Mount Rinjani Trekking Guide

Official Mount Rinjani Climbing Guide. Mountain climbing can be daunting, especially for those from Europe or anywhere from overseas of course if you are in a different country where people speak different languages! We wrote Mount Rinjani Climbing Guide to share our years of experience in guiding people safely up and down one of the most coveted peaks in Southeast Asia. Mount Rinjani is the second highest volcano in Indonesia, with incredible panoramic views and diverse landscapes, flora and fauna. In this article we cover the essentials - how to plan a hike, what to bring, when to go, and most importantly which routes will open in 2020.

Rinjani Adventurer trekkers stand on the summit of Mt Rinjani. At 12,224ft / 3726m, Rinjani is one of Indonesia’s highest peaks.

The only Mount Rinjani Hiking Guide you'll ever need!

Interesting Mount Rinjani Facts:

• Location: Lombok Island

• Elevation: 3,726m / 12,224ft

• Volcano Type: Stratovolcano

• Volcanic status: Active

• Biggest Eruption: 1257 AD (Mt Samalas)

• Awarded UNESCO Global Geopark status in 2018

• Rinjani is considered a sacred mountain, and attracts pilgrims every year who make offerings at lake Segara Anak, or “Child of the Sea”

Why I'm interested in telling you about climbing Mount Rinjani.

Because Mount Rinjani is amazing - it will take your breath away! But don't just take our word for it - National Geographic in 2020 included the Rinjani hiking trail in their book “100 Hikes of a Lifetime: The World's Most Beautiful Hiking Trails”.

I’m not a mountaineer…can I still trek Rinjani?

Yes! Despite its size Mount Rinjani is an achievable summit for the beginner. This is because it isn’t technically difficult – you don’t need ropes or rock-climbing skills to reach the summit. We’re not saying it’s easy – you still need to have a moderate level of fitness and lots of determination, but we can advise you on how to prepare. If you believe you are too unfit to attempt the summit there are other options, such as the intermediate level trek to Senaru Crater Rim or the beginner trek to Pergasingan Hill.

How to train for climbing Mount Rinjani

The Mount Rinjani Fitness Guide provides some in-depth training advice for training to climb Mount Rinjani. In short, develop cardiovascular fitness and endurance by walking and running. Develop stabilizing muscles that improve balance by doing specific exercises. Practice hill-climbing with a backpack (this will be the most specific preparation you can do).

How to get to Mount Rinjani?

Many people ask how to get to Mount Rinjani. If you're already in Lombok, getting to Mount Rinjani is quite easy - there are only 2 main roads - one towards the west of the island (to Senaru), and one towards the east (to Sembalun). Some trekking companies provide transportation to take you to the starting point, but usually from North Lombok. If you are coming from Kuta Lombok or Lombok Praya airports, you will be charged extra. If you have rented a scooter, you can drive yourself to Senaru or Sembalun - but be careful as driving standards in Lombok are not as high or regulated as elsewhere in the world. From the Gili Islands, you can take a public boat or privately chartered speedboat to Bangsal Harbor. From there we will pick you up or you can arrange for a driver to take you to our Place. Public buses in Lombok are rare and unreliable. Rinjani Adventurer uses cars (not minibuses) to pick up our customers and drive them to Senaru or Sembalun. Cars with experienced drivers will provide a sense of comfort, full music has air conditioning and seat belts.

Lombok Island travel times:

• Bangsal Harbour (if coming from the Gili Isles) to Senaru: 1.5 hours

• Sengiggi to Senaru: 2 hours

• Mataram to Senaru: 2.5 hours

• Lombok Praya International Airport to Senaru: 3 hours

• Kuta Lombok to Senaru: 3.5 hours

What should I pack for the Mount Rinjani..?

Most of the leading guiding companies that organise Mt Rinjani expeditions provide camping and cooking equipment. Rinjani Adventurer send-out a comprehensive equipment list and packing guide to all of our customers, but here is a shortened version of what we recommend you bring:

• Daypack– a small backpack of around 30-40l volume should be large enough, but it depends how light you travel, and whether you will be taking a camera equipment.

• Hiking Boots or trail-running shoes (trainers are a minimum requirement). The key is tread – the path is steep and slippy in some sections, so confidence and control will be aided by decently gripping sports shoes.

• Daywear – Shorts and t-shirt, or trekking clothing. Hat & sunglasses. Sunscreen.

• Eveningwear – warm layers. We suggest trousers or tracksuit bottoms, fleece or wool tops, and/ or a warm jacket. Hat and gloves are also recommended.

• Summit – Warm clothes! Trousers, thermal layers, jacket, hat & gloves.

• Towel & swimming gear – if you are going to lake Segara Anak and the thermal springs

• Dust masks – at times in the dry-season the summit trail can be dusty. A cheap dust-mask is useful for parts of the trail.

• Basic First Aid Kit including any personal medication

• Sandals / flip-flops (useful for letting your feet breathe at rest-stops & in the evening)

• Toiletries

• Head-torch

• Wet-wipes

• Insect repellent

• Money. A small amount of cash for tipping your porters and guides is recommended, as they do an amazing job carrying equipment up and down the mountain, and cooking delicious food for you 3 times per day. There is no recommended amount, so it will largely depend on how generous you feel.

Mount Rinjani cleanup activities carried out with Dompet Dhuafa

What should my trekking organiser provide when climbing Mt Rinjani?

There is often a big gap between what a trekking company should provide and what they actually do. Many of the budget or black-market (unlicensed) operators will provide very little. You might be sleeping in old or damaged tents, and will have little food or snacks. This is why you should avoid booking from agents & re-sellers, and read reviews of the actual company you’re going with before making the decision. There is no point regretting going with the dirt-cheap operator when you are cold, wet, and hungry due to sub-standard service & equipment – you should ask yourself whether for the price of a few cocktails you would like a comfortable and professionally run adventure.

• The following is a list of what Rinjani Adventurer can provide on all their treks, and why it is important:

• Warm jackets (temperature decreases with altitude. On the crater rim and summit it can be sub-zero with wind-chill effect)

• Warm hat & gloves

• Waterproof jacket & trousers set

• Poncho (alternative to waterproof jackets & trousers – can go over your backpack)

• Trekking poles. These are very useful, even if you would not usually use them. Steep ascents and descents are aided by the use of one or two poles, and the impact on the knees and ankles is also greatly reduced.

• Sleeping bag liner. 100% cotton, freshly washed before each trek (because who wants to sleep in someone else’s filthy sleeping bag!)

• Head-torch (essential for night-time toilet runs and the summit ascent)

• Backpacks (if you need to borrow a day-pack, we have a limited supply)

• In addition to the above, we give each customer a custom RDA “buff”. This can be worn as a headscarf, hat, dust-mask or sweat-band.

Is Mt Rinjani safe?

There is an inherent risk associated with mountain climbing, but Rinjani is a generally considered a safe mountain to climb. The highest risk comes from slipping on steep sections (such as going down to the lake), and falling awkwardly down a slope. But people have died from exposure because they have not had the proper equipment – again, this is why we recommend going with a licensed operator who is equipped to take care of you.

What about the 2018 Lombok earthquakes – I heard they affected Mount Rinjani trekking?

Following the 2018 Lombok earthquakes Mount Rinjani National Park was temporarily closed. This was due to localised landslides, most prominent on the lake routes from Senaru and Sembalun Crater Rim. There has been restricted access to Mount Rinjani in 2019 – the summit was deemed off-limits, and trekking was limited to the Mt Rinajni caldera (crater rim).

Mt Rinjani Trekking Routes:

• 2 day / 1 night Rinjani Summit (starting in Sembalun, finishing in Sembalun)

• 2 day / 1 night Senaru Crater Rim

• 3 day / 2 night Rinjani Adventure (starting in Sembalun, one night at Sembalun crater rim, one night at lake Segara Anak and get down from torean rute)

• 4 days / 3 night Explore Rinjani (starting Sembalun, Summit, Lake, Torean)

How much is the entrance fee for Rinjani National Park?

The entrance fee for Rinjani National Park from 2019 to 2024 is set at IDR 150,000 per person per day on weekdays. and 250,000 per person per day on holidays such as Saturday and Sunday.

Then in 2025 the Rinjani Mountain National Park Service implemented new regulations for the National Park entrance fee of 200,000 per person per day on normal days. and 250,000 per person per day on Saturday and Sunday holidays.

This fee is included in the price of the package you buy.

Do I need travel insurance for Rinjani?

It’s recommended that you should have travel insurance for all overseas travel. This is because getting treatments in hospitals or Dr’s clinics can be expensive if not a resident of the country. In Lombok Dr’s consultations and treatments are relatively inexpensive (compared to say, the US or Australia), but if you have to be flown to a larger hospital the costs can soon mount-up. Some trekking companies include a basic insurance in their packages, but this is generally just to get you off the mountain. If you need to be rescued from Mt Rinjani a team of stretcher bearers will have to be deployed. There is currently no dedicated helicopter rescue service for Mt Rinjani. This is another reason you should opt for a professional and fully licensed company. Rinjani Dawn Adventures has its own in-house rescue service, with lightweight vertical lift rescue stretcher. It is the only company on the mountain that offers this service.

I've read on Tripadvisor that there is a lot of trash on Mount Rinjani, is this true?

In the past there have been litter issues on Mount Rinjani, especially at rest stops and camping areas. Again, this mainly comes from unlicensed operators and irresponsible people who leave trash behind to reduce the load they are carrying. The park is trying to find a solution to this problem, but without park rangers and proper supervision, this will continue. If you care about the environment, we suggest you look for a reputable and fully licensed company. You'll be paying for a better ratio of porters to customers, and helping to preserve Rinjani. In anticipation of this, Rinjani Adventurer created the Clean Summit program and joined forces with Indonesia's largest humanitarian organization Dompet Dhuafa in an effort to reduce the use of plastic, and also remove existing trash from campsites and rest areas. Our cooperation took the form of cleaning up all the places where trash accumulated, including Lake Segare for children and bringing it down, and then conducting training on recycling organic waste into fertilizer and plastic for recycling. Rinjani is still an amazing place, and hopefully the culture of littering will change with education and new initiatives.

How much should I tip my Rinjani guide and porters?

Although it is not a necessary, it is customary to tip porters and guides at the end of a trek. How much you tip is up to you, and is usually done as a group. As a rule of thumb you can ask yourself how much you would usually tip for an amazing restaurant meal. Multiply this by the number of days you have been trekking, and you should arrive at a fair figure. But if your guide or porters have gone out of their way to assist you (by carrying your personal bags etc), it might be worth being a bit more generous – it will be much appreciated, and will go a long way. Most groups usually get together amongst themselves and gather up tips to give to the head guide. He will ensure a fair distribution to the team of porters.

I don’t feel ready to do Mount Rinjani, are there any other cool adventures on Lombok?

For many people the thought of climbing a big mountain on their holiday is not their idea of fun! If you are one of these people, but would still like to incorporate some form of adventure into your holiday, there are lots of awesome day-trips and soft-trekking options.