Pura Ulun Danu Tamblingan Lake Temple In Munduk, Bali

The photogenic Tamblingan Lake Temple in Munduk village is one of rural Bali’s best hidden gems.

Pura Ulun Danu Tamblingan is an ancient 10th century temple built in the middle of a volcanic caldera, and it’s a fantastic place to explore and take pictures.

This travel guide will explain how to get there, and everything you need to know before you go!

Contents hide

1) Pura Ulun Danu Tamblingan Lake Temple

2) Entrance Fee

3) How To Get There

4) Lake Tamblingan Trek

5) More Bali Temples

6) Bali Private Driver & Motorbike Rental

7) Munduk Hotels

Pura Ulun Danu Tamblingan Lake Temple

The Tamblingan Lake Temple sits on the shore of lake Danau Tamblingan, and during the rainy season when the water levels are high, the temple actually looks like it’s floating on the lake!

A lot of Balinese couples come here to do their prewedding photos, and it’s easy to see why. The moss covered rooftops on the gates look otherworldly on a misty morning, and the quiet lake is a perfect backdrop.

I was born too late to experience ‘the old Bali’ but I imagine this is what it felt like. No crowds, no selfie sticks, no malls; just peace and quiet — nature, culture, and history.

Tamblingan Bali almost looks abandoned, like something out of Angkor Wat Cambodia, but this temple is still frequently visited by Balinese locals for their Hindu ceremonies.

The elevation here is around 1,200 meters (4,000 feet), so the cool air is also pretty nice for trekking or camping.

Entrance Fee

The entry fee is 10k IDR (~$1) as of 2020.

This ticket allows you to see both the lake and the temple at Tamblingan Bali.

You can also pay extra to do guided jungle treks and canoe rides around the lake at Pura Ulun Danu Tamblingan. More on that below.

How To Get There

The Tamblingan Lake Temple is located in Munduk, on the north side of Bali island.

It’s about 1.5 to 2 hours drive from the touristy areas of south Bali, like Ubud, Canggu, or Kuta.

The best way to get there is to rent a scooter or hire a private car and driver (both of these can be booked online).

Lake Tamblingan Trek

If you want to continue the adventure at Tamblingan Bali, you can do jungle treks in the untouched rain forest surrounding the lake.

There are some great Banyan trees and other exotic plants and wildlife to see on the Lake Tamblingan Trek, along with the extinct volcanic cone of the jungle-covered Mount Lesung (also known as Gunung Lesung in Indonesian).

Jungle treks vary from 2 to 6 hours, and you can book them at the entrance to Lake Tamblingan Bali.

More Bali Temples

Looking for more information on the best temples in Bali, Indonesia?

Check out my Bali Temple Guide for a complete list with photos, maps, and more!

Bali Private Driver & Motorbike Rental

If you want to explore Bali in the comfort and safety of a private car with an English speaking driver, my top recommendation would be GetYourGuide.

Their price is 650k Rupiah ($45 USD) for a full day of driving and sightseeing in Bali (up to 10 hours) for 1-5 passengers. That's the total price for the whole car + driver + petrol! It's a great deal. They also offer affordable hotel transfers from the airport.

If you'd rather travel by motorbike, they have that too. Their scooter rentals start at 140k Rupiah (~$9) and include a helmet, rain coat, and free delivery in the south Bali area.

We've used GetYourGuide for lots of tours and activities around the world, and they're great! Highly recommended.

Book Now: Bali Private Driver / Scooter Rental