rinjani trek blog

The Ultimate Mount Rinjani Trekking Guide (2024 Update)

Last Updated: December 12, 2023

A Mount Rinjani trekking tour is not for novice hikers or casual travellers. But if you’re ready for an epic 3-day journey to the summit of the second highest volcano in Indonesia, here’s everything you need to know before you go in our guide.

At 3,726 metres above sea level, Mount Rinjani looms large over the entire island of Lombok in Indonesia.

Of the 130 volcanoes in the country, Rinjani is the second-highest (topped only by Mount Kerinci on Sumatra).

Rinjani’s ominous silhouette is a constant reminder of the powerful forces rumbling just beneath the surface of the earth.

That power is what draws hundreds of intrepid hikers to Rinjani every day.

Table of Contents

Why Do a Rinjani Trek?

Could you handle a rinjani trek, sembalun or senaru: where to start, how many nights on rinjani, what’s the food like on a rinjani trek, where do you sleep on rinjani, what does a rinjani trekking tour cost, how to choose the best rinjani trekking service, what’s included on a mount rinjani tour, tips for trekking mount rinjani, rinjani trekking packing list, save this pin for later.

The tough hike to the crater rim is rewarded by absolutely magnificent views.

Rocky black soil at the summit drops off into a lush valley filled with purples so deep and greens so bright they don’t look like they should exist in nature.

Lake Segara Anak, nestled in the bottom of the gaping crater, is a deep turquoise, echoing the spectacular colour of Lombok’s seas.

On the edge of the lake sits an active volcano, Mount Barujari, which steadily spews threatening clouds of smoke into the air.

And at night, the sky is blanketed with stars so thick they look painted on.

While the views inspire awe, the most compelling reason to trek Mount Rinjani is to challenge your body and your mind, leap firmly out of your comfort zone, and be able to shout “Hell yes, I did it!”

If that sounds good to you, read on for everything you need about…

How to Plan Your Epic Mount Rinjani Trekking Adventure

I’ll admit, we went into the Mount Rinjani trek with a bit of a cavalier attitude. Sure, we’d read the stories about how hard it was supposed to be, but we’re experienced trekkers with decades of challenging mountain hikes behind us.

We’ve trekked all over Canada, Europe, and even in Vietnam .

How much harder could trekking Mount Rinjani possibly be?

As it turns out, trekking Rinjani is hard. Really freaking hard.

The Rinjani trek starts with a climb of 1500 m over 8 km. Most of that elevation change takes place during in the final 4 km, which take about 4 hours.

Yep, that’s just one measly kilometre an hour.

To make matters more difficult, there is next to no trail maintenance, so the route is sandy, slippery, and ridiculously steep.

Unless you’re a trail running hero or an actual superhero, be prepared to have your will and your body pushed to their limits on your way up Mount Rinjani.

And that’s just the first day.

The second day starts in the middle of the night, so hikers can summit for sunrise. To get the summit, there’s another 1000 m of elevation gain, along a narrow trail of slippery loose scree.

It’s cold up there, too. Even in August, the temperature hovers around freezing.

After all the climbing, the descent should be a relief. Instead, it seems to go on for days, requiring every ounce of hamstring strength you can muster, plus knees of steel, and an excellent sense of humour.

If you come away without any scraped knees or sore muscles, you’re definitely part mountain goat!

So, could you handle trekking Rinjani?

If you’ve read all of this and you’re thinking “Hell, yeah! Bring it on!” then keep reading.

If you’re still not sure, check out my 7 Essential Tips For Surviving A Mount Rinjani Trek →

What Are The Options For a Rinjani Trekking Tour?

There are two main points of entry to Rinjani National Park.

You can ascend from the village of Sembalun or from Senaru. On three- and four-day hikes, you depart from one village and descend to the other.

We highly recommend starting in Sembalun because of the way the trails are configured.

The first day of ascent from Sembalun is steep and sandy. It looks like it would be absolutely brutal going in the opposite direction.

Likewise, the descent to the crater lake is so steep and rugged, that it would be a real leg-breaker going the other way.

If you want a more off-the-beaten track experience, book a private tour and ask about one of the less-used routes, like the trails from Aik Berik or Torean. We wish we had known about them before our trek!

Three Days, Two Nights

The most popular option (and the one we recommend) is the 3-day, 2-night trek . This gives you just enough time to climb to the summit and also visit the crater lake and hot springs.

If you’re in no rush, consider the 4-day, 3-night option , which goes to the same locations but provides a little more free time to relax and enjoy Mount Rinjani.

Two Days, One Night

The 2-day, 1-night tour from Sembalun includes the option to summit at sunrise. If you’re in amazing shape and love to punish your machine, go for it!

Otherwise, take pity on your poor body and give yourself more time on the mountain.

The 2-day, 1-night trek from Senbaru takes trekkers to the crater rim opposite the summit. This is the easiest (not to say that it’s easy) of the Mount Rinjani trekking options.

You don’t get near the summit or the lake but it does provide incredible views of the crater. If you think you can’t handle a longer trek but still want to experience Rinjani, this is probably the best option.

If you book the full 2-day, 1-night tour on Klook they will pick you up from anywhere in Lombok and provide everything for you.

BONUS – Booking ahead of time ensures you won’t miss out on the tour, and get the best price too! And just for NOMADasaurus readers, if you use the Klook discount code “NOMADS10” on the website when checking out, you’ll get $10 off your first booking!

Be aware that “one night” or “two nights” refers to number of nights on the mountain. Most Rinjani trekking companies encourage you to spend a night in Senbaru before the tour to get an early start. This hotel is often included in the price, but be sure to check!

Private Tours and Hiking Rinjani Without A Guide

While it is technically possible to trek Mount Rinjani without a tour or a guide, it is actively discouraged both by the government and the community. Unless you are an extremely experienced hiker and have hiked in the tropics before, don’t even consider it. If you’re injured on the mountain without a guide or porters, you’ll be in some serious trouble.

If you do decide to trek Rinjani independently, please sign in at the park office and pay the entrance fee. Though it’s questionable whether the fees are used to maintain Rinjani, signing in is for your own safety.

On our day-one lunch break, we were astonished to see full-on camp kitchens being set up by all the guides and porters on the mountain.

In Canada, you’re lucky to get a squashed peanut butter sandwich for lunch on a long hike.

On Rinjani, you get a heaping plate of fried vegetables, tofu and tempeh, a pile of freshly cooked rice crackers, all the rice you can eat, plus a massive fruit plate for dessert. And that’s just the vegetarian option!

This meal was not unusual. Everything we ate on Rinjani, and everything we saw being served to fellow trekkers, was freshly cooked and plentiful. There was so much food, we were rarely able to finish our meals.

You’ll sleep snuggled in a tent at a campsite on the crater rim or by the lake.

Our tent was clean and modern, if a little bit short for our long bodies! The sleeping bags had been freshly laundered and the camp pillows were also clean.

You won’t find much solitude at your campsite though, since hundreds of other trekkers will be camping right alongside you.

There’s a huge range of prices for trekking Rinjani, depending on which company you go with, where and when you book, and which tour option you choose. I saw prices quoted anywhere between $80 and $450 US for similar tours.

Avoid the cheapest companies, as many don’t provide essential services like an experienced guide, good sleeping bags, garbage pack-out, and a toilet tent.

You can save money by booking once you’re already on Lombok. Just make sure you know which Rinjani trekking company you’re going with so you can ask the essential questions and check their reviews.

If you don’t have time to wait around on Lombok looking for a tour with availability, it is best to book ahead . Check out some of the tours I’ve linked to on this page.

Budget a little extra for tipping. After you see how hard your porters and guide work, you will be happy to supplement their incomes.

A minimum of 100,000 IDR (around $8 US) per guide/porter from each hiker is a good guideline.

Choose your Mount Rinjani trekking package carefully. Yes, you can pick up el cheapo tours after you arrive in Lombok but you tend to get what you pay for on Mount Rinjani.

I recommend ignoring the cheapest options and spending a little more to ensure you are comfortable and safe on the mountain.

Hajar Trekking took excellent care of us during our Mount Rinjani tour. We can enthusiastically recommend them.*

Hajar grew up in Senbaru and he cares deeply about the mountain and the future of tourism there. Our guide, Adi, was funny, informative, and always put our safety first.

He has been up the mountain hundreds of times, knows every rock and tree root on the trail, and was patient with our endless stops for photos and videos.

The two porters who took care of us were just amazing, too, working their butts off to lug our camping gear and food up the mountain and to get our campsite set up and perfect before we arrived.

These are the things that should be included in your Rinjani trekking package. If they aren’t, look for another company.

One English-speaking, licensed, experienced guide
One porter per person in your group
Meals, snacks, soft drinks and water
Tent and sleeping bag
Transportation to and from any town on Lombok
Transportation between Senbaru and Sembalun
Hotel stay in Senbaru the night before the trek

Some companies provide a few nice-to-have extras. This is what we got:

A toilet tent allowed us to do our business in private and to bury our waste. Without a toilet tent, you take your chances in the bushes where privacy is very hard to come by.

A camping pillow which helped us get a better night’s sleep.

Two camping chairs that kept us out of the thick Rinjani dust at mealtimes.

Winter jackets to keep us warm at the top of the mountain. Even in August, the summit was around 5 degrees celsius! Brrrr.

We recommend having a good backpack for hiking as well .

Headlamps to make the ascent to the Rinjani summit possible. A headlamp leaves your hands free to carry trekking poles or help you scramble up the steepest sections.

Trekking poles to save your knees on the steep descents and give you extra ability to balance on the often treacherous trails.

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Mount Rinjani Trekking In Lombok – A Complete Guide

Mount Rinjani Trekking begins in Senaru Lombok, a small mountainside village at the base of Indonesia’s second-largest active volcano, which is a whopping 3,726 meters above sea level.

I have put together this complete guide to hiking Mount Rinjani including how to get there, where to book a Rinjani trekking tour, and my personal experience on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure!

IN A HURRY? BOOK NOW – 3-DAY MOUNT RINJANI SUMMIT TREK

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Table of Contents

HOW TO GO MOUNT RINJANI TREKKING

Arriving by boat from Bali to Bangsal Harbour in North Lombok is the easiest jump-off point to then make the journey from Bangsal to the base of Rinjani in Senaru, the main hub for anyone wishing to take on this challenge.

Get your ticket: Fast boat from Bali to Lombok

It’s very easy to find a private taxi or a motorbike to rent at Bangsal Harbour.

Expect to pay around 400,000 IDR total for a private taxi to Senaru. You can also rent motorbikes/scooters in Bangsal for approximately 60,000 IDR per day.

The distance from Bangsal Harbour to Mount Rinjani jump-off point in Senaru is 60km and it’s approximately a 2-hour drive.

WHERE TO STAY BEFORE & AFTER THE TREK

Blue Mountain Cottage is a small homestay in Senaru village which is the beginning point of the Rinjani trekking tour.

The a/c rooms are only 100,000 IDR per night. With two people to a room that’s the same price as a coffee where I am from!

The owner of the homestay was rather humorous and was tremendously helpful in organizing our Mount Rinjani trekking. At this point, I was super excited about our incoming adventure!

WHERE TO BOOK YOUR MOUNT RINJANI TOUR

There are dozens of tour companies that can organize the Mount Rinjani trekking located in the main towns on Lombok including Sengiggi, Mataram, Senaru, and Kuta Lombok.

However, from my experience, it’s best to organize your trip well in advance and the best option is to book online with a professional and experienced tour operator and guarantee a fixed price for your trek.

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THE TOUR:

Return transfers by air-conditioned coach
Entrance fee to Gunung Rinjani National Park
Licensed English-speaking mountain guide
Local porters
3 meals a day (breakfast, lunch, dinner), snacks, fruits, and unlimited water
All camping equipment (double size tent, sleeping bag, air bed mattress, etc.)

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED IN THE TOUR:

Personal expenses
Domestic/international flights
Meals before and after the trek departure
Helicopter in case of an accident
Tips and gratuities

The Mt. Rinjani trek requires you to have a good level of fitness and the ability to walk long distances. It’s also strongly recommended to have travel insurance that covers high-altitude hiking.

BOOK NOW: 3 DAY MOUNT RINJANI SUMMIT TREK

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Heymondo offers low-cost Travel Insurance to keep you covered on all your adventures.

MOUNT RINJANI TREKKING – DAY 1

The Mount Rinjani adventure began early morning when a driver and our guide met us at the homestay in Senaru to take us to the starting point.

We piled into the back of his ute and drove through some villages for around an hour before arriving at the official entrance office of Mount Rinjani National Park.

We had to provide our names and passport number as a safety requirement so everyone was accounted for at the end of the trek. And then we were off. With a clear view of the volcano in the distance, I was anxious to see what surreal landscapes lay ahead.

The first three hours of the trek were quite mellow, and some thick fog made its way up the mountainside, cooling us down with its breeze. We stopped to rest for an hour while the porters were quick to whip up a big serving of nasi goreng for lunch!

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HIKING TO THE MOUNT RINJANI CRATER RIM

It was a further three hours of trekking through some slightly harder terrain before reaching the Mount Rinjani crater rim. This is where we set up camp for one night. Well, by we I mean the porters since they insisted on setting up our tents and preparing dinner for us!

We wandered down a ridge trail to find a good viewpoint for sunset overlooking Mount Rinjani and we were spoilt with an incredible view of the lake and another volcano inside the lake – volcano inception!

MOUNT RINJANI TREKKING – DAY 2

Before I knew it I was being woken up by our guide, handing me a banana pancake through the zipper of my tent. It was 2 am and time to start the hike to the summit for sunrise.

One hour in and the five of us had already managed to split up. I must admit, it was not an easy climb. The temperature was below freezing and the wind was howling across the narrow ridge that we had to walk across.

There were lava tubes and large rocks to take cover out of the wind to warm up. The last kilometer to the summit of Mount Rinjani was the most challenging as the ground surface was covered in loose rocks… I was literally taking one step forward, then sliding back down two steps.

The sun was just poking up over the horizon as I reached the summit three hours later. My fingers were frozen and I was struggling to take photos, hoping for the sun to warm me up soon. The five of us regrouped at the summit and we climbed down into the Mount Rinjani crater to get some shots.

It seemed the majority of other trekkers had already started to descend as the cold temperatures and strong winds were almost unbearable. We were the last group to descend from the summit of Mount Rinjani… but it was definitely worth spending more time at the top to witness the sheer beauty as the sun lit up the inside of the volcano.

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MOUNT RINJANI CRATER

We arrived back down at our campsite on the crater rim at around 9 am. We had to eat breakfast quickly before making our way down into the crater towards the lake.

At this point, my leg muscles were tightening up, which was not a good feeling knowing we had another full day’s hike ahead.

2 to 3 hours later we made it down to Mount Rinjani Lake where there is a natural volcanic hot spring. We spent some time here to recharge our batteries and to shower off the sweat!

Our porters once again prepared us some mie goreng noddles for lunch and then we set off to climb to the crater rim on the opposite side of Mount Rinjani lake.

The views on this side of the crater were spectacular. The blue lake was glowing and the dense jungle created a naturally moody scene. It’s hard to believe there was another volcano… growing inside a larger volcano… which was then surrounded by a lake. I felt like I was on a Jurassic Park movie set!

HIKING OUT OF THE CRATER

We made it to the top of the Mount Rinjani crater rim 2 to 3 hours later, which is where we thought we were camping for the night… but it so happened our porters had continued on walking down to another campsite to set up.

We were pretty disappointed because we wanted to see the sunset from the Mount Rinjani crater rim, but we didn’t have much choice but to follow our guides to the next camp.

We trekked down for another 1.5 hours before reaching the campsite. Upon arrival, I was absolutely exhausted, so I skipped dinner and went straight to bed.

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MOUNT RINJANI TREK – DAY 3

The following morning was the last day of the trek and it was a beautiful walk down through the shaded forest. I spotted lots of monkeys swinging around impressively from tree to tree, wishing I could swing around with them!

The end of the trek ended at the road that lead us down to our homestay. We were all so hyped to have accomplished the 3-day Mount Rinjani trek and we tipped our guide and porters for their efforts!

Trekking Mt. Rinjani is one of the hardest but best adventures I have been on to date and it was a truly unforgettable experience!

BEST TOURS IN LOMBOK

What to pack for lombok.

When visiting Lombok, here is a list of items I highly recommend bringing with you:

Must-Have Travel Essentials

Hidden money wallet.

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Reusable Water Bottle

The GRAYL GeoPress is the best reusable bottle that allows you to purify water from anywhere!

Travel Backpack

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Quick-Dry Travel Towel

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Portable PowerBank

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More Bali Travel Guides

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FINAL THOUGHTS – MOUNT RINJANI TREKKING

I hope you enjoyed reading this article and if you have any questions, please leave me a comment below and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

For a quicker response, be sure to join Jonny Melon’s Travel Tribe on Facebook and post your questions or recommendations to our awesome community.

TRAVEL RESOURCES FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or it’s your first trip overseas, here are some useful travel resources to help you kick-start your next adventure!

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THANKS FOR READING

Hey friend, thanks for reading this guide!

Please know this post may contain affiliate links. When making a purchase through one of my links, I earn a small kickback at no extra cost to you and it’s a big help to keep the site up and running. Rest assured, I only promote products and services that I personally use and recommend.

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4 thoughts on “Mount Rinjani Trekking In Lombok – A Complete Guide”

Hi thanks for your visit to lombok I am ADI trekking agency in senaru village.

Hi Adi! Thanks very much 🙂

Okay I better start training. Thanks for the advice and I reckon the slower option best for us. Your photos are amazing!!

Thanks Evie. I wish you all the best on the trek. I am sure it will be an unforgettable experience for you also!

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Ultimate Guide to Mount Rinjani Trek – What To Expect

Mount Rinjani trek Lombok Mount Rinjani hike Mount Rinajni trekking tour Rinjani summit sunrise Lombok this to do in Lombok sembalun

After seeing pictures of the Mount Rinjani trek on Google, my first thoughts were – WE MUST DO IT! It seemed like an unforgettable adventure. Since we both love hiking, we immediately decided to go for it.

This adventure is without a doubt the craziest hike we’ve ever done. The environment is just out of this world. You pass dry and hot savannah, climb through volcanic ash, and witness yellow and green rivers. Relax in hot springs afterward and visit a volcani15c lake inside the crater.

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Choosing the Torean route on our way back was the best decision ever! Torean Valley is a deep valley surrounded by majestic mountains covered in green on both sides. What’s interesting is that almost no trees grow on the hills.

In addition, a river flows down the valley, creating multiple stunning waterfalls along the way.

If you plan to hike Mount Rinjani, read this guide before your trek. You will learn what to expect, how to choose the best tour, and the itinerary. We will also share a packing list and tips to make your Rinjani hike easier.

Table of Contents

Where is Mount Rinjani ?

Mount Rinjani is a volcano on the Indonesian island of Lombok. Lombok lies east of Bali, and it takes at least 4 hours by boat to reach. Mount Rinjani can be found in the northern part of Lombok. The nearest villages are Sembalun, Senaru, and Torean.

If you’re staying in Kuta, it will take around 2.5 hours to reach Sembalun, which is 100km away. Senaru is another 30km further and takes an additional hour.

You can also save the location of Mount Rinjani to your Google Maps app.

Mounat Rinjani trek Lombok Mount Rinjani hike Mount Rinajni trekking tour Rinjani summit sunrise Lombok this to do in Lombok sembalun crater rim

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Mount Rinjani trek – important locations

Before we even start to discuss all the different hiking trails, I would like to briefly describe all of the highlights of Mount Rinjani trek. There are many stops and places you can visit on the trek. Because of this, it might be hard to choose the best tour if you don’t know what to expect.

When we were planning the Rinjani trek I was getting lost in all the itineraries and I wasn’t sure which places and viewpoints we’re going to visit. So here are all the most important stops and places you can visit on your Mount Rinjani trek.

Mount Rinjani

Mount Rinjani is the second-tallest volcano in Indonesia. It rises to 3726 meters ASL. Mount Rinjani is still active – the last eruption was recorded in 2004. No evacuation was necessary, though. Long ago, a large caldera formed inside the crater. It is partially filled with the crater lake called Segara Anak.

Inside the lake, you can see another volcano – Gunung Barujari. This is a more active volcano than Rinjani. The last eruption was in 2016 in the form of ash. Lava usually flows into the Segara Anak Lake during eruptions.

Sembalun Crater rim

Sembalun Crater rim is a campsite built on the crater rim of Rinjani volcano. It offers incredible views of the Sembalun village as well as Segara Anak Lake. However, from the Sembalun Crater rim, you can’t see the small volcano Gunung Barujari in the lake.

Rinjani Summit

Rinjani Summit is the highest point of the whole Rinjani crater. On good days, you can even see Mount Agung on Bali from here. It also offers views of Gunung Barujari as well as Segara Anak Lake. Also, if you look closely at the photo below, you can see Mt Agung’s pyramid shape in the distance.

Segara Anak lake

Inside the Rinjani caldera lies Segara Anak Lake. It was formed in 1257 after a huge explosion of Mount Samalas (higher than Rinjani at approximately 4200 meters ASL). Today, it’s a particularly beautiful area where locals come for camping and fishing.

Hot springs

Thanks to volcanic activity, you can also find multiple sulphuric hot springs in the area. The water temperature, so everyone will find a pool that has perfect temperature. You can certainly swim and relax in the hot pools, so make sure to come prepared and bring a swimsuit with you.

Senaru Crater rim

Senaru Crater rim is on the opposite side from Rinjani summit. From here, you can see Rinjani Summit, Gunung Barujari as well as Segara Anak Lake.

Torean Valley

Three official trails lead to Mount Rinjani – Sembalun, Senaru, and Torean Valley. The latter is not a very popular choice among international tourists. It’s mostly locals who hike this way. However, Torean Valley is incredibly beautiful.

Tall mountains surround a deep valley creating a mindblowing contrast. Also, a few river streams are running down the valley. You can also see multiple waterfalls on the way. The whole valley looks completely different from the other routes, and it’s full of shades of green.

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Mount Rinjani hiking trails

When hiking Mount Rinjani, there are multiple options one can choose. Two common starting points are Senaru and Sembalun. However, choosing the best trail depends on your expectations and fitness level. Optionally, you can also start in Torean. However, it’s not offered by every company.

Mount Rinjani trekking trail map Mount Rinjani hike via Sembalun Torean Valley

Mount Rinjani via Senaru

Hiking Mount Rinjani via Senaru offers a few different choices. You can choose a 2, 3, or 4-day hike with various route options.

On the 2D1N hike from Senaru, you hike to Senaru Crater rim, where you spend a night. Although, on the second day, you descend to Senaru using the same route.

A 3D2N hike from Senaru offers two different options. Which one to choose depends on whether you wish to conquer the Rinjani Summit.

The first option is to hike to Senaru Crater rim on Day 1, spend a night in a camp, and then descend to Segara Anak Lake. You spend a few hours by the lake and also visit hot springs. Once finished, you summit the Senaru Crater rim again, spend a night there, and descend to Senaru on Day 3.

The second option has the same itinerary for Days 1 and 2. However, on Day 2, instead of summiting the Senaru Crater rim, you continue to the Sembalun Crater rim, where you spend the night. Wake up at 2 am and start a sunrise hike to Rinjani Summit. This hike then finishes in Sembalun.

Lastly, if you have enough time, you can choose the 4D3N hike from Senaru. The itinerary is the same as mentioned in the previous paragraph. The only difference is that on Day 2, you spend an extra night by the lake and summit Rinjani on Day 4.

Mount Rinjani via Sembalun

Same as when hiking Rinjani from Senaru, you can choose from different trails when summiting Rinjani from Sembalun.

The shortest option is a 2D1N trek. You ascent to Sembalun Crater rim on Day 1 and then spend a night in the campsite there. Wake up at 2 am to summit Rinjani for the sunrise. Afterwards, descent back to Sembalun.

If you have more time, you can choose the 3D2N trek. After the Rinjani summit on Day 2, you continue your hike by descending to Segara Anak Lake and hot springs. From here, you have two options.

The first is to ascent Senaru Crater Rim and spend a night there. Then, you descend to Senaru on Day 3. If you feel too tired to hike up the hill again, you can also start a long descent via Torean Valley. On Day 2, you only get through half of the valley. After sleeping in a camp, you hike all the way to Torean village.

Senaru or Sembalun?

Confused about which trail to choose? No matter which starting point you choose, all the 3, and 4-day hikes start in one village and end in the other.

Sembalun is the most popular starting point . When ascending from Sembalun, the trail is easier in general. The ascend is not too steep on the first day, and you get to hike the hardest part, the Rinjani summit, on Day 2 while you still have more energy.

When choosing Senaru as a starting point, you ascend the Senaru Crater rim, descend to Segara Anak Lake, and hike a steep hill to Sembalun Crater Rim. You’ll likely already be super exhausted, yet you still have to wake up at 2 am to summit Rinjani.

How many days to choose?

Well, the answer to this question pretty much depends on how much time you have for the Rinjani trek. Remember that you must be in Senaru one day before starting the trek. If you’re short on time or not fit enough to hike for so long, 2D1N trek is the best option.

You can choose to either summit Rinjani (from Sembalun) or Senaru Crater Rim (from Senaru). Both routes offer different views, but all of them are equally beautiful.

If you have more time, definitely go for the 3D2N option . You’ll visit many incredible places on this trail. Without a doubt, it’s worth every single drop of sweat.

For those who prefer to hike at a relaxed pace without having to hurry too much, there’s the 4D3N option. It’s the most laid-back version of the Mount Rinjani trek.

Best hotels in Senaru

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Ila Homestay

Rinjani Lighthouse

Rinjani Lodge

High budget

Mount Rinjani trekking tour

Multiple tour companies are providing the Mount Rinjani trek. It might be hard to choose one. While the routes are mostly the same, quality can differ widely. Do your research and read the reviews before booking a trek.

We hiked Mount Rinjani with Halomi Trekker and were beyond satisfied with their services. The guide spoke English very well, and he was incredibly friendly. Thanks to him, we had an incredible time at the mountain.

Halomi Trekker provided everything necessary for our comfort. The whole program was well communicated, and we highly recommend booking a tour with them.

We really appreciated the way our guide and porters cared about the environment. They made sure we left no trash behind. Porters carried everything with them throughout the whole trek.

Mount Rinjani trekking price

Price: from ~190€ to ~340€ per person

The Rinjani trek price depends on the route and duration of the trip. The 2D1N hike usually costs around 200€. The 3D2N tour which we chose costs 240€ per person . The bigger the group, the lower the price.

What’s included:

English speaking guide
Porters (not for your private things)
Transfer to and from the starting and ending points
One night accommodation before the hike
Camping equipment (sleeping bag, mat, pillow, tent)
Rinjani National park entrance fee
Toilet tent
3 proper meals per day and many snacks
Drinking water for the whole trek

Depending on the company and package you choose, additional gear might be included, too. Some companies provide headlamps, trekking poles, extra clothes (warm jacket and pants), camping table, and camping chairs.

You might need to pay a small fee to rent extra clothes in some cases.

Additionally, it’s possible to pay extra to have porters carry your bag . It usually costs between 20-25$.

Mount Rinjani tipping

While tipping is not officially required, it is highly expected. The amount depends on how satisfied you were with the services provided. I would say 10$ per guide and porter from each hiker will do just fine.

Can you climb Mount Rinjani without a guide?

Officially, the answer is no . Both the government and local community discourage this. While the trail might not be too hard to navigate, there are other aspects to consider. There’s no one to help you if you get injured.

Additionally, we can’t imagine doing this trek without our amazing porters! Carrying all the camping gear as well as food would be too much.

Another reason for not hiking without a guide is that you support the local community . It’s hard to make a living, and the island is still overcoming the destruction caused by the 2018 earthquake.

How difficult is Mount Rinjani hike?

This is the most important question to consider. Hiking Mount Rinjani is incredibly difficult , even for experienced hikers. This trek is extreme!

Important: The Mount Rinjani hike is not for everyone. Do not attempt to summit unless you’re a fit person or an experienced hiker. This is certainly not an activity for an average traveler.

I would say we can call ourselves experienced hikers. We are active people who hike mountains in the summer and ski/snowboard in the winter. We did many hikes, including the Mount Agung sunrise summit on Bali, but nothing compares to the Rinjani trek.

The elevation gain is big on the Rinjani trek. You keep hiking up and down all the time, and it’s exhausting. We’ve never been as sore as after finishing this trek. Don’t plan too many activities after the trek, and allow your body to regain strength.

It’s a good idea to visit the Gili islands next.

What about Mt Batur sunrise hike?

Mount Rinjani via Sembalun 3D2N itinerary

After hours of studying different options, we chose the 3D2N Mount Rinjani tour via Sembalun with Halomi Trekker . Our first choice was to return via Senaru Crater rim. However, we felt so exhausted on Day 2 that ascending another mountain was out of the question.

Therefore, we returned via Torean Valley, which was the best decision ever! Torean Valley is mindblowingly beautiful.

This route is not as promoted as other trails. The reason is that it’s the most popular trail for the locals. Many of them hike Torean Valley and stay for a day or two by the Segara Anak Lake before returning to Torean village.

Because of this, there’s a lot of trash on this trail. While the government is trying hard to maintain the Rinajni National Park clean, it’s not an easy task. Therefore, most tour companies try to use the Sembalun or Senaru trail instead.

Day 0 – arrival at Senaru

You are supposed to arrive at Senaru village one day before the trek starts. If you have enough time and want to explore Senaru, you can visit Tiu Kelep and Sendang Gile waterfalls. Tours also organize a meeting where they’ll go through the trek itinerary with you.

With Halomi Trekker, we stayed at this beautiful hotel with a pool and Mount Rinjani views.

Day 1 – Sembalun to Crater Rim base camp

Distance: 7 km

Hike duration: 6 – 8 hours

Elevation: 1483m of ascent

After breakfast, it’s time to start the biggest adventure of your life! You’ll hop on a car and drive for around 1 hour to get to the Rinjani National Park entry point in Sembalun. Before starting the trek, you’ll go through a medical check.

Mount Rinjani trek starts at 1156m. We were hiking through savannah for the first 3 hours of the trek. This section is not strenuous, with little elevation. Temperatures are high here on sunny days, around 25 – 30 °C. After 3 hours, we arrived at POS 2 at 1500m, where lunch was served.

From POS 2, the hike gets more and more difficult. It will take around 4.5 hours to reach the Sembalun Crater rim at 2639m. The surroundings change, and you’ll see more alpine trees. The last 2km are the most difficult since there’s 839m of elevation gain.

However, incredible views and a beautiful sunset await you at the top of the Sembalun Crater rim. We enjoyed dinner with the best views and went stargazing! The Milky Way looks incredible from here!

We went to sleep early since we had to wake up at 2 am to make it to the summit for the sunrise.

Day 2 – Hike to summit, Segara Anak lake and hot springs

Distance: 13.9 km

Hike duration: 11 – 12 hours

Elevation: 1087m of ascent, 2126m of descent

Mount Rinjani summit

Day 2 will be packed and difficult. After a 2 am alarm and a quick breakfast, we started the most grueling climb of this trek. From the camp, it’s only 1km to the summit, but it takes at least 3 hours.

The trail is mostly gravel and loose rocks. It feels like hell! With each step you make, it feels like you’re sliding one step back.

To be honest, I think 3 hours for this climb is way too optimistic. We made it to the summit just before sunrise. However, we were one of the fastest hikers attempting the summit that day. I, Juraj, and our guide kept overtaking most of the other groups.

At the Rinjani summit, only around 15 people were watching the sunrise. Most groups were still on their way up when we were already returning to the campsite. Going back is a lot of fun, though. You can basically just slide down on your feet.

Segara Anak Lake and hot springs

After breakfast, it was time to pack and continue our descent to Segara Anak Lake. While our porters were preparing lunch for us, we went to hot springs. Words can’t describe how good it felt to soak in the hot waters.

After lunch by the lake, we started our descent through Torean Valley. The nature here looks like Jurassic Park! Words can’t describe how beautiful the tall green mountains look. We saw a few stunning waterfalls on the way, too.

Torean Valley is, without a doubt, the most beautiful valley I have ever visited.

We spent a night by the river, where we had a chance to wash ourselves in fresh water.

If you choose to descend to Senaru village instead, from Segara Anak Lake, you must climb the Senaru Crater rim. While it only takes 2 hours, it’s a strenuous hike on a steep hill.

Day 3 – Torean Valley to Torean village

Distance: around 10 km

Hike duration: 5 – 6 hours

Elevation: 600m of descent

We woke up extremely tired and sore. After breakfast, we started what seemed to be a never-ending descent to Torean village. Slowly, we entered the forest area, and the views disappeared. Towards the end of the trek, we hiked through local farms and plantations. We also passed a simple village.

After arriving at Torean village, we had to travel by car for another 40 minutes back to Senaru. We picked up our staff and traveled to Sembalun, where we rested for two days.

Tip: If this sounds too hard for you, check out Mount Agung sunrise hike on Bali!

Camping during Mount Rinjani hike

No matter what tour company you choose for the hike, you will be provided with all the necessary camping gear. This includes a tent, sleeping mat, sleeping bag, and a pillow. Most companies also provide a toilet tent. Sometimes a camping table and chairs are included too.

Porters will carry all this stuff. In most cases, everything will already be prepared by the time you reach the campsite. Yes, we were mind-blown by the speed of our porters. Even though they carried around 40kg each and only had flip-flops, they were always faster than us.

You can use the toilet camp for your needs or find a spot somewhere in nature. I understand not everyone feels comfortable with using the toilet tent. The porters will have to clean up and cover the hole in the ground before leaving.

Important: Make sure to leave no traces and take all the trash with you! There’s already more than enough rubbish in the Mount Rinjani National park, so don’t make it any worse.

The base camp on the Sembalun Crater rim is often packed with other tourists and tents. Certainly, don’t expect to have this place all to yourself. The campsite in the Torean Valley was completely empty, though.

Regarding the hygiene and bathroom, it’s rather limited. On Day 1 of this hike, you can only wash yourself with water. Wet wipes are a great help, too. However, on Day 2, you can enjoy royal baths in one of the hot springs.

What’s the food like?

You’ll be served typical Indonesian meals, such as Nasi Goreng and Mie Goreng. On the first day, we even got some chicken satay. Additionally, fruit is served a few times every day. For breakfast, we had pancakes and fried bananas!

The biggest surprise was a popcorn our porters prepared when camping in Torean Valley. Coffee and tea were, of course, not missing either. Whenever we got hungry, our porter offered us some snacks, too.

What to pack for Mount Rinjani hike

Packing properly will make your Mount Rinjani trek way more pleasant and comfortable. Let’s go through the Mount Rinjani packing list.

You should definitely pack these essentials:

mosquito repellent
basic medications
external charger
hand sanitizer
wet tissues
toilet paper (usually provided by the tour company)
sunglasses / hat

No matter if you’re hiking mountains or chilling by the sea, you should never travel without travel insurance . We use SafetyWing and we couldn’t be happier.

What clothes to wear for Mount Rinjani hike

During the trek, you will experience many different kinds of weather. The trek starts in a hot, dry, sunny savannah where temperatures can climb to 30 °C and more. Yet at the summit, it’s always windy and cold. Expect temperatures at around 3 – 5 °C. Therefore, packing the right clothes might be a challenging task.

Make sure to pack enough breathable t-shirts for hiking. Pack some short pants as well as one pair of long pants. In you get too cold, bring an extra layer of long pants (leggings or thermal underwear) as well as a long-sleeved T-shirt.

A simple warm hoodie will be of great need. A light, water-resistant jacket is a must, too. We also recommend bringing one extra warm jacket for the nighttime and night hike. Having a raincoat is also a good idea.

Pack some clothes for sleeping, too. It gets freezing cold at night.

Additionally, I recommend packing a pair of gloves and a hat.

I believe there’s no need to mention having a comfortable backpack as well as quality hiking shoes with a good grip is a must. Trekking poles will help you a ton during the difficult ascends and descends. Normally we don’t hike with poles, but this time we were happy to have them.

For the time when you’ll not be hiking, bring some flip-flops. Don’t forget a quick-drying towel as well as a swimsuit.

Our tips to make your trek easier

Choose the route carefully and according to your capabilities.
Take all the trash with you.
Be respectful towards nature, local guides, porters, as well as other hikers.
Pack lightly, you’ll feel every extra gram. Try not to bring anything you won’t really need.
Put plasters on your heels, big toe and pinky toe before hike to avoid blisters.
Use trekking poles.
Have your own pace! Sounds trivial, but it’s important not to feel pressure from other faster hikers. Never go over your limits too much and take your breaks as necessary.
Prepare for not summiting. It’s actually pretty common and many people decide to skip the summit because they don’t have enough strength and energy.

Best time to hike Mount Rinjani

Dry season: April – October

Rainy season: November – March

Dry season is definitely the best time to plan your Mount Rinjani hike. I would recommend coming right after the wet season. During this time, the nature will be beautifully lush green. As the dry season progresses, expect dried nature, too.

To avoid the hottest days, don’t come in July or August.

Since Mount Rinjani is a sacred mountain, many locals hike the summit after Ramadan. Therefore, avoid the months when Ramadan ends if possible.

Important: It’s not possible to hike Mount Rinjani during the wet season. The trails are closed between January and March.

Best hotels in Sembalun

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Sembalun Kita Cottage

Dafano Villa

Rautani - best hotels in Sembalun Lombok where to stay before Mount Rinjani trek

Rautani Sembalun

How to get to sembalun or senaru.

When visiting Lombok, keep in mind that there’s almost no public transport. Because of this, the only way to get to Sembalun or Senaru is to rent a scooter and come on your own or to organize a private transport.

We rented the scooter right after arrival at the port and traveled around Lombok independently. When renting for longer, expect to pay around 80,000 IDR per day. You can also rent a scooter in Kuta to travel to Sembalun or Senaru. Based on our experience, bikes in Kuta were more expensive.

If you don’t want to ride a scooter, you can also pay for a private transfer. The price is around 200,000 IDR, but it varies depending on the tour company.

Other activities in the area

Hiking mount rinjani – conclusion.

Climbing Mount Rinjani was a difficult task. However, the beautiful views will forever stay in our memories. The whole trek was really unique. It was extremely demanding, both physically and mentally.

The biggest thanks go to our incredible porters carrying all the heavy stuff for us. If it wasn’t for them we could never make it.

Mount Rinjani hike is not easy and it’s not for everyone. But those who will decide to go for it won’t regret their decision. Nothing compares to standing on an active volcano at 3726m watching a sunrise. Views on this trek are out of this world!

Plan with us

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2 thoughts on “Ultimate Guide to Mount Rinjani Trek – What To Expect”

very complete and usefull guide. glad to see this post , it will help us a lot to bring more people to Rinjani. thank you

Hey, thank you for the comment. We are glad that you liked our post. We hope it will bring more people to this beautiful place ❤️

Girl Eat World

A girl's adventure in food and travel around the world, mount rinjani trekking guide: how-to with photos and detailed information.

Reading “Into Thin Air” by Jon Krakauer piqued my curiosity about mountain climbing. A few years later, though it is in no way comparable to climbing Everest in Krakauer’s book, I finally went on my first-ever mountain climb!

We trekked to the Crater Rim of Mount Rinjani in Lombok, Indonesia as part of a 2D1N trip. Below you will find a detailed log of my trip – what to expect, how the trek was, and what you need to pack and prepare for the trip.

Getting to Mount Rinjani

Mount Rinjani is an active volcano located on a small island in Indonesia called Lombok . The easiest way to reach the mountain is to fly directly to Lombok International Airport (Airport Code: LOP) and then taking a long drive to the foot of Mount Rinjani. This drive takes about 2.5 – 3 hours, going through Mataram and circling half the island before finally getting to Rinjani. It features long windy roads on cliffs with tons of wild monkeys on the side of the road.

If you can’t fly directly to Lombok, the best way is to transit through Jakarta or fly into Bali and take a boat or short flight out to Lombok. However, this would take more travel time and you might have to stay extra overnight in Bali or Jakarta.

When is the best time to trek Mount Rinjani?

Mount Rinjani Hiking trails are closed from 1 January to 31 March every year due to monsoon season, which tends to bring heavy rain and renders the trails dangerous. I did my trek at the end of April when the weather was great! There was no rain and the sun was not too hot either.

Can I climb Mount Rinjani without a guide?

Officially, no. You aren’t supposed to climb Mount Rinjani without a certified guide. I know some people would attempt to circumvent this, but I personally don’t recommend it. It’s one of the few ways locals are making a living, especially after a difficult few years they’ve been facing – in 2018, Lombok was hit by a large earthquake which damaged the area greatly and dwindled tourism down to a fraction of what it used to be. Then, obviously in 2020 the pandemic hit them hard too.

Deciding on the Trek Route: Should I start from Senaru or Sembalun?

How do you choose between Senaru and Sembalun? This was the first question I had in mind while planning the trip, and I couldn’t seem to find any good answer for.

It’s actually very simple – if you only have three days to spare, you can only go for a 2D1N trip and you have to choose between Sembalun and Senaru since they are located on different sides of the mountain. So here are the pro and cons:

If you want to summit in the 2D1N trip , then you should be going via Sembalun, which features an easier climb (mostly flat) through the grasslands to the base of the summit. The downside is that you would be walking under the sun the entire time. Your trek would cover Sembalun > Summit > back down to Sembalun.
If you are absolutely sure you WILL NOT attempt to summit in 2D1N , you should go through Senaru, and your trek would then cover Senaru > Crater Rim > back down to Senaru. The hike will take you through a steeper, non-stop climb through the rainforest, and a fairly difficult rocky climb in the last leg. But it’s a more beautiful and shaded route than Sembalun. You cannot reach the summit in two days if you go through Senaru though.

However, if you have time to do a 3D2N trip – and this is what most people choose, then you don’t have to worry about choosing as you would be hitting both sides anyway. The popular route is to go from Sembalun > Summit > Crater Rim > Senaru. However, if you have the option to choose and are still wondering whether to start from Sembalun or Senaru for the 3D2N trip, it comes down to when you want to summit. If you want to summit earlier in the trip, then choose Sembalun. If not, then choose Senaru.

Where to stay in Senaru

Before the trek, we stayed in Senaru village at a lodge called Pondok Senaru . It was included in the tour package with the trekking company we booked with. This lodge is very convenient as it’s located right next to the entrance to the waterfalls (which I will write about below), but the rooms are VERY basic and there was no A/C, though we did not need it since the weather was quite mild in the mountains.

Book Pondok Senaru here

Review of our Mount Rinjani Trek Guide

Mount Rinjani Trekking - With Hallo Trekker at the top of Crater Rim

We booked our trip with Hallo Trekker and I have nothing but praises for them. They arranged everything for us from airport transport to accommodation, meals, and porters.

Our guide’s name is Mr. Sap aka Kecap, nicknamed for his love of the Indonesian sweet soy condiment. We were also joined by Hans from Hallo Trekker as he wanted to take pictures of the climb. Both Kecap and Hans were amazing on the trip. Kecap is extremely experienced and helped one of my teammates who needed more assistance to climb and descend. He even carried her backpack which was a huge help for us. Hans helped to guide us on the way down and sorted out logistics of our trip. I loved how they cared about the mountain too, making sure we didn’t leave any trash behind.

On our last day, they ensured we descended punctually as we had a 7:30 pm flight back to Singapore on the same day, and the journey from Senaru to the airport takes 3 hours. We were pressed for time on the descent so they picked us up by scooter on the last 500m and had the car ready to take us to the airport. Thanks to their excellent planning, we got to the airport with ample time for our flight.

How much does it cost to climb Mount Rinjani with Hallo Trekker?

A lot of people asked me how much the climb costs, so here is the breakdown of costs per person in Singapore Dollars . Keep in mind that back then, Hallo Trekker had just started and they may have adjusted their prices since then.

SGD $250 (US$180) – 2D1N Tour Package including night-before hotel stay.
SGD $30 (US$22) – Tips for the guide and porters. If you are going for a longer trip you may want to give more.
SGD $16 – Travel Insurance, which you need to buy yourselves.

Where can I book Mount Rinjani Trek online?

If you want to know where else you can book a Mount Rinjani guide online directly, you can book through Klook:

2D1N Mount Rinjani Crater Rim Trekking in Lombok

What is Klook? Klook is the leading travel and experiences booking website in Asia. And yes, they are legit! I personally always book my activities through them whenever I am traveling. See my review of Klook here .

How Difficult is Climbing Mount Rinjani?

Mount Rinjani, the second-highest volcano in Indonesia, is notoriously challenging to climb . The one concern I had in mind was whether I was fit enough to climb Mount Rinjani. Having done the trek myself, I think the crater rim trek is still doable for a person with an average fitness level.

Here is a background on my own fitness level – I would never say I am a super fit person but I’m not totally sedentary either. I’m usually able to complete a 5 to 10K run and I had been doing the Barre Method (which consists of cardio and strength training) twice a week for about six months prior to the climb. I think this gave me just enough strength to complete the trip with no assistance from others aside from directional guidance from Kecap.

It was not by any means an easy climb but most of the struggle for me was actually a mental struggle . I had never done a long climb before and I didn’t know what to expect. Think about it this way – a half marathon is definitely taxing, but it still ends in three hours or less. Climbing Mount Rinjani takes 2-3 times as long and you get progressively exhausted with each stop. Thankfully Kecap and my teammates were very encouraging and this was what kept me going all the way to the top.

Keep in mind that you also have to bring your own bag which usually means an extra 5-10kg of weight depending on how good of a packer you are. And this can feel very very heavy when you are tired!

Which brings me to my next point.

What should I bring to the Rinjani trek? The Rinjani Packing List

Some points to note: This trip happened at the end of April when the weather was great (no rain) and I was able to pack very lightly. Also, it was a 2D1N trip and we did not summit . If you plan to summit or plan on going on a longer trip then you need to adjust accordingly by bringing more layers, a thicker jacket, etc.

The Essential, Must-have Gears

A good backpack is a must , so you don’t hurt your back. I used a 35L North Face backpack with a lumbar pad and support. With all the items listed below the bag weighed around 6kg. Add two 1.5L water bottles and it ended up being about 7-8kg.
Hiking Shoes – I used my 3-year-old running shoes, which is a Nike Lunarglide , and I could have done with more tread. It got slippery in some parts of the trail and I actually fell flat on my butt TWICE. Since this trek, I’ve gotten myself a pair of trusty hiking boots Columbia Newton Ridge Plus II, which I used for my New Zealand trip and I highly recommend!
Walking Pole / Stick – This is important, do NOT underestimate the power of a walking stick. I’ve never thought about using it before but now I know I would not have lasted without the walking stick. It only costs $20 on average and really comes in handy for balance and support. You could also check if your guide is able to supply you with a pair.
Socks – Well-fitting socks are so essential. I wore a thicker pair of socks from Adidas that did not slip around inside my shoes, so it does not cause blisters later on. Make sure yours fits well too!
Clothes for the climb – It’s going to be hot and humid so I recommend wearing something thin. I wore a loose tank top, a light sports bra, and leggings. Any additional layers got too hot during the climb.
Clothes for night/sleeping time – I packed a fleece pajama similar to this and a basic cotton shirt to sleep in.
A very light, water-resistant jacket to fend off the cold mist once you’ve reached higher altitude. You have to remember that Rinjani is located in Indonesia, which a tropical country not far below the equator and this means it will be humid and hot. I recommend not to bring a thick jacket. You can just bring a thinner jacket and layer as needed. I used Uniqlo Light Pocketable Parka and found them sufficient for the climb.

Additional Clothing

An extra jacket for nighttime. My roommate Jessica kindly lent me her Denali North Face Jacket, which is an excellent fleece jacket. It might actually be too warm for the Crater Rim though. I get cold easily but I was able to sleep with just this jacket and a thin cotton t-shirt underneath.
A spare set of clothes for the next day. For me, this just meant another set of cotton shirt, leggings, and sports bra.
Small towel to use throughout the climb because you will sweat.
Extra socks in case your previous day’s socks got wet.
Fresh underwear , because of course, you need them.
Flip flops to change into once you are at the campsite if you can’t be bothered to lace up your shoes each time you get out of your tent. This also came in handy for our Lombok waterfall side quest! I just brought along my go-to pair of slim Havaianas.
Sun Block with SPF50. You will be high up on the mountain where the sun will be extra strong, so you need to protect your skin especially your face. My favorite face sunblock is this water-based sun lotion by Innisfree.
Insect Repellent . I didn’t have problems with insects, but this is always good just in case.
Hand Sanitizer Wipe . There will be no running water once you get up there so being diligent about hygiene is important.
Biodegradable Wet tissue for wiping hands and cleaning your body. There are no shower facilities either so this is your only way of cleaning yourself!
Biodegradable toilet paper aka Camper’s Toilet Paper for your toilet business. Our tour did provide toilet paper but it was not biodegradable.
Medicine like Aspirin and Activated Charcoal in case of food poisoning – also good to have when traveling around South East Asia in general.
Plaster / Band Aids for any small wounds or to protect your toes from blistering.

Other Stuff

High calorie and high protein snacks like chocolate, nuts, and cookies. During the trek, you will be served Indonesian food which I love (I’m Indonesian btw) but consist mostly of fried carbs.
A powerbank in case your phone runs out of battery. I brought my trusty 10,000 mAh Mi powerbank, which I highly recommend. I even use it for regular non-travel use.
A plastic trash bag to store your trash in. The trash situation in Mount Rinjani is bad. Don’t contribute to it.
A 1 – 1.5L Water bottle – it is hot and humid in this part of the world, so yes you will sweat and you will need to hydrate.
Torch for night time , or any source of light for your tent. I just used my iPhone Torch and found it sufficient.

More Trekking Tips & Tricks!

Before the hike, put a plaster/band-aid on your big toes and small/pinky toes since these are the parts that are prone to blisters. By putting a plaster over it, you’re protecting it from developing blisters later on. You’ll thank me later.
Bring sufficient high-calorie snacks . I cannot stress this more. You will get more hungry than usual. And eat a good breakfast before each trek.
Last but not least, pack SUPER lightly! A 7kg bag may not seem very heavy to you now, but they would be when you are six hours into the climb, on all fours scaling slippery rocks. Don’t bring ANYTHING extra.

Mount Rinjani Trek Detailed Guide and Time Milestones

Start: Senaru (600m elevation) End: Crater Rim (2600m elevation)

Day 0 – Lombok Waterfalls in Senaru

If you arrive in Lombok with at least 2-3 hours to spare before sunset, you might want to visit the waterfalls. We stayed overnight at Pondok Senaru which is a very basic room accommodation with no A/C, but it’s right next door to the waterfall entrance!

Mount Rinjani Trekking - Walking to Tiu Kelep

This is quite an easy walk with paved paths. There are two waterfalls to visit, Air Terjun Sindang Gila (Slightly Crazy Waterfalls) and Air Terjun Tiu Kelep (Tiu Kelep Waterfalls). Many seem to prefer the first one, which is quite close to the entrance of the park, but I think the second and further one is way more beautiful.

Be sure to wear flip flops since you will be crossing some streams on foot. The streams are quite shallow – at the deepest it reached just below my knees. The current isn’t very strong but you still need to be careful not to lose your flip flops while crossing! It happened to us a few times.

On the way back, the boys opted to walk into a dark tunnel between the two waterfalls. Kyle and I noped out of this and chose to do the normal walk instead, but it seems pretty exciting from what they told me.

Day 1 – The Rinjani climb (9.5 hours)

We (or I) took our sweet time to go up since I was super excited and was taking tons of pictures.

The walk was nice and easy from Senaru through the park entrance and all the way to Pos Extra. We were lucky to spot a few black monkeys high up in the trees, though only for a split second so I had no time to take pictures of them. Between Pos Extra and Pos 2 though, it started getting very steep. I also got super hungry (my stomach were rumbling) and regretted not eating enough for breakfast. Be sure to load up for breakfast!

We stopped for lunch at Pos 2. This is also the point where we started noticing mist / cloud looming above us. It was getting pretty cold after resting for over an hour, and we all put on our light jackets before resuming our climb, but that was a mistake as our bodies quickly warmed up again while going up. We all took off our jackets within 15 minutes.

Not long before Pos 3, the mist were getting thicker and thicker. We noticed the trees surrounding us are getting shorter, which typically signals the end of the forest is to come shortly. Sure enough, we soon found ourselves walking in the open air among bushes and tall grass.

Kecap warned us that the climb would get even steeper and rockier after Pos 3. Already pretty tired by then, this was not something I wanted to hear. It was hard to imagine anything harder than the climb we just did. We stayed at Pos 3 for about 20 minutes and was visited by a hungry grey monkey, whom we shared our snacks with, before finally getting off our butts and making the strenuous climb up to Camp Site.

And.. it turns out Kecap wasn’t kidding when he said climb would not be easy. The first half of this leg was muddy, wet, and surrounded by tall grass and shrubberies that are about waist to shoulder high. We got to another Pos Extra and had to take shelter there for a few minutes since it started raining.

As soon as the rain stopped, we continued our way to the second half of the climb, which is a steep and intimidating path made of rocks, which I will from now on refer to as the “Rock Wall”.

It got so steep that I ditched the walking stick and started climbing the rocks on all fours. Not going to lie, this was the hardest part of the climb for me. I definitely had thoughts about quitting but I also realized that we are so far up the mountain that I had no exit plan except to keep on pushing through. So push through I did.

Finally, after what seemed like a never ending rocks after rocks, we reached a flat area and the camp sites started peeking through the mountains. We’ve finally arrived at Crater Rim!

We found our tents already set up, complete with a makeshift toilet! The porters had also prepared a warm snack of banana fritters for us.

It was quite foggy so we couldn’t see much of the lake but we expected this, seeing how thick the fog was during the climb. After cleaning myself with wet tissues (there are no shower facilities here) and changing into Pajamas, dinner was served and we went to bed soon after.

Day 2 – The descent (6.5 hours)

We woke up bright and early at 6:00AM, in time for the sunrise at 6:15AM. The valley was still foggy though, so we didn’t get as clear of a view of the lakes as I would have wanted, but it was still beautiful.

We were served breakfast with hot tea and quickly packed up to begin our descent since we had a 7:30pm flight to catch. Thankfully, the weather gods were on our side – it was much much nicer than the climb yesterday!

It might be a little unintuitive but the descent for me was actually a lot harder than climbing up. We basically just followed the exact same route back. Though it took us three hours less than the way up, I was completely drained by the end of the trip and my knees, calves and thigh were so sore.

Descending the rocky path down was not easy and could be dangerous. We saw a group of four porters rushing past us and going up while carrying nothing, which was unusual since porters usually carry a lot of stuff with them. That’s when we learned through Kecap that someone behind us had slipped and broken their legs on the rocky path. The porters were going up to rescue him/her!

Due to morning dew, the ground inside the forest was soft and wet. Not only do you need to think about each of your next steps but also execute quickly and confidently to prevent slipping. I definitely landed on my butt several times while descending but thankfully we were already inside the jungle where the ground is soft and nothing was sharp, so I wasn’t hurt aside of my bruised ego 😛

The Amazing Mount Rinjani Porters

During the trek, we were constantly skipped by porters carrying heavy weights on their shoulder. Moreover, these porters were wearing simple blue and white flip-flops that are commonly found throughout Indonesia. Hans informed me that these porters usually carry 40kg of weight, 30kg if they are an apprentice porter.

For the apprentice porters in training, their shoulder would bleed before they develop hard skin to sustain the weight. The more experienced porters can even run down the mountain with ease in their flip flops! Just amazing. And there I was struggling in my cushy Nike shoes and 7kg backpack…

Dogs in Mount Rinjani

Dogs in Rinjani - Mount Rinjani Trekking

Around Lombok, I kept seeing tons of stray dogs living alongside villagers. The dogs seem to also branch out all the way to the mountain. We were joined by a few dogs hiking with us, and we saw a few strays at our lunch spots begging for scraps. I gave in and fed them food of course… I can’t say no to those cute eyes!

We even saw a dog at the crater rim (the one pictured in the top two pictures above) and she definitely hiked with way more ease than me…

My thoughts after the trip

I have to admit, climbing Mount Rinjani was a very difficult trek for me. I was completely drained by the end of the trip. On a scale of 0 to 100% energy level, I was probably down to 5% during the last hour of descent. We were all super sore the next day and can barely walk. I think this is the sorest I have ever been in my entire life!

However, definitely no regrets. The feeling of finally reaching our campsite after a long climb was unbelievable. Not to mention the lifetime memories made with my Team Rinjani friends: Kyle, Shekhar, Abhilash, and Seba.

I would love to come back here someday and attempt summit once I am more fit.

Alright, let’s wrap up this blog with an amazing video made by my friend and teammate Kyle Francia from our trek, filmed using our iPhones. I still watch this video every few months and it makes me very happy and nostalgic.

… and precious illustration my manager Rohan drew for us while we were out of office climbing.

If you are considering climbing Mount Rinjani – I really hope this post helped you. Feel free to reach out and ask me questions in the comments section below!

Still have time (and energy) after conquering Mount Rinjani?

If you are in Lombok for an extended period of time, I recommend checking out the Gilis as well for some island getaway! It’s only a short ferry ride away from Lombok. You can read all about Gili Trawangan here – how to get there and what you can do.

Or, if you’re still hungry for another active volcano, you can head over to Bali and trek Mount Batur. It’s a much easier climb than Rinjani! You can read my experience of trekking Mount Batur here .

Are you planning a trip to Indonesia? You can find more travel inspirations at my Indonesia category. For more travel tips and adventures, be sure to check out the rest of GirlEatWorld !

116 Comments

June 25, 2023

Hey, thanks for writing such an informative post! I’m considering hiking Mt Ringani but just read another post putting me off. But you’ve made me believe it’s possible!

Sounds like it’s all worth it for the sense of achievement.

September 27, 2022

very good writing ,this is very helpful to hikes, hove many traveler visit mount rinjani

August 2, 2022

Thank you very much for share the great information about Mount rinjani Volcano. It’s true Detail Information and very helpful for all Trekker who love to Doing. Thank you very much.

May 12, 2022

Wow…!!!! That An Amazing Storry and memorable Experience you Went Do it.thank For Share.

February 12, 2020

Hello Melissa! Thankyou for your sharing your incredible experience on Mount Rinjani! it helped me went through the decision making! It was really a hard hike! I ended up trekking with Rinjani Foundation if you happens to know them, they gave me the link of this page as I asked them about where I should read the detailed requirement to do the hike, I ended up loving your content!

hey Cindy, thanks for the kind words 🙂 did you do the summit or the crater rim? I am wondering if the summit is open yet.

August 28, 2019

Will be gg Lombok next month. Did a climb at mt kk 3 yrs back. Really interested in this but I haven’t been doing this for 3 yrs.. 3d2n seems just right for a return climber who’s out for a 40 plus solo traveller? Anyway Pls intro who to ctc

August 30, 2019

Hi Anthony, I described in detail in the post above what you can expect from the hike. I’ve also left a contact of my Rinjani guide.

August 15, 2019

I liked how you describe the climb in details. Thanks for sharing your gearlist.

July 12, 2019

Best article about trekking Rinjani mountain in Lombok island and amazing pictures, thank you for sharing and have good journey

April 28, 2019

Melissa, hi, is the trail always visible? In other words, is it always clear where to go, or in some places the trail is hidden under grass/bushes?

I am an experienced hiker, and I want to do it alone, without a guide, will I be able to find trail?

April 29, 2019

hi, I did the old track which is no longer open since the big earthquake, so I can’t speak for the new Air Berik track. For the old track, it was a mix of very obvious tracks to bushes but if you are an experienced hiker, you probably can do it yourself. You still need to pay the national park fee entrance though.

March 14, 2019

Hi I’m a fairly experienced backpacker, I live at 7,000 ft elevation and I am just trying to get a solid gauge of how challenging this trek actually is. I know everyone has different fitness levels, and not many people are used to trekking with heavy packs but it sounds like it might not actually be that bad especially considering that a lot of the supplies are carried for you by others? Do you know if they set up groups based on fitness ability or anything like this?

Hey Katelyna, sounds like you will be ok. Elevation shouldnt be an issue, it just involves some really steep parts just before reaching the rim. But if you are confident of your fitness level then you should be fine. I don’t think they set up groups based on fitness but maybe you can request a private group if you don’t want to be joined by others.

March 7, 2019

A very nice post, I hope your post can inspire many people so that Mount Rinjani is getting more visitors in future.

All of team from Dhyns Rinjani Hiking say thanks you so much

February 8, 2019

Hi Melissa,

So lovely to see your post and get more tips and and tricks for trekking. You give us a lot of detailed stuff to prepare while trekking. In my opinion, the essential stuffs you posted such as shoe, jacket, sock, clothes and etc., I would like to add more necessary item like watch in the needed items too. These survival watch is high quality and helpful performance of all outdoor activities. Anyway, thank you for your awesome suggestion and shared great experience.

January 11, 2019

Really nice experience sharing. Will heading to Rinjani in this April. Finger cross the track will re-open again.

Hey Yusni, definitely the Air Berik village will be open in by April! Good luck.

Hi,Not only Aik berik route open on this year,but trekking activities from senaru will be open

but it will only reach to crater rim, correct? the summit is still closed?

January 5, 2019

Real nice pics of Mount Rinjani and your experiences! I love hiking!

June 27, 2018

Really nice blog to help someone Will come hike to my Rinjani.

Nice to read, so useful .

March 9, 2018

Nice detailed article on Rinjani with pictures! Pity that you did not summit. You should try it one day.

I did a similar post on Rinjani too, so just in case you wish to know what the summit day is like, you can read it on : http://www.yonderingsoles.com/2015/06/01/gunung-rinjani/

Hey Gan, thanks for the link! I wish to make it up to the summit one day. Hopefully the trails will be reopened soon!

February 21, 2018

Hi Emma, I been read your Article is very Absolutely Amazing Experience you Had. congrats” Some day I will be at The Summit Mount Rinjani too.

February 11, 2018

Great post! I enjoyed the video as well! I recently climbed Mt Rinjani and totally agree that its a difficult trek. I just wrote a post about my experience climbing Rinjani but I like to read other peoples blogs as it confirms I wasn’t the only one who was struggling haha!

February 13, 2018

Hey Emma, I’ve just read your post! wow congrats on making it to the summit!!! Definitely not an easy feat

January 30, 2018

Excellent writing!

February 2, 2018

Thanks Manno

November 18, 2017

Hi Mellissa, Congratulations for writing a very good detailed blog on your first trekking experience. It was fun reading it. Your description about the itineraries, stuff to carry, and things to take care, added by your personal experience along with trek photographs, made it a vivid blog post with all the possible things one could think while planning for their first trek to Rinjani. I am from India and have never been to Indonesia. Nevertheless, I like trekking. Therefore, I will come back and read your blog again whenever I plan to go to Bali or any other nearby place. Keep writing 🙂 🙂

March 27, 2018

Thanks Jyoti! I hope you made it to Rinjani!

November 9, 2017

Thanks for the info. The video is breathtaking. I have plan to hike in June for a 4d/3n. Thanks for the info on what to bring along.

September 21, 2017

Was great information for other trekker they can improve condition and budget for trip to mount rinjani

September 18, 2017

I climbed rinjani in May 2017 (2 days 1 night to the summit) and this guide helped so much! Best advice I have is to wear comfortable but lightweight shoes and if you are doing the summit climb, wear layers! I got super hot while climbing and took off like 3 jackets but then it was freezing at the top. Such an amazing experience, my friend and I even got little tattoos of rinjani afterwards because it was so special.

I am glad you found this guide helpful Margo! and congrats on sumitting!

May 21, 2020

Dear friend

Thank you very much for sharing the great information,. This article is very helpful.

September 15, 2017

What an amazing blog, thank you. I’m looking to do this thus year.

Thank you 😀 Good luck!

September 4, 2017

Hey Melissa, What an awesome article! I am going from Vancouver in Feb. 2018 to meet my buddy in Singapore, then spend 5-6 days on Lombok. Just considering whether to do the same trek you did while there. Were there people trekking on their own or is everyone on a guided trip? Thank you for sharing this experience.

Hey Dan, it seems that most people had a guide and a porter for at least the tents. I didn’t see anyone carrying their own tent. I think it’s possible to climb without a guide, but I discourage it unless you are a very experienced climber.

August 31, 2017

This is on my to do list! By the way, Semeru is another fantastic volcano to climb – although very challenging as well!

August 18, 2017

Howdy.. Melissa. What a great experience you have! So inspiring.. Do you probably have recommendation of any type of food in Lombok? Thanks

August 20, 2017

Hey Anies! I actually did not have time to eat much in Lombok. Food was provided in trek and we were basically just in and out of the mountain, so unfortunately I don’t have much to recommend in this area.

August 16, 2017

Halo…! Your post is helpfully and interesting for visitor who like to climb to mount rinjani. Thank you.. My island,my rinjani.

Hi…! My name is Mr Bun,i am guide in mount rinjani since 2009. But now i am try to make my own company in senaru village lombok,i am born and live here(local rinjani people) Do you have any plan to climb mount Rinjani? or travel to lombok islanda., or want to get some information about information or climbing information about tourist attractions in lombok island? Leave it to the experts. . ! We are ready to serve and guide you for do climbing in Mount Rinjani with reasonable price and with satisfactory service. It is now a lot of companies to climb to Mount Rinjani, but we will try to give the best for my customer,because your satisfactions is my priority.

July 16, 2017

I came across your blog by chance. Thank you for sharing your experience. I am in my 50s and lead a rather sedentary lifestyle. Before reading your blog I was all gung ho to go early thinking it’s a walk in a park. Now i need to reassess and most likely need to put in some training before i attempt the hike. Thanks again.

Hey Audrey, I am glad the post helped. I hope you do decide to climb Rinjani though once you are ready! It is very beautiful and challenging.

July 7, 2017

Oh wow!! very very informative!! very Inspiring!! thanks for info. sharing Mel!! U did Awesome!! My girl’s name also Melissa. hiihii…. Im going to Climb the Rinjani Next month (AUG’17) for the first time. Hope everything goes well for me.

June 26, 2017

May I know which insurance company that you have bought from? Does it cover hiking > 3000m? Thank you.

June 30, 2017

hey jia xin, i had an annual travel insurance from allianz at the time.

June 22, 2017

i want to trekking in mount rinjani, thanks u

July 11, 2017

Hi Melissa…! Hope you are well…. I just want to share someting to everybody about RINJANI TREKKING INSURANCE. Starting from 1 April 2017, Mount Rinjani National Park provides accident insurance for everyone who climbs to Mount Rinjani, by paying Rp. 10. 000 / person, and applies only during the stay in Rinjani Mountain.

This is just info from me, may be useful for all friends who want to climb to Mount Rinjani.

Best regard Guide rinjani

June 15, 2017

Hi Melissa, thank you so much for sharing your trekking experience on Rinjani with all of us who aspire to conquer this hike … so happy to stumble across your blog and absolutely informative to my research as we are planning our trip to Lombok. A funny and odd question I have for you is what’s the insect ie. mosquito condition up there like ?? Did you get bitten by anything during the climb ??? Did you bring a head lamp or hand torch for the hike ?? We are trying to minimize the amount of stuff to lug up the mountain since we will be doing the summit hike so the less the better… I’m also debating between a couple trekking agencies not sure which is more reliable since I have nothing to reference to. So you would strongly rooting for Hallo and their service ? Thanks again for the amazing detailed description with images of your adventure !!

Hey Celi – I didn’t encounter any mosquitos up there or any other insects.

I didn’t need a torch since we didn’t climb when the sun wasn’t out but I guess if you do the summit it would come in handy since you’ll be climbing at dawn.

I had great experience with Hallo Trekker when I went, but I have been told recently by a friend that one of their guides was always asking for tips so it could get kind of annoying. But aside of that there was no safety concerns.

Hi I’m from rinjani and I would like to say this’s amazing blog for who want to know about rinjani trekking.. That all you write in the blog is very correct.. And for pleasure if it able I want to joint the disscusion with all of you.. Thanks..

June 13, 2017

Hay melisa Thanks so much for share your experience about mount rinjani And i hope will be more much people will come to visit rinjani

Thanks so much for your travel blog

Thanks Ady Rinjani Trek Centre (owner )

June 4, 2017

Thanks for this post I really enjoyed reading this! I have been thinking about doing the trek in October and I think you have sold it to me, everything you have said is exactly how I imagined it would be 🙂 just need to decide if I think I could actually make it to the summit or not…

I’m glad you found it useful! I also recommend checking the weather in October. I did this climb in April.

May 18, 2017

This is everything I needed and more. Thank you!

May 14, 2017

May 13, 2017

Halo…! Your post is helpfully and interesting for visitor who like to climb to mount rinjani. Thank you.. My island,my rinjani.

May 9, 2017

Hi Melissa, read your post and I am happy that you made it to the peak. Recently I just went for a hike at Malaysia, Mount Datuk, you might want to check it out.

May 5, 2017

Hi…! My name is herman,i am guide in mount rinjani since 2009. But now i am try to make my own company in senaru village lombok,i am born and live here(local rinjani people) Do you have any plan to climb mount Rinjani? or travel to lombok islanda., or want to get some information about information or climbing information about tourist attractions in lombok island? Leave it to the experts. . !

We are ready to serve and guide you for do climbing in Mount Rinjani with reasonable price and with satisfactory service. It is now a lot of companies to climb to Mount Rinjani, but we will try to give the best for my customer,because your satisfactions is my priority.

April 28, 2017

Hey Melissa .. It’s such a wonderful experience you had. I agree with a quote “It is NOT the mountain we conquer but ourselves”

Too bad I didn’t read your blog before I hike, but to be honest, I think you are 200% right about the trail. I just reached the bottom 4 hours ago. The last rocky part is no kidding but the view at the crater rim is spectacular. Glad you made it, must be an unforgettable memory.

April 25, 2017

Hi Melissa, your blog is very insightful, helpful and the photos are just beautiful! I am so tempted. I was considering to go up the rim with my hubby and my children (16 and 12 year olds) this August. But realistically, i doubt we can, at least with the kids; dont think they have the drive for this. Curious… How does the makeshift toilet work? Other blogs that i read made trekking seem a walk in the park. My ‘training’ is just weekly walking uphill of about 5km up and back. I need to reassess the trip again. Probably just take a trekking tour around Senaru. What would you suggest i.e.not to be missed sights and spots in Senaru?

Appreciate your feeback.

May 1, 2017

Hi Aida, you can check out the two waterfalls in Senaru (it’s in the post). It’s pretty easy walk to get to both of them. Aside of that, there doesn’t seem to be much else going on though.

April 21, 2017

Just want to chime in and say thank you for the post! Was looking for information on crater rim vs summit for Rinjani and I came by your post. Will be doing this in the next few days.

Thanks! Love the blog.

April 18, 2017

Hi Melissa Hie! I’m going on a trip to Bali in 2 days, it’s a impromptu, last minute trip. My cousin (male) suggest to climb Mt Rinjani & Mt Batur as we will be at Bali for 8 days. My cousin’s physique is well build, active in sports. As for me, I am obese, not active in sports, my ankle easily sprained & one of my ankle fractured last 2 years. I do want to push myself for this climb, but I am not physically prepared for it. HELP.

November 7, 2022

Simple blue and white flip flop is a Rinjani Porter secret to walk fast, strong and comfortable 😁😁💪

April 12, 2017

Hello Melissa,

What a lovely surprise to stumble into your blog[post. We met several times (I’m Aishah, friends of Prema). She did tell me about your IG but I didn’t know you write as well! Anyways, thank you for this lovely guide! I am quite anxious for the trek this Easter, but this article is pretty motivating! I hope to see you around in Singapore.

Looking forward for more travel blogs from you! Have a Easter weekend 🙂

hey aishah! you’ll do fine. enjoy the trek 🙂 are you doing the summit?

April 9, 2017

You in luck guys, you have good experience with the hallo trekker team.

April 3, 2017

Thank you for such a great post! So with Hallo trekkers, the porters are included in the price but the porters will only carry team equipment, correct? Not your personal bag? Or will they still carry your bag if it is under 5 kg but you have to pay additional if your bag is over 5 kg? Thanks!

April 4, 2017

only team equipment. you can hire an extra porter if you need someone to carry your bags

Excellent article! I am planning to do the Rinjani trek and this post gave me a fair idea of the 2D1N package. I have done 3 himalayan treks so I think I will be able to do this.

By the way where are you from?

March 31, 2017

Thanks for sharing this gurll =) sucha informative blog post you provided. do you mind me asking, how much do you pay for per head?

March 28, 2017

Lovely blog and very helping for mountain lovers. Cheers I love it.

March 20, 2017

Hi! Really interesting post! May I check, is this a trip where you have to prep before going? Like, do I have to train myself a few mths before the trip or can I just pack and go kind?

hey jia yi, depends on your level of fitness. i think if you are mostly sedentary you might want to get used to walking for long period of time, as well as some cardio training. some paths are quite steep.

March 12, 2017

Really helpful, thanks! We are going for our honeymoon in a few months.. would you recommend booking ahead of time or did you meet many people who booked when they got there? I’m nervous about not booking, but have heard it’s cheaper to wait. Can I ask how much yours was through Halo Trekker?

March 14, 2017

I paid US$180 for my 2d1n. But this is last year’s rate and if you want to do summit (3d2n) it might cost more 🙂 I did book ahead since I don’t think the savings are that much even if you decide to just book when you get there. The peace of mind is worth it!

February 28, 2017

Great articles thanks for sharing

February 26, 2017

Hi! I am thinking of doing this trek. It would be my first mountain climb as well. Can I ask what you did with the rest of your stuff while climbing? I pack pretty light, but I can’t imagine carrying all of my stuff that I will have for my 3 week journey across the country on a 1 night trek. Looks like a really good time. Thanks for the info!

Hey Chelsea, some of us in the group had a separate bag for stuff we didnt want to bring on the trek. We asked our trek operator to help store our stuff while we were away. I didn’t bring anything valuable, but if you have any i would recommend to bring them with you! We had no issues though.

February 22, 2017

Hey there! Truly informative piece. My friends and I are thinking of attempting the summit this August. As I have senstitive skin I’d like to know if you found the air ‘sulphuric’ or “biting’; the air quality is my paramount concern. Any input would be greatly appreciated!

Hey mark, i don’t have sensitive skin but I think i know what you meant. i thought the air felt normal during the trip. That said, we only did crater rim so we were quite far away from the volcanic part and did not smell / detect any sulphur presence. I think if you did the longer trip that includes the summit, you might get closer to the volcano activity. I suggest checking with your trek operator.

March 3, 2017

Thanks for the reply!

January 16, 2017

Looks like you had a very challenging and exciting experience!

This brings back great memories from our own trek up Rinjani, we did the 3 night, 4 day trek and the landscapes and views were absolutely incredible! Although we didnt make it to the summit as we were too tired, we sat on the ridge just below the summit and watched the sunrise from there!

Thanks for sharing your experience!

January 6, 2017

Definitely helpful! I’m definitely to ready for Rinjani but at least now I have a clearer picture of what I need to do. Thanks for sharing your experience 😀

January 7, 2017

No problem! Enjoy your trek!

December 11, 2016

It is so lovely to read your post .!! Clear, detailed and well described. Anyone can easily get inspired to trek after reading your writing .!! Awesome !! Great job.!! 🙂

December 15, 2016

Thanks Ram!

December 10, 2016

Hello, were planning to experience rinjani also next year. Just want to ask which tour agency you deal with. Do you have any contacts of them.? Thanks. Hope tou respond to my inquiry. Cheers!

Hey Apriell, I went with Hallo Trekker. you can reach them at http://hallotrekker.com/

December 9, 2016

All of crew from Rinjani Trekking Services say many thank to you.for your shared our attraction that is rinjani mount.I hope by you sharing we get more visitor come to rinjani mount.

November 26, 2016

Great information, if you would like more details information about trekking rinjani you can visit my website

November 19, 2016

Thank you for visiting our island I happy to read your story.. Wish you all well.

November 14, 2016

Hi… i really your photo clips, such a beautiful place are see in my life thanks for sharing with us

November 12, 2016

Nice informations. But we love to hike on private.thank for the informations.

November 2, 2016

Great post! Just wondering how you booked your trip – did you book beforehand or wait until you got to Senaru to book?

November 3, 2016

Hey Catherine, we booked ahead of time but did not pay until we got to Senaru. I highly recommend Hallo Trekker!

October 31, 2016

Hi Melissa Hie,

Can I know what is the dress code that you will suggest for us for a trip on November ?

Hi there, I am not sure how it would be in November, so it’s best to ask your trip operator. We were fine with just light jackets.

October 9, 2016

Thanks for post details informations

October 7, 2016

Thanks for post awesome picture

September 22, 2016

great post!

September 21, 2016

Hi Melissa… Really informative and inspired post!!! The tips you shared are perfectly described. Love it so much!

August 11, 2016

We all from rinjani community would like to say thank you for visited, mountain rinjani and thank you for shears your experience

Thanks for your great informations

July 26, 2016

Hey Melissa awesome blog! We are planning on spending 2 weeks in Bali and Lombok with the hike halfway through and obviously we dont want to take all our things up the mountain. Do you know if you can leave things at the hotel for the 2/3 days you are hiking. Thanks

Yes! we asked our tour operator to keep some of our luggages that we did not want to take up to the mountains as well. However, I would still exercise basic precautions like not storing large amount of cash or valuables.

The Great Article About Mount Rinjani. The Story Of Experience Really Interesting.

April 26, 2016

Aw super proud of you Mel! So glad that you managed to push through:)

Hehe thanks Joycerina!

Mount Rinjani Trekking Guide: Everything You Need To Know

Jackson Groves

Posted on Last updated: June 25, 2023

Categories INDONESIA , HIKING

Mount Rinjani Trekking Guide: Everything You Need To Know

Mount Rinjani is one of the most popular and challenging treks in Indonesia. It is located on the island of Lombok and stands at 3,726 meters tall. The Mount Rinjani trek is known for its stunning views of the crater lake, hot springs, and beautiful waterfalls. However, it is not an easy trek and requires a good level of fitness and preparation.

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Ultimate Mount Rinjani Trekking Guide

In this guide, I will share with you everything you need to know about trekking Mount Rinjani (Gunung Rinjani)

Where is Mount Rinjani?

Mount Rinjani (Gunung Rinjani) is located on the Indonesian island of Lombok. It is the second-highest volcano in Indonesia. The mountain is located within the Rinjani National Park, which is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. The trek to the summit takes you through lush forests, past beautiful waterfalls, and to the edge of a stunning crater lake. I have pinned the exact location of Mount Rinjani on the map below.

Booking your Mount Rinjani Trek in advance

It’s best to book in advance for your trek up Mount Rinjani so that you can take advantage of pick-up and drop-off from the airport or ferry. I recommend booking with Ali Trekking, who is one of the biggest and most organized trekking companies in Lombok. They’ve been guiding treks up Mount Rinjani for many years and have great reviews on TripAdvisor.

Ali Trekking offers one-night, two-night, and three-night treks up Mount Rinjani as well as the Crater Rim option. I did the three-night trek and recommend that one as you get to hike around the crater rim rather than just up and down from the summit. Their porters carry the camping and cooking equipment and prepare your meals while up on the mountain.

Book your tour now: Mount Rinjani 3-Day Trek

a group of tents sitting on top of a mountain.

Why should you do a Mount Rinjani Trek?

Embarking on a Mount Rinjani trek is an unforgettable experience that should be on every adventurer’s bucket list. The trek is challenging, but the rewards are worth it. The views from the summit are breathtaking, and the surrounding scenery is simply stunning. The trek takes you through lush forests, past beautiful waterfalls, and to the edge of a stunning crater lake. Along the way, you will encounter friendly locals, learn about the local culture, and make new friends.

The sense of accomplishment that comes with reaching the summit is unparalleled, and the memories will stay with you for a lifetime. Additionally, the trek allows you to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of modern life and reconnect with nature. It is a true escape and a chance to challenge yourself physically and mentally while experiencing the beauty of one of Indonesia’s most iconic natural wonders.

TOP 3 PLACES TO STAY ON LOMBOK

a view of the ocean at sunset from a resort.

Ultimate Luxury: Jeeva Santai Villas – Beautiful, luxurious villas
My Favorite: Martas Windows – Best value in Lombok for a bungalow with a pool
Best Hostel: Boogie Hostel is easily the best value hostel in Lombok

Is trekking Mount Rinjani hard?

Trekking Mount Rinjani is considered to be a challenging and strenuous trek, owing to its steep inclines, long distances, and varying altitudes. The most popular route for the trek begins from Sembalun Lawang village, and the ascent to the summit takes around two days. The first day involves a steep climb up to the Plawangan Sembalun crater rim, which is about 2,639 meters above sea level. The ascent on this day can be demanding, with a constant incline and a distance of around 11 kilometers.

On the second day, the trek continues toward the summit, which is another 3.7 kilometers from the crater rim. The final ascent to the summit is a challenging climb that involves navigating through loose rocks and scree slopes. The duration of the trek can vary depending on the fitness level of the trekker, but it usually takes around three to four days to complete the entire trek.

a man standing on top of a mountain next to a lake.

How many days do you need to trek Mount Rinjani?

If you’re planning to trek Mount Rinjani, there are several options to choose from depending on your fitness level and time constraints.

Two nights: The most popular and recommended option is the 3-day, 2-night trek, which allows you to summit the peak, visit the crater lake, and relax in the hot springs.
Three nights: For those with a more leisurely pace, the 4-day, 3-night trek offers the same locations with more free time to enjoy the mountain.
One night: The 2-day, 1-night tour from Sembalun is the most challenging option, which includes the option to summit at sunrise. However, it’s recommended to give yourself more time on the mountain if you’re not in excellent shape. The 2-day, 1-night trek from Senaru is the easiest option (but still very, very steep), providing incredible views of the crater but not reaching the summit or lake. This trek is perfect for those who want to experience Rinjani but cannot handle longer treks of more than one night.

Best time for trekking Mount Rinjani

Mount Rinjani trekking opens from April until January. After January the rainy season kicks in and Mount Rinjani trekking can get quite dangerous. April and May are the quietest months of the year for trekking and actually, have some of the best views as the landscape is incredibly green. The best time to climb Mount Rinjani would be in May to enjoy the best views and quieter crowds.

What are my favorite pieces of hiking gear?

There are four pieces of gear that I simply never forget when I go on a hike. These are four items that I using right now and this list gets updated every year! Here are my hiking essentials.

Arcteryx BETA AR Rain Jacket : This is my go-to rain jacket. It’s super light, folds down into a tiny ball, and protects brilliantly in a storm. This one never leaves my backpack.
Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid GTX Hiking Boots : For the best ankle support, waterproofing, and durable exterior I’m a fan of tough but light hiking boots like these Salomons for my adventures.
Black Diamond Head Torch : I can’t tell you how many times, I’ve arrived back from a hike unexpectedly late. I always keep this lightweight but strong headtorch in my bag for the unexpected.
Darn Tough Socks : These are the most comfortable hiking socks I’ve ever worn and last for years. They also have a lifetime warranty and you just send them in with a hole and they replace it no questions asked.

How to get to Lombok

Senaru is in the North of Lombok. This is a small town most trekkers base themselves in before and after their trekking adventures. I arrived in Lombok via ferry and headed straight north with three other friends. There are also flights directly to Lombok from Bali. Once you arrive to the airport or ferry port, you will need a private transfer or moped to reach the northern villages of Senaru or Sembalun to begin your Mount Rinjani Trek.

a green and white boat in a body of water

My Mount Rinjani Trekking Experience

We began our Mount Rinjani trekking experience crammed in the back of a truck with all the gear bouncing around. We wound through the mountainous roads of Senaru, crammed tightly by our heavy load until we arrived at the check-in counter. Here we signed our names and found out that there were 150 other people trekking that same day.

The trek began through some quiet farm fields as we felt the full force of the Indonesian sun. There was no shade and we were at the full mercy of the piercing heat. The reality of the trek began to hit us after an hour, knowing that we had 6 left today alone.

Lunch-time on day 1 was at a random shed with a bunch of other tourists around. Our guide laid out an orange tarp and we sprawled out, looking like we were on our way down after three days rather than fresh on day one. Lunch was rice, chicken, and vegetables with some local tea.

For each meal, our guides cooked rice or a noodle dish that was actually really tasty, especially considering they were carrying all of the cooking utensils, spices, sauces, and ingredients.

For the next 4-5 hours, we made our way along the trail up some mildly steep hills. This section was relatively long but more enduring rather than acutely difficult. The most surprising part of the hike on day one was the diverse scenery.

At times we felt as if we were inside a mysterious forest and at others, we were in a canyon, rocks on the floor and monkeys looking down on us. I definitely didn’t expect the inside of a volcanic crater to look anything other than a few bushes and some rocks but I couldn’t have been more wrong.

We arrived an hour before sunset at our camping spot. On the edge of an epic cliff, we pitched our tent, clouds well below us. The campsites are not clean, that’s the first thing we noticed. Trash lays all around, and toilet paper and human feces are scattered throughout the campsite and the surrounding areas.

It isn’t the guide’s fault or the trekkers really. For such a large-scale tourism operation the local authorities need to take responsibility and pay porters to carry out the trash and it would be my recommendation to have a dedicated drop toilet rather than having people dig holes everywhere and subsequently leave their trash wherever they please.

Trash aside, our camping spot was magnificent. We sat on the cliff edge watching the sun go down over the sulfur lake in the center of the volcano. We felt pretty good about ourselves after the first day but knew that we would be waking up at 2 am to begin the pilgrimage to the Mount Rinjani summit.

At 2 am we rolled out of our tents and enjoyed a pancake and coffee prepared by our porters and guide. After a few deep breaths of preparation and we went on the predicted 3-hour pilgrimage to the Mount Rinjani Summit.

This was the most intense period of the three-day Mount Rinjani trekking experience. With our head torches on, we battled to find our footing on the fine volcanic sand that paved the way. It was a case of two steps forward and one step back, which can get not only physically draining but mentally exhausting.

As we climbed higher and higher, the temperature began to drop. Our skimpy gloves and jacket our homestay owner had given us no longer kept us warm. The freezing wind was unforgiving and whipped across our faces. Our only warmth was hiding behind rocks or to keep moving onwards and upwards.

Along the way, we passed a couple who were crying and scared without their guide as the wind threw them about on the ridge. We passed others huddled behind rocks, taking a respite from the wild winds. Others marched on past us at an amiable pace. But the beauty of the pilgrimage is that whether you arrived first or last we were all destined for the same destination, and what a view it would be.

My sister and I arrived at the top, relieved the trek was over but astounded by the view. For the past four hours, we had been so focused on clambering up the mountain we had only stopped for brief moments to look at the view, which had been covered in clouds. Now at the top of Mount Rinjani, we could only look out in silence, in awe of the scale of the landscape and the scale of our achievement throughout the last 24 hours.

The climb down was much easier although with each step blisters and a bit of quadricep burn began to make the battle a little tougher. Plenty of slips later and some nice views inside the crater we made our way back to camp in just under a couple of hours. However, it was no time to rest!

After a quick breakfast, we packed up our gear and began clambering down the ridge towards the sulfur lake and the hot springs. As we had walked up in the cold hours earlier we had been dreaming of hot springs. However, now the hot sun was making the hot springs a little less desirable.

Nevertheless, we scrambled down the rocky path toward the lake. Looking out across the lake towards the active volcano inside of a volcano was mind-blowing! What wonderland was I in?

A short walk from the lake we found the natural hot springs. Temperatures of 40+ degrees meant we were steaming in the water and under the hot sun. It was an oven but the water felt so great on our feet and skin after the cold conditions earlier that morning.

We didn’t want to leave the hot springs. However, we had a 3-hour hike ahead of us to climb back to the top of the rim on the other side of the lake to camp. This was a painful part of the day. The legs were heavy we had been hiking more than not in the last 24 hours and it was starting to take its toll but our spirits remained high.

We arrived at the top of the rim and many others had already set up camp. We had run out of water due to a bit of communication error and bad planning by our guides, which meant we had to keep going lower for another hour to a natural water source. Our group was a little ticked about this as it meant more walking and no sunset on the rim. Shit happens and we laughed about it later although our guide wasn’t the best at delivering that news!

We ended up camping at a random spot surrounded by forest but we were all pretty tired so we ate and fell asleep straight away.

Our final day was just a straight trek down the hill. The burn in the quads was intense but we were in the shade of the forest canopy for most of the day. As we exited the hike after more than three hours we made one last stop at the coffee plantation, with a great view from above of Tiu Kelep.

Jorden created this vlog from our journey up to the summit of Mount Rinjani!

It was an epic three days and something I definitely recommend if you are up for a challenge!

WHERE TO STAY IN NORTHERN LOMBOK

If you are visiting attractions in the north such as Tiu Kelep or Mount Rinjani you should choose one of the three accommodations in the ‘ Northern ‘ section below.

Jeeva Santai Villas – Luxury Villa : Great location on the beautiful Mangsit Beach but also within driving distance of Tiu Kelep and Mount Rinjani. It is a location that offers the best of both worlds.
Hakiki Inn Bungalows – Value: Set on the edge of rice fields with the jungle feel but the comfort of a private bungalow.
Blue Mountain Cottage – Budget (but also value) : This is where I stayed. The room was very basic but it was comfortable enough with a basic private bathroom.

WHERE TO STAY IN THE SOUTHERN REGION OF LOMBOK

If you are staying in the south to enjoy the beaches and surf in Kuta, Lombok you should choose one of the three accommodations in the ‘ Southern ‘ section below.

Harmony Villas – Luxury : The beautiful white theme throughout the property contrasts against the emerald green pool and plants. The villas are laid out impeccably and the best part about this 4-star villa is that it actually isn’t as expensive as it looks.
Martas Windows – Value/Luxury : This place is incredibly beautiful. Bungalow-style villas surround the modern pool at this amazing property. For less than $80 a night, you can get yourself what would cost hundreds of dollars in most other countries at Martas Windows .
Boogie Hostel Kuta Lombok – Budget : The Boogie Hostel is everything you ask for in a hostel. It’s super modern and clean and has lots of chill spaces as well as lockers for your gear and blinds for privacy at your dorm.

The Ultimate Rinjani Trekking Experience

Welcome to the ultimate mount rinjani trekking guide.

This Rinjani trekking guide will take you through our complete experience of this epic trek. It includes a summary of each day, what to pack and our top tips for a successful Mount Rinjani trek.

To book your travel to Lombok in advance, we recommend you use 12go.asia to book online in advance.

This is one of the very best treks we’ve experienced in all of our travels. Easily some of the most incredible landscapes and scenery you can imagine! A Mount Rinjani trek it is not for the faint-hearted though, it’s gruelling and physically intense. But if you’re up to it, the rewards are breathtaking.

In this guide to Mount Rinjani trekking, we’ll cover:

1. Each day of the Mount Rinjani trekking experience

2. what to pack for trekking mount rinjani, 3. our top tips to help you through the trek, 4. where to go (with accommodation recommendation) to recover after you complete your trek.

You can also click on any of these points to go directly to that section of the guide.

1. Daily review of our Mount Rinjani trekking experience

This is a full, no holds barred account of our 3 nights and 4 days on Mount Rinjani with Rudy Trekker . It’s a long read at over 7,000 words! But if you want the most comprehensive write-up of the Rinjani trekking experience, alongside some essential top tips (all of which we’ve summarised at the end), then this is the article for you!

For the record, some of the views on this trek are the best we have ever seen in all of our travels! First, have a look at our documentary highlights video before you dive into the story of our trek (it’s only 2 minutes long)!

Rinjani Trekking Guide: Day 1

Route: Sembalun Village 1,150m – Sembalun Crater Rim 2,639m

The next 4 days would also provide some of the most rewarding experiences and epic landscapes we have ever seen! And no, we’re not exaggerating, but read on to see what we’re talking about!

Beginning Our Rinjani Trekking Tour

Lunchtime Day 1

After a couple of hours, we stopped for a hearty lunch. Our guide, Hans, pulled out two foldaway chairs to sit on as the porters prepared our lunch. We were the envy of many other groups as they sat on the floor without chairs!

The Clouds Close In

After a further couple of hours, the temperature dropped even further. We left behind the baking hot sun drenched plains, and began to move through the cloud line. Seeing clouds close in around you is an amazing experience, and it happened as we leaned against a tree having a break.

“Almost there!” He shouted, with quiet indifference.

We stopped to look up, and there it was! Perhaps 20 minutes above us, the top of the ‘ridge’ (our summit for the day) was in sight at last! With renewed vigour, we laboured on hoping for our first view of the Rinjani crater lake. However after 7 hours or so of climbing and much effort, we were rewarded with a view of…wait for it…NOTHING!

Mt Rinjani Trek Camp

We found our campsite and settled down, happy to have made it to base camp but disappointed with the cloud cover. It was cold now at the ridge summit, and we piled on our fleeces, waterproof jackets, gloves and woolly hats to stay warm. Perched on our foldaway seats, we looked straight out at what seemed like a white, blank canvas in front of us.

The Route To Mount Rinjani Summit

Rinjani Trekking Guide: Day 2

Route: Morning (Sembalun Crater Rim 2,639m – Rinjani Summit 3,726m)

It was 01:45, and we could hear our porters and guide moving about outside their tent. It was still completely dark, apart from the millions of stars lighting up the night sky. If we weren’t so nervous about the climb, we may have stood in awe and quiet reflection of the beautiful night sky. It looked truly magnificent.

Alas, we couldn’t enjoy it – our minds were elsewhere. We were mentally gearing up for our attack on the summit.

Hans (our patient guide) called for us from outside the tent, and we tentatively poked our heads out to receive our omelette and some tea. As we sat there, group after group trudged passed our tent, each beginning their own attempt at the summit. We pulled on every layer we had, flicked on our headlamps, grabbed our walking poles, and began.

At 02:30, it was time for us to leave.

This might all sound a bit dramatic. After all, we were hardly attempting the summit of Everest. But to us, with almost no sleep from the night before, and total darkness affording us no view of our path, it was nerve-wracking.

Climbing Mount Rinjani In The Dark

The next two hours would be gruelling. We began by ascending the steep side of the ridge, which would take 2 hours to reach the top of the ridge. From there, it would take another 2 hours to walk along the ridge and ascend the final section to the summit (3,726m).

The first 20 minutes or so were relatively comfortable, as we clambered up and down small peaks as we slowly made our way upwards. But after this trekking aperitif, it was time for the main course.

Beneath our feet, the rocks and mud we had grown accustomed to gave way to volcanic dust. Imagine trying to climb an incredibly steep sand dune, except it isn’t a sunny warm day, and you’re not even on a beach.

On no, in fact, your trying to climb this sand dune at 03:00 in the morning. It’s dark, cold, you’re 3,000 metres up the side of a volcano, and it’s going to take you 4 hours! Yeh, sounds great.

If you could put yourself in our dust covered shoes for a moment, your morale may have been as low as ours was at that point.

Chasing The Mount Rinjani Sunrise

Hans reached into his bag at this point and handed us a dust mask each to wear over our mouths and noses. We wrapped these around us, and looked up. Although we could see nothing of the climb in the dark, in the distance we could see the twinkle of headlamps way up the ridge. Sometimes there would only be 2, sometimes there was a train of 5 or 6 lights, like a trail of fluorescent ants on a black canvas.

Each light provided us with a guide marker in the distance of where we had to go. What we would have given to swap places with those climbers at that point!

We soldiered on, and as we climbed we were passed by a few faster groups making their way to the summit. Each battling their own inner demons as they climbed. Every now and then, a pair of climbers would pass us coming down the ridge. Evidently deciding the task was too tough for them.

Keeping The Motivation High

This brought with it conflicting emotions for us. In part it spurred us on to know there were others struggling worse than us, but in part it made us battle our own thoughts of turning back. But we didn’t, we pushed on.

Two steps forward, one step back. That was the routine in the volcanic dust. The route at our feet was relatively clear to us with our headlamps, but the darkness either side of the path worried us. All sorts of visions and questions were running through our heads:

“Are we clambering alongside steep edges into the volcano?”

“What if we slip now? Are we doomed?”

We had no idea, it was frightening and exhilarating in equal measure. But we trusted our guide and we trusted our tour company wouldn’t put us at risk. Sure, trekking up a volcano is more dangerous than staying at home. As we always do in these circumstances, we put our trust in the hands of the experts. They know what they’re doing.

Choosing The Best Rinjani Trekking Guide

It’s at these points on our adventures where we are reassured by our decisions to trek with local experts. We saw a few groups go up without a guide, everyone has their own level of experience and confidence. But we always prefer to have a guide with us, and they have been critical to us a few times on our adventures.

When we were stranded in a Saharan sandstorm , or when we climbed climbed Mount Toubkal in freezing temperatures, we were glad to have good guides with us. Our advice is clear, always research and pick your tour company and guide carefully. If things go wrong, they might just save your life, and we were impressed with our guide from Rudy Trekker.

Anyway, back to our Mount Rinjani summit attempt.

After around another hour or so, we stopped for a short break. We were 3/4 of the way up the ridge wall, and another 20 minutes would see us reach the top of the ridge. As we sat there, slumped on the sandy volcanic dust we had been battling for the last hour, way below us we could make out the twinkling of fires at our campsite below. It was one of those moments that seemed completely unreal both at the time, and looking back.

Getting Philosophical On Our Climb

We’re not the most ardent trekkers or walkers, and I dare say we don’t enjoy every moment of a trek. But there is something about trekking that brings out the best in us, and our relationship. To go through a challenge so exhausting together, and to achieve something many people don’t, is the reason we take on these climbs.

As was when we climbed Mount Toubkal in winter in Morocco, and Villarrica volcano in Chile , the most memorable of experiences come from the most trying of circumstances.

And these circumstances were certainly trying. As more campfires flickered into life below us, it was time to turn our backs on our temporary home and get ourselves to the ridge. We hustled ourselves up off the volcanic dust, and pushed ourselves on. One foot forward, slide back a bit. Other foot forward, slide back a bit. All the while the light of our head torches capturing the thousands of tiny dust particles kicked up with every step.

Arriving On Mount Rinjani Ridge

25 minutes later we made it to the top of the ridge. A cool gust of wind flowed over and around us. We stopped for a moment to get our bearings. In front of us, laid out in pitch darkness, was the crater lake of Mount Rinjani (Segara Anak), resplendent with its jewel in the crown, Gunung Barujari, a post-caldera cone that lies within it.

Although it was pitch darkness, we could make out the caldera rim encircling the lake, and to our left we could see our route to the summit. Hans (our guide) shouted above the wind:

“2.5 hours to the summit!”

He told us this partly as information, but probably mostly as a warning. Our interpretation of this statement?

The worst was yet to come

We began walking along the ridge, tentatively putting one foot in front of the other. Some parts of the ridge were wide, some narrow with frighteningly steep slopes into the caldera. We proceeded with extreme caution.

After 30 minutes, a slow realisation began creeping over us. It was 04:30, and we had another 2 hours of climbing to complete to the summit. At this rate, we would be somewhere up the ridge as the sun rose – we would miss the sunrise. I was also absolutely exhausted, and worried about the fact we still had 3 days of trekking to complete, even after this morning summit ascent (including a further 4 hours today).

Our attack on the summit was fading, but what to do? Sunrise was still an hour and a half away, and it was cold. Without any other real options, we decided to continue climbing, without any real plan in place. Perhaps we might find somewhere sheltered where we could hunker down for sunrise. Or find a rock to crouch behind. Either way, we ploughed on.

Knowing Our Limits On Mt Rinjani

Imagine the emotions. We’ve just spent a day and a half climbing up a volcano, much of it in the middle of the night, in pitch darkness. We’re covered in dust, exhausted, and cold. We’re pretty sure we’re not going to achieve our goal of the summit, yet there seemingly isn’t any other option available to us.

And then, in front of us, is a kind old guide of 25 years experience, beckoning us over to join him by his fire. We looked at each other, and the decision was made. We would sit here, chat with our guides, and watch the sunrise from here. And so we sat, and munched on cookies on the rim of an active volcano, warming our hands by the fire as the sun rose.

Watching Sunrise On Mount Rinjani

Sometimes in life you just have to be honest with yourself, and do what you feel is right at that moment. Yes of course we wanted to conquer Mount Rinjani, and we were so close. Another 2 hours and we would have our summit bagged. But sometimes you have to think about what you would enjoy and remember more.

We had a choice, endure the pain and frustration of clambering up a ridge as the sun rose out of sight from us, or sit by a fire with new friends and soak up the moment. For us there was no question. Egos left us, and we soaked up this once in a lifetime moment.

The Sky Explodes In Colour

We may not have made it to the summit, but spending an hour and a half sitting on the ridge of a volcano as the sun rose was pretty special for us.

Heading back to camp

At around 06:30, we began to make our way back to camp from the ridge. We bid our farewells to our camp fire friend, and walked back down the route we had come up. This was the first time we were able to see our route from earlier in the morning. With the crater rim snaking out in front of us, narrow parts gave way to shear drops in parts, but in general the route was clear and safe.

Second breakfast at camp

Within 45 minutes we were back at base camp, and our porters were ready with a hot cup of tea and our second breakfast of the day. This is where our porters really came into their own. Not only did they carry all our tents, food and cooking equipment, they were also experts at rustling up incredible meals for us.

So as we sat outside our tent at 08:00 in the morning, our guide Hans came over with our second breakfast, a burger with cheese, egg, salad and chips! How do they do it? From a small camping stove our porters created remarkable dishes. Never mind that it was the earliest we had ever eaten a burger, we scoffed it down in our tent.

The hardest part of the four day trek was behind us, and we were relieved.

After an hour or so of resting, it was time to make our way down the side of the caldera and into the heart of the volcano. We packed up our bags, loaded up on water and biscuits, and left camp behind.

Rinjani Trekking Guide: Day 2

Route: Late Morning (Sembalun Crater Rim 2,639m – Segara Anak Lake and Hot Springs 2,008m)

The Hot Springs Spur Us On

After a short pause to admire the beautiful valley view below, we kept moving. It had already been a very long day (2am to lunchtime) and we just wanted to reach the lake, and the fabled hot springs.

Yes, you read that correctly. Natural, volcanically heated hot springs awaited us at our destination!

If that didn’t spur us on, nothing would.

Reaching Day 2 Camp

It’s hard to really articulate how it felt to be there. We’d already trekked for 2 days to reach this point, but more than that was the fact we’d travelled halfway around the world in the first place. The Mount Rinjani trek being one of the main reasons drawing us back to Indonesia. To finally be here, and witness this incredible view was so very special.

As we stood on the waters edge, it gently lapping against the shore, we watched the porters cast rudimentary fishing lines into the lake. And then they waited. It was a calming and serene scene.

Up Close & Personal With Mount Rinjani

This volcano is truly remarkable, and it’s worth repeating that the small volcano you see here, sits in the middle of the caldera lake of another, larger volcano. Before we had heard of Mount Rinjani, we had no idea that a place so beautiful and awe-inspiring could exist!

Without wishing to sound dramatic, it was the most incredible natural landscape we have ever witnessed. Above even the places we saw in Antarctica and South America.

It was truly mind blowing.

The Hot Springs Of Mount Rinjani

A final push to camp

We’ll admit that we quietly cursed under our breaths at our porters and guide’s decision on where to camp at this point. Why couldn’t they just camp nearby? We are exhausted!

“10 more minutes!”, Hans shouted from up ahead.

Just where the heck were we camping? All we wanted to do was stop walking, after all every other group was already relaxing by their tents. And we had to walk passed them all too. We were very frustrated!

All our cursing abruptly ended a minute later however. Our guide and porters had arranged something very special for us.

A Special Campsite On A Private Beach

“Hardest day done. Tomorrow, only 3 hours up to Senaru crater rim. Leave at 8.”

We slept deeply that night, and awoke around 6am. Gone was the exhaustion from the day before. We were well hydrated, we felt well and we were ready for our third day on our Mount Rinjani trek!

Rinjani Treking Guide: Day 3

Route: (Segara Anak Lake 2,008m – Senaru Crater Rim 2,641m)

What a difference a day makes. Half a day of resting in our tent the day before, followed by a good night’s sleep, and we were ready to climb up the other side of the caldera. As we were on a 3 night/4 day trek, we were afforded the luxury of only a 3 hour climb up the caldera side today.

If we were on a 2 night/3 day trek, we would have to climb the caldera and then descend the 5 hours back to Senaru village (601m) all in the same day. This is a big decision, and if you have time, take the 3 night option as it gives you more time to recover on the third day, plus you get to camp on the caldera rim again and enjoy the views rather than stop for a break and then leave it all behind!

Hans and our porters gave us a choice of when to begin trekking, and we opted for an 8am start as we would usually wake around 6am anyway, and we didn’t want to trek in the midday sun.

So we ate breakfast, packed our bags and began our climb to the top of the Senaru crater rim.

Climbing The Rim Of Rinjani

Relaxing On The Ridge

It was almost midday at this point, and the sun was at its ferocious best, beating down on us. Our camp was once again perched in the best location, right on the crater rim and completely alone. It was also completely exposed to the midday sun, and there was literally nowhere to escape the intense heat.

The inside of our tent was like a furnace, outside was not much better. Now we could see why our guide offered to begin climbing after lunch, to avoid this intense heat at the top. But the way we saw it, we could either bare the brunt of the heat at the top, or climb up the volcano in the same heat. Either way we were going to be hot!

Resting On The Crater Rim

This time, instead of being disappointed, we were elated! Over the next hour, the clouds whipped over us, bringing the temperature down. From nowhere, the heavens opened, and the rain lashed against the outside of our tent. Once again we were right in the middle of the clouds, the rain beating down on our tent.

We huddled inside our tent, thankful for the respite from the heat. After half an hour, the clouds partially cleared and the rain stopped.

By this point, Laura had fallen asleep, as had the porters and our guide. It was only 3pm, so the other groups coming up from Senaru hadn’t arrived at the crater summit yet. I clambered out of the tent, took my fold away seat and sat looking out on the lake below.

I felt completely alone on the ridge, my only company was a handful of birds swooping around our tent, almost like they were playing a game of who could get close to the tent without hitting it.

Admiring The Incredible View

It was a serene experience to sit atop the crater rim edge, and look out below. The volcano eerily silent, not even one other human to be seen. I sat there and pondered all that had occurred over the last couple of days, from our tough first day climb, to our failed summit attempt, to the campfire on the ridge, to the lake and our view from our tent, to the toughness of the trek and how ill I had felt the previous day.

All of this washed over me as I sat on the ridge.

After a while, Laura woke and joined me on the peak. We watched as our guide and porters stirred, and as the first groups who were only just beginning their treks began arriving from Senaru at their first night campsite. The groups we would share the ridge with that night were doing our route in the opposite direction.

We watched as they arrived after their first day, still clean and full of energy. We looked at ourselves, almost 4 days into our trek, covered head to toe in dust, bedraggled after all our trekking, the smiles on our faces beaming. Yes we were exhausted and dusty, but we were almost done! These guys still had it all to do.

Mount Rinjani Campsite Day 3

All being well, we’d be back in Senaru village and our guesthouse by the early afternoon. This was all the motivation we needed for our final push the next day.

Rinjani Trekking Guide: Day 4

Route: (Senaru Crater Rim 2,641m – Senaru Village 601m)

As always Hans briefed us on the route and difficulty for the day. We like expectations setting and he warned us that the first hour or so was the hardest. A steep descent down volcanic ash and large rocks, but that we would be rewarded by an easier 3-4 hours of final descent through thick jungle. Jungle?! We were delighted to hear it.

One of the hardest elements of the last 3 days had been the nature of the open plains often fully exposed to the intense heat of the sun. To to hear we would be protected by trees and jungle for a few hours today was music to our ears.

A Refreshing & Cool Ending To Our Mount Rinjani Trek

The jungle was a refreshing change and an extremely enjoyable way to end our Rinjani trek. We found ourselves with enough energy to practically skip through it, jumping over large tree roots all along the route. Our surprisingly fast descent afforded us with plenty time for mini-breaks along the way to enjoy our natural surroundings.

We would just sit quietly appreciating the beautiful greenery, plants, fruits and grasshopper sounds of the jungle whilst sipping on our remaining water and cookie supplies.

Trek complete!

Our 4 day trek was finally complete! We couldn’t believe it and a great sense of joy and relief washed over us as we were welcomed to celebratory high fives and hugs from our now close Indonesian trekking companions from Rudy Trekker, our wonderful guide Hans and his awesome team of porters. We couldn’t have done it without them!

All that was left was to make a final descent to Senaru village where our jeep awaited our pick up and transfer back to Rudy Trekker HQ where our long awaited hot shower waited for us. We couldn’t wait to get back now!

There’s no doubt it had been an extremely gruelling 4 days of trekking, exceeding our expectations in all kinds of ways. We’d challenged our bodies to their limits, suffered from all sorts of exhaustion, dehydration and mental doubts along the way.

But we’d also been rewarded with some of the most stunning natural scenery we have ever witnessed. It was an experience we’d never forget. We were stronger for it and delighted we’d taken on the challenge. We just might not be signing up for another trek for a while however! It was time to recover and take stock on what had been an incredible adventure.

2. What to pack for a Mount Rinjani Trekking Tour

We recommend wearing trekking trousers for all days as opposed to shorts. These protect your legs from the rocks, sun, and insect bites. They also save them from getting really dirty since you can’t take a shower for 4 days. Take plenty of clean socks too as your feet get REALLY dirty!
We used our Salomon walking shoes which were fine but high-sided walking boots would be better for ankle protection.
Warm clothing layers for the evenings as it gets chilly at the high altitude locations of the campsites. We used thermal layers plus fleece, trousers, jacket, woolly hat & gloves.
A good sun hat with string band to keep it on in the wind!
Thin gloves were handy for the cold nights. They were also great for trekking to avoid sunburnt hands and rubbing on walking poles.
Ask for or rent walking poles . I had 2 and Barry had 1 and we found these extremely helpful especially for the steep and slippy or rocky descents. Also for hauling ourselves up the steep climbing sections and the shifting volcanic ash near the summit!
Good head torches & breathable face masks for the early morning ascent to the summit. These were important for the very dusty sections. Our company provided these but not all do!
Our earplugs were very useful when we wanted to get to sleep earlier than other groups. Also good for naps on arrival to your campsite.
Earphones to listen to music in the evening.

Other Useful Things

We used our first aid kit a lot during our trek, especially rehydration sachets (to add to water). Ibuprofen and paracetamol were handy as well. Also take Bite relief cream (hydrocortisone), blister plasters and tiger balm to rub on your aching limbs each night.
High factor sunscreen and long-sleeved breathable trekking tops. The the sun is very strong on the hike, and the last thing you need to worry about is sunburn (on top of potential heat exhaustion!).
We liked having some juice sachets for an occasional change from water (as you drink so much!). Our tour company also provided the occasional coke, sprite or orange juice which was nice!
Plenty of tissues and wet wipes !

Choose your route carefully

Starting in Sembalun and ending in Senaru is easier if you are aiming to bag the summit. On this route you tackle it on the morning of day when you have more energy!

It is also a little easier if you spread the trek over 4 days/3 nights rather than just 3 days/2 to reduce the distances to trek on days 3 & 4. This is especially beneficial when you’re tired and recovering from climbing the summit!

The BEST view of the Crater Lake and Mount Rinjani peak

The best view for an epic photo of the crater lake is from the Senaru crater side.

If you don’t want to summit (or don’t have time for the full 4 day trek), a good shorter option would be a 2 or 3 day trek from Senaru village up to the Senaru crater. You could also descend to the crater lake too, if you have time.

You then return by the same route to Senaru, and enjoy the best view without needing to tackle the summit.

Do your research on trekking companies

There is a huge difference between companies on Mount Rinjani. Quality and volume of food/water supplies, tents and locations and level of English spoken by guides all vary. Some groups we met ran out of water, had poor quality tents, had to wait for porters to arrive after them etc.

Rudy Trekker gave us 5 star treatment and we would highly recommend them to anyone. (We even had a toilet tent which many other groups didn’t.)

4. Where To Stay

Recovering after your Rinjani trekking tour

Senang Private Villas, Gili Air

We stayed at Senang Private Villas, an incredible place to unwind after your Rinjani trek! We spent so much time by the pool and in our beds recovering. The staff and service was top notch, and they are very highly rated on agoda.com.

A great bonus is that Rudy Trekker will provide transportation direct to the island from their office in Senaru. Included in your tour price is a ride in their private speed boat! Yes it’s very cool!

Disclaimer: We received a discount from Rudy Trekker for our Rinjani trekking tour, but all our opinions in this article remain our own!

Get Your Trip Organised!

Book your train/bus/ferry tickets online.

We always recommend that you book your journey in advance, so you have peace of mind! We recommend using 12go.asia as they offer train, bus and ferry ticket booking online in advance! Check out your journey options and prices here and get your seat reserved!

Some of the links above are affiliate links. If you choose to book somewhere though our link, we receive a small commission. Don’t worry, it doesn’t cost you anything more. Most importantly, we only recommend companies that we use ourselves so you can trust our recommendations!

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Rinjani trekking: a complete guide to Mount Rinjani hike

view summit mount rinjani trek lombok indonesia - laugh travel eat

This is post 12 of 16 in the series “Indonesia”

Indonesia is a large country most famous for the island of Bali, which I’m also guilty of only visiting. Whether it’s climbing volcanoes or spending a week in a yoga retreat, Bali is an island that it’s hard to get tired of! Here are some of my top tips:

Nusa Penida tour: 2 days in Bali paradise
Things to do in Bali Seminyak in 36 hours: a shop + eat guide
Mount Batur Sunrise Trekking: a volcano hike
Bali on a budget: a Price Guide for Shopping, Eating, and Accommodation
Bali itinerary: 10 days of adventure for first time visitors
Ijen Bromo tour: a 3 day adventure to Mount Bromo and Ijen to Bali
Bali Glamping: an eco stay near Ubud with Sebatu Sanctuary
Ubud Yoga Retreat: a week with Shanti Toya Ashram
Bali waterfalls: 7 best waterfalls in Bali
North Bali things to do: 1.5 days around Bedugul Bali
24 things to do in Ubud Bali
Bali to Gili Islands: a transport guide + overview
Things to do in Gili Trawangan
11+ Things to do in Lombok
Jumeirah Bali – a dreamy escape in Bali

Are you planning to go Mount Rinjani trekking? A Mount Rinjani hike is a must when you visit Lombok, not to mention it’s only a short flight away from the ever-popular Bali. There are many Rinjani trekking packages online and from tour operators all over Bali and Gili Islands, and most of the time you don’t get all the information you want. I know that I certainly could do with more info before I go up!

me and sunset campsite sembalun route mount rinjani trek lombok indonesia - laugh travel eat

So this is where I – a veteran hiker in Southeast Asia – come in with my super informative guide on hiking Mount Rinjani for you:

If you are interested in more cool hikes, see my epic hikes page
For something easier, check out Mount Batur in Bali , and Bromo and Ijen in Java
Heading to Bali before or after? Check out my Bali guides .

Trekking Rinjani Essential Information

morning crater lake view senaru route campsite mount rinjani trek lombok indonesia - laugh travel eat

Do you want to hike Mount Rinjani? A lot of the blog posts, articles, and vlogs I find online don’t give me enough information on what trekking Mount Rinjani is like. This is where I come in! If you want to know all about hiking Rinjani, keep on reading:

Geology of Mount Rinjani

Mount Rinjani is the active volcano that has given rise to the island of Lombok. It lies on the divergent (moving apart) boundary of Indo and Australia plates which give rise to many other volcanoes in Indonesia and around.

crater lake view mount rinjani trek lombok indonesia - laugh travel eat

It is a relatively young volcano compared to others in its region, with rocks dating back to the Mesozoic era. The caldera, which is the depression that allows the crater lake to form, happened in 1257.

When was the last Rinjani eruption?

2018 earthquake features pos 2 to pos 3 sembalun route mount rinjani trek lombok indonesia - laugh travel eat

Mount Rinjani last erupted in 2010, although other types of volcanic activities were more recent. The earthquake in 2018 changed the hiking route and some of the landscape. If you find information pre-2018, chances are that things look quite different now.

What is Mount Rinjani known for?

Mount Rinjani is known for being the second-highest and most active volcano in Indonesia. Its highest point stands at 3762 m above sea level and the crater lake and rim are also beautiful.

Is Mount Rinjani worth it?

view of campsite mount rinjani trek lombok indonesia - laugh travel eat

While Mount Rinjani isn’t as easy as Mount Bromo or Kawah Ijen , it is a more challenging and off-the-beaten path hike with amazing crater lake views. I enjoyed the hike, but it is not for those who had not prepared physically and mentally, even with the help of the porters and guides!

I’d recommend doing the 2D1N route if you’re not sure if you can complete it as day 2 for the 3D2N tour is brutal!

How to prepare for Mount Rinjani?

Most people with a good level of fitness should be able to make it to the crater rim campsite, providing they have a pair of good trainers. However, if you are doing 3D2N and want to make sure that you won’t be struggling every step of the way, here are some suggestions:

Hike more in your home country/town before your trip. If you’re in Hong Kong, I’ve many hiking recommendations .
Try a less difficult mountain before. Here is how I rank some of my big treks: Mount Olympus, Greece -> Mount Fuji, Japan (very similar terrain) -> Mount Kinabalu, Malaysia .
Make sure you have hiking poles and the right shoes!

When to hike Rinjani?

Mount Rinjani is generally open from April until the end of December, with January being the month that would definitely be closed. This is due to the rainfall from the rainy season, making the trails slippery and unstable.

pos 4 to campsite sembalun route mount rinjani trek lombok indonesia - laugh travel eat-5

It is best to hike Mount Rinjani from June – August when visibility would be good. However, these are also the hottest months, which makes climbing harder.

How long does it take to hike Mount Rinjani?

Mount Rinjani National Park covers a huge area, and it depends on the route you take. You need to do an overnight tour in order to summit Rinjani, although you can hike to the crater rim and back down in one day.

Those who are very fit can likely do the trek in one day. However, no one-day tours are available, and given that this is an active volcano and in the tropics on a less-developed island, it’s best to take a tour.

Mount Rinjani Routes explained

There used to be only one route to hike Mount Rinjani, but nowadays, there are two starting points. This means you no longer have to do a loop trail and the 3D2N hike would take you from Sembalun to Senaru.

briefing hajar trekking mount rinjani senaru lombok indonesia - laugh travel eat

Senaru was the only official starting point but now there’s the addition of Sembalun which goes to the base camp for the summit faster. That is now the default route for all summit hikes.

There are 2 routes down with a new middle route that opened in 2021 that serves as a pilgrimage route for locals. Now it’s open to foreign tourists as a backup for coming down during bad weather or late descent option. It has many waterfalls, but given that it requires additional transport arrangements and is a similar time span to reach the Senaru crater rim. It is not something that most people take up unless absolutely necessary.

Can you swim in Mount Rinjani?

crater lake mount rinjani trek lombok indonesia - laugh travel eat

If you take the 3 day 2 night tour, you will have lunch at the crater lake on day 2. There is a hot spring nearby but you can also swim in the crater lake if you want.

However, this is a crater lake of an active volcano rich in sulfur. I would recommend not swimming there but going to the hot spring instead.

Can You Fly a Drone on Mount Rinjani

Yes, at least in Dec 2022 it is still allowed for us to fly our drone. That said, please exercise caution as the area can be busy and the signal weak on the summit.

There are risks associated with flying at high altitudes.

Mount Rinjani Trekking Tour

There is no shortage of Mount Rinjani trekking tours online and also from local tour agencies in Bali, Gili Islands, and Lombok. In general, they offer more or less the same packages with very little price difference:

2D1N or 3D2N tours
A guide and porters who will lead you, cook, and make a tent for you

motorbike taxis sembalun start mount rinjani trek lombok indonesia - laugh travel eat

Extra info: tour companies are allowed to bring two groups up per week, so it’s important to book in advance if you have a tour company you want to go with.

Hajar Trekking

We went with Hajar Trekking for our Mount Rinjani Trekking Tour. It is one of the best-rated in Lombok and runs by the Lombok native Hajar.

Hajar himself started as a hiking guide in 2000, but trekking up Rinjani didn’t become popular until 2006. It really become something to do in 2010 but with the earthquake in 2018 and then the pandemic in 2020, things have slowed down a lot.

For the two of us, we have one guide and two porters: here’s our team photo

team photo gate senaru route mount rinjani trek lombok indonesia - laugh travel eat

Our guide is Adi who is really funny. He started as a porter in 2008. The porters are Adi 2 the bodybuilder and Anton the sprinter.

How much does it cost to climb Mount Rinjani?

Considering that we have our camping gear taken up and all our meals cooked, it is surprisingly cheap. With Hajar Trekking, the cost for 2 people trekking 3D2N is 255 USD. But if you have 10+ people, it’s 215 USD.

You can see the full price list here . The cheapest option is a 2D1N hike up to the crater rim from the Senaru route, which is 195 USD for 2 people.

The tour is probably cheaper if you book locally, but it’s hard to vet the tour companies you would end up with.

Can you climb Mount Rinjani without a guide?

From what I understand, you can technically hike Mount Rinjani without a guide. However, it is difficult to do so as a foreign tourist and not recommended. While the trail is relatively established and hiked, there are still parts that are still not the safest. The tropical climate means there are bugs, plants, and wildlife that aren’t the friendliest.

Besides, without the porters, it would be difficult to carry everything up and also cook all your meals!

How much do you tip Rinjani?

porter sembalun route mount rinjani trek lombok indonesia - laugh travel eat

You are expected to tip the porters and guide at the end of the trip. This hugely depends on your experience but the minimum suggested amount is 100k per person. We tipped more especially since it was 3D2N and we had a great time with our tour company.

Getting to Lombok and Mount Rinjani

For packaged tours, generally includes pick up and drop off at the port or airport. Here is how to get to Lombok and Senaru:

Flying to Lombok

flying over lombok indonesia - laugh travel eat

Lombok has an international airport. You can get a flight from Singapore, Jakarta, or Bali fairly easily.

We made our way over from Bali, where the domestic airport is next to the international airport. It’s about 10 mins walk on the nicely paved ground if you ended up getting dropped off on the international side.

domestic airport lombok indonesia - laugh travel eat

We flew with Citilink, a budget airline with a propeller jet which was fine. Although we could only purchase 15kg of luggage instead of 20.

domestic airport lombok indonesia - laugh travel eat-2

The Hajar Trekking tour driver picked us up at the exit by the taxi and Grab Lounge and it was a roughly 3 hours drive to Senaru. You will be swamped by drivers trying to get your attention and business. But just hold your ground and refuse firmly.

Boat to Lombok

Alternatively, you can take the boat from Bali to Lombok. However, crossing can get quite tough during the rainy season. Most boats stop by Gili Islands as well, so it’s much easier to get a flight if you can.

Note: your tour company should keep your luggage for you and return it to you at Senaru on departure day.

Mount Rinjani Trekking Packing List

This is my packing list for 3D2N, with all the camping need taken care of by the tour company we went with:

mount rinjani hike packing list senaru lombok indonesia - laugh travel eat

Hiking poles – they are an absolute lifesaver. Mine are Lafuma’s but these are similar .
Hydration bladder – seriously useful because you can drink water without having to open your bag. I generally had 1.5 L of water on me for the day.
25-35L backpack, preferably with back ventilation. My sister used the Osprey 24L but the 30 L is also great. I carried a 28L Lafuma backpack .
Heat tech thermal layers for sleeping. Mine are from Uniqlo, but something like this works perfectly too.
Waterproof jacket. Mine is Lafuma, and my sisters was Black Diamond’s . I also saw people with ponchos so that works too!
1 pair of shorts and 1 pair of leggings (I wish I had another pair of leggings but it was difficult to pack!)
2 t-shirts and one long-sleeves
4 pairs of socks
Hat and cap
Wet wipes and toilet roll
Knee brace – due to knee injury
Head torch for ascent and at night. And a tent light if you have the room.
Hiking shoes – it’s better to have ankle support

I also brought my camera gear up:

Dji Mini 3 Pro Drone – flying it around both campsites is amazing
Fuji X100V Camera – best travel camera and super compact
GoPro – for timelapse and action shot

This would be difficult with a 25-30L bag, so you either need someone to help you carry some of it, or have a 40-45L backpack.

What should I wear to Mount Rinjani?

mount rinjani hike outfit senaru lombok indonesia - laugh travel eat

Mount Rinjani isn’t as cold as other hikes. I felt much colder in Mount Kinabalu and Mount Fuji. Day 1 and Day 3 are doable in shorts, but I do recommend having thermal layers for sleeping, and also fleece for the summit.

I ended up wearing too much on the summit hike as I expected it to be super cold, but even in December it was okay since we were moving. However, it is still cold at night!

Mount Rinjani Trekking Experience

Now that we have covered the essential information, it’s time to share my experience of hiking the second most active volcano in Indonesia.

Day 0: Arrival in Lombok and Senaru

Yes, the Mount Rinjani trip starts with day 0 – aka the arrival day. We landed in Lombok in the early afternoon and were able to find our driver, who had our name on a sign.

From the airport, it’s a 2.5-3 hour drive to Senaru. There is signal all of the way and we saw some lovely views of the sea and rice paddies.

Hajar himself was waiting for us in Senaru, specifically Pondok Senaru Cottages where we would stay the night. There is no Wi-Fi, but it is a nice basic simple room with a great view and places to charge our devices.

welcome drink Pondok Senaru Cottages hajar trekking mount rinjani senaru lombok indonesia - laugh travel eat

He gave us a briefing on what to expect, although there is no elevation information… I’ll be giving you those!

After a welcome drink and settling in, we went out for dinner, which is not included in the tour package.

Dinner at Cafe Rifka

Cafe Rifka senaru lombok indonesia - laugh travel eat-2

Cafe Rifka is just across the road from the cottage and one of the highest-rated places to eat in Senaru. The prices were around 20-50 000 rupiah with Indonesia and international food choices.

We spent 140k for two, getting a large bottle of water for 8k.

We went to bed at 9 pm after packing our bags.

Day 1: Sembalun to Rim

We woke up at 6 am to finish packing and went up to get breakfast at the cottage. They had a good selection of food and we ordered banana pancakes and omelets respectively. There was also ginger tea!

breakfast Pondok Senaru Cottages senaru lombok indonesia - laugh travel eat

Our guide Adi arrived while we were having breakfast and introduced himself. We made sure to use the bathroom before leaving our luggage and hopping on the open back trunk.

Set off to Sembalun

transport and team mount rinjani trek senaru lombok indonesia - laugh travel eat

It takes an hour to get from Senaru to Sembalun, so it’s best to settle in for the ride with a shirt or jacket. Adi had already proven to be hilarious and we got to know the porters as well on the ride.

Sembalun ascent route takes us much closer to the summit and the village itself is higher in elevation.

medical check mount rinjani trek senaru lombok indonesia - laugh travel eat

You need to get a medical check and then sign in at the geopark office before heading to the official starting point. Our guide did all the registration and check-in for us. And we managed to use the bathroom at the medical check location.

Sembalun Trail Start

entrance sembalun start mount rinjani trek lombok indonesia - laugh travel eat

We arrived at the starting point at roughly 8:30. There is a big sign and we can see the plain rising up to the peak of Mount Rinjani in front. It was quite sunny and I was happy to be in shorts.

entrance to bridge sembalun route mount rinjani trek lombok indonesia - laugh travel eat

The hike for the first hour is relatively flat and nice. We went down for a little bit and also through some forests. We paused at a bridge where a dry river gets very full during the wet season peak.

entrance to bridge sembalun route mount rinjani trek lombok indonesia - laugh travel eat-4

It didn’t take us long to reach pos 1 after.

pos 1 to pos 2 sembalun route mount rinjani trek lombok indonesia - laugh travel eat

We also saw quite a few motorbike riders taking people up. This seems to be a popular option with domestic tourists.

pos 1 to pos 2 sembalun route mount rinjani trek lombok indonesia - laugh travel eat-4

You can only take it as far as Pos 2 where there is a river to cross on foot.

starting point to pos 2 Sembalun Route Mount Rinjani trekking Lombok Indonesia

Pos 2 Lunch Stop

cooking stations pos 2 sembalun route mount rinjani trek lombok indonesia - laugh travel eat

We got to pos 2 at 10:30 and most if not all of the porters have already arrived and started cooking. It really felt like a giant picnic but with a full meal. Our guide and porters secured a corner of a pavilion for us and we chatted with a fellow hiker as we waited for our food.

monkey at pos 2 sembalun route mount rinjani trek lombok indonesia - laugh travel eat

There are a lot of monkeys around waiting to snatch food (or scrapes) from us. Our hiking poles came in very handy to scare them off!

lunch pos 2 sembalun route mount rinjani trek lombok indonesia - laugh travel eat

It took an hour before we got any food but it was well worth it. We had fried chicken, tempeh, prawn crackers, stir-fried vegetables, and egg with rice. And also fruits and tea.

toilet block pos 2 sembalun route mount rinjani trek lombok indonesia - laugh travel eat

Note: there is a bathroom section but you have to pay 5k rupiah to use it.

Pos 2 to Pos 3

We departed at 12 and continued to pos 3. There is a Pos 2.9 and Pos 3 was only 25-30 mins from pos 2. There is a cute gorge nearby and it has two pavilions.

Pos 3 to Pos 4

From pos 3 to pos 4 is tougher but still not too bad. It is steeper but most of the footing is ok.

pos 4 sembalun route mount rinjani trek lombok indonesia - laugh travel eat

We got to pos 4 just before 2 pm and took a 15 mins break.

Pos 4 to Campsite

Pos 4 to the campsite is the longest and hardest part with a rickety ladder involved. The final stretch is foresty but it’s still really steep and the footing is a lot less sure.

pos 4 to campsite sembalun route mount rinjani trek lombok indonesia - laugh travel eat-4

Most hikers arrive around 4 pm. We arrived at 3:30ish and it was completely foggy. This is the most popular campsite so there were many many hikers.

campsite sembalun route mount rinjani trek lombok indonesia - laugh travel eat

Generally, the tents are for hikers and porters and guides stay in a green cover thing.

pos 2 to campsite Sembalun Route Mount Rinjani trekking Lombok Indonesia

Sunset and Dinner

We had free time to unpack and unwind in our tent or around the campsite. The signal reception comes and goes there, but I actually managed to Facetime for a while.

campsite sembalun route mount rinjani trek lombok indonesia - laugh travel eat-2

The tent is also very comfortable. It was spacious for two with a sleeping mat, sleeping bag, and pillow. The only thing they don’t have that we’d like is a camping light. But we used our headtorch which works just as well.

sunset panorama campsite sembalun route mount rinjani trek lombok indonesia - laugh travel eat

All of the hikers camp along this ridge so it is quite crowded. The view is not guaranteed during the rainy season, but it is cleared for sunset for the most surreal view.

drone shot sunset campsite sembalun route mount rinjani trek lombok indonesia - laugh travel eat

Our dinner that night was also fantastic – a coconty tofu curry with rice.

dinner campsite sembalun route mount rinjani trek lombok indonesia - laugh travel eat

We went to bed at around 7pm but the campsite was slightly noisy so it was not as easy to sleep.

Day 2: Summit Ascent, Senaru Rim camp

Early morning ascent.

The usual wake-up time is 2 am. But to be on the safe side, we got up at 1:30 am after a discussion with Adi the night before.

ascent summit breakfast mount rinjani trek lombok indonesia - laugh travel eat

Breakfast was a nice cheesy and egg toast and some ginger tea, then we set off at 2:13 am. We had to go up a ridge, then horizontally slightly inclined up, then up to the peak.

campsite to summit mount rinjani trek lombok indonesia - laugh travel eat

Don’t underestimate the difficulty, though it was less cold than expected given we had to hike up a steep incline. The first part was brutal as we passed by more campers and then up very steep volcanic ash terrain.

campsite to summit mount rinjani trek lombok indonesia - laugh travel eat-3

There were people who woke up later and earlier than us, and we got to the first unofficial rest stop at 4:11. That was probably the start of the flatter ridge.

But the ascent up to the peak was equally brutal and the sky slowly lighted. We got to the peak at just past 6 am.

Mount Rinjani Summit

photo at view summit mount rinjani trek lombok indonesia - laugh travel eat

The peak isn’t a huge area but it does offer a 360-degree view. Most people are by the crater lake view, but the sunrise is actually on the other side.

view summit mount rinjani trek lombok indonesia - laugh travel eat-3

There was no sunrise for us. It simply got lighter because the sun was up behind the clouds. But it is still a pretty epic view of just clouds.

sunrise direction summit mount rinjani trek lombok indonesia - laugh travel eat

Note: I tried to fly my drone but it couldn’t find any satellite. It was also a bit chaotic as more people arrived so I decided to abandon the thought.

Fun (or rather shocking) fact: according to our guide Adi, only 50% of people actually summit. Most people decided to quit on the way up.

The descent back to campsite + breakfast

We started the descent at 6:30 am, staying the recommended 30 minutes (preferably less). Now that it is completely bright, we can actually see the way up including the crater lake.

summit back to campsite mount rinjani trek lombok indonesia - laugh travel eat

The volcanic ash might be hell to come up, but going down is much easier. The trick is to use the poles, dig in with your heels, and let yourself slide down.

summit back to campsite mount rinjani trek lombok indonesia - laugh travel eat-4

I kept stopping here and there to take photos because the view is just incredible. The way down was longer than I remember, which might be why they make you go up in darkness. That way, you won’t know how long you have to go!

There is a part at the beginning of the ascent aka the end of the descent that I hated, which is below pictured with Adi.

summit back to campsite mount rinjani trek lombok indonesia - laugh travel eat-8

We got back to the campsite at 8:27 am where our breakfast burger with *gasps* fries was waiting for us. It was absolutely delicious.

full breakfast campsite sembalun mount rinjani trek lombok indonesia - laugh travel eat

It took me a little longer to pack than I’d liked. We didn’t start going down to crater lake until 9:32 am. A lot of people have opted to go down to Sembalun instead of carrying on for the 3D2N hike. It is an option that you best decide then.

Descent to Crater Lake

campsite sembalun to crater lake mount rinjani trek lombok indonesia - laugh travel eat

The descent to crater lake was right on the route that went up to the summit. It is steeper than I expected but the view was still clear for the while.

The trail was a mix of rocks, dirt, and some steps here and there. We even had to use the ropes at one point.

There are some bridges and rock rivers to cross, and overall it was a bit hard on the knees but not too exhausting.

We made it to the crater lake shore just before noon.

campsite sembalun to crater lake mount rinjani trekking lombok indonesia

There is a hot spring area close by about 10-15 minute walk. But be warned that it is also up and down plus smells strongly of sulfur. It started raining just as we got there so it did not turn out to be the most relaxing visit.

lunch at crater lake mount rinjani trek lombok indonesia - laugh travel eat-2

We return to the lake shore where our lunch is now under the green tarp. It was hot noodles with vegetables and egg plus fruits.

We ended up setting off at 2:21 pm – I really would have skipped the hotspring and gone up earlier.

Ascent to Crater Rim Camp 2

crater lake to senaru route campsite mount rinjani trek lombok indonesia - laugh travel eat

The ascent starts with us walking along the lake shore which is a bit more adventurous than expected. The rain did not help.

Then it was up through a boulder river that turns into a dirt trail. While it is only a 2.5-3.5 hours hike up, don’t underestimate the tiredness and steepness since you’d have hiked 8 hours or so by then.

It’s essential (and best) to get up before sunset as there is a metal ladder and chances of falling rocks. But we do know of a group who had to do 20 minutes in darkness.

We arrived at 5:53 pm where our tent was already set up. The campsite is at 2643+ m with a more direct view of the smoldering volcano in the crater lake and of the summit.

crater lake to senaru campsite mount rinjani trekking lombok indonesia

Dinner and sleep

We got our amazing Nasi Goreng (fried rice) dinner at 7 pm, ate, and promptly went to sleep. If the weather is nice (during the summer season it should more or less be), it’s a good view from here and probably good to fly your drone or take photos.

nasi goreng dinner senaru route campsite mount rinjani trek lombok indonesia - laugh travel eat

The campsite is a lot quieter since most people have opted out of 3D2N or are only on 2D1N. The highest hill has a direct view of the smoldering caldera, but otherwise, the trees do sort of block it.

Day 3: Descent to Senaru

Breakfast and departure from camp.

senaru route campsite mount rinjani trek lombok indonesia - laugh travel eat

We woke up around 6 am to find that the rain has stopped! We had breakfast and I quickly flew my drone for a nice view.

day 3 breakfast senaru route campsite mount rinjani trek lombok indonesia - laugh travel eat

Campsite to Pos 4

We began a descent at 7:07 am. We had to go slightly up around a hill with a view of Bali from afar before descending.

view of bali senaru route campsite mount rinjani trek lombok indonesia - laugh travel eat

The initial downhill stretch was very rocky with difficult footing, then it gave way to a dirt path which really isn’t too bad.

The Senaru route is not as gentle as the Sembalun route with an overall higher elevation. But it also has different rest stops – pos 1 – 4.

Pos 4 to Pos 3

pos 3 to pos 4 senaru route mount rinjani trek lombok indonesia - laugh travel eat

Note: there are many leeches that pop out after rain so watch your footing.

Pos 3 to Pos 2

We even saw the remnant of a pavilion that has slid into the jungle during the 2018 earthquake!

pos 3 to pos 2 senaru route mount rinjani trek lombok indonesia - laugh travel eat

Pos 2 to Pos 1

Pos 1 to Gate

Depending on your guide and porters, and also the groups in front and behind you, your lunch spot would be close to the gate.

We actually ended up eating lunch in front of the gate after signing out of the park. There is a bathroom but it is sort of grimey.

Our porters were already preparing our food and we arrived at the gate at 11:23 am. Our final meal was Mi Goreng – fried noodles – with tempeh, fried chicken, prawn crackers, and egg rolls.

lunch at gate senaru route mount rinjani trek lombok indonesia - laugh travel eat

And fruits, of course.

Departure to Senaru

Usually, the pick-up will come all the way to the gate. However, because of the heavy rain, we had to walk out.

final exit senaru route mount rinjani trek lombok indonesia - laugh travel eat

This part of the road was actually quite slippery so I did end up slipping. But Adi helped me out and we were on the way to Senaru to pick up our luggage in no time.

Leaving Senaru

The driver who picked us up at the airport was waiting for us. We had time to change quickly after reuniting with our luggage.

We decided to stay in Lombok for two more nights to rest and it was a 2 hours drive to Sengitgit. Most people also opt to go to Kuta, a surf town on the other side of the island which was a 4 hours drive.

Generally, people arrive at the gate between 12-3pm. This really depends on how fast you hike.
Between picking up your luggage and transfer, it can be difficult to take the ferry to Bali (via Gili islands). So you should stay on Lombok or at most to Gili Islands. Although if you are not sure how fast you can finish the hike, I would not aim to get to Gili on the same day.

Looking to trek Mount Rinjani on Lombok? It's right next to Bali and the second most active volcano in Indonesia with a stunning view. But if you want to hike it, you need to be prepared and I'll tell you how: #mountrinjani #hiking #indonesia

Hi, my name is Nam. I am 24 and spent half my life in Hong Kong and the other half in UK. I believe there's endless experience and beauty in the world and this is me chronicling how to experience the best at the best price.

2 thoughts on “ Rinjani trekking: a complete guide to Mount Rinjani hike ”

Waow nice article…

Hi there thank you for your great article. I would like to hike Mt rinjani next month..

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Hiking Mount Rinjani In Lombok: A Complete Guide

By: Author Charlie Pauly

Posted on Last updated: 16 September 2024

Categories Indonesia

Home » Indonesia » Hiking Mount Rinjani In Lombok: A Complete Guide

Hiking Mount Rinjani in Lombok is the most rewarding challenge available on the island. So here’s everything you need to know when visiting.

How To Get To Mount Rinjani

The main starting point for Mount Rinjani Trekking is just an hours drive from the town of Senaru.

Senaru is a small town on a hill, with a few scattered restaurants and shops, and gives access to Tiu Kelep Waterfall & Sendang Gile Waterfall .

Most trekkers tend to stay in Senaru a night before and a night after the big hike. A dedicated guide will collect you from your guesthouse on the morning of the trek at around 7am.

For those short on time, or that prefer everything to be organised for them, there are some awesome tours on Get Your Guide available to book in advance.

Mount Rinjani Trek Options

There are 3 main Mount Rinjani Trekking options:

2 Day 1 Night Mount Rinjani Trek

For those short on time or solely interested in climbing the summit and getting back down to safe ground again.

You trek all day to the crater rim, stopping throughout for snacks and lunch, where you set up camp ready for an early rise the next morning.

You start at 2am and complete the 3 hour trek to the Mount Rinjani summit just in time for a beautiful sunrise.

After sunrise you head back down to camp for breakfast before heading back down to Senaru to complete the trek.

3 Day 2 Night Mount Rinjani Trek

For the whole experience packed into a compact package.

After sunrise you head back down to camp for breakfast before visiting the lake and hot springs and heading back up another peak to set up camp for another night.

Finally you set off at 6am and head back down to Senaru on a 6 hour trek to town.

4 Day 3 Night Mount Rinjani Trek

For those with plenty of time and that want to take their time and not kill their bodies.

After enjoying the sunrise and breakfast you commence your descent into the crater.

You stop for lunch on the shore of Lake Segara Anak and set up camp.

The afternoon can be spent swimming in the hot springs, fishing, exploring the lakeshore or simply relaxing.

After a leisurely morning you enjoy lunch on the lakeshore before commencing your climb out of the crater.

You camp the night at the crater rim ready for a 2am summit climb.

Trekking Mount Rinjani Lombok Mt Rinjani

Who Shall I Book My Mount Rinjani Trek With?

As soon as you arrive on the island you’ll come to realise that climbing Mount Rinajni is one of the highlights of things to do in Lombok . So if you have time, make sure to add it to your Lombok itinerary .

There are endless tours and agencies to book your Mount Rinjani tour with.

We booked our 3D2N Mount Rinjani Trekking Tour with Jou Trekking and cannot recommend them enough!

They provide transfers to and from any location in Lombok, a nights accommodation before the trek in an A/C room with hot water and send you fully equipped with jackets, poles and PLENTY of food and water!

The guides and porters that carry the camping gear were extremely friendly and spoke great English and Jou was a credit to his company!

You can check out all of their tours via the Jou Trekking website.

What To Pack

Honestly do not underestimate this trek.

Most equipment can be rented from your tour guide but here’s what we recommend taking.

To Rent From Your Guide

Trekking shoes

A thick jacket

A trekking pole

Torch or flashlight (you’ll need one at 2am when you start walking)

To Take Yourself

Plenty of warm clothes and layers

Toiletries (you won’t be showering but brushing your teeth is a luxury)

Swimwear and flip flops (for the lake and at camp)

What To Expect Trekking Mount Rinjani

So off we set on our 3 day 2 night trekking Rinjani experience.

Much harder than the short Mount Batur hike in Bali, this was one of the toughest few days of our lives but what an achievement it was at the finishing line!

With no previous trekking experience, and having sat around Canggu eating avocado for the past 5 months, we’ll let the photos tell the story.

Where To Stay In Senaru

Rinjani Lodge

Featuring a restaurant and an outdoor pool, Rinjani Lodge is located 0.6 mi away from Rinjani National Park and the traditional Sasak Village of Dusun Senari.

It houses well appointed rooms with private terraces overlooking the mountain and surrounding greenery. Free WiFi is accessible in all areas.

Air-conditioned rooms in Rinjani Lodge come fitted with a desk, safe and a flat-screen satellite TV with DVD player. A fridge and electric kettle are also among the amenities.

Each private semi open bathroom includes a bathtub, towels and free toiletries.

Rudy Trekker

Providing free WiFi, a sun terrace with a swimming pool, restaurant and garden, Rudy Trekker is located in Senaru.

There is free private parking and the property provides paid airport shuttle service.

At the guesthouse each room is equipped with a private bathroom.

Guests at Rudy Trekker can enjoy a continental breakfast.

Bukit Senaru Homestay

Located in Senaru, 21 miles from Tiu Teja Waterfall, Bukit Senaru Homestay has accommodations with a bar, free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and room service.

This self-catered family stay has a garden and free private parking.

The family stay is composed of a fully equipped kitchen, and 3 bathrooms.

The family stay offers an Asian or halal breakfast.

For more places to stay in Senaru, you can check the latest prices on Booking.com.

Planning Your Trip

Book your flight.

Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight.

They search websites and airlines around the globe to find you the best possible routes and prices.

Book Your Accommodation

Use Booking.com to find the best accommodation deals.

They consistently return the cheapest rates on everything from guesthouses to hotels for all of your budget needs.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance

Use SafetyWing to find the best travel insurance for you.

They provide travel and medical incident insurance built specifically for digital nomads.

Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations.

Book Your Tours & Activities

Use GetYourGuide to book your activities in advance.

They sell the best tours, excursions and activities to attractions around the world.

Conveniently book, download and access your tickets on the move all from your mobile.

Book Your Rental Car

Use RentalCars.com to find the best deals on rental cars in the area.

They compare all major car rental companies and allow you to easily book the perfect vehicle for your trip.

Buy Those Last Minute Bits

Use Amazon to buy everything you need for your adventure.

They offer next day delivery and you can use my travel packing checklist to make sure you haven’t forgotten anything.

Pin It For Later

Thursday 28th of March 2024

Nice picture and looks really good article

Tuesday 27th of September 2022

good writing for mount rinjani, we hope many hiker visit mount rinjani

Charlie Pauly

Monday 3rd of October 2022

Lune rinjani

Tuesday 2nd of August 2022

Thank you very much. For kind to share the great information for Mount rinjani Volcano. For Sure Is very Informative and good information. Here I am Lune working Be trek Organizers said Very Thank you very much for lovely articles. Kind Regards Lune Rinjani

Thursday 4th of August 2022

Absolutely no problem! Climbing Mount Rinjani was incredible and a huge achievement!

Dhyns Rinjani hiking

Monday 23rd of May 2022

Hi thanks for sharing your experience on mount rinjani with one of trek organizers in senaru. Hopefully by share your experience we have more and more customers. We are also trekking organizer based on senaru village call Dhyns Rinjani Hiking

Wednesday 25th of May 2022

No worries! We had an amazing experience and would love to visit and climb Rinjani again at some point!

Tuesday 23rd of April 2019

Nice Post, I enjoyed while I had a nice Coffee and Avocado-Salat in the Gu ;)... Planing the next Trek in Indo. Cheers J

IMAGES

Lombok
2 Days Mount Rinjani Trekking Tour Indonesia, Indonesia
MOUNT RINJANI TREKKING in Lombok
Mount Rinjani 3 Day Trek from Sembalun
Trekking Mount Rinjani package and tours in Lombok Island
RINJANI 3 DAY TREK FAVORITE

VIDEO

trek rinjani
Down trek from Rinjani Summit 3726 Masl
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Mt. Rinjani Trek
Climbing Mt. Rinjani
Trek to Mount Rinjani Indonesia

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Mount Rinjani Trekking In Lombok - A Complete Guide - Jonny Melon
Mount Rinjani Trekking begins in Senaru Lombok, a small mountainside village at the base of Indonesia’s second-largest active volcano, which is a whopping 3,726 meters above sea level. I have put together this complete guide to hiking Mount Rinjani including how to get there, where to book a Rinjani trekking tour, and my personal experience ...
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Mount Rinjani Trek Detailed Guide and Time Milestones. Start: Senaru (600m elevation) End: Crater Rim (2600m elevation) Day 0 – Lombok Waterfalls in Senaru. If you arrive in Lombok with at least 2-3 hours to spare before sunset, you might want to visit the waterfalls.
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Mount Rinjani trekking on Lombok Island was a highlight of our month-long trip in Indonesia. During 3 days on the trek, we were rewarded with views of Lombok Island, a crater lake and several active volcanoes formed on top.
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This Rinjani trekking guide will take you through our complete experience of this epic trek. It includes a summary of each day, what to pack and our top tips for a successful Mount Rinjani trek. To book your travel to Lombok in advance, we recommend you use 12go.asia to book online in advance.
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Hiking Mount Rinjani In Lombok: A Complete Guide - Charlie Pauly
Hiking Mount Rinjani in Lombok is the most rewarding challenge available on the island. So here’s everything you need to know when visiting. How To Get To Mount Rinjani. The main starting point for Mount Rinjani Trekking is just an hours drive from the town of Senaru.

The Ultimate Mount Rinjani Trekking Guide (2024 Update)

Why Do a Rinjani Trek?

How to Plan Your Epic Mount Rinjani Trekking Adventure

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Other Essential Questions To Ask About Your Rinjani Trekking Package

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Mount Rinjani Trekking In Lombok – A Complete Guide

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Ultimate Guide to Mount Rinjani Trek – What To Expect

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Mount Rinjani trek – important locations

Mount Rinjani

Sembalun Crater rim

Rinjani Summit

Segara Anak lake

Hot springs

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Torean Valley

Mount Rinjani hiking trails

Mount Rinjani via Senaru

Mount Rinjani via Sembalun

Senaru or Sembalun?

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Best hotels in Senaru

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Rinjani Lighthouse

Rinjani Lodge

Mount Rinjani trekking tour

Mount Rinjani trekking price

Mount Rinjani tipping

Can you climb Mount Rinjani without a guide?

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What about Mt Batur sunrise hike?

Mount Rinjani via Sembalun 3D2N itinerary

Day 0 – arrival at Senaru

Day 1 – Sembalun to Crater Rim base camp

Day 2 – Hike to summit, Segara Anak lake and hot springs

Mount Rinjani summit

Segara Anak Lake and hot springs

Day 3 – Torean Valley to Torean village

Camping during Mount Rinjani hike

What’s the food like?

What to pack for Mount Rinjani hike