Munduk and the twin lakes of Buyan and Tamblingan

Cool mountain air, clove and coffee plantations, misty crater lakes and waterfalls hidden in the forest.

Area

North

Start from

Ubud or Lovina

Distance

about 2–2.5 hours from Ubud

Time needed

2 days

Best season

All year; cooler and wetter than the coast

Difficulty

Moderate

Transport

Car or scooter

Tickets & rules

Small fees at waterfalls and viewpoints

Why go

Munduk is a village on a ridge in the central highlands, surrounded by coffee, cloves and forest. It's cooler here, often misty, and in the evenings you'll need a jacket, a strange feeling in Bali.

From the road above the village, you look down on the twin lakes, Buyan and Tamblingan, lying in an old volcanic crater surrounded by jungle. You can walk down to Tamblingan and take a traditional canoe out on the water.

Around Munduk, several waterfalls are reached by short trails through plantations. It's a place for slow days, walking and long breakfasts.

The story

In the Dutch colonial period, Munduk was a cool retreat for officials, and some colonial-era houses still stand in the village. Coffee and cloves have been grown here for generations.

Lake Tamblingan is sacred to local villages, and the forest around it is protected by customary rules. Small temples stand along the shore, some only accessible by boat.

The lakes are among several crater lakes in the Bedugul area that feed the island's springs and rivers, which is why they are considered sacred sources of life.

Getting there

Drive north from Bedugul via the lakes, or from Lovina via the hills. Roads are winding and narrow.

A suggested plan

1. Day 1Arrive via the Wanagiri viewpoint over the twin lakes. Afternoon walk to Munduk waterfall.
2. Day 2Morning canoe on Lake Tamblingan and visit the lakeside temple. Afternoon coffee tasting at a plantation.

Where to stay

Guesthouses and small eco-lodges in Munduk with valley views.

Good to know

• Bring a light jacket and rain gear.
• Local guides know trails linking the waterfalls; worth hiring for a half day.