The cool and refreshing breeze will greet you as you step into the place. Breathing in the cool air will refresh your whole body and soul. You may be completely exhausted from the journey there but it will be completely worth it. The place will fully reinvigorate your spirit. You will not be able to wait to dive further into the lake’s overpowering mystical aura.
Located in Ngebel village, Ngebel district, the tourist site is easily accessible from any direction. It is some 30 kilometers away from the city square in downtown Ponorogo. You can also go there from Dolopo district in Madiun regency. From there, it is much closer, only 15 kilometers away.
Accessibility-wise, the lake is easier to reach from Madiun regency. The road is smoother and wider and you will have no problem with passing cars going the other way. Otherwise, the two routes are pretty much the same in that they are full of turns and steep uphill and downhill roads.
Along the way to the lake, you will pass through typical rural residential areas. Go there when fruit seasons are in full swing and the trees on both sides of the road will surely be rife with fresh fruits, including durian, avocado, soursop, banana, mundu (Garcinia dulcis) and stink bean.
“Ngebel durian is very delicious. It tastes a little bitter and a little sweet, has thick flesh and small seeds. The flesh is yellow-colored like butter,” said visitor Mustofa.
Durian season in Ngebel is marked with the numerous fruitful durian trees on fields and people’s gardens. A few meters after you go through the tourist site’s front gate, you will see the Songgolangit Market with its many durian sellers.
Affordable
Apart from being easily accessible, the lake’s entrance fee is very affordable. It is only Rp 6,000 (US$0.45) per person plus the parking fee. Visitors can go around the lake on cars or motorbikes.
The road surrounding the lake has been repaired and cars can go on them with no problems. However, the one-way road is a little narrow so visitors will need to heed all the traffic signs to ensure their own safety. Visitors can pull over at several spots to enjoy the natural panoramic view, take selfies and group photos or just breathe in the fresh air.
After you are satisfied with going around the lake, you can enjoy relaxation time at the modest stalls scattered in the area. Most of the stalls are built partially over the lake, enabling visitors to delight in the calming views while enjoying their meals. Unique local meals include nasi goreng tiwul (fried dried cassava) and grilled mujair (tilapia).
Even if you’re not particularly hungry, take a seat on the floor mats in the gazebo near the tour boat rental place. There, you can enjoy a relaxing time accompanied with a cup of coffee and various local snacks, including ote-ote (vegetable fritters), banana fritters, fried tofu, steamed beans, steamed cassava and steamed corn.
There is no need to worry about the prices as all the snacks at the stall are relatively affordable. With only Rp 5,000, for instance, you can have one cup of coffee and three fried snacks, enough to fill your belly.
However, do not rest immediately after finishing your meal. Try the boat tour around the lake. You can choose between regular and motor boats. The fee is Rp 7,000 per person or Rp 100,000 for the whole boat.
Double the charm
Still have some energy left after the boat tour? Head down to the Selorejo waterfall in the forest, located between seven and 10 kilometers away from Telaga Ngebel. The road there, however, is not fully accessible by vehicle. After a certain point, you need to continue your journey on foot.
Another option is to explore the hot water bath in Wagir Lor village. It is also seven kilometers away from Telaga Ngebel and can be accessed by car. At the bath, visitors can soak themselves in the invigorating hot water.
Apart from the waterfall and the hot bath, there is also a spiritual tour at Balai Batur, the grave of Nyai Latung. As the local tale goes, Nyai Latung was known as a kind-hearted and caring villager who was the only survivor of a major disaster in the past.
There are many versions of the lake’s origin. In one such tale, an ugly boy came to the village that was having a wedding celebration. He asked for a meal but the villagers were repulsed by him and drove him away. The boy was then helped by Nyai Latung.
One day, the boy stuck a thin wooden stick into the ground and challenged the villagers to pull the stick out. Nobody was able to do so and the boy ended up pulling the stick out himself. On the spot on the ground where the wooden stick had been stuck, water gushed out. The water then drowned the whole village and its residents – everyone except Nyai Latung.
Locals still abide by such old traditions these days. They believe that good fortune will come from good behavior, helping others and the absence of arrogance. They also believe that preserving the environment is a way of expressing their gratitude. Such gratitude is expressed in the larung sesaji (floating and drowning offerings on the lake) ritual held on the first day of the Suro month in the Javanese calendar.
The larung sesaji ritual is a unique attraction. Before the ritual, there are usually reog performances. Among the offerings included in the larung ritual are various crops, like fruits and vegetables.
One day may not be enough to explore all the sites in Telaga Ngebel. No worries, though, as there are many accommodations with ample facilities around the lake. The nightly fees vary but are still affordable.
Lodging manager Krisfana, 35, said there were 35 places to stay around the lake. The fee ranges from Rp 80,000 to Rp 150,000 per room per night.
However, the fee can double during holiday seasons. The place is especially crowded during school holidays and the Javanese New Year where travelers came to the lake to witness the larung sesaji ritual. Room occupancy can reach 80 percent.
Telaga Ngebel will enthrall you. It will bring calmness to your soul and it’s truly a joy to behold.
