What You Might See

New Trails Gate Aik Berik

Benang Stokel in the village of Aik Berik in Central Lombok is about 27km east of Mataram, a little less than an hour’s drive. Locally Benang Stokel is well-known for its 2 waterfalls, the Benang Kelambu waterfall and the likewise named Benang Stokel waterfall from which the trekking up to Rinjani starts.

The waterfall and starting point for this track can be reached in about 30 minutes by jeep. Trekking through dense forest, the ascent up to the crater rim takes around 6 hours. From here, the descent to the crater lake is about 3 hours. This track offers lots of variety, with the famed Tiara Dewi Anjani waterfall as one of its highlights, and with some luck one might encounter a herd of deer.

This track is especially favored by those looking for a completely different angle of approach to Rinjani. For centuries this route has been used by hunters and fishermen looking for their prey in the dense forest and crater lake.

This track offers no opportunities for a climb up to the summit of Rinjani, except if you plan to bring along a rubber boat to paddle across the crater lake to the Sembalun side of the lake. Should one wish to do so our team can accommodate one.

Characteristics
Farmland, dense forest, pine forest, river and waterfalls.

Level
Advanced, experienced

Type
moderate/extreme/full adventure

Water
plenty of water sources.

Summit Attack
No

Type of tour:
Fully organized (combination of adventure, leisure, eco tourism, safety).
Individual or group departures are available upon request.

 

 

 

IMPORTANT NEWS YOU SHOULD CONCERN

BREAKING NEWS

  1. PLEASE DO NOT BOOK YOUR TREKKING PACKAGE THROUGH PADANG BAY BALI, There is no official agent located there, only in Senaru and Sembalun and some in Senggigi/Mataram
  2. CHOOSE YOUR TOUR OPERATOR CAREFULLY, If there is trekking organizer that offer very cheap packages, BE
  3. CAREFUL, They might give you terrible services, official rate listed in the website, Pay more and get better services.
  4. As a visitor, please be more responsible how and where you throw your rubbish. Make sure the porters and guides bring your non organic trash back to Sembalun or Senaru
  5. Ramadhan ( Fasting time for Moslem ) start on June 6, make sure you contact the trekking organizer if they operate as most of Porters and trekking guides will stay home with families on the fist day of Ramadhan
  6. Entry tickets is Rp. 150.000/person/day for foreigner and Rp. 25.000/person/day for local visitor.
  7. Most trekking organizer not operate 3 days before and 3 days after IDUL FITRI, its on June 5,6,7 and June 8, 9, 10
  8. If you book the trekking package from Gili Islands, We highly not recommend you to pay in advance, they are mostly broker and still the contact the agent that listed in our website

 

The Mighty Mount Rinjani Lombok Island

The Rinjani Ecopark

The mighty Rinjani mountain of Gunung Rinjani is a massive volcano which towers over the island of Lombok. A climb to the top is one of the most exhilarating experiences you can have in Indonesia. At 3,726 meters tall, Gunung Rinjani is the second highest mountain in Indonesia. The climb to the top may not be easy but it’s worth it, and is widely regarded as one of the best views in the country.

Part of the famous ‘ring of fire’ this mountain also holds spiritual significance for the local people. It’s thought that the name Rinjani comes from an old Javanese term for ‘God’.

Around the slopes of Rinjani there are lush forests sprinkled with waterfalls and surrounded by stunning scenery.

Within the mountain is a crescent shaped lake, the breathtaking Segara Anak which is about 6km across at its widest point. This lake of sulfur is located 600 meters below the crater rim. Rising from the waters of this lake is a new volcano, Mt. Baru, which is a result of a series of eruptions during the 1990’s. Segara Anak is a spiritual place. The Balinese come here each year and perform a ceremony called pekelan where jewelry is placed in the lake as an offering to the mountain spirit. The Wetu Telu people also regard the lake as holy and come here to pray on full moon nights.

Mt Rinjani lies within the Gunung Rinjani National Park. The park covers 41,330 hectares and sits inside a major bio-geographical transition zone (Wallacea). This is where the tropical flora and fauna of South East Asia meets that of Australasia. This National Park was established in 1997 and is one of over 40 throughout Indonesia.

For visitors, the three-day Rinjani trek route from Senaru to the crater rim, down to the Crater Lake then on to Sembalun Lawang, is considered one of the best treks in South East Asia. More adventurous trekkers may want to head all the way to the summit of the volcano. This is best reached from Sembalun Lawang and takes four days, finishing up in Senaru.

To ensure that local communities benefit from tourism revenue, the Rinjani Trek is managed by a partnership of National Park officials, the public and private sectors of the Lombok tourism industry and community representatives. Community run cooperatives coordinate the Trek at the Rinjani Trek Center (RTC) in Senaru and the Rinjani Information Center (RIC) in Sembalun Lawang.

Revenue from tourism activities and entry fees is used for conservation, management and assisting the National Park with maintenance of the Rinjani Trek, thus ensuring its sustainability. This management model is unique in Indonesia and considered an example of best practice of ecotourism in Indonesia.

Sembalun Gate Trail

Starting in the morning from the Rinjani Trek Centre in the village, the climb to Plawangan II at 2,638 m will take about 8 hr via POSI (1,300 m), POSII (1,500 m) and POSIII (1,800 m). Starting altitude is1100 m, so there are no humid conditions to deal with. First half or more of the trek is literally a breeze. The trek through savannah grassland is windy and easygoing, with gentle ups and downs, and the only obstacle to look out for are the “cow pats” deposited by the villagers’ cows along the way. Rolling hills and amazing scenery help to ease the tiredness, unlike the enclosed tropical rainforest of Senaru route. From POS 2 to POS 3, the climb is still manageable. The challenge for Sembalun route is from POS 3 to POS Extra, as the uphill gradient can be 50 degrees at times. Young children will find this section challenging as some steps are set quite far apart. Cooler weather up here may give the impression that the body does not need fluids, but do drink more to prevent altitude sickness setting in. Strangely, there is a guy selling cold drinks (Pocari sweat, Coke etc) here at the campsite at exorbitant prices (40000 Rp per drink) for those who crave it. Overnight at the campsite here and go for the summit starting at 3AM the next day. You need to be well rested as this is a stiff task – the final climb is nearly 1,100 m on difficult ground.

Sembalun Lawang is set in an ancient and fertile caldera to the east of Mt. Rinjani, the preferred access route for summiteers. The rich soil produces high quality market garden crops, including the famous garlic and rice, staple of local farmers. Seismic activity is monitored daily at the government Rinjani Volcanology Centre.

The beautiful valley of Sembalun is also known for its hill walks, recently restored traditional village, active cultural performers and local weavers.

Some home stay (losmen) accommodation is available and trek services are based at the Park’s Rinjani Information Centre. Also enquire about the local walks: the Sembalun Lawang Village Walk, to experience the scenic beauty of the village or/and the Sembalun Wildflowers Walk, a two day one night hike to see the wildflowers at Propok in Gunung Rinjani National Park.

Sembalun Area
Sembalun is divided into two villages, namely Sembalun Lawang village and Sembalun Bumbung village which are 2 km apart. The two villages are well known traditional villages have a lot of history about the Sasak people. The area looks like a dry lake, transformed into a fertile land.

Sembalun as a tourism object is already well known inside and outside the country, because from this village climbers begin the hike to the top of Mount Rinjani to enjoy the beautiful sights. At Sembalun Lawang village there is a Beleq village where one can see the artefacts of traditional houses of the local Sembalun people, the grave of Majapahit or Gajah Mada and the traditional Tandang Mendet dance of the local people.

There is a big statue in Lawang of two big ‘onions’ indicating that this area was once one of the biggest producers of onion (bawang bombai) / garlic (bawang putih) / shallot (bawang merah) in Indonesia.

In Lawang is the Rinjani Information Centre. Nearby is the Rinjani Volcanology Centre. To the west, there is a major greenhouse project using soil and hydroponics techniques there, producing vegetables for local and export markets.

Sapit
Just off the way to Sembalun, Sapit is a combination of beautiful sights, agriculture, and mountains. The traditional society in this village ploughs agricultural land and garden with their traditional ways. There is accommodation there with brilliant views across the rice fields to the coast and Sumbawa Island. You can take walks to various interesting places.

Senaru Gate Trail

This is by far the most used route as it allows the (relatively) less strenuous trek to the crater rim only. You start at an elevation of 600 m in Senaru village, normally in the late morning or early afternoon and make the 6 hour ascent to the crater rim before dark. First part of the trek is through tropical rainforest. Look and listen out for the lutung, or black monkey, swinging through the trees in the late morning. They are extremely shy, unlike for the common macaques which may gather near rest stops waiting for scraps. The route passes through POSII at 1,500 m, breaches the treeline at 2,000 m (POSIII) and then it is a bit of slog up gravel paths to the camp site just below the crater rim at 2,600 m. There is no clear path at the last section nearing crater rim, at an incline of 45 degrees. There is a POS Extra after POS 3, but it is pretty much gone, and the remaining bits have been chopped up by porters as firewood.

If that has not sapped all of your energy you can then make a very precarious descent down to shores of the crater lake and bath in the hot waters. You need some confidence to do this as it is a steep descent of 600+ m using handrails and ropes.

And then it is back to Senaru the way you came. Local guides claim going down is faster, but speed varies for individuals. Patience is vital for first timers, as it can get frustrating watching porters sail past you with their load balanced on one shoulder, clad in slippers or even walking barefoot. Descent from POS Extra to POS 3 can be slippery when weather is dry, as scree tends to give way under your feet. From POS 3 to POS 2, the descent can take 1.5 to 2 hours, as savannah grasslands fades away, and the humidity and heat from the tropical rainforest begins to set in. Useful tip: request for guides to cut out a wooden trekking pole if you did not bring a trekking pole with you. It will be extremely handy during the descent, especially when legs are aching from the strenuous climb.

There is an option to go on to Plawangan II where you overnight again before making the ascent to the absolute summit. This is not especially recommended from the Senaru side though. If you want to get to the top, the climb to Plawangan II is best made from Sambulan Lawang.

SENARU VILLAGE ROUTE
The village of Senaru, an easy 2.5 hours drive from Mataram or Senggigi, is the main access to the National Park. As a non-trekking destination it is also popular – a cool, flower-filled mountain village stretching along a hillside spur above Bayan. Senaru has a range of accommodation in simple home stays (losmen), and a number of cafes serving delicious local specialties. The Rinjani Trek Centre at the trailhead offers displays, ecotourism activities, and visitor information. Village guides, including several local women, escort visits to the adjacent traditional village, three waterfalls, and a number of Village Walks. Circuits include the one hour Rice Terraces and Waterfall Walk, or discover the highlights of Senaru in a lovely half-day Senaru Panorama Walk.

The cool, flower-filled mountain village of Senaru on the slopes of Mt. Rinjani stretches up a hillside spur along a winding road above Bayan. It is a scenic 2.5 hours drive from Mataram or Senggigi to Senaru. The Desa includes the hamlets of Senaru, Batu Koq and Tumpang Sari, and all offer accommodation in simple but pretty homestays (losmen) with lovely views.

The Rinjani Trek Centre is located at the top of the village at the trailhead. It offers information for visitors on the Rinjani Trek, the National Park, Sasak culture and the range of ecotourism activities available for visitors to Senaru. National Park and village entry fees are paid here, and all porters for trekkers have to be hired from the Senaru Porters Group which is also based in the Rinjani Trek Centre. Village guides, including several local women, have been specially trained to escort visitors around the sights. Arrange a guided excursion through the Rinjani Trek Centre or your losmen.

Senaru Traditional Village
A visit to the Senaru Traditional Village, situated next to the Rinjani Trek Centre where the Rinjani trail begins, is greatly enhanced by asking a local guide to show you around. The Sasak inhabitants are the cultural guardians of Mount Rinjani and its surrounding forest and safeguard its spiritual values. Locally guided visits include opportunities to experience the villagers’ daily life, visit their thatched houses, prepare meals using local produce, and understand their traditional way of life.

Morning waterway walk and sunrise
Leave your losmen early for a one and a half hour escorted walk through the fields, past traditional villages and along the irrigation channel that winds through village fields past crops and houses. Enjoy visiting local homes, seeing early morning activities and learning about farming methods. Witness the sun rising from the sea beneath the spectacular sweeping views of north Lombok from the summit of Mt. Rinjani to the coast.

Evening walk and sunset
Below the Senaru Traditional Village, a one and half hour escorted walk along village trails brings you to the “secret waterfall” or “traditional swimming pool”, the Tumpasan Senaru. Enjoy a refreshing swim or late afternoon laze. On the return trip, visit some local hamlets as the people return from their fields, and enjoy the sunset over Mt. Agung in distant Bali from a vantage point in a local orchard.

Senaru panorama walk
Discover all the highlights of Senaru on an easy half-day walk through the scenic landscape of palm-fringed rice terraces, waterways, traditional village and rainforest waterfalls. Follow the irrigation channel that winds through the village fields – the lifeline of the district. Local women will guide you, happy to share their special knowledge of culture, customs and nature. This tour departs every morning from the Rinjani Trek Centre.

Sajang Waterfall and Jungle Soft Trekking

The walk is led by friendly guides who will welcome you to the village of Sajang near the border of Gunung Rinjani National Park. The village people explain their customs and traditions of village life and how they support their daily livelihood by growing coffee, chocolate and vanilla and, depending on the season, you will have the opportunity to work along them.

Then an easy walk to explore the foothills of the volcano, Gunung (Mt) Rinjani where the community have their fields that are still farmed just as their ancestors did. The walk continues for a couple of hours to the waterfall where, according to legend, the king used to bathe his horses.

There will be time to explore and enjoy the stay at the waterfall and the way back will be through the rain forest to catch sight of the Ebony Leaf Monkey besides heard the noisy of birds. Back in the village the drying coffee beans will be ready to be husked and ground before being ready to make coffee. You will be served to test the coffee.

What to bring:
Make sure you bring your camera, sun hat and sun cream, comfortable walking shoes, small backpack and bottle water.

How to Book:

The Sajang Village and Waterfall Walk operates on a demand basis with a minimum two persons and please book at least 02 weeks in advance.

We will email our agent to provide you this trekking/soft trekking program, please just contact us!!!

Summit Lake 4 Days 3 Nights

Sample Itinerary:
Day 1st, Senggigi-Sembalun-Sembalun Plawangan Rim
Leave your hotel at 6 am for sembalun village fetch porter, 9.30 am we start to trek to base camp 2 ( two ) .On the way you won’t find trees it’s just small grass ,so it’s very hot when you are walking . At base camp 2
( two ) you can enjoy the time for lunch and have some cakes, about 1 hour . than continue trip for rim in sembalun .around 5 pm you have arrived at the rim, having dinner with the mountain special food and overnight for the 1st night. And If you stayed in Senggigi or Mataram, pick up at 05:00 am, and arrival in Senaru around 07:00 AM.

Day 2nd, Plawangan Rim-Summit-Lake-Hotspring-Senaru Rim.
At 3 am we start trek to the top of mountain Rinjani, an Icy wind hold across the expose slope of summit which consisted of small round balls volcanic as resembling bean filling make the climb exceedingly difficult to say the least. There was very little to hold on to every two or three feet gained, we’d sleep back at about a foot .We made it to the top in the nick of time even in our frozen stiff an exhausted state the star beauty of our surrounding was own inspiring. At 6 am we arrive at the summit, and enjoy the time no more than one hour. Than we start to going down for rim sembalun to have breakfast. After break fast time we continue for trip to segara Anak Lake, we will be there at 12 noon. Enjoy swimming in the lake and hot spring water, just ten minutes from lake .At 3 pm we climb to the rim of senaru and it’s takes about 2,5 hours . Spend the second night in the rim of senaru

Day 3rd, Senaru Rim-Senaru-Senggigi
Having breakfast in the morning and enjoy sunrise by special mountain jafle or pancake, than we taking back to the senaru village. It `s around 12 am you already at senaru village, and before 3 p.m. you will be arriving at your hotel.

OFFICIAL RATE : USD 305/person

End of Services

Summit 3 Days 2 Nights

Sample Itinerary:
Day 01, Senggigi-Sembalun-Sembalun Rim.
Pick up at 05.00 Am if you stay in Senggigi or at 07.00 Am if you stay in Senaru, And If you stayed in Senggigi or Mataram, pick up at 05:00 am. and arrival in Senaru around 07:00 AM. we will drive you to Sembalunwhere you will starts your trek. The path starts through fields where you can look up awe at the majestic summit of Gunung Rinjani. From the foothills of the mountain you will slowly start to climb up to Base Camp III where the porters will look a tasty lunch. from here you will climb one steeply through scenery that varies from barren grassland to woodland. The next stop is the campsite at the crater Rim, where you will be cooked a hearty Dinner that will give you the energy needed for the climb to the Summit the next morning after a good night sleep.

Day 02, Summit-Lake-Senaru Rim.
At 02.30 Am, You will be woken up with a hot drink and a light breakfast. We starts the climb to the Peak at 03.00 Am in time to see the spectacular sunrise at the Summit. The effort is well worth it when you can see Java on one side and over to bali on the other side. On the way down you can see pause to look at the Magnificent lake and volcanic cone. After breakfast you will descent for three hours to the Crater Lake and also visit the refreshing Hot Spring and Waterfall.

You will climb back up to the other side of the Rim after a short walk around part of the Lake. Continue to climb up to Senaru Rim, From this side of the Rim you can see more awe inspiring views of the crater Rim. Summit and lake. Overnight.

Day 03, Senaru Rim-Senaru Village-Senggigi
Wake by the Spectacular view of the Sun rise, Enjoy the view before heading to Base Camp III and heading for your final meal – a well needed lunch. The last part of our journey passes through tropical rain forest for around 03 hours until you reach the road back to Senaru. Congratulate your self for amazing achievement! Transfer back to your hotel in Senggigi.

End of Services

OFFICIAL RATE : USD 250/person

Lake 3 Days 2 Nights

Sample Itinerary:

Day 1st. Senggigi-Senaru-Senaru Rim.
Pick up at your hotel at 05:00 AM then by car to Senaru, arrive in Senaru village around 07:00 AM. If you stayed in Senggigi or Mataram, pick up at 05:00 am, and arrival in Senaru around 07:00 AM.  We’ll give you quick light breakfast and Register at Rinjani National Park ranger in senaru then we begin our trekking.

The first hours of the trek climb steeply through thick tropical forest rich in flora bird life and a variety of butterflies. You might see orchid and, if lucky, the rare black ebony leaf monkey, known locally as lutung. Rest stops are taken along the way, and at Pos 2 Montong Satas shelter ( 1.500m ). Village stories and local legends related by your guide.

Features include the banyan tree bunut ngengkang that looks like someone standing with their legs apart, and the Batu Penyeselan stone. Depending on your preferences and weather conditions, the night’s camp is made either in the forest at Pos 3 Mondokan Lolak ( 2.000 m ) after about five hours climb from Senaru, or continue the ascent for another couple of hours through grassy meadows to Plawangan 1 Senaru crater rim at 2,641 m. from the crater rim are sweeping views across the lake Segara Anak ( 2.000m) to the summit of Mt. RInjani. Within the crater Mt. Baru ( 2.351 ) is an active last erupting dramatically in 1994. on a clear evening the Gili Isles, Bali and Mt. Agung can be seen to the west.

Day 2nd. Senaru Rim-Lake-Hotspring
Sunrise at the rim is a memorable start do Day 2. enjoyed after a pre-dawn 2 hours climb for those camping at Pos 3, Mondokan Lolak. After enjoying the view, the trek proceeds for couple of hours down the trail to the crater lake where the rest of the day is spent relaxing and swimming. There is plenty of time to explore the pilgrimage hot springs, said to had healing power. Camp by the lake side, enjoying dinner followed by the night sound as.

Day 3rd. Lake-Sembalun Rim-Sembalun-Senggigi
After breakfast, start the 3 hours steep ascent up to Plawangan 2 Sembalun crater rim. Look out for edelweiss along the path. Enjoy the view of the Lake from the other side and the island of Sumbawa across the tropical ocean. The decent from the Sembalun crater rim is amidst the pine-like Casuarina species locally known is Cemara, perhaps seeing evidence of wild pigs and the long tailed gray macaque monkeys.

After about 3 ½ hours, reach post 3 Pada Balong, through grass land used at couple cattle grazing by local people. Mt. Rinjani summit towers above us, Indonesia’s second highest volcanic peak. From here is beautiful view of Sembalun Lawang and Sembalun Bumbung villages, known for coffee production until the crop was changed to garlic to take the advantage of the garlic boom in early 1990s. the road head is reached after in another 4 hour gentle descent through open country, and the trek ends at Rinjani Informations center at Sembalun Lawang and directly transfer to your hotel in senggigi.

End of Services

OFFICIAL RATE : USD 250/person

Rim 2 Days 1 Night

Detail Itinerary:

Day 1.Senggigi-Base Cam I,II & III
Pick up from your hotel at 05:00 AM, by car to SENARU (601m), arrive at SENARU village at 07:00 AM. Pick up at 05.00 AM. if you stay in Senggigi or at 07.00 AM if you stay in Senaru, And If you stayed in Senggigi or Mataram pick up at 05:00 AM. and arrival in Senaru around 07:00 AM. we`ll give you quick light breakfast.

After register at park ranger office then at 8.45 am we start to walk. The first hours of the trek climb steadily through thick tropical forest rich in flora, bird life and variety of butterflies. You might see orchid, the long- tailed grey macaque monkey kera and, if lucky, the rare black ebony leaf monkey, known locally as lutung. Rusa
( deer ) are forest dwellers are occasionally seen along the trek trail. The smaller barking deer or kijang has an alarm call with a distinct dog – like bark. Rest stops are taken along the way, and in pos 2 Montong satas shelter (1,500 m) where village stories and local legends are related by your guide.

Features include the banyan tree bunut ngengkang that looks like someone standing with their legs apart, and the Batu penyesalan stone. Depending on your preference and weather conditions, the nights camps is made either in the forest at post 3 Mondokan Lolak (2000 m) after about five hours climb from Senaru, or continue the ascent for another couple of hours through grassy meadows to plawangan 1 Senaru crater rim at 2641 m. from the crater rim are sweping views across the lake Segara Anak lake (2000 m) to the summit of Mt.Rinjani. within the crater,Mt Baru (2,351 m) is an active, last erupting dramatically in 1994.on a clear evening the Gili Isles, Bali and Mt.Agung can be seen to the west.

Day 2. Base Cam III-II & I-Senaru-Senggigi
Sunrise at the crater rim is a memorable start to day 2, enjoyed after a pre-dawn two hours climb for those camping at Pos 3 Mondokan Lolak. After enjoying the view., descend down the trail down to Senaru village through first grassland then back into the shade of the tropical forest. After about seven hours from the rim, the trek ends at Rinjani Trek Centre at the road head in Senaru and transfer back to your hotel in Senggigi.

End of Services

OFFICIAL RATE : USD 225/person