Mt Rinjani Trekking

Danau Segaru Anak from the summit

Climbing high over northern Lombok is the immense Gunung Rinjani, the second highest mountain in Indonesia and one of the best treks in all of south eastern Asia. If you want incredible views, challenging trekking and awesome scenery then the Mt Rinjani trek is for you!

Mt. Rinjani is actually made up of the peak of Gunung Rinjani (3726m) ,which has never erupted, Danau Segara Anak , the crater lake and Mt. Baru (2351m), a much younger cone within the crater lake. Gunung Baru erupted as recently as 2004.

Most of the area around Mt Rinjani was declared a national park in 1997. Over 6000 trekkers were drawn to the mountains mystique and challenging climbing in 2008 and positive steps have been made to direct some of the tourist dollars towards upkeep of the park.

Thousands of Indonesians come to Mt. Rinjani every year and the pilgrimage is a seen as a sacred journey and a way to pay respects to the mountain. The native Sasak people have a strong relationship with the mountain and may make several pilgrimages a year, particulariliy around the full moon, to bathe in the hot springs and make offerings.

The national park office stops all treks to Rinjani fo the first 3 months of the year when the tracks are often slippery and dangerous due to the wet season. Adventure Lombok runs organised treks between April and November to maximise safety and give you the best chance of experiencing good weather.

Trekkers can expect awesome views, challenging walking and a deep sense of achievement from finishing one of Indonesia's best kept secrets: the Mt Rinjani trek!

About the Trek...

You will encounter steep ascents and descents on a fairly good system of tracks whilst on the trek.. A good level of fitness is required. Please contact us if you would like some suggestions in relation to pre trip training or if you are concerned about your fitness level.

All meals will be prepared by your guide and porters on open fires and fuel stoves. Your porters will exhibit super human strength in getting all your camping gear up the mountain and is a constant source of amazement to trekkers! Expect traditional Indonesian style rice based meals. The meals are excellent relative to what you might expect on a typical western style commercial trek. The staff take great pride in their cooking skills and presentation of your meal. Any offers to help are welcome but not expected.

All your camping gear is supplied but if you want to take your own light weight sleeping bag or sleeping mat thats fine. This can be arranged at your pre trip briefing in Senggigi Beach. Most trekkers will carry a small pack or day pack with personal items such as clothes, toiletries and photography gear. Keep the gear to a minimum and don’t take anything up the mountain that you don’t have to!

See our What you need to Bring section for more information.

You will most likely experience hot, sunny days on your trek. Common sense rules in relation to sun care are applicable to ensure you have a good time on route. Keeping your skin covered up and staying hydrated will stop most problems before they begin.

The Summit...

The summit from Pelawangan 11

Gunung Rinjani summit

One of the highlights of the trek is the guided ascent of the summit from base camp at Pelawangan 11(2700mt) to Gunung Rinjani (3726m). Any attempt on the summit will start early in the morning, around 3AM, to take in the famous view before the cloud comes in and so there is enough time to get to the crater lake in the afternoon. This will involve using a head torch whilst making the ascent. The last kilometre of the ascent is not for the faint hearted and involves climbing on loose scree just below the summit.

The ascent of the summit is hard and extremely rewarding, however the trek to the base camp is enough for many visitors to Rinjani and you can always discuss your fitness and expectations with your guide on route to Pelawangan II.

Tour Options

Rinjani Guide

Trek only options

 There are plenty of trek options depending on your available time and fitness levels. Theoretically the entire trek from  Sembalun Lawang to Senaru including the summitt could be acheived in 2 gruelling days (not reccommended!) Alternatively you could spend 5 days soaking up the beauty of the National Park . Most visitors spend 3 nights / 4 days completing the trek including the summitt. Other options are to climb to the crater rim from Senaru and return the same way in 1 night / 2 days or  climb to the summitt from Sembalun Lawang and return the same way in 1 night / 2 days. All trek only options include transport to and from the mountain and all your meals while trekking. Check the Inclusions & Exclusions page for more information.

The tour itinerary below will give you a good starting point to design your own trek only option. For more information please contact us.

Packaged Trek Options

All packaged trek options include your flights Bali-Lombok-Bali. Some domestic and international flights will arrive early enough in Bali for you to fly to Lombok on the same day. If this is not the case, and you would like us to arrange your accomadation in Bali, please contact us.

Packaged trek options also include all your acommadation needs while you are staying in Lombok. Check the Inclusions and Exclusions page for more information.

We believe the best route is to start from the village of Sembalun Lawang on the eastern side of Rinjani. This allows an attempt on the summitt early on the morning of Day 2, when you are still relatively fresh. The trek finishes at Senaru on the northern side of the mountain.

The 6 day trek described below offers steady treking and enough time to enjoy the mountain. The 5 day trek is more advanced with only 2 nights camping at Pelawangan 11 and Pelawangan 1. The 7 day trek  includes an extra day to rest on the shores of Denau Segara Anak where you are free to soak in the hot springs or explore the shores of the lake.

We can package any trek, tour or acommadation option that you desire. If the following tour description doesnt suit your timetable or requirements, please contact us.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Flight to Lombok / Mascot Beach Hotel*

Catch a 25 minute flight from Bali to Lombok . An Adventure Lombok staff member will meet you at the airport and take you to the*Mascot Beach Hotel at Senggigi Beach. We will arrange a time for an afternoon brief on the trek to come and answer any questions. *Upgrades available

Day 2. Sembalun Lawang (1156m) to Pelawangan 11(2700m)

Grey macaque monkey

We will pick you up from your hotel at approximately 6AM and start the 2 hr drive to Sembalun Lawang. As the sun comes up you will catch glimpses of the lower slopes of the mountain. Enjoy breakfast on route before we meet your guide at the Gunung Rinjani Information Centre and begin the trek. The first day is challenging with 1600mt in height gained over 7-8 hrs trekking . The trek starts on relatively easy tracks thru open grassland and along the fringes of local farms. There are many dry creek bed crossings across timber bridges and there is a good chance of a meeting the cheeky grey macaque monkeys on the way . You will walk thru forests dominated by beautiful casurinas known locally as Cemara as you pass thru rest areas at Position 2 (1500mt) and Pada Balong (1800mt) . From here the track gets noticeably steeper and some hard work awaits you on the long haul up to base camp at Plawangan II. From your campsite the summit looks deceptively close and the views of the crater rim and lake absolutely stunning. This is a good time to take stock of your fitness and how you are feeling generally before you decide if an attempt of the summit is for you.

Day 3: Pelawangan 11(2700m) / Gunung Rinjani (3726m) to Denau Segara Anak (2000m)

Descent from the summit

Denau Segaru Anak

3AM and the summit awaits! Your guide will wake you and help you prepare for the arduous 3-4 hour ascent of the mountain. Its takes approximately 1 hr to get from base camp to the exposed ridge line that leads to the summit. From there your work rate will significantly increase as the air thins out and the track steepens. The last 400 meteres of the ascent is particularily hard as you are climbing on loose volcanic scree. The reward for your efforts is the sensational view from atop Mt Rinjani. Looking out to the west you can see the Gili Islands, Bali, Mt. Agung and even Java in the distance. To the east , island of Sumbawa is clearly visible. Below you the crater lake and its new cones look post card perfect. Spend some time on the roof of Indonesia to take a few photos, reflect and get your breath back before heading back down the ridge line to base camp. Your mornings work should take you about 5-6 hrs all up.

After breakfast we will head down to the crater lake (Danau Segara Anak). The track is steep as it winds its way down to the lake. It should take 3-4 hrs to get to the camp site on the shores of the lake. Take a well earned rest before heading for the hot springs ((Aiq Kalak) an easy 5 min walk away. Soak away the sweat of a hard days trekking in the series of hot pools that are a popular destination for local people. If you still have some energy explore the Milk Caves, an easy 90 min return walk from your campsite.

Aiq Kalak (hot springs)

Day 4: Denau Segara Anak (2000m) to Pelawangan 1 (2641m)

Sunset at Pelawangan 1 with Mt Agung in the background

Enjoy the 30 min walk along the edge of the lake before starting the trek upwards towards the crater rim and Pelawangan I. The track steepens as you ascend with the last hour being very taxing on the rocky track. Campsites on the rim itself are small and you will find yourself literally perched above the lake below. The sunset here is not too be missed. Darkness will reveal the lights of the Gilis and small towns on the mountains flanks . The campsite on the crater rim is one of the best experiences you will have while trekking Rinjani.

Day 5: Pelawangan 1(2641m) to Senaru(601m)

Children at Sembalun Lawang

It is well worth getting up early to enjoy the sunrise over the Mt. Rinjani and the crater rim before breakfast and the last day of our journey. It takes about 5-6 hrs trekking to reach Senaru, Enjoy walking under the beautiful jungle canopy, home to the rare black ebony leaf monkey, known locally as Lutung . Rest stops at Pos 111 (2000m) and Pos11 (1500mt) is welcome relief for tired feet before the hard work winds down and you enter farmland on the outskirts of town in the early afternoon. Your driver will pick you up from Senaru and deliver you back to the Mascot Beach Hotel by late afternoon.

Day 6: Mascot Beach Hotel* / Check Out.

If you are leaving the hotel today you will need to check out by 11.00AM. Our staff will take you to the airport and make sure you make your next flight or you may like to stay a little bit longer and enjoy more exciting activities with Adventure Lombok. If you would like us to arrange your accomadation for a longer stay please contact us when booking.*Upgrades available

Guides & Porters

We hire only professional mountain guide and porters from the nearest villages in the area of Rinjani National Park who have passed the guiding and handling test and hold a valid guide license. We believe we have a direct responsibility to employ local guides and porters thus providing much needed income and improving the quality of life of the local community. Tipping guides and porters is customary. If you have any trekking gear you can tolerate parting with your guide will be more than happy to except it!

Further options: Don’t let the fun stop once you get back to Senggigi!. Re charge your batterys at one of the fine resorts and then book into one of our excellent tours! Contact us for further accomadation options.

How about combining a few activities together? Check out our range of adventure tour packages  for more options.

 Contact us for more information.