The first time I read about trekking to Mount Rinjani, it shrouded me with fear, nervousness and a tinge of excitement. Indonesia, being on ‘Ring of Fire’, is a land of active volcanoes. Such an active volcano is Mount Rinjani, the second-tallest. Within this mountain is a crescent-shaped lake filled with Sulphur and mount Baru (new mountain), created by a series of volcanic eruptions in the '90s.

The biggest reasons that I made to Lombok in 2019 was - Adventurous-me wanting to do something daring and different while embracing the fear of discomfort. Reading more on how thousands of travels conquer the beautiful mount Rinjani every year, I thought this is what I was seeking.

Trekking to Mount Rinjani was tricky and difficult. The trail passed through dense forest, dusty barren savannas and almost 45-degree rocky ascent to the Crater Rim. Even though my body was shouting with pain in the last few miles, it was the quest of unearthly Mount Rinjani that kept me moving.

After almost 8 hours of climb, we saw the magnificent, sacred mount Rinjani. It was an otherworldly experience that I am going to remember, forever! The star-lit night sky, the orange and red sky at sundown and sunrise was simply beautiful.

If you are planning to trek to Mount Rinjani, I know you must be having so many questions like can you trek to Mount Rinjani without guide, what is the difficulty level for trekking to Mount Rinjani, is Mount Rinjani open for trekking to earthquake, which tour company to choose for trekking to Mount Rinjani, etc. This blog is gonna answer all your questions. Here is my favorite sunrise and sunset picture from the Senaru crater Rim.

Quick Navigation for the blog

Routes for trekking to Mount Rinjani
How many days are needed for trekking Mount Rinjani
Best time for trekking to Mount Rinjani
Mount Rinjani trekking difficulty level
Mount Rinjani trekking cost
Mount Rinjani trekking companies
My detailed itinenary for trekking to Mount Rinjani
Essential items to carry for Mount Rinjani trekking
Food on Mount Rinjani climb
Mount Rinjani trekking tips
Mount Rinjani accommodation
Things to do after trekking to Mount Rinjani

1. Senaru village in North Lombok

2. Sembalun village in North Lombok

3. Air Berik in Central Lombok

4. Timbanuh in East Lombok

Each of the trek routes is different and unique in itself. Here is a brief comparison between all the routes:

Are you confused about which trail to choose? Let me help you! Since trekking till summit is officially closed from all the routes and you can only trek till the crater rim, all the routes in that aspect are same.

• You can trek through Air Berik or Timbanuh if you want to enjoy the forest and flora and fauna of Lombok.

• If you are looking for beautiful rice fields and do not mind the harsh sun, go for Sembalun route.

• If you are looking for a comparatively easier trek and the beautiful view of the lake and the volcano, choose Senaru trail.

I had chosen the Senaru trail because of the crater rim view of the volcano and the lake.

Before the earthquake in August 2018, there were multiple options for trekking to Mount Rinjani in terms of itinerary like 3D1N, 4D3N, 2D1N, etc. However, after the earthquake, trekking to the summit is closed and there is one choice available from all the routes - ie 2D1N with camping at the crater rim. So you will need 2 days and 1 night for trekking to Mount Rinjani.

There is an option of a one-day trek to Crater Rim where you do not camp at the Rim and come down the same day. You can also explore the night trek where you start from the base in the night and reach Mount Rinjani crater rim for sunrise. After the sunrise, you start the descent. – One-day trek to Mount Rinjani and night trek to Mount Rinjani, both the options are tough and consider it only if you are extremely fit.

Here is a map for your reference - You can only trek till the crater rim. You are not allowed to trek to the lake/ hot spring and the summit.

Trekking to Mount Rinjani is officially closed from January to March as it is the wet season in Lombok. The trekking is open from April till late December.

The best time for trekking to Mount Rinjani is April to October. Avoid trekking on a weekend as the number of trekkers will be high trekkers on a weekend.

Trekking to Mount Rinjani is a difficulty, especially from the crater rim to the summit, the climb becomes extremely tough. 

Trekking from Base to Crater Rim is also difficult and require a lot of patience. You have to walk for at least 7-8 hours or more depending on your speed. If you choose Senaru or Sembalun route, the trail will become rocky, dusty and slippery which makes the trek even more difficult.

I am not a pro or seasonal trekker but was able to finish the trek in 7 hours. We had started the trek at 7:30 AM in the morning and had reached the Crater Rim at 2:30 PM. We did take multiple breaks of around 1 hour. Also, I did not feel any altitude sickness at the crater rim.

Having said this, at the end of the trek, I was extremely tired and had muscle pain. I will recommend you to take the trek slow from the beginning and walk at your own pace. Take breaks and also prepare for the trek in advance by running or exercise.

The cost for trekking to Mount Rinjani varies from USD 100 (INR 7000) to USD 200 (INR 15000) depending upon the number of people in the group and which trekking company you are opting for.

If you chose a private tour, where you will have your own porter and guide, the cost will be on a higher side. If you already have a bigger group or joining a shared group, the cost will reduce accordingly.

It is really important that you chose the right trekking company as safety is extremely critical for trekking to a mountain like Rinjani. This takes me another appoint – which company to choose for trekking to Mount Rinjani.

After doing some research and going through reviews online, I had chosen Halomi trekker. The guys were extremely professional and friendly. The moment we reached their office they offered us special Lombok coffee and explained to us in detail about the trail and the trek. The guide was friendly and patient too. The porter collected all the trash and did not litter at all.

Halomi trekker had included the below in the package –

• Pick up from any part of Lombok to the base camp (Senaru or Sembalun whichever you choose)

• One night stay at a homestay before you start your trek including breakfast in the morning

• An English speaking experienced and licensed guide

• Pick up from your homestay in the morning and drop at the starting point of the trek

• All meals/ snacks/ energy bars/ unlimited drinking water during the 2 days’ trek

• Tent, Sleeping mat, sleeping bag, a portable pillow, portable chair.

• The porter will carry your budget tent guide by Globo Surf, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, food, cooking equipment, eater, etc. All you will need to do is carry your personal belongings.

• Drop at any part of Lombok after the trek (Kuta/ airport/ Tetebatu/ Gili Islands etc).

There are other hundreds of tour organizer in Lombok. Here are a few things, you should keep in mind while choosing your trekking company-

• Trash treatment – I have seen many guide and porters leaving all the trash at the mountain after the camp night. Please make sure you ask the trekking company on how do they deal with the trash.

• The trekking company should have an operating license from the government

• The kind of guide will they provide – The more experienced the better.

We had arrived Senaru at around 8 PM in the night. Next day we got up at 6 and had breakfast at the guesthouse. Here is my detailed itinerary for the trek from Senaru. Similar Itinerary is followed if you trek from Sembalun !

We took breaks after achieving each milestone. Here are a few pictures from our trek.

There are two extremely beautiful waterfalls in North Lombok Sendang Gile and Tiu Kelep which you can explore either before or after the trek. Since we had reached late to the base camp, we went to the waterfalls after the trek.

The trekking gear is provided by the trekking companies. All you will need to carry is your personal belonging. I will recommend you to carry just the important items and leave the extra luggage behind at your hotel/ office of the trekking company. We had just carried our day backpack and had left the luggage with Halomi guys.

Here is a list of items you must carry for your trek to Mount Rinjani.

Must carry items for trekking to Mount Rinjani

• Comfortable trekking shoes – Having good trekking shoes is extremely important. You will continually be walking for hours and the trail is difficult with rocks in a major part. Make sure the shoes are not new, getting shoe bites on a trek is a serious pain. I was using the trekking shoes from Decathlon.

• Socks

• 2 Trek pants –Since some part of the trek is dusty, hence, will be good to carry two pair of trek pants to change the next day.

• 2 Tee shirt/ tank top – You do not wanna be wearing the same sweaty tee-shirt the next day. So carry one extra tee-shirt to change for the next day for climbing down.

• A windcheater – It was extremely misty and windy in the evening at the crater rim. It will be good to carry a windcheater.

• Warmer – Honestly, I was shivering at the crater in the night and regretted not carrying the warmer. The temperature went down approx. 6-7 degrees. Hence, will be good to carry a thin layer of warmer to wear below the jacket.

• A warm jacket – Only the warmers will not help you during the night. You must carry a good warm jacket. I was wearing a jacket inside my sleeping bag.

• A backpack to keep essential items for the trek – Take a backpack which can support you back and is comfortable.

• A headlight (MUST for the night)

• Trek Pole/ Walking stick – Having a trekking pole helps tremendously. Especially when you climb down. Check with your trekking company, some of them do provide trek pole for free :).

• Sun hat/ cap

• Sunblock – The sun is harsh on the savannas. You should carry a good sun protector of SPF 50+.

• Toiletries as per your needs – Do carry tissue paper and sanitizer as there will be no source of water during the trek and at the crater rim. Consider carrying biodegradable tissue papers :)

• Pain relief spray

Other Items you can consider carrying -

• A small towel.

• First Aid essentials (Band-aids, etc)

• Raincoat – especially If you are trekking right before or after the wet season. There may be some chances of rain/ drizzle and you would not want your clothes to be wet.

• Flip-flops – After reaching the summit, you will not want to make your hands dirty every time tying the shoelaces. Flip-flops will be a good saviour.

• Pollution masks – some part of the trail is extremely dusty. If you are allergic to dust, you may have a tough time and a mask will help. Also, since Mount Rinjani is an active volcano, the mask will help in uncertain times.

Here is quick packing list for trekking to Rinjani. Save it for later reference-

Generally, the meal consists of chicken (tofu and vegetable for vegetarians), rice, noodles, banana fries, etc. They also give fruits, energy bars, drinks, coffee, tea with every meal! The food was super delicious and more than expected for a two days’ trek.

Tips:

Vegetarian folks - If you are vegetarian/ vegan like me, make sure you inform your trekking company at least one day in advance since they arrange for food the night before the trek.

Eat good food – Walking for hours is no joke. Do eat your meal properly as you gotta need lots of energy.

Energy bars – If you do not want to eat fried food, consider carrying some high protein energy bars! Honestly, I did carry some but did not use them!

• Bring you trash back - Since hundreds of travelers climb Mount Rinjani every day, you will inevitably find plastic bottles/ bags, etc on the trail and at the crater rim. I am sure you will not want to add more to the trash. Hence, carry a bag and collect all your trash from and do not forget to bring it back to the base.

• Prepare for the trek – If you are not a seasonal trekker or do not exercise at all, you must start preparing for the trek in advance. I had started running 3km every day a month before the trek. Being fit for the trek helps you in enjoying the trail and the summit much more.

• Pack light – Do not carry anything which you will not need for the trek and pack as light as possible.

• Be mentally prepared for an uncertain situation – Mount Rinjani is an active volcano and earthquake in Lombok are frequent. Trekking to Mountain Rinjani is once in a lifetime experience and you must be mentally prepared for any uncertainties.

Restaurants and Cafes around Senaru

Senaru and Sembalun do not have any fancy cafés or restaurants. Most of the restaurants are family run and offer mainly Indonesian cuisines. I really liked ‘Waroeng Senaru’, you can surely check out this place for some good food.

• Trek to Pergasingan Hill

In case after trekking to Mount Rinjani, you still have some energy left and want to spend another night at the mountain, trek to Pergasingan Hills. Pergasingan Hill is in Sembalun village and has such a beautiful view of Rinjani and village valley.

Read my detailed blog on Pergasingan Hill here.

Spend a night in Tetebatu village

If you want to relax, take a dip in secret waterfalls and experience the authentic Sasak culture, go to Tetebatu village.

Read my detailed blog on Tetebatu village here.

I hope I have covered answers to all the questions you had for trekking to Mount Rinjani and reading this blog helped plan your next epic trip to Indonesia! Drop a comment if you have other questions on Mount Rinjani or need any help in planning your Lombok itinerary. Will be happy to help!

Planning to explore other southeast Asian countries. Read my travel blogs and guides for India and Sri Lanka:

India Travel Blogs and Guides

Sri Lanka Travel Blogs and Guides

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Happy traveling!

Love,

Tanned Travel Girl