending up at the lakes? I suppose you can not swim in there? How long is the hike up? wanting to get there in April.
All the best,
Jenny
Hey Faith,
Sorry for the late reply. There is a shared taxi that will take you straight to Moni in a few hours but you will have to find people on the plane to share it with. Otherwise, there is a morning bus that passes through Moni. From Moni, you can get a motor taxi to drive you up there.
Hye Jenny
I highly doubt you could do that in one day unless you really wanna push it and get a private taxi to drive you up and down. The drive from Ende to Moni is 2.5 hours one-way and it takes some time to get up from Moni to Kelimutu and really walk around the area. You will need a super early flight in and and super late flight out which I don't think there is any. I could be wrong with the flight though but to make it easier for you, you will need about 8 - 10 hours between your flights to do it which I think is not worth the rush.
I hope this helps!