Unveiling the Mysterious Trunyan Village: Skull Island of Bali

Welcome to the eerie yet enchanting world of Trunyan Village, a hidden gem nestled in the heart of Bali, Indonesia. This mystical village, also known as the "Skull Island," is shrouded in mystery, history, and spine-chilling legends that have captured the curiosity of travelers and locals alike.

Discovering Trunyan Village

Trunyan Village is located on the eastern shore of Lake Batur, surrounded by lush greenery and towering mountains. This remote village is home to the Bali Aga people, an indigenous community with unique customs and traditions that date back centuries.

Unraveling the Legends and History

Legend has it that Trunyan Village was founded by a powerful king who sought refuge in the mountains to escape his enemies. The village is said to be guarded by supernatural forces, making it a sacred and mysterious place.

One of the most intriguing aspects of Trunyan Village is its ancient burial ritual. Unlike traditional Balinese cremation ceremonies, the people of Trunyan practice a unique method of burial where the deceased are laid to rest above ground, exposed to the elements.

Over time, the bodies decompose naturally, leaving only the skulls behind, hence the nickname "Skull Island."

A magical tree which stands in the middle of this burial ground is belived to take the smell of the decomposing bodies away - and indeed there is no smell there at all. In general it is very peaceful place.

They can place here only a limited number of bodies, twelve -to be precise, and the oldest corpses are tossed away to the side with their belongings together, until they perfectly decompose, and their skull can be placed next to the tree.

This sight can be quite shocking for western people and maybe it’s not for the faint hearted, but I think it’s really interesting to see different burial rituals than ours.

Only people who died from natural causes can be placed in this cemetery, others are taken elsewhere - if I understood it correctly, there isn’t any magical tree there and the smell is unbearable, so despite my request they didn’t show me the other place - probably it’s better this way.

How to Reach Trunyan Village

To reach Trunyan Village, you have to drive to Kintamani - which is approximately 2 hours drive from Seminyak or Canggu- and you can take a boat ride across Lake Batur from Kedisan Village.

I don’t recommend to go without a guide- anyway they are usually waiting on the side of the road for tourist , and it’s more interesting to hear some of their stories about the place then just taking the trip alone.

The journey offers breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding landscapes, adding to the allure of this mystical destination.

Creepy Stories from Skull Island

Whispers of ghostly apparitions and eerie encounters have long been associated with Trunyan Village. Locals believe that the spirits of the deceased roam the village at night, seeking solace and closure. Travelers have reported strange occurrences, such as unexplained noises and shadowy figures, adding to the village's mystique. Well, I haven’t experienced any of these, although I didn’t spend the night in the village, but I must say the place has a very special , and peaceful vibe and it makes you feel like the time have stopped there.

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Unveiling the Mysterious Trunyan Village: Skull Island of Bali