A Mount Rinjani trekking tour shouldn’t be for novice hikers or informal travellers. However if you happen to’re prepared for an epic 3-day journey to the summit of the second highest volcano in Indonesia, right here’s every thing you have to know earlier than you go in our information.
At 3,726 metres above sea stage, Mount Rinjani looms giant over your entire island of Lombok in Indonesia.
Of the 130 volcanoes within the nation, Rinjani is the second-highest (topped solely by Mount Kerinci on Sumatra).
Rinjani’s ominous silhouette is a continuing reminder of the highly effective forces rumbling simply beneath the floor of the earth.
That energy is what attracts a whole bunch of intrepid hikers to Rinjani on daily basis.
Why Do a Rinjani Trek?
The robust hike to the crater rim is rewarded by completely magnificent views.
Rocky black soil on the summit drops off right into a lush valley stuffed with purples so deep and greens so vivid they don’t seem like they need to exist in nature.
Lake Segara Anak, nestled within the backside of the gaping crater, is a deep turquoise, echoing the spectacular color of Lombok’s seas.
On the sting of the lake sits an lively volcano, Mount Barujari, which steadily spews threatening clouds of smoke into the air.
And at evening, the sky is blanketed with stars so thick they give the impression of being painted on.
Whereas the views encourage awe, probably the most compelling cause to trek Mount Rinjani is to problem your physique and your thoughts, leap firmly out of your consolation zone, and have the ability to shout “Hell sure, I did it!”
If that sounds good to you, learn on for every thing you want about…
Tips on how to Plan Your Epic Mount Rinjani Trekking Journey
Might You Deal with a Rinjani Trek?
I’ll admit, we went into the Mount Rinjani trek with a little bit of a cavalier angle. Certain, we’d learn the tales about how arduous it was alleged to be, however we’re skilled trekkers with many years of difficult mountain hikes behind us.
We’ve trekked throughout Canada, Europe, and even in Vietnam.
How a lot more durable may trekking Mount Rinjani probably be?
Because it seems, trekking Rinjani is tough. Actually freaking arduous.
The Rinjani trek begins with a climb of 1500 m over 8 km. Most of that elevation change takes place throughout within the ultimate 4 km, which take about 4 hours.
Yep, that’s only one measly kilometre an hour.
To make issues tougher, there may be subsequent to no path upkeep, so the route is sandy, slippery, and ridiculously steep.
Until you’re a path operating hero or an precise superhero, be ready to have your will and your physique pushed to their limits in your manner up Mount Rinjani.
And that’s simply the primary day.
The second day begins in the midst of the evening, so hikers can summit for dawn. To get the summit, there’s one other 1000 m of elevation acquire, alongside a slim path of slippery free scree.
It’s chilly up there, too. Even in August, the temperature hovers round freezing.
After all of the climbing, the descent ought to be a reduction. As an alternative, it appears to go on for days, requiring each ounce of hamstring energy you’ll be able to muster, plus knees of metal, and a very good sense of humour.
For those who come away with none scraped knees or sore muscle tissue, you’re undoubtedly half mountain goat!
So, may you deal with trekking Rinjani?
For those who’ve learn all of this and also you’re pondering “Hell, yeah! Deliver it on!” then maintain studying.
For those who’re nonetheless undecided, try my 7 Important Ideas For Surviving A Mount Rinjani Trek →
What Are The Choices For a Rinjani Trekking Tour?
Sembalun Or Senaru: The place To Begin?
There are two details of entry to Rinjani Nationwide Park.
You may ascend from the village of Sembalun or from Senaru. On three- and four-day hikes, you depart from one village and descend to the opposite.
We extremely suggest beginning in Sembalun due to the way in which the paths are configured.
The primary day of ascent from Sembalun is steep and sandy. It appears like it could be completely brutal getting into the wrong way.
Likewise, the descent to the crater lake is so steep and rugged, that it could be an actual leg-breaker going the opposite manner.
In order for you a extra off-the-beaten observe expertise, guide a personal tour and ask about one of many less-used routes, like the paths from Aik Berik or Torean. We want we had recognized about them earlier than our trek!
How Many Nights on Rinjani?
Three Days, Two Nights
The most well-liked choice (and the one we suggest) is the 3-day, 2-night trek. This offers you simply sufficient time to climb to the summit and in addition go to the crater lake and scorching springs.
For those who’re in no rush, take into account the 4-day, 3-night choice, which works to the identical areas however supplies a bit extra free time to chill out and revel in Mount Rinjani.
Two Days, One Evening
The two-day, 1-night tour from Sembalun consists of the choice to summit at dawn. For those who’re in wonderful form and like to punish your machine, go for it!
In any other case, take pity in your poor physique and provides your self extra time on the mountain.
The two-day, 1-night trek from Senbaru takes trekkers to the crater rim reverse the summit. That is the best (to not say that it’s straightforward) of the Mount Rinjani trekking choices.
You don’t get close to the summit or the lake nevertheless it does present unimaginable views of the crater. For those who assume you’ll be able to’t deal with an extended trek however nonetheless wish to expertise Rinjani, that is in all probability the best choice.
For those who guide the full 2-day, 1-night tour on Klook they may decide you up from anyplace in Lombok and supply every thing for you.
BONUS – Reserving forward of time ensures you gained’t miss out on the tour, and get one of the best worth too! And only for NOMADasaurus readers, if you happen to use the Klook low cost code “NOMADS10” on the web site when testing, you’ll get $10 off your first reserving!
Remember that “one evening” or “two nights” refers to variety of nights on the mountain. Most Rinjani trekking firms encourage you to spend an evening in Senbaru earlier than the tour to get an early begin. This lodge is commonly included within the worth, however you should definitely verify!
Personal Excursions and Mountain climbing Rinjani With out A Information
Whereas it’s technically attainable to trek Mount Rinjani and not using a tour or a information, it’s actively discouraged each by the federal government and the group. Until you’re a particularly skilled hiker and have hiked within the tropics earlier than, don’t even take into account it. For those who’re injured on the mountain and not using a information or porters, you’ll be in some critical hassle.
For those who do resolve to trek Rinjani independently, please sign up on the park workplace and pay the doorway price. Although it’s questionable whether or not the charges are used to take care of Rinjani, signing in is to your personal security.
What’s The Meals Like On A Rinjani Trek?
On our day-one lunch break, we had been astonished to see full-on camp kitchens being arrange by all of the guides and porters on the mountain.
In Canada, you’re fortunate to get a squashed peanut butter sandwich for lunch on a protracted hike.
On Rinjani, you get a heaping plate of fried greens, tofu and tempeh, a pile of freshly cooked rice crackers, all of the rice you’ll be able to eat, plus an enormous fruit plate for dessert. And that’s simply the vegetarian choice!
This meal was commonplace. Every little thing we ate on Rinjani, and every thing we noticed being served to fellow trekkers, was freshly cooked and plentiful. There was a lot meals, we had been not often capable of end our meals.
The place Do You Sleep On Rinjani?
You’ll sleep snuggled in a tent at a campsite on the crater rim or by the lake.
Our tent was clear and trendy, if a bit bit brief for our lengthy our bodies! The sleeping baggage had been freshly laundered and the camp pillows had been additionally clear.
You gained’t discover a lot solitude at your campsite although, since a whole bunch of different trekkers will likely be tenting proper alongside you.
What Does A Rinjani Trekking Tour Value?
There’s an enormous vary of costs for trekking Rinjani, relying on which firm you go along with, the place and whenever you guide, and which tour choice you select. I noticed costs quoted anyplace between $80 and $450 US for comparable excursions.
Keep away from the most cost effective firms, as many don’t present important companies like an skilled information, good sleeping baggage, rubbish pack-out, and a rest room tent.
It can save you cash by reserving when you’re already on Lombok. Simply ensure you know which Rinjani trekking firm you’re going with so you’ll be able to ask the important questions and verify their opinions.
For those who don’t have time to attend round on Lombok on the lookout for a tour with availability, it’s best to guide forward. Try a few of the excursions I’ve linked to on this web page.
Funds a bit additional for tipping. After you see how arduous your porters and information work, you can be pleased to complement their incomes.
A minimal of 100,000 IDR (round $8 US) per information/porter from every hiker is an effective guideline.
How To Select The Finest Rinjani Trekking Service
Select your Mount Rinjani trekking package deal fastidiously. Sure, you’ll be able to decide up el cheapo excursions after you arrive in Lombok however you are likely to get what you pay for on Mount Rinjani.
I suggest ignoring the most cost effective choices and spending a bit extra to make sure you are snug and secure on the mountain.
Hajar Trekking took wonderful care of us throughout our Mount Rinjani tour. We will enthusiastically suggest them.*
Hajar grew up in Senbaru and he cares deeply in regards to the mountain and the way forward for tourism there. Our information, Adi, was humorous, informative, and all the time put our security first.
He has been up the mountain a whole bunch of instances, is aware of each rock and tree root on the path, and was affected person with our countless stops for photographs and movies.
The 2 porters who took care of us had been simply wonderful, too, working their butts off to lug our tenting gear and meals up the mountain and to get our campsite arrange and ideal earlier than we arrived.
What’s Included On A Mount Rinjani Tour?
These are the issues that ought to be included in your Rinjani trekking package deal. In the event that they aren’t, search for one other firm.
- One English-speaking, licensed, skilled information
- One porter per particular person in your group
- Meals, snacks, tender drinks and water
- Tent and sleeping bag
- Transportation to and from any city on Lombok
- Transportation between Senbaru and Sembalun
- Resort keep in Senbaru the evening earlier than the trek
Some firms present just a few nice-to-have extras. That is what we received:
A rest room tent allowed us to do our enterprise in personal and to bury our waste. And not using a rest room tent, you’re taking your possibilities within the bushes the place privateness could be very arduous to return by.
A tenting pillow which helped us get a greater evening’s sleep.
Two tenting chairs that stored us out of the thick Rinjani mud at mealtimes.
Winter jackets to maintain us heat on the high of the mountain. Even in August, the summit was round 5 levels celsius! Brrrr.
Headlamps to make the ascent to the Rinjani summit attainable. A headlamp leaves your fingers free to hold trekking poles or enable you to scramble up the steepest sections.
Trekking poles to save lots of your knees on the steep descents and offer you additional means to stability on the usually treacherous trails.
Different Important Questions To Ask About Your Rinjani Trekking Bundle
What do the porters carry? Often, hikers carry all their private gadgets (garments, toiletries and so on) and the porters carry meals, water and tenting gear.
What’s the group measurement? We had been on a personal tour, however if you happen to go along with a gaggle, you should definitely ask in regards to the group measurement. The bigger teams on the path tended to be noisy and expertise extra delays.
What do they do with rubbish? You’re going to undergo lots of meals and water on the path. Be certain that your tour firm pays their porters to hold your rubbish out, as a substitute of dumping it or burning it on the mountain. There’s lots of rubbish on Rinjani – please don’t add to it!
Who runs the corporate? What’s their story? We like to journey with personal firms run by native folks. They have an inclination to care deeply in regards to the surroundings and the longevity of their enterprise and fewer about incomes a fast buck.
Ideas For Trekking Mount Rinjani
Request trekking poles. We had by no means trekked with poles earlier than however they had been indispensable for this journey. They’ll assist maintain you upright by means of the sandy, slippery slopes and can save your knees after hours of steep descents.
Be ready. The path will in all probability be more durable than you assume. Take your time, stopping each few steps to catch your breath if you have to. For those who simply retaining taking the following step after which the following, you’ll ultimately make it to the highest.
Be OK with not summiting. Don’t be ashamed to say “no” to the dawn summit trek. Loads of folks don’t go up! If the primary day practically killed you, keep in your tent and relaxation. There’s loads of thrilling mountaineering to return with out risking harm or exhaustion simply to see the summit.
Don’t get too cocky on the descent. The path down is steep and precarious. It’s straightforward to slide and fall and even simpler to injure your knees. Simply because the porters are operating down the path in flip-flops doesn’t imply it’s a must to do it too!
Be respectful. Attempt to keep conscious on the path, even whenever you’re exhausted. Let sooner hikers go by you and all the time transfer over for porters. Bear in mind, they’re working when you are there for enjoyable!
Don’t add to the Rinjani litter drawback. It’s no secret that there’s a lot of rubbish on Mount Rinjani. Deliver a ziplock bag with you and please pack out your individual rest room paper, child wipes, cigarette butts and different private rubbish. If you wish to do extra, deliver a rubbish bag and decide up garbage alongside the path.
Rinjani Trekking Packing Listing
Deliver as little as attainable. For those who assume you’ll survive with out one thing, go away it behind! You’ll remorse the additional weight whenever you’re in your 1200th metre of ascent for the day!
- Hat, gloves & scarf (it’s very chilly on the high)
- Good mountaineering footwear (trainers will not be grippy sufficient)
- Headlamp (for the evening hike to the summit)
- One/two sweat-wicking t-shirts
- One pair of shorts
- One pair of lengthy pants
- Toothbrush & toothpaste
- Solar hat (if you happen to don’t have one make this straightforward DIY hat)
- Sunscreen
- Lip sunscreen (our lips received burned – not a very good look)
- Sun shades
- Socks & lingerie
- Swim swimsuit
- Tiny towel
- ID and money for tipping
Elective gadgets:
- Base layer (it will get freaking chilly on the summit)
- Child wipes (if you happen to pack them in, pack them out)
- Cleaning soap or hand sanitizer
- Flip-flops
That’s every thing you have to know earlier than you guide your Rinjani trekking tour. If we missed one thing or you probably have questions, ask away within the feedback part under!
Disclaimer: We had been company of Hajar Trekking for our Rinjani journey. However we’d by no means suggest one thing we didn’t love ourselves and Jarryd and Alesha wouldn’t allow us to get away with it both!
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