Let’s Talk Travel Insurance For Bali: Everything You Need To Know
FINNS Holidays is all about holidays in Bali, and tens of thousands of people visit Bali every year without a single issue. In fact, many
Most tourists in Bali have never heard of the ancient Tamblingan civilisation or the protected area surrounded by dense rainforest, crater lakes, and ancient temples located just a few hours south of the island.
We are here with our travel guide to make sure you add Danau Tamblingan to your Bali bucket list and make the most of your day trip to this beautiful place.
Lake Tamblingan, or Danu Tamblingan in Balinese, is a reminder of former volcanic activity in the area and is considered a caldera lake – a lake covering a former crater.
It uniquely combines scenic beauty, history, and spirituality.
This pristine lake is surrounded by dense jungle and mountains (Mount Lesung), and instead of modern boats, you’ll mostly see traditional wooden canoes.
The mist usually sits low over the water and makes the whole place look like paradise.
This place is a beautiful destination for hiking and nature lovers, and it feels a bit stuck in time. And it probably is.
Unlike tourist hubs in Canggu or Kuta, the Twin Lakes area is considered a spiritual tourism area protected by the local authorities from any modern development. Villas and hotels will not rise here overnight.
There are 8 ancient temples scattered around the lake. They’re simple and silent witnesses of Balinese architecture, and were part of the daily life of the four villages around the lake. Currently, only one village is still inhabited.
There’s a local belief behind the name “Tamblingan.”
In Indonesian, tamba means medicine, and elingan means spiritual awareness. That’s why the lake is often linked to healing powers and has become a protected spiritual tourism area.
The area has a long history going back to as early as the 10th century.
Archaeologists found artifacts dating back to the ancient Tamblingan civilisation. The ancient village was founded by the lake, as a source of water, and protected by Mount Lesung and the forest.
It is believed that the people here were dedicated to protecting the land and building temples.
You can still see parts of that history around the lake, especially near the temples and forest paths. There are a few tours that can tell you more about the history and legends of this place and share the local culture.
Lake Tamblingan is nestled in the northern part of Bali, near the village of Munduk, in Buleleng Regency.
It sits at an elevation of 1200 m above sea level, right next to Lake Buyan, and together they’re known as the Twin Lakes, just like famous Lake Bratan with its Pura Ulun Danu Beratan Temple.
This area is part of Bedugul, so the weather is very different from the south. The temperature is cooler, especially in the mornings and evenings, and the air feels fresher overall.
To reach Tamblingan Lake, you will need some time and patience, but it’s not that difficult. Google Maps is not 100% reliable, so make sure to choose Camp Tamblingan as your final destination.
From Ubud, expect around 2 to 2.5 hours.
From Canggu or Seminyak, it’s closer to 3 hours, depending on traffic, as the distance you need to cover is close to 70 km. The drive gets more scenic as you head into the highlands, but the last part includes winding roads, some steep sections, and occasional fog.
Most people either rent a scooter or hire a driver.
A scooter gives you more freedom and lets you stop along the way, but it’s only a good option if you’re comfortable riding for longer distances and handling mountain roads.
Hiring a driver is the easier option. You don’t have to worry about directions or road conditions, and you can turn the trip into a full day by stopping at viewpoints, many temples, or waterfalls around Munduk.
There isn’t really a simple public transport route to get here, taxi apps like Gojek or Grab won’t be useful here as well.
The entrance fee is usually around 25,000 to 35,000 IDR (3 AUD) per person, depending on where you enter.
There’s usually a small parking fee if you come by scooter or car. Some temple areas may also ask for a small donation if you go inside.
Early morning is the best time to be at this sacred site, usually between 6 and 9 am.
As the light starts to come through the mist, you can see the lake reflecting the trees. The lake is at its calmest, the air is cool, and there are very few people around.
Later in the day, the mist usually clears, but little rain and clouds are still possible.
The dry season (April to October) is best for visiting Tamblingan Lake, with clearer weather and better walking conditions.
The rainy season makes everything greener, adds more mist, and the lakes have their highest water level, but trails can get too slippery and muddy, and heavy rain can come quite suddenly.
There aren’t tons of attractions here, but there’s enough to fill your time for a couple of hours.
Trekking in this area is one of the main things to do. Some routes take you to hidden temples or viewpoints, and a few even connect to Lake Buyan.
Along the way, you’ll pass ancient trees with fruits and orchids, sacred temples, jungle paths, and maybe spot some wildlife (monkeys are frequent guests!).
While you can do it on your own, trails in Bali are not always well-maintained and not paved. You could do a loop, but one of the sides goes along the road, so it won’t be scenic. Trekking along the shore, you get about 6-7 km of forest trails.
There are restrooms only at the campsite; there are no food or facilities along the trails.
As a part of a small group, you would pay 300,000 to 600,000 IDR (30-60 AUD), depending on the route and whether you want to do canoeing or not.
You can rent a traditional double-hulled canoe and paddle across the calm water. One hour is more than enough to enjoy the tranquillity, as the lake is rather small.
It’s peaceful, quiet, and gives you a different perspective of the lake and its surroundings.
Canoeing is also available as part of some jungle trekking tours.
There are a few old temples around the lake, all believed to be built around the 10th-14th centuries when Tamblingan village was here.
You can visit most of them, just remember these are still active spiritual places, so be respectful and do not enter the inner courtyards and cover your shoulders and knees when entering.
Pura Dalem Tamblingan is located on the Southern shore, in the Gubug village, and is connected to the transient nature of things and death. It is probably the oldest temple in the area, and it is located at the end of the trail.
Pura Ulun Danu Tamblingan is the main photo spot at the lake during the golden hour. You won’t miss it: it has 3 towering gates with Lake Tamblingan and mountains as a backdrop. It is right near the campsite.
Pura Embang, Pura Tukang Timbang, and other smaller temples will be of little to no interest for foreigners, as they don’t have majestic architecture or spacious grounds.
Camping here feels very remote, but it’s also one of those experiences you can try if you want something a bit different. At night, it gets really quiet and dark with almost no light pollution around you.
If the sky is clear, you can see the stars, sometimes even the Milky Way, and occasionally fireflies in the forest.
There is a campsite in the jungle, on the slope of the mountain (Tamblingan Jungle Camp).
That is definitely a local way to have a getaway, something very few foreigners do in Bali, but it is well worth it! You can buy camping gear or ask around at the campsite or local Facebook communities if someone can rent it to you.
There aren’t many places right by the lake, so most people stay around Munduk. The options range from simple cabins to more comfortable resorts, all surrounded by nature.
Food options near the lake itself are limited, so you’ll end up eating around Munduk.
Not really. Compared to more famous places like Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, it feels much quieter and less touristy. You might see a few photographers or hikers, but it’s rarely crowded.
No, swimming in Tamblingan Lake is generally not recommended.
The lake is considered sacred by locals, and there are no designated swimming areas. Plus, the water is quite cold and deep (up to 90 meters).
Lake Tamblingan is fairly easy to reach if you have your own transport, but there’s no public transport.
The roads are paved but get winding and steep near the lake, with some sharp turns and occasional fog, especially earlier in the day. It is worth the journey, though.
If you love exploring unique, beautiful locations all over the world, Bali has so many hidden gems beyond what’s in the popular travel guides. Lake Tamblingan and the surrounding temples are just one example!
Great option for an active, outdoorsy morning if you are staying in Munduk or add-on to your day trip to Lake Beratan temple, Handara Gates, or Munduk waterfalls.
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