4 day program: Sembalun Lewang to Senaru
This is a challenging and very rewarding trek with stunning scenery.
Do not underestimate the conditions, as it does get cold up there! Remember to pack
good walking shoes/boots, a torch (preferably head torch), warm jumper/fleece,
long sleeve top, long trousers as well as shorts, light rain jacket, gloves, woolly hat or beanie, towel, hand wipes, 2-3 T-shirts and 2 pairs good thick walking socks. In addition, it is advisable to take your own medication eg, paracetamol and plenty of bandaids/plasters in case of blisters. Most standard medications are available in Lombok at the local Apotek.
Day 1
Do not underestimate the conditions, as it does get cold up there! Remember to pack
good walking shoes/boots, a torch (preferably head torch), warm jumper/fleece,
long sleeve top, long trousers as well as shorts, light rain jacket, gloves, woolly hat or beanie, towel, hand wipes, 2-3 T-shirts and 2 pairs good thick walking socks. In addition, it is advisable to take your own medication eg, paracetamol and plenty of bandaids/plasters in case of blisters. Most standard medications are available in Lombok at the local Apotek.
Day 1
After registering at the Rinjani National Park office at the top end of the village of Sembalun, you go back to the village centre and begin the trek. We recommend that you do not attempt this trek without the assistance of experienced guides, it can be very dangerous and the park is large and isolated.
The trek begins at the narrow laneway on the left side of the village centre that opens out past the rice paddies. It continues as a steady but easy climb through gently undulating grassland and forest. After about 2 hours walking you reach the Permantuan shelter and can take a short rest or continue to the Tengengean shelter for lunch. After lunch, the climb starts to get steeper over the next hour up to Pada Balong and past some steep gorges. The track climbs steeply from Pada Balong but after around 2-3 hours, you reach the rim of the volcano. The trek proceeds left up along the ridge path to Pelawangan II (2700m), which is the first overnight camping spot high above the smaller volcano and the beautiful lake, Danau Segara Anak that is 6 km wide. The views from this spot are amazing. This smaller volcano, Ganung Baru, only appeared about 200 years ago and is still experiencing minor eruptions. An early night is advisable, as you need to rise at about 2.30am to begin the 3am walk to the Summit of Rinjani (3726m).
Day 2
The climb to the summit is very taxing and very cold. You will need to wrap up warmly and take your head torch, gloves, light raincoat, camera and water etc with you in a small backpack. The group will head off at 3am in order to make the summit in time for sunrise around 6am. It takes about one hour up the very steep gravely path to meet the high ridge that takes you steadily towards the summit. You can experience magnificent views when the moon is full over the lake and you may be able to see some glowing larva from the smaller volcano. After about 1 – 1.5 hours, the real summit looms above you. The trail gets much steeper until you finally reach the last 350m of very steep gravel. It can be a scramble on all fours over about an hour to get to the top. On a clear day, the views are magnificent. You will be taking in the early morning sunrise and watching the world awake from above. Allow about 2 hours to get back down to the base camp for a well-deserved breakfast.
The next part is about an hours rest and then begins the steep and rocky boulder hopping descent to the lake, often going through the clouds. This can take 2 -3 hours and is really tough on your legs. A walking stick can help but this is where good footwear is necessary. The last 45 minutes is a relatively easy walk down to the lakes edge where you can set up camp and have lunch. After lunch, it is time for a swim in the lake and/or time to ease those aching legs and shoulders in the magnificent hot spring pools and waterfall 10 mins from the lake camping spot. The temperature is around 38 degrees and feels like heaven after the tough climbing and walking you have done to get to this point. A long dip here will revive the weariest traveller.
The rest of the day is your own, to rest and recuperate in readiness for the next 2 days walking. All enjoy dinner, before the night’s rest.
Day 3
Indulge in a lazy sleep in, followed by breakfast. If you wish, you can have another dip in the hot springs and lake. After lunch, you begin the enjoyable but steep climb back out of the lake area to 2640 m, which takes about 2 hours. Take time to ponder your final spectacular views of the lake and Rinjani summit before beginning the steady descent past Pos III into the forest camping spot at Pos II (1500m). You will experience beautiful photo opportunities as the sun sets over West Lombok.
Day 4
Wake up to the sounds of the tropical rainforest and after a hearty breakfast begins the easy descent to Senaru. This is an enjoyable walk over 4 hours through the lush forest. If you are lucky, you may spot the timid black monkeys as well as the numerous grey bearded monkeys who are at most camping spots on the trek looking for scraps. From the park entrance, it is an easy 20-minute walk back to the village passing coffee, cocoa and banana plantations. Then you will find yourselves in the picturesque mountain village of Senaru. Here, you can relax, enjoy a local coffee and reminisce about your incredible journey before making your plans of what to do next on this incredible island!
http://rinjanispot.blogspot.com, http://primadonalombok.blogspot.com. Email: hardykrugerrinjani track.gmail.com, ariprimadona@gmail.com
The trek begins at the narrow laneway on the left side of the village centre that opens out past the rice paddies. It continues as a steady but easy climb through gently undulating grassland and forest. After about 2 hours walking you reach the Permantuan shelter and can take a short rest or continue to the Tengengean shelter for lunch. After lunch, the climb starts to get steeper over the next hour up to Pada Balong and past some steep gorges. The track climbs steeply from Pada Balong but after around 2-3 hours, you reach the rim of the volcano. The trek proceeds left up along the ridge path to Pelawangan II (2700m), which is the first overnight camping spot high above the smaller volcano and the beautiful lake, Danau Segara Anak that is 6 km wide. The views from this spot are amazing. This smaller volcano, Ganung Baru, only appeared about 200 years ago and is still experiencing minor eruptions. An early night is advisable, as you need to rise at about 2.30am to begin the 3am walk to the Summit of Rinjani (3726m).
Day 2
The climb to the summit is very taxing and very cold. You will need to wrap up warmly and take your head torch, gloves, light raincoat, camera and water etc with you in a small backpack. The group will head off at 3am in order to make the summit in time for sunrise around 6am. It takes about one hour up the very steep gravely path to meet the high ridge that takes you steadily towards the summit. You can experience magnificent views when the moon is full over the lake and you may be able to see some glowing larva from the smaller volcano. After about 1 – 1.5 hours, the real summit looms above you. The trail gets much steeper until you finally reach the last 350m of very steep gravel. It can be a scramble on all fours over about an hour to get to the top. On a clear day, the views are magnificent. You will be taking in the early morning sunrise and watching the world awake from above. Allow about 2 hours to get back down to the base camp for a well-deserved breakfast.
The next part is about an hours rest and then begins the steep and rocky boulder hopping descent to the lake, often going through the clouds. This can take 2 -3 hours and is really tough on your legs. A walking stick can help but this is where good footwear is necessary. The last 45 minutes is a relatively easy walk down to the lakes edge where you can set up camp and have lunch. After lunch, it is time for a swim in the lake and/or time to ease those aching legs and shoulders in the magnificent hot spring pools and waterfall 10 mins from the lake camping spot. The temperature is around 38 degrees and feels like heaven after the tough climbing and walking you have done to get to this point. A long dip here will revive the weariest traveller.
The rest of the day is your own, to rest and recuperate in readiness for the next 2 days walking. All enjoy dinner, before the night’s rest.
Day 3
Indulge in a lazy sleep in, followed by breakfast. If you wish, you can have another dip in the hot springs and lake. After lunch, you begin the enjoyable but steep climb back out of the lake area to 2640 m, which takes about 2 hours. Take time to ponder your final spectacular views of the lake and Rinjani summit before beginning the steady descent past Pos III into the forest camping spot at Pos II (1500m). You will experience beautiful photo opportunities as the sun sets over West Lombok.
Day 4
Wake up to the sounds of the tropical rainforest and after a hearty breakfast begins the easy descent to Senaru. This is an enjoyable walk over 4 hours through the lush forest. If you are lucky, you may spot the timid black monkeys as well as the numerous grey bearded monkeys who are at most camping spots on the trek looking for scraps. From the park entrance, it is an easy 20-minute walk back to the village passing coffee, cocoa and banana plantations. Then you will find yourselves in the picturesque mountain village of Senaru. Here, you can relax, enjoy a local coffee and reminisce about your incredible journey before making your plans of what to do next on this incredible island!
http://rinjanispot.blogspot.com, http://primadonalombok.blogspot.com. Email: hardykrugerrinjani track.gmail.com, ariprimadona@gmail.com
