Trunyan Village: The Mystery of Epic Traditions

Trunyan Village: The Mystery of Beauty and Unique Traditions on the Shores of Lake Batur

Trunyan Village. Bali always has a way of captivating anyone who sets foot on this island. But behind the glittering beaches of Kuta and the elegance of Ubud, lurks an ancient village that offers a different experience—a place where natural beauty meets with an unusual tradition of death. The name is Trunyan Village, a village on the eastern shore of Lake Batur, which seems to be caught between two worlds: the living and the extinct.

Description of Trunyan Village

Trunyan Village is one of the villages of Bali Aga—a name for the indigenous Balinese people who still hold fast to traditions before the entry of Majapahit Hindu influence. Located at the foot of Mount Abang, on the east side of Lake Batur, this village seems calm but holds stories that make the hair stand out.

What makes Trunyan famous is the way they treat corpses. Unlike Balinese people in general, who perform ngaben (cremation) ceremonies, the people of Trunyan do not bury or burn bodies. They placed the body on the ground, under a large tree called Taru Menyan, which is believed to have a natural fragrance and is able to neutralize the odor of death. That’s where the name “Trunyan” comes from: Taru means tree, and Menyan means fragrant.

Imagine walking among the trees on the edge of a quiet lake, and then seeing a human resting place left open, but without the same stench once. Strange, mystical, but soothing in an inexplicable way.

Location of Trunyan Village

Trunyan Village is located in Kintamani District, Bangli Regency, Bali. It is located on the east side of Lake Batur, and since it is a bit remote, the only way to get there is by waterway using a boat. That’s why the trip to Trunyan feels like an adventure to another world—crossing a blue lake surrounded by mountains, until you reach a village that is as if untouched by time.

Location: Google Maps

Attraction of Trunyan Village

1. Unique Funeral Traditions

The main attraction, of course, is the “Trunyan Cemetery”—the place where the bodies of the residents are laid under the Taru Menyan tree. The body was not buried or burned, but covered with a triangular-shaped bamboo weave called ancak saji. Around the cemetery area, visitors can see skulls and bones that are neatly arranged as part of the custom.

However, it is important to respect this place—not just a tourist attraction, but a sacred space full of spiritual meaning for the people of Trunyan.

2. The Mystical Taru Menyan Tree

It is said that the Taru Menyan tree only grows in this village and has a natural fragrant scent that is able to neutralize the smell of corpses. Science may not be able to fully explain it yet, but the magic is real to anyone who comes there.

3. The Charm of Lake Batur

Before or after going to Trunyan, you will be treated to the soothing beauty of Lake Batur. The thin fog, the lake water reflecting off the sky, and the silhouette of Mount Batur in the distance create a magical atmosphere that is hard to forget.

4. Life of the Balinese Aga Community

In addition to the death ritual, Trunyan Village is also interesting because of its people, who still maintain ancient customary systems, languages, and traditional house architecture from stone and bamboo. A visit here feels like a trip back in time—back to the days of Bali before modernization came.

Opening Hours and Best Time to Visit

Trunyan Village is open to tourists every day, usually from 08.00 to 17.00 WITA.

However, the best time to visit is in the morning, when the fog at Lake Batur begins to thin, and the soft sunlight shines on the boat on the surface of the water. In addition to the cooler atmosphere, you can also explore more freely before other tourists arrive.

Trunyan Village Entrance Ticket Prices

• Village entrance ticket: around IDR 10,000 – IDR 20,000 per person.
• Boat rental from Kedisan Village to Trunyan: ranges from IDR 400,000 – IDR 600,000 for a round trip (capacity of 5-6 people per boat).

Prices can change depending on the season and negotiations, so it’s best to come in a group to save costs.

How to Get to Trunyan Village

• From Denpasar / Ngurah Rai Airport:

Take a car or motorbike to Kintamani (about 2–2.5 hours away).

Head to Kedisan Port, on the shores of Lake Batur.

• From Kedisan to Trunyan:

Take a 30-minute motorboat ride across the lake.

Along the way, you will be spoiled by the breathtaking panorama of the mountains and lake water.

Another alternative is by road to Trunyan Village, but the route is quite extreme and rarely used by tourists.

Nearby Tours of Trunyan Village

• Mount Batur & Batur Crater – a favorite trekking spot to see the amazing sunrise.
• Toya Bungkah Village is famous for its natural hot springs overlooking the lake.
• Ulun Danu Batur Temple – a beautiful temple that is the spiritual center of the Kintamani community.
• Batur Geopark Museum – an educational place that explains the origins of the Batur caldera area.

Nearby Activities You Can Try

• Mount Batur Sunrise Trekking – wake up early and enjoy the sunrise at the top of the mountain.
• Soak in Toya Devasya Hot Spring – experience the natural hot water that soothes the muscles after a long trip.
• Enjoy Kintamani coffee – taste the aroma of the typical coffee of the Bali highlands while looking out over the lake.
• Exploration of other Bali Aga Villages – such as Penglipuran or Tenganan Villages which have different cultural characteristics.

Also Read: Beautiful Bedugul Botanical Garden, A Nature Lover’s No 1

Conclusion: Trunyan, Between Silence and Eternity

Trunyan Village is not just a tourist destination, but a life lesson about the meaning of death, simplicity, and the closeness of humans to nature. Here, the line between life and death feels thin, but peaceful.

Exploring Trunyan is not only about satisfying our curiosity but also reminding us that every tradition has a story, and every story deserves respect.

So, if you want a completely different experience in Bali—not just beaches and resorts—Trunyan Village is the gateway to the other side of the Island of the Gods: quiet, sacred, and alluring in its simplicity.

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