On the Kelimutu volcano you can see three colorful lakes. The most beautiful colored lakes. The legend of the most unusual lakes in the world
At the top of the Kelimutu volcano, in its very crater, there are three lakes, it would seem that this is so unusual, but it is unusual that they are all different in color. And they can even change their color from time to time, which is why these lakes are also considered mystical.
Volcano Kelimutu, located approximately in the middle of the Indonesian island of Flores (Flores), is considered perhaps the main attraction of the island. The volcano rises to 1639 meters above sea level, which belongs to the Indonesian East Lesser Sunda Islands. Its last eruption was more than forty years ago. After the eruption, depressions-colders formed in the magma, in which water from atmospheric precipitation forms lakes, in this case as many as three.
Each of the three lakes has its own name, the local inhabitants of the Lio tribe endow them with the ability to absorb the souls of dead people, and when the souls in the lakes get angry, they change their color. "Lake of the Elderly" (Tiwu Ata Mbupu), located at the western point of the volcano and which is located separately from the others, it is turquoise in color. And here come the souls of the elderly who led a pious lifestyle. Two other lakes are located side by side and separated from each other by a crater wall, one of them is called the "lake of boys and girls" (Tiwu Nuwa Muri Koo Fai), it is green and the souls of young people fall into it. And the third is the "Enchanted Lake" (Tiwu Ata Polo) of blood-red color, and according to beliefs, the souls of sinners and murderers get here. The colors of the lakes change from black to turquoise, red or green.
But scientists have their own explanation for the color of the lakes, the variability is explained by the presence of dissolved minerals of various nature in the water. It all depends on the chemical reactions and elements found in each of the lakes, and it is strange that each of the lakes, even those that are in close proximity to each other, contains different chemical elements and is therefore painted in different colors. Sulfuric and hydrochloric acids give the green color to the lake, red is the result of the reaction of hydrogen sulfide with iron, although in recent years the water of the red lake has darkened, and now it has already become almost black. There is also a second explanation for the change in the color of lakes, that incoming volcanic gases react with the minerals contained in the lakes and change their color.
Volcano Kelimutu on the island of Flores is a miracle of nature, which, due to its remoteness, remains wild, but, nevertheless, thanks to its unusual, colored lakes, it has become famous throughout the world and has become a favorite place for tourists and travelers who every year become in this place everything more.
In the morning, the lakes are covered with fog and they are poorly visible, and therefore it is best to visit the lake in the afternoon, by this time the fog usually dissipates or at dawn, before the fog appears. Tourists who decide to see the lakes need to be prepared for a long route, and it is best to stay overnight in the nearby small farming village of Moli, which often serves as a stopping point for tourists.
Planet Earth has created a lot of incredible places that simply amaze with their beauty. However, the colorful lakes will surely surprise even the most seasoned traveler. Some of these lakes have a permanent unusual color due to the minerals and chemicals they contain, others are painted in unusual colors only temporarily - due to the action of microorganisms or algae. One thing unites them - they all look like a surrealist fantasy.
Red lake of the island of Cyprus.
There is a lake in Cyprus that is completely blood red. It is so bright that it may seem that it is not water, but really blood. Yeah, this place is good for filming horror movies. The water in the lake is dead, and, in general, it is not considered a lake. The fact is that this is an iron ore quarry, which is why the bright red color of the water is created.
Pink lake in Senegal
Lake Retba is salty and almost lifeless. However, its main advantage, in addition to the high content of mineral salts, is the color, which ranges from purple to delicate pink, reminiscent of the color of a strawberry milkshake. The color of the lake is given by cyanobacteria that live in its water.
This lake is also distinguished by the fact that its depth rarely exceeds three meters. However, in order to drown here, you need to try very hard - the salt concentration is 1.2 times higher than in the Dead Sea. By the way, it was the shallow depth of the lake that caused him such an unusual color; once Retba was an ordinary sea lagoon, which then turned into an ordinary salt lake, and in the 1970s, during a period of terrible droughts, it became shallow and acquired the color that made it famous all over the planet.
Lake Laguna Verde.
This salt lake is located in Bolivia and is green because it is located at the foot of a volcano. Due to the mass of minerals and many other substances, water acquires a rich emerald color.
In Bolivia, there is another colorful lake - the Great Salt Lake Laguna Colorado, located in the Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve in the southwestern part. It is painted bright red. True, this time it's not only about sedimentary rocks, but also about the pigmentation of algae, which grow abundantly there.
The red color of the lake harmonizes well with the pink flamingos that live there, and the shores covered with white borax crystals.
This is an extremely beautiful place, as there are not one, but three lakes that formed right in the crater of a volcano on the island of Florence. All three lakes have different colors, which together looks just magical. The lakes are located very close to each other and can change the color of the water. At different times, the lakes are either turquoise or green, or red or brown, or even black.
According to ecologists, the color of water changes depending on the chemical reactions taking place in it. These chemical reactions occur between all kinds of minerals and gas. According to the stories of experts in chemical reactions, a shade of red occurs during the reaction of iron and hydrogen sulfide, while green color occurs with a high concentration of sulfuric and hydrochloric acids. Local residents are developing their theory related to the souls of deceased relatives. If the water is green or blue, the souls of the ancestors are calm, if the liquid is dark red or black, this is preceded by an angry spirit of the dead.
The lakes were named according to a legend that was tied to each reservoir. The western lake, it is separated from the others by a kilometer of stones, is called the "Lake of the Old Men" (Tivu-Ata-Mbupu). According to legend, the souls of people who lived their lives with dignity and died of old age remain in this lake. This lake is associated with the knowledge and wisdom that comes with age. The central lake Tiwu-Nua-Muri-Kooh-Tai is named after the young, literally meaning "lake of boys and girls." According to legend, young souls go to this lake, and because of this, its color often changes.
The last "Enchanted Lake" is Tivu-Ata-Polo. According to legend, it contains the souls of villains, it is also called the "lake of evil souls." According to their location, the lakes Tivu-Nua-Muri-Kooh-Tai and Tivu-Ata-Polo have a thin partition of rock, which, according to legend, symbolizes the fine line between good and evil. Especially for viewing the colorful flowers of the lake, an observation deck was mounted at the very top of Kelimutu. It is from this place that you can see the bright colors of the lake at sunrise or sunset.
Lake Pukaki is located at an altitude of almost 500 meters, near Canterbury, almost a hundred miles from Timaru. The lake is huge - its area is a little over 50 square kilometers. The main rivers of New Zealand, the Tasman and the Hooker, flow into Lake Pukaki. The water temperature rarely rises above seven degrees. The age of the lake, according to the calculations of scientists, is approximately 16-18 thousand years ...
The water of Lake Pukaki can be characterized by its own color, calling it glacier blue. The colorful lake was formed by glaciers that melted many years ago. The lake is replenished with melt water to this day. Well, the special color of the water is achieved due to the microparticles contained in this water.
Lake of Five Flowers in China.
Five Flowers Lake in China is located on the territory of the most picturesque valley - Jiuzhaigou. This is one of the most beautiful and mysterious reservoirs on the planet, the research of which still baffles scientists. The peculiarity of the "Five Flowers" is that from time to time the water in the lake changes its color.
Its color changes from yellow to dark green from time to time, but most of the time the water is diamond blue. This place is shrouded in many secrets and mysteries, while many neighboring lakes periodically shallow and dry up, the water level in this reservoir is always constant. Five Flowers do not freeze in winter, although all neighboring lakes are covered with ice. For this reason, local residents are afraid and reverent about these places.
Asphalt Lake Peach Lake
Peach Lake(eng. Pitch Lake - bituminous lake) - lake, consisting of pure liquid asphalt, is located in the southwest of the island of Trinidad near the village of La Brea. It has an area of about 40 hectares and a depth of about 80 m. Asphalt reserves are estimated at more than 6 million tons, tens of thousands of which are mined every year. At current production levels, the lake will provide a renewable source of asphalt for 400 years.
Natural phenomenon - asphalt lake Peach Lake in Trinidad
This world's largest reservoir of natural asphalt was discovered by Walter Raleigh in 1595, who immediately found a use for it - bitumen was used to grind the wooden plating of ships. Currently, it is a tourist attraction, which is visited by about 20 thousand people a year. In addition, high-quality asphalt is mined from the lake, which is exported.
Natural phenomenon - asphalt lake Peach Lake in Trinidad
According to legend, at the place where the lake is located, there was a settlement of the Chima Indian tribe. After defeating the enemy tribe, the Indians held a feast where they ate a large number of sacred hummingbirds, forgetting that they were believed to be the spirits of their ancestors. As punishment, the gods opened the ground and caused a lake of tar, swallowing up the entire village and its inhabitants.
An amazing natural phenomenon on one of the Gippsland lakes in Australia. This lake, as a result of the vital activity of microorganisms, began to glow with blue light, like a large neon lamp.
A spectacle of incomparable beauty and a very rare natural phenomenon.
acid lake
A very dangerous place on planet Earth is the ill-fated Acid Lake or Lake of Death - a large body of water located in Sicily. On the shores of this lake there is no vegetation and animals, even birds do not fly over the lead-gray water. Swimming in such a lake is deadly. The reason is that the water of the lake contains sulfuric acid in a huge concentration.
Sour Lake is located in Kamchatka, in the crater of the Paleo-Semyachik volcano. The waters of this lake, due to the dissolution of the gas phase, are saturated with acids. The beautiful light green color of the lake is caused by the smallest particles of sulfur in the water, which were carried out from the depths of the volcano by fumaroles. To taste, the water of the lake is burning - sour. And the amount of salts in the water is much higher than in sea water.
Located on Flores Island Indonesian Kelimutu volcano reaches a height of 1639 meters and is one of the active ones. The popularity of this natural object is explained by its unique beauty and mystery.
Kelimutu Volcano, Indonesia
Colored in the crater lakes of volcano Kelimutu, which appeared after the eruption in 1968, differ in their picturesque tone, which they periodically change.
Red, black, brown, turquoise, green - in what colors the waters of the Kelimutu lakes are not painted due to the minerals dissolved in them. Each lake has its own name: “Lake of the Old Men” (Tivu-Ata-Mbupu), “Lake of Boys and Girls” (Tivu-Nua-Murikooh-Tai), “Enchanted Lake” (Tivu-Ata-Polo). Local residents associate their own legend with each of the multi-colored reservoirs.
In Tivu-Ata-Mbupu, according to the Indonesians, the souls of elderly people who have lived their lives worthily end up. The main color of the Old Men's Lake is turquoise.
The innocent souls of young people go to Tivu-Nua-Murikooh-Tai. The main color of this lake is green.
Red, like blood, Tivu-Ata-Polo draws in the souls of sinners and murderers. Locals believe that the change in the color of the waters of one of the lakes indicates that the souls of the ancestors were angry with their living descendants for something. In some cases, the change in the tone of lake waters is associated with predictions of natural and man-made disasters in Indonesia.
Kelimutu volcano: nature
In the first half of the day, the slopes of the volcano are covered with thick fog.
It is best to admire the colored lakes in the afternoon. The way to the top takes about two hours. The area near the lakes is characterized by increased danger. Tourists need to be extremely careful if they do not want to replenish the waters that fill volcano Kelimutu (Indonesia).
Volcano Kelimutu Indonesia
It's done. I made it to the Kelimutu volcano! Itself, across the country, having made an unforgettable journey through Indonesia by public transport. After the village, I left for Ende and the next day for Moni, from there it is convenient to go to the volcano. I tell about my visit to this masterpiece of nature and one of the best places on Earth, I will show a photo, and then useful information on how to get there and my stories. See the volcano on the map at the end of the article.
Kelimutu Volcano
Kelimutu Volcano is one of the best attractions in Indonesia, attracting tourists with colorful lakes in its crater. Mount Kelimutu is located on the island of Flores, 51 km from the city of Ende - the administrative center. About an hour drive. How to get there I will write at the end of the article.
The volcano is considered extinct, although the last eruption was not so long ago in 1968. The height of the Kelimutu volcano is 1639 m. The height of the walls of the craters is from 50 to 150 meters. The name means "Keli" - mountain "Mutu" - boiling.
Colorful lakes of Kelimutu volcano
Three different colored lakes in the craters of a volcano- black, blue and red - this is the most interesting and extraordinary miracle of nature. Lakes change their color from time to time, and sometimes they do not correspond to their names at all.
Over the past 25 years, the red lake has changed its color 12 times. My photo was taken on March 8, 2013. I could not believe my eyes when I saw this red (brown) lake in the photos taken in the same year at the end of August - it was light blue !!! As usual, any mountain has its own legends, and even more so, such an amazing one as Kelimutu.
The best time to go look at the lakes is to meet the dawn. The amazing views and colors of the lake changed before my eyes when the sun appeared from blue-gray to emerald green.
I wasn't sure I would wake up, so there wasn't a 100% deal with the rider, even though it was cheap. However, she woke up at night herself and, just like a couple of weeks ago, persuaded herself to get up and go so as not to regret later. And she did the right thing. I came to the house of an already familiar elderly uncle, with whom I was traveling on a bus and with whom I had dinner in his home cafe. It is good that he is a Muslim and did not sleep so early, but prayed. She knocked on the door of the tiny room where the light came from. He opened it and went to wake his son. Within a few minutes we were riding a motorbike to Mount Kelimutu. to meet the dawn, it was still a little dark and very cool. I walked along the path immediately to the observation deck, where local residents rescued frozen tourists, like me, frozen tourists, with hot tea and coffee from brought thermoses. Here are the good guys! Tea with lemon and fresh ginger, for mere pennies - sitting in front of the lake waiting for the already rising sun - it's super! And I was thinking where the locals go with bales when I walked from the entrance to the observation deck. 
Surprise
But an even bigger super expected me later. God, how happy I am and how lucky I am again! I met on the third!!! times the same couple of foreigners who lived in the next room in the same family hotel in Bajav. This is what I love most about traveling! The day before, by accident! I stumbled upon their house when I was looking for housing, and in a place where there was not a soul at all. And now again, to Kelimuta. There will be someone to ask to take a picture 😀 By the way, these guys came from Ruteng on a rented motorcycle (I envied them a little, although I saw the same beauty, but from the bus window)
Legends of the Kelimutu Lakes
Three lakes of the volcano and each has its own name and mystical purpose.
A lake that is located separately - black (white) of the usual type is called in the local language “Tiwu Ata Polo” Tiwu Ata Polo is a lake inhabited by evil spirits or evil souls of people who have committed evil deeds or crimes. It is called the "Lake of evil spirits"
Almost nearby, opposite this black, is blue (green) lake “Nuwa Muri Koo Fai Tiwu” Nua Muri Koo Fai Tiwu- in this beautiful lake, the souls of dead children and people who died at a young age found their shelter - this is a lake of girls and boys, boys and girls.
And next to him through a small wall is the red lake is called "Tiwu Mbupu Ata" Tiwu Mutu Ata- according to legend, the souls of deceased ancestors, parents live in it, some call it "the lake of the elderly."
According to local beliefs, if the souls of the dead are disturbed, then the lake will change color. Well, how else could illiterate people explain such a phenomenon.
In the meantime, the sun was already dispelling the darkness and haze, and with every minute the amazing views amazed the imagination more and more. Such a mysterious natural mystery seemed to open its doors with the rays of the sun.
The views are amazing! I just wanted to walk around and look into every corner, climb a mountain and embrace the immensity. For scale, try to see me in the white jacket in the photo below. Cat point.
It became warmer and warmer, everything sparkled with bright colors - I was so happy that even these two foreigners gradually began to fool around with me and also take funny pictures. And I jumped like a ball, here and there - everything was so beautiful, unusual, awesome, cool!
Having seen enough, we went for a walk around and closer. Therefore, saying goodbye to the black lake and taking another photo, already in clear weather, we headed to the red lake and the isthmus between the lakes.
The little white house on top of the mountain is just the observation deck from where I started to meet the dawn, where I drank tea and met a couple of these guys with whom we had a wonderful time, because of my emotions whipping over the edge mainly.
Here it is this stone watershed. 
Wall between lakes. It just seems that she is low - she is not even small.
On the way we met a bunch of monkeys, well, how could it be without them if they are ubiquitous. One agreed to the photo.
The sun had already risen and was pleasantly hot, and the colors of the lake were simply amazing, brighter and brighter. The blue sky and the stone walls of the volcano reflected in the lake and gave additional shades. One became a real emerald color, and the other dark brown with a reddish tint.
Why are Kelimutu lakes colorful?
In fact, real chemical reactions take place in the lakes, almost like in a giant natural test tube. This can even be observed - traces sometimes appear on the surface - foam or .... The water in the lake contains many minerals, which, reacting with vapors and liquids from the bowels of the volcano, color the water in the lakes in different colors. Hydrogen sulfide seeps into the cracks at the bottom, hydrochloric and sulfuric acid, respectively, do their job. It is clear that temperature, pressure and other factors also affect these processes.
Kelimutu National Park
The area around Mount Kelimutu is a nature protection zone and has been declared a national park since 1992 - this smallest national park in Indonesia occupies only 50 square meters. km., but it attracts with its beauty and amazing colorful lakes. The highest peak of the park is Mount Kelibara, 1731 m above sea level.
Entrance to the park paid in 2014 cost 20 thousand rupees a ticket plus 3 thousand rupees something else, maybe for entry on a motorbike. For photography with a camera, you need to pay another 50 thousand rupees. I paid 23 thousand rupees and that's it. There is a well-organized path to the craters, which will take about half an hour to walk from the parking lot.
There are amazing views all around! So I wanted to go around, climb some mountain. Explore the entire national park. But the motorcyclist waited for me for several hours at the main entrance. So 6 hours was not enough for me.
On the way back, we observed beautiful views, and in the distance you can see the blue sea. 🙂 We stopped to take pictures, I said goodbye to my already familiar foreigners and the driver took me to one of the hot springs, which turned out to be very small.
Then we stopped at a small waterfall and I again returned to the village of Moni, where I spent two more days.
Kelimutu Volcano on the map
How to get to Kelimutu volcano
From the city of Ende, it is only an hour by bus or car on a very scenic road. The bus costs - 15-25 thousand rupees, as you can manage. I went for 15 thousand.
From the city Ende, where there is an airport from which planes fly to and other different cities too. From the airport, you can even walk to small hotels or guesthouses. And of course, get where you need by taxi or bemo.
From the city Maumere, to go about three hours on a bus that runs to Ende through the village of Moni. You can buy tickets in the form below or use this link to find a hotel
Moni- the most convenient point where tourists usually stop. There are guesthouses, home stays, various cafes.
On the Indonesian island of Flores, there is the Kelimutu volcano. The last time its eruption was recorded in 1968. It became famous all over the world for its three lakes, which are located on its plateau at a level of 1639 meters above sea level. These lakes have very interesting properties - they change the color of their water from turquoise to black. Each time climbing the volcano, no one can guess what colors of the lakes will appear before them. The depth of the lakes has not been precisely studied, but a figure of 1650 meters is voiced - that is, the height of the volcano.
To get to the lakes, you need to spend 3 hours climbing the volcano from the village of Moni on foot, or you can drive a car along a very dangerous serpentine road for 30-40 minutes.
Each lake has its own name and its designation.
The first lake is called Tivu-Ata-Mbupu, it is located in the west, 1.5 km from other lakes, which means the Lake of the Old Men. According to legend, the souls of worthy elderly people who have completed their earthly journey go to this lake. This lake is most often a pure turquoise color. Symbolizes the lake of wisdom and knowledge that can only be obtained with years lived.
Lake Starikov
The second lake is called Tiwu-Nua-Muri-Kooh-Tai and is translated as the lake of Boys and Girls. It is located between two other lakes, located between them. This lake most often comes in different shades of green. The souls of young people who left this life early go to this lake. This lake most often changes its colors. Its color changes approximately once every two years.
Boys and Girls Lake
And the third lake is called Tivu-Ata-Polo, which means Enchanted Lake. According to beliefs, guilty souls get there. This lake is most often red to black in color. Sometimes the lake releases steam.
enchanted lake
Between the Lake of Boys and Girls and the Enchanted Lake is a thin wall of the crater, which seems to personify the fine line between good and evil.
To date, there is no exact answer why and how these three lakes constantly change their colors from the lightest shades to deep black. But scientists suggest that this is the result of the reaction of minerals in the water and gases that exit the volcano through the bottom of the lakes. For example, the reaction of iron with hydrogen sulfide can turn water red. And the concentration of two acids, such as sulfuric and hydrochloric, can give water a green color.
Video of the three lakes of the Kelimutu volcano
Residents of the nearby village of Moni are sure that the water changes its color due to the fact that the souls who went there got angry. According to another theory, the change in the color of water bodies may be a bad harbinger of critical events that may occur in the near future.
Enjoying the view of the lakes is best and safest from specially designated places, which are located on the top of the Kelimutu volcano. This is an observation deck that offers amazing views of all three lakes. The volcanic stone itself is slippery, and the gases emitted by the lakes can even lead to fainting, so you should not turn off the fenced path and use the observation deck for your own safety.
The observation deck is also called the point of inspiration, from which, in the very early morning, when the fog clears, you can watch the most mysterious and bewitching sight. The most saturated colors of the lake acquire at sunset and at dawn.
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