experience bali activity
CROSS LAKE BATUR TO BALI'S OLDEST VILLAGE CULTURE
Lake Batur Boat Trip to Trunyan Village
Boat crossing of Lake Batur to the Bali Aga village of Trunyan.
A boat trip across Lake Batur to Trunyan, one of Bali's Bali Aga villages, whose funerary traditions differ from the cremation practised across the rest of the island.
Highlights
Boat crossing of Lake Batur beneath the caldera wall
Trunyan is a Bali Aga village with pre-Majapahit customs
Funerary traditions unlike anywhere else in Bali
A completely different view of the volcano from water level
Location
Kintamani
Duration
2-3 hours including the crossing
Price Range
Boat hire charged per boat; agree the price before departing
Full Description
Trunyan sits on the far shore of Lake Batur, reachable by boat from the lakeside jetties near Kedisan and Toya Bungkah. It is a Bali Aga village, one of the communities that predate the Majapahit influence that shaped most Balinese culture, and it keeps distinct customs, most famously a funerary practice in which the dead are laid in the open rather than cremated.
The crossing itself is the other half of the experience: from the water, the scale of the caldera wall and the volcano above it reads very differently than from the rim road.
Our Review
Agree the boat price at the jetty before you leave, not when you get back. That one thing decides how this trip goes more than anything else.
Trunyan is a Bali Aga village, one of the communities that predate the Majapahit influence behind most of Balinese culture, and it keeps its own customs, including laying the dead in the open rather than cremating them. It is an active community and a burial site, not an attraction, and it deserves to be treated that way. Bring small notes for the expected donation. We rate the crossing as half the reason to go, because the caldera wall reads completely differently from the water.
Includes
✅ Return boat crossing (hire charged separately at the jetty)
✅ Access to the village and cemetery area (donation expected)
Not Suitable For
Visitors uncomfortable with an open-air burial site
Anyone prone to seasickness on a small open boat
What To Bring
Cash for the boat and the village donation
Sun protection, there is no shade on the water
A light jacket; the lake is windy
Respectful clothing covering shoulders and knees
Know Before You Go
Agree the boat price at the jetty before you depart, not after
A donation is expected at the village, bring small notes
This is an active community and a burial site, not an attraction; behave accordingly
Morning crossings are calmer than afternoon
Not Allowed
Photographing human remains without permission
Entering ceremonial areas uninvited
Where to Stay
Penelokan: best for caldera viewpoints.
Toya Bungkah: best for hot springs and lakeside.
Kedisan: best for lake access and boats.
Batur village: best for early trek starts.
Songan: best for quiet lakeside stays.
Ubud side: best for warmer nights nearby.
The ideal itinerary for local activities
Trek Mount Batur for sunrise
Take in the caldera view from Penelokan
Soak in the hot springs at Toya Bungkah
Visit a highland coffee plantation
Walk or cycle along Lake Batur
Explore Pura Ulun Danu Batur
Drive the rim road for changing views.
Turn Lake Batur Boat Trip to Trunyan Village into a full Kintamani day
Lake Batur Boat Trip to Trunyan Village is one of the things to do in Kintamani, so start with hotel prices and pick a base along the crater rim facing Mount Batur. Then check activity packages, since most trips to Kintamani pair Lake Batur Boat Trip to Trunyan Village with a second experience nearby. Finally, price a car: the rim road is steep and unlit and the trailhead is a dark early drive. The three links below go straight to each.
frequently asked questions
How long does Lake Batur Boat Trip to Trunyan Village take?
Plan for roughly 2-3 hours including the crossing, not counting travel to and from Kintamani. It is easiest to build the rest of your day in Kintamani around that.
When is the best time to do Lake Batur Boat Trip to Trunyan Village?
It runs year-round. The dry season, roughly May to September, has the most reliable weather, while the wet season from November to March brings heavier afternoon rain but thinner crowds and lower prices.
How much does Lake Batur Boat Trip to Trunyan Village cost?
Boat hire charged per boat; agree the price before departing. Prices vary by operator and season, so confirm the current rate when you book.