Rising to 3,726 metres, Mount Rinjani is Indonesia’s second highest volcano, dominating the landscape of Nusa Tenggara Barat from the Gili islands to Sumbawa. Rated as one of the best treks in Southeast Asia, it is also one of the most challenging. The ascent to the top offers stunning scenery over Mt. Rinjani National Park; 41,000 hectares worth of reserve covered in dense primary forests and dotted with waterfalls.
Depending on the chosen itinerary, it takes between 2 to 4 days to reach the sacred lake Segara Anak and the Aik Kalak’s hot springs in the volcano’s caldera. The trek requires a good physical condition and the ability to ascend and descend steep slopes. In East Lombok, the Rinjani trek is also accessible from Timbanuh, though this route does not allow you to reach the top. The main village in this area is Tete Batu. From here you can take a myriad of hikes in the hilly surroundings to discover the Otak Kokok natural bath, the source that treats all diseases, or local villages where pottery and textiles are traditionally produced.
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If you prefer to take it easy and explore the area, you can venture off to the traditional villages of Segenter and Senaru Adat, take a dip in Senaru or in Betara Lenjang waterfalls, discover the island’s oldest mosque in Bayan or the Loloan region in the east, known for the breathtaking viewpoints over rice paddies.
At over 1,000m above sea level, Sembalun valley is known for its amazing landscape, which is the result of the eruption of Mt. Sembalun, and for the colourful textile work of local women in Sembalun Lawang. Here you can also immerse yourself in the green and peaceful scenery and in the slow-paced, traditional way of life.
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