Mount Rinjani Trekking

Arrive at the airport and transfer to Sembalun for your first overnight.

First things first--register this morning at the Rinjani Information Centre (RIC) in Sembalun Lawang (1,156m) where you’ll meet your guide. A visit to the nearby Volcanology Centre kicks off the day, where you’ll check the seismograph, learn about the volcano, and also about how the caldera and lake Segara Anak were formed as well as its pattern of eruptions.

After a trek briefing, set out from Sembalun Lawang with a gentle ascent walking through open grassland used as cattle grazing land by local people. Rest at Pos I Pemantauan (1,300m). After about three hours from Sembalun, you’ll reach Pos 2 Tengengean (1,500m) where you’ll enjoy the beautiful views of Mt. Rinjani’s summit (3,726m). After another hour’s ascent to Pos 3 Pada Balong (1,800m), you’ll start the steep 3.5-hour climb amidst the pine-like Casuarina species locally known as Cemara, perhaps seeing evidence of wild pigs and the long-tailed grey macaque monkeys. Continue to the campsite at Plawangan 2 Sembalun crater rim (2,639m).

A 3 am start is necessary for the hard three-hour climb to the summit (3,726m) this morning on volcanic scree. Once there, enjoy proud feelings of satisfaction and the amazing sunrise views across the Wallace Line to Bali, Mt. Agung and Sumbawa, and down to the lake Segara Anak (2,000m) within the Rinjani crater. Mt. Baru (2,351m) is an island in the lake and an active volcano, last erupting dramatically in 1994. Return down the ridge passing numerous edelweiss plants to the crater rim camp for a well-deserved breakfast. It takes two to three hours down the steep trail to the Crater Lake and Day 2’s camp. The rest of the day is spent relaxing, swimming in the lake and exploring the caves and pilgrimage hot springs, believed to have healing powers!

After breakfast leave the lake and climb for two hours up to Plawangan 1 Senaru Crater Rim (2,461m), enjoy and explore the views of the lake from the other side. Enjoy lunch enroute during this trek called Mondokan Melokaq, Pos 3 (2,000m). After lunch, proceed with your descend down the long trails to Senaru village (601m), through thick tropical forests rich in flora, birdlife and a variety of butterflies. You might see orchids and, if lucky, the rare black ebony leaf monkey, known locally as lutung.

Rest stops are taken along the way, with village stories and local legends related by your guide. Features include the Batu Penyesalan (stone) and Banyan tree Bunut Ngengkang that looks like someone standing with their legs apart. After seven hours trekking from the rim, (or five hours from Pos 3 Mondokon Melokaq), the trek ends at Rinjani Trek Centre at the road head in Senaru. From Senaru, you will meet your driver and transfer to Senggigi for your next overnight.

After breakfast, your trekking tour comes to an end. Check out and depart.