If you want an exceptionally lovely destination for hiking in Bali, you could try heading to Tambling Lake.
This lake in an extinct volcano’s caldera is lined with temples and has plenty to offer the adventurous traveller.
Our complete guide to the area will help you decide whether to add this beautiful place to your Bali itinerary.
Where Is Lake Tamblingan?
Tamblingan Lake is in the Buleleng Regency in Bali and it’s near the village of Munduk and Mount Lesung.
It’s part of the “Twin Lakes” area which includes Lake Buyan.
How To Get To Lake Tamblingan
This is a remote part of Bali and the best way to get there is to either join one of the organized tours that bring tourists out to this region or to hire a private car and driver.
This isn’t expensive and you can usually get a driver for around 500,00 IDR a day (that’s about $35 USD or $50 AUD) including petrol and car. You will have to pay any parking fees on top.
What’s The Best Time To Visit Tamblingan Lake?
While we always maintain that there’s no bad time of year to visit Bali, we have to point out that hiking in the Twin Lakes region is not as easy after heavy rainfall.
That means you might prefer to venture here in the dry season if you want to explore the jungle and the temple complexes here in full.
If you’re only really coming for the Twin Lakes Viewpoint and a quick look at the lake itself, you can come at any time of the year.
In fact, it might be a bit more impressive in the rainy season as the water level in Tamblingan and Buyan Lake will be higher than normal.
Is There An Entrance Fee For The Tamblingan Lake?
Yes, if you want to enjoy the serene lakes in this region, you will need to pay 10,000 IDR (that’s about $0.65 USD or $1 AUD) at the entrance gates.
This gives you access to Lake Tamblingan and Lake Buyan as long as you follow the trekking trail through the twin lakes area.
Otherwise, you may need to pay an additional small fee to get into Buyan Lake and you will need to pay to access Beratan Lake by the main road.
About The History Of Tamblingan Lake
You will find Tamblingan Lake’s shores are lined with old temples, many of them dating back to before the introduction of Hinduism in Bali.
There was an ancient civilization that made Tamblingan its home and the first mention of people here in writing was in 900 AD on a copper plate that was discovered in Gobleg. (Interestingly, Gobleg was also an ancient village here in Bali).
The oldest temple around the lake appears to be Pura Dalem Tamblingan which is near the village of Gubug, on the southern side of the lake.
Pura Embang and Pura Tukang Timbang were probably also founded around this time, but it’s hard to be certain without written evidence.
The word “Dalem” in a temple’s title means that the temple is associated with death and the Pura Dalem Tamblingan is on the south side of the lake as a village temple with “Dalem” in the name would be erected on the south side of the village.
It appears that when Tamblingan Village fell into disrepair, the people from this area founded four new villages near the lake, the “Catur Deas” (which is literally, “four villages”).
They are Gobleg, Gesing, Munduk and Umejero and each appears to have taken ownership of maintaining some part of Bali’s long-established spiritual heritage.
What To Expect At The Lake Tamblingan
This area is a genuine slice of paradise in the Balinese countryside. It’s high up in the mountains and the local people take the maintenance and preservation of the character of this area very seriously.
The biggest draw other than the fabulous scenery is the main temple, Pura Ulun Danu Tamblingan, which is fully open to tourists and actively used by the community that lives nearby.
The whole area is a photographer’s dream and golden hour light delivers some of the finest shots in Bali, particularly at sunrise.
You can fish in the lake and even rent a canoe for a relaxing paddle on its waters.
There are almost never any crowds around and you may find that you have this stunning scenery all to yourselves if you visit.
Temples
There are a lot of temples on the shores of Lake Tamblingan including:
Pura Dalem Tamblingan
Pura Embang
Pura Tukang Timbang
Pura Endek
Pura Tirta Megening
Pura Naga Loka
Pura Pengukiran
Pura Pengukusan
Pura Batulepang
Not all of these temples are open to foreign visitors, so if you do decide to hike the shoreline of the lake or do the twin lakes hike, please make sure to determine if you’re allowed inside before going into any temple.
Visit Bali Twin Lakes Viewpoint
Before you reach Tamblingan Lake you will find the Twin Lakes Viewpoint opening up the area around you for some amazing photographs of Lake Buyan and Lake Tamblingan below.
Where To Stay Near Lake Tamblingan
This area isn’t overrun with resorts and hotels and you may need to drive a little way to find a hotel. Some of the nearest hotels include:
Where To Eat Near Lake Tamblingan
It’s also fair to say that there aren’t a huge number of restaurants local to this lake and you might try one of these:
Warung Makan Nerike – a surprisingly excellent Balinese-French fusion restaurant in nearby Wanagiri.
Warung Taksu – this is a lovely local Indonesian restaurant with some of the best value food around and there’s an awesome view from the terrace.
Munduk Farm House – a pleasant cafe that does an excellent cup of coffee and a good mix of cuisines too.
Enjoy Cafe 2 – another place with a fabulous view this one with an emphasis on pan-Asian cuisines.
The Botanist – This gastropub does fusion food and might be the best place in the whole area to eat.
FAQs
Should I Visit Twin Lakes Viewpoint?
Yes, we think so, it’s a great place to enjoy Bali. Twin Lakes Viewpoint is a superb place to see the beautiful lakes, coffee plantations, etc. in the mountains before you go out into nature and meet the locals in this part of the island.
We find the early morning view from the Twin Lakes Viewpoint makes us want to explore more places in Bali and tourists don’t need to worry about crowds here at that time of day either.
That makes getting great photos of the Buyan Lakes surrounded by beautiful countryside so much easier.
What Is The History Of Tamblingan Lake?
The lake is one of many lakes and dormant volcanoes that sit in the caldera of an ancient (and huge) volcano. That larger volcano has long been extinct and there’s no need to fear a massive eruption when visiting the area.
While the lake has often been inhabited, there is only one remaining village on the shore today, Gubug, which is on the Southern shore of the lake.
It’s worth noting that while you can enjoy a trip to this lake at any time of year, digital nomads and tourists should be aware that the temples can get flooded in severe rain and may not be accessible during the rainy season.
What Is The Sacred Lake In Bali?
Lake Beratan is the sacred lake (or, at least, the most holy lake) in Bali.
This is due to the Pura Ulun Danu Beratan temple (often referred to as the floating temple by visitors) on the shoreline.
However, it’s worth noting that every location with lakes in Bali is considered to be sacred as are the mountains located all over the center of the island.
In the old animist faith, before Hinduism, these places would have been homes to powerful spirits and while animism is no longer a major local practice, many of its influences can be found in the world of modern Hinduism in Bali.
What Is The Twin Lake Festival In Bali?
This is a festival held in the Buleleng Regency that promotes awareness of the Twin Lakes Area.
The idea is to help create an environment that is harmonious and helps to encourage visitors to take care of the Twin Lakes environment such as keeping waste out of the water and avoiding polluting the fresh air.
The festival took place in early June each year until the pandemic, we haven’t been able to confirm if it’s been restarted since things “returned to normal”.
How To Book A Bali Holiday With A Trip To Tamblingan Lake?
We always recommend that you use the Bali Res Center when you book a holiday in Bali. As a locally owned and operated travel service, they can get tourists the best deal on flights, accommodations and more.
Final Thoughts On Tamblingan Lake And The Twin Lakes
Visiting the Twin Lakes Area and Tamblingan Lake, in particular, is always rewarding. Most people never explore this area of Bali and it’s a great place for trekking.
There are a few tours that head out this way but you’re a world away from the crowds of the beach towns.
It’s the perfect place for a little adventure and a sunrise trek up the local mountains can be a huge amount of fun, before taking a long walk around the lakes.
