Exploring Trunyan Cemetery

Trunyan’s cemetery is unlike the cremation grounds most visitors associate with Bali: after a cleansing ritual, married people are placed in bamboo cages beneath the Taru Menyan tree, where the elements take their course. The village’s name comes from the tree, whose scent is said to neutralize the smell of decay. This is a cultural visit, but it is also a close look at human remains, so go only if that feels right for you.

I like two things in particular: the visit is led by Yansu, a local guide who grew up in Trunyan, and the journey pairs a boat ride with a stop at Penelokan’s view of Lake Batur and Mount Batur. One point to settle before booking: the tour information mentions both hotel pickup and a meeting at the Trunyan boat jetty, so confirm exactly where your day begins.

Key points to know

• The burial custom is specific to married people: Their bodies are placed in bamboo cages under the Taru Menyan tree after a cleansing ritual.
• Your guide is from Trunyan: Yansu grew up in the village and can explain its customs from a local perspective.
• The route includes a caldera viewpoint: Stop at Penelokan to see Lake Batur and Mount Batur before continuing to the village.
• A boat ride is part of the visit: The tour includes a return boat trip, plus a short walk.
• This is not for everyone: You will see human remains, and the tour is not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, people with epilepsy, or people over 75.
• The $35 price covers the essentials: Hotel pickup and drop-off, an air-conditioned minivan, entry tickets, a local guide, and the return boat ride are included.

A Different Kind of Cemetery Visit

Trunyan, in the Kintamani crater area of north-central Bali, is home to the Bali Aga, often described as Bali’s original inhabitants. The village is known for customs that differ from those in much of the island. Its cemetery is the most striking example: rather than cremating the dead, villagers place some bodies in open bamboo cages beneath the Taru Menyan tree.

That difference makes the visit meaningful, but it also calls for a little care. You are seeing a place where families honor their dead, not a staged attraction. The tour presents the cemetery as part of a broader look at village life and local beliefs about death as one part of a continuing cycle.

The cemetery is also sometimes called Skulls Island, a name that can make it sound like a spectacle. I would set that label aside. The important point is the burial practice and the community that maintains it. Go with curiosity and respect, and be prepared for the fact that human remains are visible.

The Drive to Penelokan

The day begins with a drive through the highland scenery toward Penelokan Village. The journey takes about an hour from Ubud and around an hour and a half from South Bali, according to the tour details. Those estimates give you a useful sense of the commitment: this is not a quick stop between nearby attractions.

At Penelokan, you pause at a viewpoint over Lake Batur and Mount Batur. It offers a chance to see the volcanic setting before heading down toward Trunyan, and it helps place the village within the Kintamani crater region. If you are coming from farther south, the long drive makes this stop a welcome break as well as a scenic one.

The transfer is in an air-conditioned minivan, with a guide along the way. You can expect cultural context during the journey, though the exact amount of commentary and the total tour duration are not specified. Bring comfortable clothes and shoes, and keep your camera handy for the viewpoint.

From the Viewpoint to Trunyan Village

From Penelokan, the route continues for about 30 minutes to Trunyan’s main village. There, you visit the main temple and meet locals whose traditions are distinct from those found elsewhere in Bali. The tour’s guide, Yansu, grew up in Trunyan, a useful advantage when customs need more explanation than a quick look can provide.

The temple visit may not always be possible. It can be closed during a special period in the Balinese calendar, which means you should think of it as a planned stop that may be unavailable on the day. The cemetery visit is the central focus, but this temple detail is worth knowing if you are especially interested in local religious practice.

A local guide can also help you understand the difference between observing a custom and reducing it to a photo opportunity. The tour is offered in English and Indonesian. A visitor described Yansu as fluent in English and especially good at explaining the village and cemetery, making language a practical strength for English-speaking visitors.

The Boat Ride and Cemetery

A traditional boat ride takes you to the cemetery, and the return boat trip is included. The boat is not just transport: it marks a change in pace between the road journey and the village’s cemetery visit. The tour notes that a short walk is required, so expect some walking rather than a fully vehicle-based outing.

At the cemetery, your guide explains the burial practice. After a cleansing ritual, the body is placed in an ancak saji, a bamboo cage set beneath the Taru Menyan tree. Taru Menyan means nice-smelling tree, and its scent is said to counter the odor of decomposition. The tree is also the source of the village’s name.

Not everyone is placed in these cages. The custom described here applies to married people. That detail matters: it gives you a more accurate picture than the shorthand description of an open-air cemetery might. The arrangement allows the elements to reclaim the body over time, within a tradition understood locally as part of life’s cycle.

You should be ready to see human remains. The tour states this plainly, and it is the most important practical consideration for deciding whether to go. If you feel uneasy about that, there is no need to push yourself. If you do visit, follow your guide’s directions and approach the site as a family burial place.

What the $35 Price Covers

At $35 per person, the price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, an air-conditioned minivan, entry tickets, a local guide, and the return boat ride. Those inclusions cover the main moving parts of a visit that involves a long drive, a village stop, and boat transport. You do not need to arrange each leg separately.

Food and drinks, documentation, and personal expenses are not included. Plan to pay for those yourself if needed. The tour details do not specify how long the outing lasts, the size of the group, or whether refreshments are available en route, so ask the operator if any of those points affect your plans.

The main value is not a long list of attractions. It is access to Trunyan with a guide from the village who can explain why the cemetery exists and how its customs fit into local life. For someone seeking a visit centered on Balinese culture beyond the island’s more familiar sights, that personal context may justify the price. If you mainly want a quick scenic excursion, this is probably not the best fit.

Practical Details Before You Book

There is one logistical detail to clear up first. The tour description says hotel pickup and drop-off are included, but the meeting point is also given as the Trunyan boat jetty, with the activity ending there. Those instructions do not fully explain whether you should expect a hotel pickup or make your way to the jetty. Confirm your exact start and finish arrangements with Bali Yansu Tour before booking.

The drive times can help you plan your day, but they are estimates: about one hour from Ubud or one and a half hours from South Bali to Penelokan, followed by roughly 30 minutes to Trunyan village. The tour’s total duration is not provided, so avoid scheduling a close connection or another timed activity without checking.

Wear comfortable clothes and shoes, and bring a camera if you want one. Keep in mind that photography is not included as a service, and personal expenses are your responsibility. The boat ride and short walk are essential parts of the outing, so this is not suitable for wheelchair users. The activity is also listed as unsuitable for pregnant women, people with epilepsy, and people over 75.

The temple may be closed on a special date in the Balinese calendar. If that stop is important to you, ask whether it is expected to be open on your visit day. The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and a reserve-now, pay-later option, which can help if your plans are still taking shape.

Who Will Find This Visit Worthwhile?

This experience is best for you if you want to understand a less familiar side of Balinese culture and are comfortable visiting a cemetery where human remains are visible. The guide’s connection to Trunyan is a real strength: Yansu grew up there, and the tour’s purpose is to explain village customs rather than simply transport you to a photo stop.

It also suits people who enjoy a journey with several parts: the mountain road, the Penelokan viewpoint, the village and temple, and the boat ride to the cemetery. The range of stops gives the outing context, though the road time means it takes more commitment than a visit close to your hotel.

You may want to skip it if you prefer to avoid death-related sites, need wheelchair access, or fall into one of the listed suitability restrictions. And if you are booking primarily for the temple, remember that it can be closed on certain dates. The cemetery and local explanation are the more dependable reasons to make the trip.

Should You Book the Trunyan Cemetery Tour?

Book if you want a guided, culturally focused visit and understand that the cemetery is a real burial place, not a curiosity staged for visitors. The $35 includes the transport, entry tickets, guide, and return boat ride, while Yansu’s local roots offer valuable context for customs that can be difficult to interpret from a distance.

Before you commit, confirm the pickup location and ask about temple access on your date. If you are comfortable with the subject matter, the long drive leads to a rare opportunity to learn about Trunyan’s traditions directly from someone who grew up in the village. If human remains would make the visit distressing, choose another outing.

FAQ

What is included in the $35 price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, an air-conditioned minivan, all entry tickets, a local tour guide, and the return boat ride are included. Food, drinks, documentation, and personal expenses are not.

Who leads the tour?

The tour is led by Yansu, who grew up in Trunyan. English and Indonesian are listed as available languages.

Will I see human remains?

Yes. The tour includes a visit to Trunyan Cemetery, where human remains may be visible.

How long is the drive to Trunyan?

The drive to Penelokan takes about one hour from Ubud or about one and a half hours from South Bali. From Penelokan, it takes about 30 minutes to reach the main village.

Is there a boat ride?

Yes. A traditional boat ride is part of the tour, and the return boat ride is included.

Is the temple always open to visit?

No. The main temple may be closed during a special period in the Balinese calendar.

Who is the tour not suitable for?

It is listed as unsuitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, people with epilepsy, and people over 75.