Bali is a paradise and a must-visit destination in Indonesia. Travelers from all over the world come to see the best of South East Asia and in the end, they find themselves in Bali for a very long time. Whether it’s for pursuing the nomad lifestyle or appreciating the natural beauty, Bali has many people’s hearts.
While Canggu, Seminyak, and Ubud are highly popular among backpackers and tourists alike, Munduk in North Bali is still not on many people’s radar making Lake Tamblingan a hidden and well-kept gem.
In this guide, you will find everything that you need to know about Bali’s most impeccable lake – Tamblingan Lake.
Lake Tamblingan is a lake located in Buleleng Regency at the foot of Mount Lesung. This lake is one of the three lakes that lies on a plateau inside an ancient volcanic caldera, the other two lakes are the twin lakes of Bali: Lake Buyan and Lake Bratan.
Tamblingan Lake is an untouched and pristine lake surrounded by dense forests and ancient Balinese temples. You can also see the remnants of ancient Tamblingan civilization in the surrounding area of the lake.
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What to Expect at Tamblingan Lake
The lake is extremely picturesque and is dotted with several temples, the most popular one being the Pura Ulun Danu Tamblingan temple because it’s closest to the lake. The temple is old, deserted, and is covered in moss but it still has a charm to it. Beyond the temple lies Tamblingan Lake, where local farmers use the marshland as crops. The tranquility of the lake and mother nature’s beauty around is unparallel.
The whole area (the lake and the temples) is a sacred place for locals and is guarded strictly. They consider it spiritual which is why it is not regulated by any government body and still not commercialized. The locals maintain the area themselves and there are no modern developments here. There are no resorts, no hotels, and no restaurants near the lake.
Although it’s not developed for tourists, there is no such restriction of not visiting, in fact, the locals welcome tourists. You can walk around and take pictures of the beautiful landscape around the lake. With hills and dense forests in the background, Lake Tamblingan looks very Instagrammable. What makes this place even more stunning is that the water level of Lake Tamblingan changes depending on the intensity of the rainy season. During the intense rain period, some temples along the shore can get flooded.
The dramatic change in scenery gives the impression as if the temple is floating. Though there are many beautiful temples in Bali, the setting and serenity of this temple is beyond stunning when it is flooded. Since the lake is situated in the highland area, it gets really cold here. Make sure to wear layers or carry a sweater with you no matter the season you visit.
Tamblingan Lake Entrance Fee & Trekking Info
Entrance Fee – 10,000 IDR per person
There are a few tours available for treks in this area. If you only have one day in Munduk then doing a forest trekking tour would be the best idea to save time and see the best spots Munduk has to offer.
Book your Bali Tours: Choose the best activity or tour as per your interest.
Photography Tips for Lake Tamblingan
If you are a photography enthusiast then visiting the lake at sunrise or sunset would be the best considering the light and the overall ambiance of the place. Especially sunrise is totally worth it here as the foggy mornings at the lake make the picture even more stunning. There are canoes at the shore of the lake and they can be rented for taking pictures in the middle of the lake.
Lake Tamblingan is also highly popular among local photographers for pre-wedding photoshoots so don’t be surprised if you see a huge crowd of Balinese brides and grooms here with a whole team. During my time of visit, I saw many camps set around the lake and they were all there for the wedding photoshoots. You will also see some fixed photo platforms on the lake that are made for pictures.
As the water level changes at Tamblingan Lake and the scenery around changes because of it, if you are willing to take pictures of the temple when it’s flooded then you have to come during the rainy season. I visited here in the first week of March and the land was dry around the temple.
How to get to Lake Tamblingan
If you are coming from Semiyank, Ubud, or Canggu, you can either rent a scooter, a car or get a GoJek or Grab to take you there. If you are staying locally in Munduk then you can ask your hotel to arrange a full day tour or a trip or you can rent a scooter to get there yourself. Getting to the lake yourself is cheaper than asking the hotel to arrange it. I personally rented a car as I was in the region for a few days and wanted to see a lot in and around Munduk.
Reaching Tamblingan Lake is not exactly the easiest since it’s hidden in a forest and you wouldn’t be able to understand whether you are on the correct route or not. Instead of putting Lake Tamblingan in google maps, put camp Tamblingan and take proper main roads. After a while, the road will start getting downhill as you reach towards a big gate covered in moss right in front of the main parking and ticket collecting area.
Do not park there and go around the gate to continue on the road till you reach the campground location shown on google maps. The distance is a little too much to be walking on foot from the gate to camp Tamblingan. If you are here before sunrise then please pay when you leave.
Book your transportation for any activity or airport transfer.
Where to stay around Lake Tamblingan
As Tamblingan lake is in the Munduk region, you may want to stay in Munduk and see the best it has to offer. There are a lot of places to see here. Here are my suggestions based on rating and location. If they don’t fit your need then choose the best that suits you from Booking.com.
1. LUXURY RESORT – Munduk Moding Plantation Nature Resort and Spa
Munduk Moding is the best resort that you can stay in, in this region if you love luxury. Even if you are not a luxury traveler, I highly recommend staying here for at least a night. It’s worth splurging as the facilities are amazing and the hospitality is world-class. They have 2 infinity pools and a jacuzzi too.
2. MID-RANGE – Munduk Heaven Luxury Villas
Munduk Heaven Luxury Villas feature a restaurant, outdoor swimming pool, a bar, terrace, and garden in Munduk. A hot tub and a car rental service are available for guests. A la carte breakfast is also served at the restaurant.
3. BUDGET – Bali Bening
A good budget guest house that has nice comfortable rooms with attached washrooms. It features accommodation with a restaurant and free private parking. Every room is equipped with a balcony with city views and free WiFi. A continental breakfast is available each morning at Bali Bening.
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I just did a posr myself on Munduk- such a lovely part of the world! Wish i could have explored the lake more and got misty shots like these 😛
I loved visiting this lake in Bali! It is so beautiful and Ulun Danu Temple is so peaceful. I hope to get back to Indonesia one day. 🙂
I can’t wait to visit Bali! I was going to travel to Bali last year, but it didn’t happen. I still hope I can make it this year. I am saving your post as it’ll be super useful when I manage to get there 🙂 Also, lovely pictures!!
Thank you and I hope to get to visit Bali. I visit Bali every year as it’s just a 3hr flight for me. Let me know if you need any help in planning.
Is there ANY place in Bali that is not absolutely stunning? I have to get over my issues with long flights and turbulence for when borders reopen! Gorgeous photos, thanks for sharing!
You are right, Bali is absolutely stunning in every possible way. You must really visit.
I absolutely loved the Munduk area! I didn’t get a chance to trek around this lake, but I drove past it and it looked stunning. I’ll have to explore it more next time I’m in Bali!
Yes, the Munduk region is stunning and since you drove past the lake, it means you saw the twin lakes. This one is more downhill after reaching Munduk.
Bali Ofcourse is just a gorgeous place to visit and this lake is beautiful!! And the hotels in the area are gorgg! Hopefully I get to visit Bali soon
This place and Munduk in general is definitely one of the most beautiful places we’ve been to in Southeast Asia. The twin lakes and the two Ulun Danu temples are absolutely surreal.