Skull Island in Trunyan Cemetery, located in Kintamani, Bali, serves as an ancient burial ground where bodies decompose naturally, leaving only skulls behind. Visitors can witness this unique cultural practice and learn about the traditions of the Trunyanese people.
Skull Island in Trunyan Cemetery in Kintamani Bali
The notorious Trunyan cemetery, often known as “Skull Island Bali,” hides away from prying eyes amid the enigmatic pine trees and sheer cliffs of Kintamani, Indonesia.
This small island is a part of a remote hamlet settlement on the northeastern tip of Lake Batur in Bali, where the residents have been interring their dead above ground for generations. The only method to access the cemetery is by boat, however it is always open to tourists.
The only location that comes close to Trunyan Island is maybe Tana Toraja, Indonesia. Trunyan Island is one of the most odd, unusual, and genuine experiences you can have in Bali.
This travel guide covers all the information you need to know before visiting Trunyan, including directions for getting there on your own! If you want to make things even simpler, you can also reserve a highly recommended tour to Trunyan Cemetery.
History & Rituals Of Trunyan Village
The Bali Aga, or indigenous people, lived in Desa Trunyan village and the Kintamani mountains for millennia prior to the Hindu migration from Java to Bali.
The Trunyanese peasants are among the most remote groups in Bali, Indonesia; they reside on the eastern coast of Lake Batur, not far from the active Mount Batur volcano.
On Trunyan island, the Trunyanese practice the unique custom of burying their dead above ground, which contrasts with the majority of Balinese who cremate their deceased.
The corpses are dressed, cleaned, and placed in a small bamboo cage to keep out monkeys and other creatures until they naturally decay in the open air.
The skull is removed and deposited on a neighboring rock platform once the body dissolves to make room for more bodies.
The old banyan tree Teru Menyan, which is located near the cemetery, may have been the source of the name Trunyan (often spelled “Tarunyan”).
The scent of this enormous tree is said by the locals to have the effect of attenuating the stench of the decaying corpses at Desa Trunyan Cemetery.
Trunyan Cemetery – Skull Island Bali
It was a gorgeous afternoon in July when we went to Skull Island in Bali. It was sunny and windy.
I still don’t believe I’d want to spend the night there, but maybe that’s part of the reason I didn’t find the area frightening at all—rather, it was strange and interesting.
Upon arriving at Trunyan Island, you will encounter a gate adorned with two human skulls. It evoked memories of something from Pirates of the Caribbean.
Next to a rock platform covered in numerous femur bones and skulls stands a large banyan tree with sprawling branches and roots.
Bamboo frames hold fresh bodies and some treasured belongings on the left side of Trunyan Cemetery.
Visitors placed mineral water bottles near the body of a young woman who recently died of cancer at the cemetery.
They identified her as a school teacher from Kintamani’s Desa Trunyan hamlet, and from what we could see inside, she had already passed away—her skin was falling off, but her hair and eyes remained.
We smelled nothing foul in Trunyan Cemetery, even though we were close to decaying corpses. The banyan tree, according to the natives, neutralizes the scent. In 30 to 60 minutes, the quiet little island provides a brief view of neighboring communities.
The boat operator recounted spooky local tales about Desa Trunyan hamlet, such as an Indonesian tourist stealing bones and driving a car off a cliff, and a western visitor returning a supposedly haunted skull. An intriguing and distinctive experience awaited at the Trunyan cemetery in Bali.
How To Get There
Driving to the Kedisan dock at Lake Batur (see the map below) and taking a boat across the lake are the ways to get to Trunyan Bali.
Reaching Lake Batur, which is located in the Kintamani region on Bali’s northeastern side, is the first phase. Travel time by car from popular south Bali locations like Ubud, Sanur, Canggu, and Kuta is approximately one to two hours.
Renting a scooter or hiring a private vehicle with a driver is the most convenient method to get there; you can reserve both of these online. To make the procedure easier, you may also schedule an online tour of Trunyan Cemetery.
Boat Ride To Trunyan Island
To go to Trunyan island, you’ll need to take a boat from the docks of Lake Batur.
Trunyan is also known as “Skull Island Bali” because it is practically inaccessible due to its surrounding sheer cliffs. I haven’t had an opportunity to pioneer this yet, but I’ve heard you could be able to reach there on foot (albeit with an extremely steep trek).
Unfortunately, this means that even though it only takes 15 to 30 minutes, the locals can charge outrageous charges for the boat ride from Kedisan (more on that later).
Entrance Fees
- Desa Trunyan Village Entry Fee: 10k IDR (~$1)
- Kedisan Docks Parking: 2k IDR
- Boat To Trunyan Island Bali: 650k IDR ($45)
Boat Fee Mafia
Trunyan Island, sometimes known as “Skull Island Bali,” is primarily expensive to visit due to the extortionate boat voyage from Kedisan. The return cost is 650k Rupiah ($45 USD), and they’ve been attempting to charge considerably more since Covid.
To put things into perspective, the majority of Indonesians earn less than that every week. That’s not too much to pay for a ten-hour car and driver rental in Bali, and the boat voyage takes around fifteen minutes.
As one of Bali’s poorer districts, Kintamani is home to many beggars and con artists like these. Another example is the power that the hiking mafia has over Mount Batur.
Since the cemetery is nearly hard to reach without a boat, there isn’t a practical way to avoid it in this instance. Its surrounding cliff cliffs are too steep to drive or hike.
Skull Island Bali Tour
GetYourGuide offers scheduled day trips to Skull Island Bali, which include hotel transfer, boat tickets, admission fees, and a private tour guide, if you want to save the trouble of planning a trip to Trunyan.
This well-regarded tour also stops at the Bayung Gede “placenta graveyard” close to Kintamani and Pura Kehen Temple, also known as the “fire temple” of Bangli. All things considered, it’s a fantastic way to witness some of Bali, Indonesia’s most peculiar and strange old customs.
GetYourGuide is excellent; we’ve used it for several day trips and activities all around the world. Strongly advised.
Book Now: Bali
Bali Private Driver & Motorbike Rental
GetYourGuide is the best option if you want to see Bali in a private vehicle with a driver that speaks English while being safe and comfortable.
For one to five guests, they provide a full day of driving and sightseeing in Bali for 650k Rupiah ($45 USD). That includes the cost of the driver, the entire car, and the gas! It’s rather substantial. They also provide reasonably priced airport to hotel transportation.
They also have motorbikes if that’s how you’d prefer to travel. Their scooter rentals come with a helmet, raincoat, and free delivery within the south Bali area, with prices starting at 140k Rupiah (~$9).
GetYourGuide is an excellent resource for tours and activities we’ve utilized all over the world. Strongly advised.
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