Summiting Mt. Rinjani: Trekking to the Top of The Mountain in Lombok.
⛰️Located on the island of Lombok, Mount Rinjani stands at an impressive 3,726 meters (12,224 feet) above sea level. Rinjani volcano is the second highest peak in Indonesia.
Trekking Mount Rinjani is a challenging and rewarding adventure that takes you to the summit of one of Indonesia's most iconic and active volcanoes.
⛰️What to expect trekking Mt Rinjani.
1. The trek typically takes 2 to 4 days, depending on your chosen route and your level of fitness.
You can do:
- 2 Days 1 Night
- 3 Days 2 Nights
- 4 Days 3 Nights
The three main starting points are Senaru, on the northern side of the mountain, Sembalun, on the eastern side, and new trekking route is Torean route from Torean village - which lays in between Senaru and Sembulan.
All routes offer unique experiences and allow you to witness the diverse beauty of Mount Rinjani.
I've hiked Rinjani twice, exploring all routes. In my personal experience, the Senaru route is the easiest and offers the best views from the base camp. For the descent, the Torean trek is the top choice, often compared to "Indonesian Hawaii" due to it's incredible beauty. It's absolutely worth visiting.
2. The best time to hike Mount Rinjani is during the dry season, from April to October. For the most enjoyable experience, aim for April to May or September to October. The weather is more stable, with less rain and clearer skies, offering better views from the summit.
I suggest going early in the season, like April or May, it ensures cleaner routes and fewer crowds, making it the ideal time to avoid excess trash on the trek.
⛰️Before the hike.
To prepare for hiking Mt Rinjani, focus on improving your fitness level. Hiking Mt Rinjani you'll need to be in GOOD shape. Start with regular cardio, like walking, jogging, or cycling, to build up your stamina.
And if you're new to hiking, no worries! Practice with some mini-adventures, like exploring your local trails.
Prepare yourself mentally for the challenges of the hike. It will be plenty of them on your way up and down. Be ready to push through physical discomfort and mentally embrace the adventure.
⛰️How to prepare.
1. It's essential to plan and book your hike in advance, as Mount Rinjani is a popular destination, and permits are limited during peak seasons.
There are so many tour companies out there offering different packages, so I am sure you can find one suitable for you.
Our company, "Friendly Trekker," offered an amazing 3D2N trek, starting from Sembalun and exiting through Torean.
Would totally recommend those guys to you as they've done an a amazing job. They have different packages so you can choose which one you want to take.
2. You’ll need to arrive to the island of Lombok at least one day in advance of your Mt. Rinjani trek. You can arrive by air, or by boat.
I always recommend to fly. Its a bit more expensive but will save you so much time. The flight is only 30 mins from Bali, ferry can take up to 5-6 hours minimum. Many people take a boat from Gili Islands. The boat journey typically takes around 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the departure point and the sea conditions.
Either way you'll be picked up by the tour guide and they will drive you around 3-4 hours from the Airport and about 2-3 hours from the Port to Sembalun/Senaru areas, where you’ll stay the night before your Mt. Rinjani Trek.
Once you arrive, the guide will meet you and give you a basic briefing on how the next day will go. You can leave your luggage at the home stay and just bring your backpack with all the necessary stuff for your trek.
⛰️Side note: Porters will be carrying ALL of your supplies up the mountain for you and cook all of your meals. You'll be carrying your water bottles and snacks they you have to prepare before the hike. The supplies are carried in baskets slung over their shoulders and connected with bamboo. They do all of this in flip flops! And in very hot and humid weather. Please be sure to give a generous tip to them at the end of your trip!
⛰️The trails.
The trails on Mount Rinjani are steep, rocky, and challenging, requiring confidence and endurance. It is also super dusty, so you should expect to be covered in sweat and dust by the time you reach your base camp.
⛰️Necessary stuff for your trek.
Prepare a hiking gear checklist, including:
- Hiking boots!!!;
- Comfortable backpack;
- Hat / Cap
- Sunscreen SPF 50
- Sunglasses
- Baby wipes!
- Appropriate clothing for warm weather: a few pairs of hiking socks, a few pairs of hiking/active wear shorts, at least 4 sweat absorbing t-shirts/long sleeves;
- Appropriate clothing for cold weather: truck pants, warm socks to sleep at night, fleece jacket, a few warm jumpers, wind stopper jacket, puffer jacket, beanie, gloves;
- Prepare first aid kit, don't forget strong painkillers and pills from altitude sickness if you think you can get sick.
- Lots of snacks. I mean LOTS. I prefer to buy snacks in Bali as it has much more options for healthy snacks. My list includes: energy bars, chocolates, cookies, lollies, gummies (the best and easiest source of sugar - that's all you need to push your body), 3-5 packs of nuts and nut mix, on the hike I was really craving fresh juicy apples - lucky I brought some with me.
P.S. you don't need to bring any hardwear, sleeping bags or tents with you. Your company will take care of it.
⛰️Day 1. The hike.
Your adventure begins around 8-9 am from the starting point. The initial part of the hike is relatively manageable, offering a pleasant trekking experience. However, as you progress beyond POS 1, which depends on the route you choose (either Senaru or Sembalun), the trail gradually becomes more challenging. After POS 1, the trail becomes steeper.
You'll take a lunch break at POS 2, giving you about an hour to relax and refuel before continuing your journey. By around 4-5 pm, you'll reach your base camp for the night, where you'll have a well-deserved break from hiking until the next morning.
At the base camp, the porters will take care of cooking dinner for you, allowing you to enjoy the breathtaking views. If you'll be lucky with the weather conditions you'll see the summit from your campsite. Straight after the sunset it will be super cold, so prepare to freeze :)
⛰️Day 2. Final push.
At 2 am, it's time to get up and prepare for the summit climb. It will be very cold in the morning so prepare to wear lots of layers of clothes so you can easily take them off while hiking.
Personally I was struggling so much. I had pain everywhere, I was crying and I was scared.
The choice to push your limits and summit Mount Rinjani is personal. Some find it worth the challenge and see it as a symbol of personal victory, while others may find fulfillment in other aspects of the journey. Both experiences are valid, and it's about embracing what feels right for you.
After savoring the victory and admiring the view from the top, it's time to begin the challenging way down.
The journey downhill is far more demanding and could take approximately 3-4 hours to reach your base camp. Despite the fatigue, you'll have a few precious hours to rest before going on your next adventure of the day.
After your rest, you'll head to the beautiful crater lake and hot springs, where you can recover and relax.
Finally, from there you'll embark on the breathtaking Torean trail, making all the effort and pain worth it. Trust me!
On your second night, you'll sleep under the stars. It will be a rewarding experience, surrounded by nature's beauty.
⛰️Day 3. Last day of the hike.
The Torean trail is a stunning and and definitely less challenging hike with diverse landscapes. You'll pass through forests and alpine regions, that doesn't feel real sometimes.
The hike will take 7 hours to reach Torean village - your final exit point.
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