Guide: Nyoman
Tour: “Canoe with the Lake Goddess”
Tamblingan Lake Temple And Canoe Trek
4-5 hours / moderate: walk, paddling – optional)
Leaving Munduk, a small mountain village, located between 500 to 1200 meters above sea level and with average temperatures of 20 to 30°C, we drive the scenic lake route along the Danau Volcanic Crater rim to Asah Gobleg or Gobleg Hill. The Indonesian name means “the countryside where the villagers live an agricultural life on the top of the hill”. Gobleg Hill, situated 1400 meters above sea level , is one of the Bali highland pine forested retreats and offers cool fresh air and breathtaking scenic views of the three lakes, Bratan, Buyan and Tamblingan that lay in a large caldera next to each other. Many photographers have come here to catch the blanketing fog waffling through the hills. Many locals, from all over Bali, make pilgrimages here to pay homage to the Lake Goddess that provides water for their fields, rivers and springs below. In 2012, Unesco awarded this location as World Heritage “Cultural Landscape of Bali Province”.
First, we will explore on foot for about an hour, the forested area around the smallest of the three lakes, Tamblingan Lake, which is 1.9 km wide with the maximum depth of 90 meters and known as the Spirit Lake. Make sure you wear good walking shoes as the stairs can be a little slippery in the rainy season. You will see the location of the Sacred Lake Temple called Pura Ulun Danu and meet the guardian black tiger!
Here we join a local resident and use his small traditional canoe called Perahu to cross the lake. We will guide you to Pura DalemTamblingan, the “Temple of the Dead” to explore the remains of the Stone Age temple. These historical temples help record the development of Balinese culture. Meander across the Tamblingan Lake spotting the wild birds flying over hidden temples in the undisturbed forest. Many local Balinese make this their pilgrimage trail and make offerings to the Lake Goddess who provides water for a bountiful crop.
Our end destination is an ancient settlement on the southern side of the lake called Gubug, meaning “place of fisherman’s community”. Sitting on the edge of Tamblingan Lake in silence is Pura Gubug Temple. Unfortunately, not so many years ago due to suspected volcanic activity, the lake rose 5m flooding the temple and devastated homes and crops. Walk through the small forested community, and feel the sense of timelessness amongst the makeshift homes. Here the driver will be waiting for us to return to Mundok.
Details:
Guide Nyoman will meet you at your guesthouse in the morning at the scheduled time. Please be ready in the front reception area. Bring a light rain jacket for sudden tropical rainfalls, and sunscreen for when it clears. Wear walking shoes and carry plenty of drinking water. Together you will return to your hotel at end of tour where you can relax and ask any lingering questions with Nyoman.
Maximum guest on our Tamblingan Lake Trek and Canoe trip is 12. If you want to have a private tour, please ask to reserve the booking (minimum pricing of 4 people is charged). Tours are available all year even in the rainy season! Please book 7 days or more in advance especially in peak tourist months from July-September.
Price:
$25/person
Min: 3 persons / Max: 12 persons
Includes:
- Guide Komang fees and expertise!
- Transportation to and from Tamblingan Lake to your guesthouse in Munduk
- Canoe rental which helps support Gubug village
- Donation to the Forest Preservation Society to help maintain cleanliness and parks land upkeep
