Kelimutu National Park, National park in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
Kelimutu National Park is a protected volcanic area on the island of Flores in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. At the top of the Kelimutu volcano, three crater lakes sit side by side, each capable of displaying a different color ranging from turquoise to green to deep red depending on the chemical activity below.
The park was established in 1992 to protect the volcanic ecosystems and the rare species living in the area. The Kelimutu volcano had already attracted the attention of scientists for decades before that, after Dutch travelers first reported seeing the colored lakes in the early 20th century.
The local Lio people of Flores believe the three crater lakes are where the souls of the dead come to rest. Each lake is thought to receive a different kind of soul, depending on how that person lived their life.
The walk up to the summit viewpoints is best done in the early morning, since clouds tend to move in as the day goes on and can block the view of the lakes. Bring a windproof layer and sturdy footwear, as the top of the volcano is exposed and can be cold even when it is warm below.
All three lakes share the same volcano, yet they can show three completely different colors at the same time. The colors come not from algae but from chemical reactions between the water and the volcanic gases rising from below.
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