There are few things that make you roll out of bed at 4:00 a.m. while on vacation—but watching the sunrise over Mount Kelimutu’s magical crater lakes is absolutely one of them. I arrived in Moni, a quiet mountain village in central Flores, with so much excitement for morning to come. While the highlight of this area is Kelimutu, there’s much more to explore around Moni. Here’s my guide for Moni, Kelimutu and its surroundings.

Find my full itinerary for Flores island here. 

What to do in and around Moni

Hiking to Kelimutu’s Crater Lakes

The main reason travelers come to Moni is to visit Kelimutu National Park, home to three volcanic crater lakes—each with its own striking color. These lakes famously change hues over time due to varying mineral content and volcanic activity.

From Moni it was about a 30 minute drive to the trailhead and a short 20-30 minute hike to the top. Arrive well ahead of sunrise to see the sky slowly turn orange and the lakes reveal themselves as it gets lighter. It’s cold, so wear layers! There are some local people selling coffee and tea at the top, so that will help keep you warm.

At sunrise, the view is otherworldly. The lakes—Tiwu Ata Bupu (Lake of Old People), Tiwu Ko’o Fai Nuwa Muri (Lake of Young Men and Maidens), and Tiwu Ata Polo (Enchanted Lake)—glow in shades of turquoise, emerald, and deep red-brown, depending on the day and the light.

💡 Tip: Bring a flashlight for the pre-dawn walk, dress in layers (it’s cold at the top!), and arrive early to beat the crowds

Entrance fee: Foreigners: 150K IDR on weekdays/225K IDR on weekends.

Opening hours: 05:00 – 18:00

Things to Do Around Moni (Besides Kelimutu)

Dhaekale Waterfall

At a  3o minute drive from the village of Moni, you can find Dhaekale Waterfall, an impressive off the beaten track adventure. Don’t attempt to find the waterfall by yourself, because the trail is well hidden and to be completely honest.. a little sketchy. After reading a google review that said we should ask for directions in the local village, we decided that would be the best course of action. Luckily the locals were very happy to help. They appointed one of the guys to guide us down. The trail starst behind one of the houses in the village and at the top of waterfall. The hike down to the waterfall takes about 30–40 minutes.  The path is extremely narrow and slippery and halfway in we were questioning our decision.  We decided we’d gotten too far to turn back and continued our way down. The final stretch, you have to climb the rocks leading you upstream. The impressive waterfall reveals itself and the clear, cool water plunges into a natural pool surrounded by dense greenery. We had this waterfall all to ourselves, worth it!

Bring sturdy shoes, a swimsuit if you fancy a dip. I got permission from our guides to share their phone number. Feel free to reach out to them if you’d like to visit this waterfall. Wilhelmus: +6285850494652 and Sony: +6281226401276

The Detusoko Rice Terraces

Drive down the road towards Ende for the most beautiful views of the rice fields. There are several cafe’s with a view along the road. Sit down at ‘Liona Top Cafe Kopi Ratu’ to enjoy a coffee with the beautiful view.

Mutulo’o Hot Steam (Solfatar and Fumarol of Kelimutu Volcano)

I personally didn’t visit the hot steam, but other travelers have told me they loved exploring this off the beaten spot. The path to Hot Steam is hidden and branches off from the path to Murukeba Waterfall. If you can’t find it, ask the locals.

Best restaurants in Moni

Cafe MOOn& resto: Lovely spot with a great view and great food. Has both veggie and meat options. loved

Where to stay in Moni