Munduk · Nature
Lake Tamblingan: Canoes, Lake Temples and Forest Trails
The smallest, quietest lake in the Bratan caldera, crossed only by traditional canoes.
By The Bali Guideline Editorial TeamUpdated 12 November 2026
Overview
Lake Tamblingan, before you go.
Lake Tamblingan, 15 to 20 minutes above Munduk, is the smallest of the three lakes in the Bratan caldera, ringed by forest at about 1,200 meters. Entry costs about IDR 20,000–30,000, and a canoe ride or guided forest walk is extra. Come at sunrise for mist on the water and temples on the shore. Skip it if you want swimming or speedboats.
Lake Tamblingan lies inside the old Buyan–Bratan caldera, west of its two larger neighbors, Lake Buyan and Lake Beratan, at the foot of Mount Lesung. It is the smallest of the three and by far the least developed. Dense forest comes down to the water on most sides, and only one hamlet, Gubug, stands on its southern shore. The water level rises and falls sharply with the seasons: in the wet months some lakeside temples stand in the lake, and in the dry months a band of grass and mud opens up around them.
The lake is old sacred ground. A copper inscription of about AD 900, found in nearby Gobleg, mentions a settlement called Tamblingan on the southern shore. Its people later moved to four villages on the slopes below, Munduk, Gobleg, Gesing and Umejero, known together as the Catur Desa, the Four Villages. Their customary community, Adat Dalem Tamblingan, still looks after the lake, around a dozen temples on its shores and about 1,300 hectares of forest they call Alas Mertajati. The name is often read as tamba, medicine, and elingang, to remember, and the water is held to be holy.
That shapes the visit. Swimming is not allowed, motorboats are banned, and there are no fish cages or paddle boats, unlike on Beratan, Buyan or Batur. The only boats on the water are narrow traditional canoes, called pedau, paddled by village boatmen, the menega, a role passed down in families. Trained local guides lead walks through the forest; in 2021 their cooperative worked from a post in Gobleg. The forest itself is split between a state nature park, a nature reserve and protected forest, and the community has been pressing since 2018 to have it recognized as customary forest.
A visit is simple. You pay at the ticket post, walk down to the shore and Pura Ulun Danu Tamblingan, and look across the water to the forested crater wall. Hire a canoe for half an hour, or book a two- to three-hour trek that loops through the forest and returns by boat. Go early: mist often lies on the water at dawn and clears by mid-morning, and cloud can roll in again after midday.
The catches are few. Facilities are basic, with toilets near the parking lot and little else, and there is no ATM nearby, so bring cash. The road down is steep and narrow, and fog is common, so a car with a driver is safer than a scooter. Boat prices are negotiated, and opening offers run high.
- Opening hours
- No official hours; visit in daylight (checked Nov 2026)
- Ticket
- About IDR 20,000–30,000; canoes extra (checked Nov 2026)
- Time needed
- 1 hour; 2–3 hours with a canoe and forest trek
- Best time
- Sunrise to 9 AM, when mist lies on the water
- Dress code
- Modest clothes; no swimwear; sarong near shrines
- Location
- 15–20 min east of Munduk, at about 1,200 m
Today at Lake Tamblingan
- Sunrise
- Sunset
- Daylight
- 12 hr 28 min
Checking the weather in Lovina…
Times for this spot, in Bali time (WITA).
Danau Tamblingan, Munduk, Banjar, Buleleng Regency, Bali 81152, Indonesia
Open in Google MapsWhat to See
What to see at Lake Tamblingan.
- 01
Pura Ulun Danu Tamblingan
The main lake temple stands at the water’s edge behind moss-covered gates and thatched shrines, with the forest rising straight behind it. When the water is high in the wet season, the shrines seem to float; in the dry season they stand on grass. One 2021 account counts about 250 steps down to it from the road. Visitors may look and photograph from outside, but the inner courtyards are for worship.
- 02
A canoe ride on the lake
Village boatmen paddle visitors out in narrow canoes, the only boats allowed on Tamblingan. A private ride of about 30 minutes for two people plus the rower costs around IDR 150,000–200,000, according to a June 2026 guide, with opening offers near IDR 300,000, so agree on the price first. The canoes sit low and rock easily, so sit still, keep your phone in a dry bag and ask for a life jacket.
- 03
The forest trek
Local guides lead walks through the Alas Mertajati forest on the slopes around the lake, past giant fig trees, ferns and orchids, with macaques and birdsong in the canopy. The short route takes two to two and a half hours, and longer treks run up to six. A guided trek with a canoe crossing costs about IDR 350,000 per person in 2026 listings. Do not touch plants unless your guide says so; some, like the lateng tree, sting.
- 04
Gubug and the southern-shore temples
The hamlet of Gubug, the only settlement on the lake, sits on the southern shore near the canoe landing. Nearby are Pura Dalem Tamblingan, an ancient temple and the most visited on the lake, and Pura Gubug, whose shrines stand in the water when the lake is high. Other temples, including Pura Endek and Pura Naga Loka, are reached by canoe or on foot with a guide.
- 05
Sunrise mist
Tamblingan is at its best in the first hours of daylight, when cool air off the crater wall leaves a layer of mist on the glassy water and the canoes cut dark lines through it. Sunrise falls between about 5:45 and 6:15 AM depending on the month. The mist usually lifts by mid-morning. Bring a warm layer: mornings at 1,200 meters are much cooler than on the coast.
- 06
The twin-lakes view from Wanagiri
On the ridge road between Munduk and Wanagiri, viewpoints look down on Tamblingan and its larger neighbor, Lake Buyan, side by side in the caldera. Several are paid swing and photo platforms, but simple roadside lookouts give the same view for free. Stop on the way in or out; the lakes are clearest early, before cloud fills the basin.
Seasons
Best time to visit Lake Tamblingan.
Go at sunrise or as soon after as you can. The mist is thickest and the water calmest from first light until about 9 AM. Late afternoon, around 4 PM, can also be pretty when the light is low, but cloud often settles over the caldera from midday.
In the wet season, roughly November to March, the lake rises and temples such as Pura Ulun Danu and Pura Gubug appear to stand in the water. Trails are muddy and the steps slick then. In the dry season, roughly April to October, the water drops, lowest late in the season, exposing grass and mud along the shore, but trails are firmer and skies clearer.
Ceremonies at the lake temples follow the Balinese calendar; on those days, give processions space and keep to the paths. On Nyepi, 8 March 2027, all of Bali stays indoors and the lake is closed to visitors.
Coming between November and March? Read our Bali rainy season guide →
Getting There
How to get to Lake Tamblingan.
| From | Time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Munduk | 15–20 min | About 5–7 km east by car or scooter along the ridge road toward Wanagiri, then down a side road to the southern shore. Some Munduk homestays organize sunrise trips. |
| Bedugul (Lake Beratan) | 30–40 min | About 16 km via Pancasari and the Wanagiri ridge road, passing the Handara gate and the twin-lakes viewpoints. |
| Lovina | 1–1.25 hours | About 42 km: west along the coast to Seririt and up through Banyuatis and Munduk. |
| Ubud | 1.75–2.5 hours | About 60 km by car via the main road north to Bedugul. Leave by 6 AM to catch the morning mist, or stay a night in Munduk. |
| Seminyak or Canggu | 2–2.75 hours | About 67–69 km via Mengwi and Bedugul. Best as part of a night in the highlands. |
| Bali airport (DPS) | 2.25–3 hours | About 79 km by pre-booked car via Denpasar and Bedugul. Plan the mountain stretch in daylight. |
Getting around Lake Tamblingan
Pay the entrance fee at the ticket post by the parking area at the southern end of the lake; a June 2026 guide found parking included in the ticket. From there a path leads to the shore, the canoe landing and the temples. Depending on where you start, the walk to Pura Ulun Danu Tamblingan may include a long flight of steps, so wear shoes with grip.
The roads up from Munduk and down from the Wanagiri ridge are steep, narrow and often foggy, and they are slick after rain. A car with a local driver is safer than a scooter, especially before dawn. Grab and Gojek rarely reach this far into the hills, so arrange your return before you go.
Canoe rides and treks are arranged at the shore or the ticket post. Agree on the price, the route and the time before you set off, and pay at the end.
Tickets & Tours
Lake Tamblingan tours on Klook.
You can visit on your own with the details above. If you would rather have the driver, guide or entry sorted, these Klook tours include Lake Tamblingan. Prices, pick-up areas and what is included vary, so check the listing before you book.
HikeTwin Lake Jungle and Canoeing Trekking Day TourSee it on Klook (opens in a new tab)
Day tripSambangan Waterfalls with Wanagiri Swing Day TripSee it on Klook (opens in a new tab)
Day tripNorth Bali Sunrise, Handara Gate and Ulun Danu Bratan TourSee it on Klook (opens in a new tab)
Affiliate links: we may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you. Affiliate disclosure
Know Before You Go
Lake Tamblingan tips that save time and trouble.
- 01Bring cash in small bills; there is no ATM or card machine nearby, and change can be short at dawn.
- 02Do not swim; the lake is sacred to the Catur Desa villages, and swimming is not allowed.
- 03Agree on the canoe price before you board; about IDR 150,000–200,000 for 30 minutes is fair (2026).
- 04Ask for a life jacket in the canoe, sit still, and keep phones and cameras in a dry bag.
- 05Pack a warm layer and a rain jacket; mornings at 1,200 meters are cool and showers come fast.
- 06Hire a local guide for the forest trails, which are unsigned and pass stinging plants.
- 07Camp only where locals point you; the community counts uncontrolled camping among the forest’s threats.
- 08Use a car with a driver rather than a scooter on the steep, foggy roads before dawn.
FAQ
Lake Tamblingan questions, answered.
How much is the entrance fee for Lake Tamblingan?
About IDR 20,000–30,000 per person in 2026 guides, covering the lake and the temple area; one June 2026 guide found parking included. Canoe rides and treks cost extra. Older reports from 2023 list IDR 10,000, so prices have risen. Bring cash; there are no card machines or ATMs nearby.
How much is a canoe ride on Lake Tamblingan?
Around IDR 150,000–200,000 for a private ride of about 30 minutes for two people plus the boatman, according to a June 2026 guide; first offers can reach IDR 300,000. Guided packages that combine a forest trek with a canoe crossing cost about IDR 350,000 per person. Agree on the price and route before you board.
Can you swim in Lake Tamblingan?
No. The lake is sacred to the four Catur Desa villages that look after it, and swimming is not allowed. Motorboats, paddle boats and fish cages are banned too, which is why Tamblingan feels so different from Lake Beratan or Lake Batur. Admire it from the shore or from a traditional canoe.
Is Lake Tamblingan worth visiting?
Yes, if you are staying in Munduk or the Bedugul highlands and like quiet places. At sunrise, with mist on the water and canoes gliding past the temples, it is one of the most atmospheric spots in Bali. It is not worth a long drive for a quick look at midday, when cloud often covers the lake.
What time does Lake Tamblingan open?
There are no official opening hours, and a 2023 report described the lake as open around the clock (checked Nov 2026). In practice, visit in daylight, ideally from sunrise, about 5:45 to 6:15 AM depending on the month. Boatmen and guides are usually at the shore from early morning.
What is the difference between Lake Tamblingan and Lake Buyan?
Both lie in the same caldera, side by side. Tamblingan is smaller and wilder, almost entirely ringed by forest, with strict rules against motorboats and swimming. Buyan, to the east, is larger, with farms and campsites along its shore. You can see both together from the twin-lakes viewpoints on the Wanagiri ridge road.
How do I get to Lake Tamblingan from Ubud?
By car, about 60 km and 1.75 to 2.5 hours, via the main road north to Bedugul and the Wanagiri ridge. For sunrise you would have to leave Ubud around 4 AM, so most people stay a night in Munduk, 15 to 20 minutes away, and go at first light.
Can you camp at Lake Tamblingan?
People do camp on the southern shore, and a 2024 report described a campsite there. The customary community lists uncontrolled camping among the pressures on its forest, so ask at the ticket post where you may pitch a tent, carry all trash out and bring warm clothes: nights at 1,200 meters are cold.
What temples are around Lake Tamblingan?
Around a dozen, cared for by the Catur Desa villages. The best known is Pura Ulun Danu Tamblingan at the water’s edge; Pura Dalem Tamblingan near Gubug, an ancient temple, draws the most worshipers. Others include Pura Gubug, Pura Endek, Pura Naga Loka and Pura Tirta Mengening, mostly reached by canoe or with a guide.
Nearby
Where to go after Lake Tamblingan.
Places close by that fit into the same trip, with realistic travel times.
15–20 min by car (7 km)
Munduk Waterfall (Red Coral)
A tall, fern-hung fall 20 minutes on foot below Munduk’s ridge road.
Visitor guide20–25 min by car (9 km)
Banyumala Twin Waterfalls
Twin falls over a wide pool where swimming is allowed, below Wanagiri.
Visitor guide20–30 min by car (14 km)
Handara Gate
The split gate framed by misty hills at the Pancasari golf resort entrance.
Visitor guide30–40 min by car (16 km)
Ulun Danu Beratan Temple
Bali’s best-known lake temple, with shrines that seem to float on Lake Beratan.
Visitor guide35–45 min by car (about 20 km)
Bali Botanic Garden
Big, cool highland gardens above Bedugul, good for a picnic and an easy walk.
Visitor guide35–45 min by car (21 km)
Gitgit Waterfall
A tall fall in a jungle gorge on the road down to Singaraja.
Visitor guide
More in Munduk
Plan the rest of your time in Munduk.
Read Next
More Lake Tamblingan guides.
How we researched this
Sources and fact checks.
Prices, opening hours, show times and travel times in this Lake Tamblingan guide were checked against official sites, government tourism pages and recent reporting on 12 November 2026. Where sources disagreed, we give the official figure and say so. Rankings are our editorial judgment, set out in our editorial policy.
We re-check the guide at least every three months and whenever we hear about a change. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
Show all 12 sources ↓Hide sources ↑
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- iccaconsortium.org
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- mongabay.co.id/2021/08/15/putu-ardana-dan-perjuangan-melestari…
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Tamblingan
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- thebaliguideline.com/blog/must-things-to-do-in-bali
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