Kelimutu National Park
Kelimutu is a national park in Indonesia, better known for its magical multicolored lakes, which are considered a national treasure and even depicted on Indonesian banknotes. The park covers an area of 50 km2.
Kelimutu Colored Lakes
The color of reservoirs in Kelimutu National Park can be turquoise, green, red, brown and even black. At the same time, the colors in different lakes, and there are only three of them on the island, may differ from each other. Changing the color scheme is completely independent of natural weather conditions, which gives natural reservoirs even more charm and strengthens the superstitions of local residents who consider amazing lakes to be the creation of supernatural forces. In fact, the unusual phenomenon is associated with minerals located at the bottom of lakes. The substances gradually dissolve in the water, giving it an unusual color.
Kelimutu volcano is sometimes called the "boiling lake". The water temperature in the former craters reaches 37 degrees, and the depth ranges from 3 to 6 meters. The lakes were discovered in 1915, but a detailed description appeared only 11 years later. Amazing lakes can change their color several times per season. Scientists claim that this phenomenon is related to the oxygen level in the water. But locals claim that the souls of deceased people move into the lakes. And if they get angry, the water turns red, and sometimes black.
The lakes located in the volcano have their own names. To the southeast is the "Enchanted Lake". A significant role in the origin of the name was played by white steam, which appears on the surface of the water due to an extremely hot vent. Next to this lake is the deepest body of water in this region, called the "Lake of Boys and maidens."
The "Lake of Old men" is the westernmost. Its crater is located in the center of a larger and more ancient lake, with small landslides or falling rocks periodically flowing into the reservoir. It is best to go to the Kelimutu lakes in the early morning to catch the most amazing sight: sunrise over the volcano. In the afternoon, fog often hangs over the lakes, making it difficult to enjoy the unprecedented colors.
Pick-up and minibus tickets are available at all guest houses. But usually this public transport is crowded, so it would be much more profitable to hire a car. The return trip can be done on your own: the journey to the nearest village will take no more than three hours. It is better to take warm clothes, water, and a snack with you. But in the morning, you can count on a cup of hot tea or coffee offered by the locals.
Flora and fauna of Kelimutu National Park
Kelimutu Park is home to 19 endemic mammals: palm martens, musangas, Javan rus, rodents, porcupines. Pine trees, mahogany, edelweiss, casuarina grow in the park. There is an arboretum where 78 varieties of woody plants grow.
Interesting facts
The fire-breathing natural object is located on the island of Flores, the height of the volcano is 1,640 meters. True, the volcano last woke up in 1968, but it did not cause too much damage. In 1993, a series of aftershocks occurred, there were more than 500 of them, but they did not cause panic. Lakes should be viewed early in the morning, closer to lunch, the vapors from the lakes cover their surface with steam, which makes it impossible to see the water.
