Embracing the Tranquility of Telaga Menjer

TheIndonesia.co - Lake Menjer, or Telaga Menjer in the local language (pronounced with a strong "e," like the "le" in French), is an off-the-beaten-path destination located in Maron, Garung Regency, Wonosobo. It’s about an hour’s drive from my hometown of Parakan, Temanggung, Central Java.

I had the chance to explore this serene lake while visiting my brother and our grandparents who live in Parakan. It became a fun and memorable family affair that rekindled our childhood memories.

Though only 32 km away from the Bambu Runcing monument, which marks the ground zero of Parakan, the journey took over an hour due to the steep terrain, pouring rain, and foggy weather.

Looking back on my childhood with my brothers, cousins, parents, grandparents, uncles, and aunts, our holidays in Parakan were always filled with "exploration": discovering tourist spots, especially off-the-beaten-path places along the winding roads.

And this tradition continues after 30 years!

We took the Catgawen road heading toward Sigandul Bridge, one of the most scenic spots in Kledung and Posong, hilly resorts offering breathtaking views of the twin mountains, Sumbing and Sindoro.

As we drove along the road, with these two majestic mountains on either side, the beauty toward Kertek and Wonosobo unfolded. The car began to climb, passing tea plantations, rice fields, and cornfields, until we reached the peak of the hills. The weather suddenly dropped, and it began to drizzle. It soon turned into a storm, with heavy rain and visibility reduced to what felt like evening—even though it was still midday!

The drive was both challenging and nerve-wracking, especially when a mini truck approached from the opposite direction. I had to roll down the window to shout at the driver because he couldn’t hear my brother’s guidance.

As we descended, the villages began to appear in the distance, and the weather gradually changed.

On our left, we could see a huge, enormous pipeline for the hydropower plant, PLTA Garung (Pusat Listrik Tenaga Air).

At 1,300 meters above sea level, the lake emerged from the clouds, offering a beautiful view. Spanning 70 hectares and with a depth of 45 meters, Lake Menjer stood proudly at the foot of Mount Pakuwaja, formed by volcanic activity.

It may not compare to other lakes we’ve visited in Indonesia, such as Lake Toba, Lake Sidohoni (a small lake in the middle of Lake Toba), Lake Segara Anak at Mount Rinjani, Lake Kelimutu, or even Lake Pengilon, Merdada, Warna, Cebong, and Balekambang (the last five situated around the Dieng Plateau). But Lake Menjer has its own unique charm.

Scandinavian-style villas perch on the hills, alongside those in tropical and traditional designs, scattered around the area with views overlooking the lake. At several points, sharp cliffs and rock formations add to the backdrop, highlighting the volcanic origins of the lake.

"It’s not as spooky as I remembered it!" my sister-in-law remarked.

"When was your last visit?" nearly all of us asked in unison while enjoying the view.

"I think it was about 10 years ago with my late father," she answered, underscoring how quickly the tourism industry here has developed.

The entrance fee is IDR 5,000 per person. If you want to enjoy the bamboo rafting around the lake, it costs IDR 20,000 per person, or you can rent the entire boat for IDR 150,000 for eight people, which we did for this family trip.

There’s also an optional donation for taking pictures at various interesting spots. Some locations are designed with backgrounds that resemble Hollywood-style signs, metal love frames, and small glass walkways with the name of the location. A small donation is appreciated, and the staff will kindly remind you after taking photos.

We boarded the long bamboo boat, which was equipped with an engine, and off we went exploring the tranquil lake. The breeze was refreshing, with water splashing occasionally, and mist slowly descending onto the lake. It brought a sense of serenity and peace.

In the middle of the boat, a long table was placed. Instead of snacks and drinks, there is a floating restaurant on the embankment. You can order food from there and bring it to the boat or move to the restaurant to enjoy your meal.

We opted to sip hot chocolate and coffee made at home, spending over 30 minutes leisurely boating on the lake.

This destination can serve as a wonderful alternative when the tourist spots in Dieng Plateau, especially the lakes, are crowded. On the other hand, it’s definitely worth visiting as a primary destination. It’s less crowded, offers fresh air, a gentle breeze, misty beauty, and plenty of snack options. One must-try snack is tempe mendoan, which is quite different from the famous mendoan from Banyumas.

The Garung or Wonosobo-style mendoan is thicker and crispy, deep-fried to a golden perfection.

On the way back to Parakan, we took another route, passing the intersection that leads to Dieng Plateau and Wonosobo. We passed through Sikatok, the Tambi tea plantation, and reached Umbul Jumprit or Jumprit Spring. It was another scenic route, with the same sharp hairpin bends! We managed to navigate the journey back home without a hitch.