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Be My Travel Muse

Solo Female Travel

Trekking Rinjani: An Unforgettable Experience

08/06/2013 by Kristin 139 Comments

Other than the amazing surf, Mt. Rinjani is easily the biggest draw for tourism on Lombok, the large island between Bali and Sumbawa.  I ended up there after a truly fabulous diving trip in Komodo knowing that I wanted to experience a different side of Indonesia that didn’t involve Kuta Beach in Bali or the hustle and bustle of Jakarta.

Like most things in Southeast Asia, the pricing online was pretty outrageous for pre-booking a Mt. Rinjani trek.  I elected to show up and see if I could get it for cheaper which I, of course, did.  I took the most common package which was three days, two nights of trekking with all meals and equipment included. I did this by talking to one of the employees at a guesthouse on Lombok.

It’s advisable to show up on Lombok and book directly with a tour operator there rather than organizing through a travel agent elsewhere in Indonesia. There have apparently been issues in the past with tourists being sold tours with fake operators or less-than-desirable companies.  Even the one I elected to book with charged everyone in my group a different price.  Therefore, the cost is definitely negotiable. If you make your own way to Senaru or Sembalun Lawang, the starting points (if you start at one you’ll end at the other and vice versa), expect to pay around 900,000 rupiah (USD $90), including park entrance fees. I personally booked in Kuta, Lombok, for 1,000,000 including transport from Kuta to Senaru, but others in my group were charged 1,500,000 for the exact same thing.  Always haggle!

I was also able to borrow everything I needed from the guys who led the trek, including a warm jacket and a smaller backpack (I left my bigger one with most of my belongings at the guesthouse I stayed at prior to the trek and went back to pick it up after), and tents and food were provided by the porters. The only thing you need to bring is travel insurance – the good kind that will transport you to Singapore or another country with good medical care just in case.

The climb itself was brilliant and not too challenging on the first day, which involved a 2,000 meter climb from Senaru at 600 meters to the crater rim at 2,600 meters. The brilliant view was a great sign of what was to come over the next few days:

mt rinjani trek reviews
The beautiful scenery on the way up the mountain
mt rinjani trek reviews
A cloudy preview of the Rinjani volcano – our introduction
mt rinjani trek reviews
A beautiful setting sun

The second day of the trek involved a steep climb down to the crater lake, a visit to the hot springs, and a climb up to the base of the summit:

mt rinjani trek reviews
Good morning!
mt rinjani trek reviews
A beautiful view of the volcano on our descent to the lake
mt rinjani trek reviews
Mist rolls in at the lake
mt rinjani trek reviews
The water was cold, but as my trekking buddy, Laura, put it: “How often do you get to swim in a volcano crater lake?
mt rinjani trek reviews
A beautiful vista on the hike from the lake to the summit
mt rinjani trek reviews
A typical trekking dinner

The final day was by far the toughest, but most gorgeous and rewarding.

The wake-up call was 2am for those interested in climbing the 1000 meters to the summit.  We strapped on our headlamps, warm clothing, and watched as the guides put on real shoes for the first time – they had otherwise been taking on the entire steep trek in flip flops. This was a clear sign that the trail was about to get truly difficult.

Given the volcanic gravel, the climb consisted of regularly climbing two steps forward only to slide at least one back.  It took about three hours to make it all the way to the top with freezing winds pelting me the whole way.  It was a mental and physical battle to the top, to be sure.  Plenty of people sit this part of the trek out.  If you have the fitness level to take it on, though, I’d definitely recommend it.

mt rinjani trek reviews
The bitter cold and steep climb to the top (look how enthused my guide looks!)

The top brought on a feeling of accomplishment and sheer ecstasy as the sun rose, illuminating the volcano and the surrounding islands all the way to Bali.

mt rinjani trek reviews
Finally at the summit!
mt rinjani trek reviews
A stunning volcano view with the Gili Islands and Bali in the background
mt rinjani trek reviews
Taking in the beauty as the sun rises

Do it Yourself:

  • Getting there: If traveling overland, public transportation is probably the quickest option. Check out this guide for easy directions
  • Booking: It is entirely possible to book the trek the day before your intended starting date, as I did (and this was during high season). Either book from wherever you are in Lombok, or make your way to Sembalun Lawang or Senaru to book directly with a tour operator (which can be done via your guesthouse or even asking the wait staff at a restaurant who will negotiate on your behalf and organize for you). Don’t forget you can only climb during the dry season from April to November
  • Cost: Luxury operators charge about double what the bargain operators charge, but tend to have more comfortable sleeping bags and bring chairs along to sit in as well as a toilet tent around a hole dug in the ground.  Cheaper operators do not bring chairs and the wilderness is your bathroom. To me, it wasn’t worth it to pay double for these amenities. The food and guide knowledge is generally the same in both tours as the guides and porters are contracted out by each operator.  There are no showers available to any group
  • Prep: Bring proper shoes and a headlamp. If you don’t have a jacket, the porters can provide one if told in advance.  Hiking or running shoes and a jacket are absolutely essential and a bathing suit, hiking stick (you can grab one at the start of the trail), and mittens are recommended
  • Difficulty: Fitness level is important for the climb as it is steep and takes 12 hours on the longest day to reach the summit and then get back down to the bottom. While it is not quite as big of a challenge as, say, taking on Mount Kinabalu in one day, it is still a challenge
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Comments

  1. Hogga says

    08/06/2013 at 7:16 am

    such awesome pics

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      08/06/2013 at 1:00 pm

      Thanks dear 🙂

      Reply
  2. Ryan says

    08/06/2013 at 12:25 pm

    Pretty freakin’ rad I must say! I’ve never been on a multi-day trek but I’m definitely down to at some point, and I’ll need to look this up. Awesome photos too btw, I’ve never been atop a Volcano, let alone swim in the crater of one, so that is pretty wicked!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      08/06/2013 at 1:00 pm

      I used to tell people I hated trekking but I’m not sure why. I guess it was just hot jungle the first time and turned me off. It’s all about the elevation because this was fantastic.

      Reply
  3. Rika | Cubicle Throwdown says

    08/06/2013 at 8:41 pm

    Gorgeous!! I don’t think I’m fit enough to do this trek… altitude hiking nearly killed me in Peru! Glad you went instead and I can live through the photos 🙂

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      08/07/2013 at 2:40 pm

      Altitude can be a real beast!

      Reply
  4. Dale says

    08/07/2013 at 7:23 am

    My god, Kristin. These pictures are incredible and the sights you’ve seen here are the reason so many of us travel and consider travelling.

    I wouldn’t be surprised if there wasn’t someone out there who’ll decide to travel this week after seeing these shots.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      08/07/2013 at 2:41 pm

      Thanks, Dale! I couldn’t believe how absolutely gorgeous the landscape was there. I kept saying, “this is the most beautiful place I’ve ever been!” which is saying a lot!

      Reply
  5. Jo (The Blond) says

    08/08/2013 at 12:16 am

    This looks amazing!
    Are you going to Bali? I’m going there in December and would love to read some tips about it.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      08/09/2013 at 12:33 am

      Honestly I was not interested in Bali. Too touristy. I have heard great things, though, and my buddy Victoria at pommietravels.com used to live there and surely has some great stuff on her site!

      Reply
  6. Steph (@ 20 Years Hence) says

    08/09/2013 at 6:32 am

    Gorgeous photos and you’ve made me wish this was something I could do. But I hate hiking at the best of time and have never tackled a mountain/volcano before and when Tony & I talked about doing Rinjani, we knew we had to be honest about our own limitations and acknowledge that we probably aren’t fit enough to do it. Seeing your pics makes me wish I were wrong though!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      09/04/2013 at 3:56 pm

      It was a challenge so if hiking isn’t your thing I don’t blame you for passing it up! Certain things are just not my thing either (movies, I hate going to movies) so I just avoid them!

      Reply
  7. Ryan says

    08/14/2013 at 7:49 pm

    Great photos!…. These are some of the best that I’ve ever seen from a Rinjani trek. All the clouds helped to make the atmosphere of your photos particularly stunning. What kind of camera/lens did you bring to the summit?

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      09/04/2013 at 3:57 pm

      They really did make the shots stunning! I use a Nikon D3000 with a standard 18/55mm lens.

      Reply
  8. Shari says

    08/15/2013 at 2:08 am

    We are heading to Lombok next week and are thinking of climbing Rinjani. Is there a company that you could recommend? I hear it makes a big
    Difference if you have a good guide. How was yours? Can you recommend? Any help for a fellow budget traveller would be great . Love the pics!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      09/04/2013 at 3:56 pm

      I contracted through a private guy, which is exactly what the tour companies do. I was happy to cut out the middle man. My guide was decent but honestly it’s just about getting up and down the trail, so I wouldn’t overpay for that part of it.

      Reply
  9. rey maulana says

    09/05/2013 at 6:49 am

    such a beatiful pict ! wow, you’re a genius photographer i’ve seen, nice to know you 🙂
    btw nice adventure time, I’m from Lombok and i often climb Rinjani, with my friend and with my guess ( i’m freelance guide, hehe)

    visit my blog : reymaulana.blogspot.com ( but sorry for my english, it’s not to good :/ )

    Reply
  10. Frank says

    09/08/2013 at 11:40 am

    Great photos Kristin! Doing that trek on my list of things I’d like to do, appreciate your tips.
    Good job on the blog,
    Frank (bbqboy)

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      09/08/2013 at 11:52 am

      Thanks Frank and let me know if you end up doing it!

      Reply
  11. Chris says

    10/19/2013 at 8:37 pm

    Hi there,
    I would like to know more about your hiking trip at Mount Rinjani. What to bring up the mountain ?
    Chris

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      10/21/2013 at 2:21 am

      Warm clothing and proper shoes. Otherwise, the guides bring the rest.

      Reply
  12. prodigalthumb says

    11/18/2013 at 5:56 am

    it was great reading your escapades at mt rinjani & mt kinabalu 🙂 im looking at doing rinjani next year and i understand we will prolly will spend around 3 days out hiking.. just wondering if there are any opportunities to wash up?

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      11/18/2013 at 11:44 pm

      Well there are natural hot springs and the volcano lake but no, not really. You’ll be a filthy human being for those three days.

      Reply
      • prodigalthumb says

        12/05/2013 at 8:40 am

        hahaa guess wet wipes will have to do.. thanks Kristin!

        Reply
  13. divinggrab says

    11/24/2013 at 4:13 pm

    Thx for info and pic kristin. I will be i imdonesia next week. U said there’s no hiking in Dec in Rinyani . Is that a rule by the park or up to each guide/operator? Or depends on weather conditions at the time? I’ve read online some ppl did it in dec. Thx

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      11/27/2013 at 9:04 pm

      That just happens to be rainy season so I think generally it is shut down but probably depends on the weather

      Reply
      • prodigalthumb says

        12/05/2013 at 8:39 am

        hahaa guess wet wipes will have to do.. thanks Kristin!

        Reply
  14. May says

    12/02/2013 at 11:58 pm

    Great blog! 🙂 I am planning to go up Rinjani next year. You mentioned you got your guide through a private guy and you paid Rp1,000,000 for the entire package? I thought that was really great value! Do you still have the contact of your guide? If so, possible to pass it to me so that I can check him out directly? Thanks much!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      12/04/2013 at 5:53 am

      I literally showed up and found him. Just do the same. Haggle with your guest house or even a restaurant you eat lunch at. The porters are what you really need and the guides are just an afterthought.

      Reply
  15. Plopsy Whops says

    01/23/2014 at 10:26 pm

    Awesome!!! And you paid 1mil rupiah as a solo hiker? I m so in for this. Which month did you go up in anyways? Thanks for the info

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      01/25/2014 at 8:54 am

      I went in July. Check into the rainy season because they don’t climb during the wet months. They put me with a group and it turned out to be awesome 🙂

      Reply
  16. Bem says

    01/31/2014 at 4:58 am

    Wow well done ! I love your blogging of the journey – i was wondering if you could recommend which tour operator to go with ?! Thanku

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      01/31/2014 at 6:18 am

      I’d actually suggest finding a guide without a tour company. They charge a lot more. You can just ask anyone at any guest house or restaurant on Lombok. Just go with whoever is cheapest because they contract out all the same guides.

      Reply
  17. Anne says

    02/08/2014 at 8:17 pm

    Lovely blog post, gorgeous pictures. I am going to Indonesia in August/September and would love to do this hike. I’m super glad to see a solo hiker can find a good deal there, because everything online is super expensive.

    Do you have any guesthouses in Lombok to recommend? Thank you!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      02/10/2014 at 9:05 pm

      The place I stayed the night before the trek was included in the overall price. I can’t recall the name but if you just show up and look around you should have no issues finding something

      Reply
  18. Toby says

    02/10/2014 at 6:34 am

    Wow! So up for this! Will I have any problem booking onto a tour locally a day or two before? Looks like you’ve had a great time!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      02/10/2014 at 9:03 pm

      I had no problem and it was high season. I can’t guarantee of course but I am pretty sure it won’t be an issue – just make sure it’s open! Closed some months of the year due to rainy season

      Reply
  19. Vincent liew says

    02/22/2014 at 7:26 am

    Can i know how much u spent in total for the mount rinjani trip coZ i am planning to go with my friends? Izit better to find a tour when reached or should i book through internet? Just to get an idea
    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      02/22/2014 at 7:50 pm

      It will be much more expensive if you book online. If you book in person once already in Lombok you can get it for as low as 1,000,000 Rupiah for 3 days/2 nights (about USD $100)

      Reply
  20. Dan Korenchan says

    03/19/2014 at 12:36 am

    Hey Kristin!

    Thanks so much for the info. My friends and I are planning on flying from Singapore into Lombok, landing around 9pm the day before we’d like to start our trek. Is that too late to book a trek in Lombok that night? The online sites are asking for $250 USD or more and we’d really like to get closer to your price. Thanks so much again!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      03/19/2014 at 2:55 am

      It’s pretty late but give it a try. Most treks start their briefings around 6pm and begin very early the next morning. It’ll take you some time to get to the starting point for the trek, that’s the issue. You’ll need to take a van for a few hours. You might be better off sorting it out the next day if you have the time.

      Reply
      • Dan Korenchan says

        04/07/2014 at 11:38 pm

        Hey Kristin, I just finished our 3D/2N trek to Rinjani and thanks to your advise it was an absolute success! We had a great time and were able to book a trek for just over 1,500,000 IDR including transportation at the end to Kuta, Lombok for a day of surfing before heading home via Lombok Airport. Thanks again for your advise; I will be using it again soon when I take my trip to Bromo & Ijen!

        Reply
        • Kristin says

          04/08/2014 at 1:18 am

          Hey Dan. I’m so glad you enjoyed your trek and thanks so much for coming back to let me know that you found my advice useful!

          Reply
  21. Katrina says

    03/25/2014 at 9:11 pm

    These photos are amazing and your trek sounds even better! I’ll be in Lombok in May and am just wondering which area you stayed in. I was looking to stay in Senggigi but am now thinking maybe I should stay closer to Rinjani? If you could give me any advice that would be awesome! Thanks 🙂

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      03/26/2014 at 4:59 am

      Senggigi is the start of the trail, or the end, depending on how to do it.

      Reply
  22. Sarah says

    04/30/2014 at 3:51 am

    Hi Kristin, was just wondering how much you paid for everything as a whole? Food, accommodation, guide and transport for the 2 nights you were there? Also do you happen to have the email/contact of the guide/tour agency you used? 🙂

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      05/05/2014 at 12:59 am

      $110 for everything and i just showed up and found a guide. Very easy. Just ask basically anyone at any guest house or restaurant and haggle the price. They’re all independently contracted.

      Reply
  23. Rudolph.A.Furtado says

    04/30/2014 at 4:35 am

    Awesome pictures and text description.Will be touring Indonesia in August 2014 and would definitely visit a volcanic mountain less difficult than Mount Rinjani. At the age of 54 i wouldn’t want to risk such a trek in a foreign country as a solo back-packer tourist although physically fit,a physical fitness fanatic.

    Reply
  24. Erwin says

    05/07/2014 at 10:41 pm

    Nice blog Kristin, i’m happy i found this blog of your’s about trekking Mt. Rinjani. a friend and I are all set to fly to lombok via kuala lumpur on the 20th. will be at lumbok for 4 days and included in our itinerary is to hike mt. rinjani. we searched the net for hiking packages and the results were a bit pricey. good thing i stumbled into this entry of yours. now i already have an idea. thanks much!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      05/08/2014 at 3:20 am

      Welcome! Glad to have helped!

      Reply
      • Erwin says

        06/09/2014 at 3:28 am

        and we did it. we had a successful hike last May 22-24. we we’re blessed with a good weather the entire hike. truly the summit assault was challenging but it was all worth it. the view at the top was stunning!

        Reply
        • Kristin says

          06/09/2014 at 4:27 am

          The final part of the hike was so tough! So glad you had good weather and enjoyed! Thanks for coming back to update me on how it went 🙂

          Reply
  25. Ian says

    05/12/2014 at 11:00 am

    $100 to climb? Well far less than my kinabalu, but i’m been so used to $0.2 registration fees in my hikes in Philippines. Lol 😉

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      05/12/2014 at 8:38 pm

      The $100 is for the guide, porters, tents, food, and snacks plus the first night accommodation in whichever town you start in and transport to the ferry (or wherever else you’re going) afterwards for 3 days, two nights. I thought that was pretty good!

      Reply
  26. Carola says

    05/15/2014 at 5:04 pm

    Great blog! It looks stunning!

    Did you travel solo? Because I’m travelling solo to Indonesia (Bali) in August and I would really love to do a similar Mt. Rinjani hike. So any tips are very welcome. I probably fly/take a boat to Lombok asap and try to find a guesthouse and ask around.

    If you have any names or good places to go, please let me know. All tips are appreciated!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      05/16/2014 at 4:33 am

      Yes, I traveled solo. You’ll be put in a group with other trekkers. I met some awesome people during my trek!

      Reply
      • Carola says

        05/21/2014 at 2:07 am

        Hi Kristin,

        Thanks for your reply. I am really tempted to book in advance (I’ll be in Indonesia the beginning-mid August), are you sure it’s not necessary? (tried to ask for a tour of a company in Indonesia which was fully booked, but obviously this was not local and a popular agency for young people/students)

        Reply
        • Kristin says

          05/21/2014 at 8:35 pm

          All I can comment on is my experience in July – also high season – when it was easy for anyone and everyone interested to find a group to join.

          Reply
      • Carola says

        05/21/2014 at 2:52 am

        Oh and one more question! Do you need to be experienced to do the 3 day, 2 night hike?
        I don’t have a lot of mountain climbing experience, the only ‘big’ hike I’ve done so far was the Tongariro Alpine Crossing in New Zealand, but my fitness is OK.

        Reply
        • Kristin says

          05/21/2014 at 8:34 pm

          No it’s not climbing but more like hiking.

          Reply
  27. Anis says

    05/19/2014 at 10:00 pm

    Hi there. Thanks for a great review. I’m planning on going there this coming October. May I know which guest house you stayed and found the guide?

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      05/20/2014 at 8:24 am

      I got the guide sorted out when I was in Kuta Lombok. Though I can’t remember the name of the guesthouse it really doesn’t matter as they’re all contracted through whoever is in need at the time so no company is better than another

      Reply
  28. Pamela says

    06/09/2014 at 1:27 am

    Spectacular pictures! This is where I hope to hike in one day! I am sure it is not an easy task to climb up to the peak, just wondering if you did any training or what sort of training do you do before you hike up mount rinjani?

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      06/09/2014 at 4:30 am

      I had climbed Mt. Kinabalu in Borneo a few weeks earlier without much prior training. It was tough but it comes down to your mental state. If you believe you can do it and keep telling yourself that you can, and take breaks when you can and honor your body, you can do it (assuming you’re injury-free)

      Reply
  29. Yy says

    06/25/2014 at 7:26 pm

    Hello.. It’s fun to read this!
    I’m going on this august .. And I would like to ask about what’s the difference between summit package and lake package?
    Can u pls explained to me? Thx yea..

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      06/26/2014 at 2:59 am

      I haven’t heard them named that way but I’m guessing one is 2 nights and the other is just one. I went to both the summit and the lake.

      Reply
  30. Fran says

    07/02/2014 at 8:16 am

    Hey,

    Great that you share ur information. This is so helpful.

    I am wondering if you had any hiking shoes or just your running shoes to climb up the volcanos? I am planning on doing so and i know, that the lava can be sharp and cut shoes…

    Would you share what you think of the condition of the paths up there, possible in running shoes?

    Thanks so much for your help.

    Fran

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      07/02/2014 at 1:35 pm

      I did it in running shoes and the problem wasn’t the sharp rocks, but rather the gravel near the top. They’re really slippery and if you had hiking boots they’d be less likely to get in your shoes. I had to empty mine out quite a few times.

      Reply
      • Fran says

        07/02/2014 at 7:40 pm

        Thanks soo much, your advise is highly appreciated!!

        Reply
  31. Ryan Tan says

    07/10/2014 at 3:04 am

    I actually booked a flight to lombok after seeing this post .. lol. overall, it was a tiring but rewarding trip! thanks for sharing…

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      07/10/2014 at 6:24 am

      That’s awesome! Yeah it’s physically challenging but definitely beautiful.

      Reply
  32. Sarah says

    07/14/2014 at 8:42 am

    hi, your photos are awesome! I read on some blogs that at certain parts of the trek, it will be just half a meter wide and it will be off the cliff…is that so??
    I have phobia for height but i really want to try out!
    hear from you soon!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      07/14/2014 at 3:21 pm

      Parts of it can be very steep and narrow. There’s often a railing to hold onto but it may test your fear of heights a bit.

      Reply
  33. joel says

    07/16/2014 at 6:58 am

    Great Blog! And amazing dedication responding to comments!

    Im headed to Lombok in August and am trying to sort out the logistics. I plan to hike Mt Rinjani as well as stay near the beach near Kuta for a few days afterwards. You mentioned that the place you stayed in Kuta Lombok was where you arranged the trek (including transportation and the 1st night’s stay in Kuta). Would you recommending going to Kuta before the trek since transport to and from Kuta is included? Or is it more helpful to stay somewhere closer to Mt Rinjani? I assume we will arrive in Lombok from the ferry around 4pm the day before the trek.

    Thanks!!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      07/16/2014 at 8:54 am

      Thanks Joel 🙂
      I paid a bit more overall since transport was included, so I’d say it doesn’t matter.

      Reply
  34. Tyler says

    07/16/2014 at 5:42 pm

    What an awesome post! It is so inspiring I think some friends and I are planning to do the trek! I have a few logistics questions and am hoping you can give me a little advice.

    My friends and I already have flights that arrive in Bali at 9:45am and are then heading to Lombok, with hopes of doing the trek the following morning. We will arrive in Lombok hopefully around 4pm. Would it make the most sense to stay in Senaru the night before if we were trying to set up trekking arrangements or somewhere else and make our way to the hike in the AM? In your post you said you stayed in Kuta, did you also stay at a guesthouse in Senaru the night before the trek or make your way there the following morning?

    Thanks so much for all the help and inspiration!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      07/16/2014 at 10:37 pm

      You’ll want to be in Senaru by the morning that you start the trek since I believe it starts around 7:30am (ish). Getting into Bali around 9:45 the prior morning is probably fine.

      Reply
  35. Anonymous says

    09/02/2014 at 5:34 am

    Hello, I notice you talk about heights a few comments back. I’m not great with heights either, when it’s a sheer drop. I did a long trek in the Himalayas and I was fine because the track was wide. So for Rinjani is it ever a sheer drop when the route is narrow?

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      09/02/2014 at 10:40 pm

      Yes, honestly it is. Most of it is fine but there are narrow parts that you have to be very careful on.

      Reply
  36. Khairil says

    09/03/2014 at 8:55 pm

    hye there,

    im a first timer, going to mt rinjani. i would like to inquire abt your statement below:

    It’s advisable to show up on Lombok and book directly with a tour operator there rather than organizing through a travel agent elsewhere in Indonesia. There have apparently been issues in the past with tourists being sold tours with fake operators or less-than-desirable companies. Even the one I elected to book with charged everyone in my group a different price. Therefore, the cost is definitely negotiable. If you make your own way to Senaru or Sembalun Lawang, the starting points (if you start at one you’ll end at the other and vice versa), expect to pay around 900,000 Rupiah (USD $90) including park entrance fees. I personally booked in Kuta, Lombok, for 1,000,000 including transport from Kuta to Senaru, but others in my group were charged 1,500,000 for the exact same thing. Always haggle!

    if i were from lombok airport, do u recommend for me to take up the packages offered at that area for the price you mentioned? because i find it true that pre book from online websites is expensive as it offers up to 2,250,000 idr. please advice.

    thanks
    Khairil Asraf

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      09/03/2014 at 9:54 pm

      I still believe what I said is true. If you can find a price you like at the airport then go for it, but heading to the base of the trek will mean finding the best prices.

      Reply
  37. Khairil says

    09/03/2014 at 10:12 pm

    thank you for your reply. will try look for it along the way heading to the trek. or at the trek itself. 🙂

    Reply
  38. Anonymous says

    09/24/2014 at 11:27 am

    It’s not possible to climb in December? I’ll be in Malaysia for work and finish up mid December when I wanted to head over to Lombok/Mt. Rinjani 🙁

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      09/24/2014 at 11:32 am

      My guide told me that during the rainy season it’s closed. I’m sure it depends on the weather. I can say for sure.

      Reply
  39. Rojan says

    02/10/2015 at 4:19 am

    Hi
    Thanks for your amazing resource page on Rinjani that has very helpful information. I am planning to climb Mt. Rinjani in May and I have been quoted USD 250 by a travel agent online. My friend recommended this agent who has already taken its service before. I am feeling a bit risky to just arrive at lombok without a prebooking. But it will be great if I can get a package for USD 100 instead of 250. If possible, could you please share the names of some trekking agents who offer the package at $100 or some more tips on how to find them. I will be arriving Lombok at 10 am and will be starting the trek the next day. Thanks a lot.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      02/10/2015 at 8:34 am

      Some charge more and give you a better tent, softer sleeping bag, and things like chairs. The guides will be the same. The food will be too more or less. You can ask absolutely anyone at any guest house or restaurant on Lombok for trekking. Plenty of people book the day before. If it makes you nervous then you can book ahead, but I can only say from my experience, I was there in high season and had no issues and nobody in my group booked ahead. Agencies always charge more.

      Reply
  40. Shane says

    03/17/2015 at 9:12 pm

    Hi,

    I am planning a trip in June with, among other things, some time on the Gilis. Would you suggest breaking the time on the Gilis up to just a couple of days at the start, then booking/completing climb, then going back to the Gilis to rest/recover afterwards – or because of transit it’s best to trek after visiting the Gilis?
    Thanks

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      03/19/2015 at 6:57 am

      I’d just visit them before or after, personally. I went to Gili T after the trek and it was perfect.

      Reply
  41. Ankur says

    04/07/2015 at 8:58 pm

    Hi Kristin,
    I am planning to go to Mt Rinjani from Bali (airport). Please suggest best route?
    Bali(Padang Bai) to Sengigi OR Bali(Padang Bai) to Lembar ? And how to reach Rinjani from here?
    Speed Boat OR normal Boat? How much time each takes? What is the cost of each?
    Do you suggest us to stay in Senaru OR Sembalun Lawang ?

    I will book my trek from Senaru/Sembalun , as you have suggested above.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      04/17/2015 at 8:57 am

      I think I noted in the post which one I started and ended at, and I liked my route best because it culminated with the peak rather than having that at the beginning. Definitely take the fast boat. It changes depending on the season but it wasn’t too expensive. Sorry my memory is fuzzy it was almost 2 years ago!

      Reply
      • UltraWideLife says

        10/11/2015 at 7:40 am

        Hey thanks for inputs Kristin. I finally ended up doing Sembalum – Senaru
        Its damn steep hike I would say. But totally worth it.

        Reply
        • Kristin says

          10/12/2015 at 5:56 am

          Glad it worked out for you! Yes, it is steep in places.

          Reply
  42. Adi says

    04/14/2015 at 2:35 am

    On behalf of local trekking organizers in Mount Rinjani, Lombok, I am glad to hear that you have good experience there and I am looking forward for anybody that want to have trekking adventures with us.

    Reply
  43. Jakob Pedersen says

    08/25/2015 at 11:39 pm

    Hi Kristin

    From your story and the Photos it really seems like got quite the experience at Mt. Rinjani! My girlfriend and I going to lombok tomorrow, where we will be spending a couple of days around kuta, visiting some beaches etc. So you have some suggestions for some ‘must do’ in and around Kuta? Afterwards we plan to a tre-days Mt. Rinjani trek to the summit. As far as I can see you did the same. We would like to know if you got any advice whether to choose Senaru or Sembalun lawang as starting point? We consider usself as bring above average fitness, so would you advice to go the tre-days trek instead of the four-days trek?

    Besides that my girlfriend would like to know which setting you used to take the beatiful pictures from mt. Rinjani? Because we have a Nikon D3300, but we just bought it before we went on the this trip, so we are not that experiences jet.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      08/26/2015 at 10:42 am

      Hi Jakob, Most people do a 3 day trek and you can start from either side and it won’t make a huge difference. You just go in a different order but it’s the same trail. I liked finishing with Rinjani on the last day, though, so Senaru was better for me.

      I didn’t stay in Kuta for long. It was a lot of couples and I was traveling solo, plus I failed to find a very social guesthouse and was running out of time, so I chose to trek then head to Gili T. I hear motorbiking around the beaches there is great though and something I’d like to do in the future.

      For photos, turn the aperture low and ISO high and hold the camera very still.

      Reply
  44. SL says

    10/26/2015 at 7:07 pm

    hi kristin,
    after reading how challenging it was for others to climb mt rinjani (which had me hyperventilating and reconsidering my decision to go there in april 2016), i come to your post and you make it seem manageable. kudos to you once again.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      10/27/2015 at 4:04 am

      A friend came back to me after and said, “WHY didn’t you say how hard it was to climb?!” and I was like, I did? Two steps forward to slide one back! It was brutal! Worth it, though, amiright?

      Reply
  45. Vignes Chandran says

    11/12/2015 at 6:32 am

    Awesome write up! We pre-booked in advance and ended up paying about 1.5m rupiah, but inclusive of 2 days in neighboring Gili Trawangan so I guess it was a pretty good deal. But you right – can always get a better deal on the spot, even if it was a day before the actual hike! And always negotiate 🙂

    Reply
    • Yolo says

      12/20/2015 at 7:14 pm

      Wow awesome price. May i know where did you prebook it?

      Reply
      • Kristin says

        12/21/2015 at 7:53 am

        As I mentioned in the post, if you prebook you’re going to pay a lot more. It’s no issue to just book the day before or the day of when you’re already on Lombok

        Reply
  46. Rinjani Trekking says

    12/17/2015 at 1:08 pm

    nice post!

    Reply
    • Shaina says

      02/01/2016 at 1:19 am

      Hi there,

      When will the Park be open again in 2016? and how does the eruption in October-December 2015 influence the opening dates?

      Reply
  47. yani trekker says

    01/23/2016 at 3:46 am

    great post guys..
    thank you for post our place especialy Mount Rinjani the sacred one.

    Reply
  48. Ria says

    03/13/2016 at 3:50 am

    I would like to make trekking but would like to find some trustful operators 🙂 Do you remember how called yours?

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      03/13/2016 at 3:42 pm

      It was just a few locals who organized it themselves. I really think just showing up and asking around is the best way, but there are some with storefronts that are better organized, they just cost a lot more!

      Reply
  49. Yoko Lu says

    05/08/2016 at 6:51 pm

    I just came back from a 10-day vacation trip consisting of Angkor Wat and Bali. I went to Gili T but did not have enough time to climb Rinjani – I just dived. I will definitely be going back to Bali and to Lombok for the Rinjani climb. Mt. Kinabalu is my first priority, with Bromo and Ijen as options as well.

    I have climbed multiple 2000m and 3000m mountains in Japan, including Fuji (very easy) with heavy backpacks with camping gear. I think I should be able to do Rinjani 3D2N. I probably won’t try 1D for Kinabalu though. What do you say – Kinabalu and Rinjani – which is tougher (in terms of climbing difficulty)?

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      05/12/2016 at 8:57 am

      Kinabalu is way tougher and I think Rinjani is more beautiful

      Reply
      • Yoko Lu says

        05/26/2016 at 6:05 pm

        Thanks for the reply! I wasn’t even aware that there my comment was actually replied – but this is good to know because I have left knee problem and would probably have difficulty climbing for 3 days as I did for the 3-day trekking in Myanmar.

        Reply
  50. Liv says

    05/20/2016 at 3:11 am

    Great article thanks. I was just looking at doing this trek and was wondering whether to book from UK or not. I now know my answer.

    Reply
  51. Gautier says

    07/06/2016 at 5:53 am

    Hi there,

    Thank you for your post! However, I am still wandering if it is possible to do the climb really independently to get to the top or at least to the lake on your own (i.e.; without a tour/guide)?
    How much would be the entrance of the park in itself?

    Many thanks in advance and enjoy your next adventures 🙂

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      07/09/2016 at 8:38 am

      Yeah for sure. If you have your own tent and are happy to carry your own food I don’t see why not. I don’t know how much the park entrance is, though, sorry!

      Reply
  52. Sebastien says

    07/12/2016 at 2:37 pm

    Hi! I just found your website and its amazing! Love your hiking stories and pics, keep it up! I was wondering what size of backpack would you recommend for a 10 day trip with hiking rinjani for instance? I assume there’s a fine balance between too small and too big!
    Thanks 🙂

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      07/13/2016 at 2:04 am

      10 days hiking Rinjani? I didn’t know that there was even a trail that long! I had porters so i took a small one and it was just 3 days. If you’re carrying all of your own food then it needs to be big – 70L I would say.

      Reply
  53. Ashita Singh says

    07/16/2016 at 7:00 am

    Hi Kristin,

    Beautiful pictures and a very insightful post.
    I am planning to go on this hike when I travel to Indonesia in April 2017.
    I am fit overall. I run 5-6 Kms 4 days in a week and have a decent stamina.
    Do you think there is some special kind of training required to go on this hike?
    Also, would my running shoes be good enough for the climb to the summit on the last day or do i need to buy a pair of hiking boots?

    Thanks
    Ashita

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      07/16/2016 at 11:18 am

      I did it with running shoes and I’m pretty sure you won’t have a problem but I always say the best practice for hiking is hiking, so if you have a chance to do some hikes near home first it’ll be that much easier for you!

      Reply
  54. Kristin says

    08/25/2016 at 8:46 pm

    The views on that day are really nice so if you have time it’s worth doing 3 days and 2 nights to see it!

    Reply
  55. Jou Trekking says

    09/22/2016 at 7:44 am

    Thank you very much for sharing your trekking experience by sharing your experience it’s really helping us to get more guests and that is really good for rinjani community to get more work. We all from
    jou trekking company would like to say thank you

    Reply
  56. nick beeline says

    11/18/2016 at 5:50 am

    I went too hike mount rinjani. Is truly amazing I will love to hike aagain but with more longer program 44 day3 night Iis more relaxing and more enjoyable. The tree day was so hardest and makes all pain.

    Reply
  57. Eline says

    12/29/2016 at 2:11 am

    Hi Kristin!

    First of all thanks for this awesome post!

    I’m currently planning my trip to Indonesia. Since I’ll only have 2 or 3 weeks to travel around I have to make choices. I want to do at least one volcano trek. So I’m doubting between Mount Bromo, Mount Batur (Kintamani) and Mount Rinjani. I have done the Inca trail last year so I don’t mind a tough hike.

    Thanks!

    Cheers,
    Eline

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      12/29/2016 at 10:27 am

      I think that Rinjani is the most beautiful out of those but it’s the longest too.

      Reply
  58. Barry says

    01/16/2017 at 3:03 am

    Hi Kristin, what a great read and your photos of the Rinjani trek are amazing! It brought back so many memories from our attempt at the trek, sadly we didn’t make it to the summit, we were on the 4 day, 3 night trek and our knees just couldn’t get us up the ridge before the sunrise! Quite a few groups turned back that morning.

    Still, we had an awesome experience sitting on the ridge as the sun rose around us, this was definitely the best multi day trek we have ever completed, and I would love to go back and trek it again (but this time make it to the top!). And as for those views from the crater rim looking down onto the lake, absolutely unforgettable!

    Thanks again for sharing.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      01/16/2017 at 11:37 am

      Most of the people in my camp didn’t make it to the top or didn’t attempt either. It was tough, but all of the other days were worth it and beautiful.

      Reply
  59. Cherene Saradar says

    03/10/2017 at 12:12 am

    Hello, Nice to read your story! I’m considering doing this in April. I would be coming from Gili T. Is it recommended to book there? Can I take ferry from Gili T in morning and start hike the same day? Also, you mentioned they give jackets. I have been travelling in SE Asia for 2 months and literally have no warm clothes. I have trekking shoes and leggings. What would you recommend?

    In terms of difficulty, how does this compare do you think to the Inca Trail (have done….it wasn’t pretty…lol). I am trying to figure out if I can do it!

    Thanks so much! I’m a blogger also so hopefully I can return the favor one day:)

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      03/10/2017 at 12:34 am

      Hi Cherene, you can’t really start the same day from Gili T because the treks start at the break of dawn, or at least the one I did. I’d suggest getting yourself to Lombok first and booking there. It’s going to be cheaper than on Gili T. Take the local ferry and then hire an ojek to go to the starting point (whichever side you decide you prefer to start on) and talk to anyone there – guest house workers, restaurant employees, really anyone, and haggle.

      The last part up to the volcano peak is really hard, to be honest. You can do all of the hike except for that part, which many people opt to do. I still think you should try it because how often do you get that chance? When you book ask them for a jacket. I didn’t have warm clothes either.

      Reply
  60. Fajar says

    04/27/2017 at 5:01 pm

    Hello Kristin. It was such an amazing experience. Climbing mountain is actually nothing to do with conquering the summit BUT ourselves. Thanks for sharing. Cheers

    Reply
  61. Herman says

    05/05/2017 at 6:22 am

    Hi..!
    I am very delighted to hear your post about my mountain and my island.
    Lombok i love you…!

    Reply
  62. Chris says

    05/22/2017 at 7:23 am

    Thanks for your post! I plan to do it on my own, would you know of any nice possible camp sites that you might have crossed without too many people from the pre booked tours?

    cheers
    Chris

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      05/22/2017 at 1:58 pm

      You can probably camp anywhere as there weren’t camp boundaries or anything like that

      Reply
  63. Van Nguyen says

    07/10/2017 at 9:38 pm

    What a useful article!!! I have been looking for an article like this, thank you for sharing.
    My friend and I are planing to trek this volcano next April and all the tour are charging like 250$ or more for a 3 days trip.
    We are arriving in Lombok at around 5:15PM, do you know if it’s possible to find a tour to start the very next morning at that hour? If yes, then could you advise where?

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      07/11/2017 at 3:56 am

      That might be tough but no impossible if you go right to the start of the trek and ask around town. If you can give it an extra day I would, though.

      Reply
      • Van Nguyen says

        07/17/2017 at 10:20 pm

        Thank you very much for the info, we will try and see how it goes

        Reply
    • camcung says

      01/21/2018 at 8:20 am

      just head to Senaru Village from the airport

      Reply
  64. Nur baiti says

    08/08/2017 at 11:15 am

    Seems you have a great experiences. I am from Jakarta. I went to Gili’s in 2013 and I was climb Rinjani from Senaru in 2014.
    Rinjani is my favorite, I’m glad you enjoy your trip. If you came back to Indonesia, I suggest you to go to Maratua Island, Kakaban island , Derawan in East Borneo. It’s a secret place where Prince William take his honeymoon.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      08/08/2017 at 11:17 am

      Thanks for the tip!

      Reply
  65. Anies says

    08/17/2017 at 7:58 pm

    Howdy Kristin.. It was an amazing experience you had. Really happy to see the story about Rinjani you share in this post. Thank a lot.

    Reply
  66. Gan says

    03/09/2018 at 12:27 am

    Hey,

    I am quite impressed that you got to do Rinjani for so cheap! It is almost impossible to get those prices nowadays. I did mine for around 90 USD too.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      03/09/2018 at 12:34 am

      They raised the park entrance fee and it got more popular so go figure!

      Reply
  67. GG says

    11/10/2019 at 3:36 pm

    What beautiful photos and views! Lombok seems like a great alternative to Bali although I hope it doesn’t get too popular eventually! Rinjani sounds like a great challenge to try!

    Reply

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