Mount Rinjani is an active volcano on Lombok, standing at an impressive 3,726 meters (12,224 feet). It is the second highest volcano in Indonesia, and you can climb it! It’s a challenging multi-day trek where you will undoubtedly encounter your physical and mental limits. But at the same time, it’s incredibly rewarding! The stunning landscapes and unique views from the volcano are breathtaking. It’s an indescribable feeling when, after a tough climb, you finally reach the summit and witness the sunrise. Climbing Mount Rinjani will likely be one of the highlights of your trip to Indonesia, both literally and figuratively. Therefore, it’s important to prepare well for the trek. Below, we’ll share everything you need to know about what the Rinjani trek entails and what you should keep in mind.

What to Expect When Climbing Mount Rinjani?

Climbing Mount Rinjani is a challenging but unforgettable experience. The trek usually lasts three days and takes you through diverse landscapes, from tropical rainforests to grasslands and rocky plains. Each day, you’ll hike for about 8 hours while enjoying stunning views of the crater lake and the surrounding nature.

Not only do the landscapes vary, but so does the climate. While it’s warm at the foot of the volcano, temperatures can drop significantly higher up, especially at night. Wearing multiple layers of clothing is essential, and we’ve put together a packing list for you, which you can find at the bottom of this article. You will spend the night in a tent at various beautiful locations. You’ll sleep on simple mats in sleeping bags provided by the tour company. Of course, all meals during the trek are taken care of by the porters and guides who accompany you. The meals are usually simple but nutritious, consisting of rice, noodles, vegetables, and chicken, with a delicious banana pancake in the morning. Fresh fruit, energy bars, and drinking water are also provided.

How Difficult is Climbing Mount Rinjani?

One moment, you might feel like crying because it seems impossible, and the next moment, you’re enjoying the view from the top of Mount Rinjani. Yep, this is pretty much the spectrum of emotions you can expect during the Rinjani trek. Good physical condition is highly beneficial for climbing Mount Rinjani, but with the right determination, it’s definitely achievable. You really need to want it and go for it 100%. With the right mindset, you’ll make it to the top. There’s a good chance that in the days following the trek, you won’t be able to walk due to muscle soreness, so don’t plan too many activities for the days after the hike. A few days of relaxation on the Gili Islands or in Kuta Lombok will definitely be beneficial after this climb!

The Different Options for the Trek to Mount Rinjani

Many tours begin their trek in the village of Sembalun, allowing you to get close to the summit on the first day. With the three- and four-day tours, you end in the village of Senaru. It’s also possible to do this trek in reverse, but most people find this the most enjoyable option.

• Option 1: 2 Days / 1 Night to the Summit; Start in Sembalun, overnight at the crater rim, and early on day 2, head to the summit of Rinjani. After breakfast, return the same route back to Sembalun.
• Option 2: 2 Days / 1 Night to the Crater Rim; With this option, you don’t climb to the summit but only to the crater rim, making the hike much less intense while still allowing you to enjoy the impressive views. Start in Senaru, trek through the jungle to the crater rim where you’ll overnight, and then return to Senaru the following day.
• Option 3: 3 Days / 2 Nights to the Summit; This is the most popular option. Start in Sembalun, overnight at the crater rim, and early on day 2, hike to the summit of Rinjani. After breakfast, descend to the crater lake where you can relax in the hot springs. Then, climb back up to the other side of the crater for the second overnight stay. On day 3, trek through the jungle to Senaru.
• Option 4: 4 Days / 3 Nights to the Summit; This is similar to option 3, but you spend an extra night at the crater lake, making the second day less intense.

Which Option Do We Recommend?

The most popular way to climb Rinjani is the 3 Days / 2 Nights to the Summit trek, and we also recommend choosing this option. The benefits include not retracing the same path, allowing you to walk through varied landscapes. Additionally, three days is a comfortable duration for the distances you’ll cover. It’s neither rushed nor too slow. Since this is the option we also chose, all the information in this article pertains to the three-day tour. The company we link to above is very reliable with only positive reviews, so you can be assured of a good tour and a safe, worry-free climb of Mount Rinjani. They provide quality gear, small groups, free warm clothing rentals, and you’ll be accompanied by an enthusiastic guide.

Day-by-Day Description of the Hike

To give you a complete picture of what the 3 Days, 2 Nights to the Summit trek looks like, we will go through the entire itinerary here. This way, you’ll know exactly what to expect and whether this is something for you or not.

Day 1: Climbing to the Crater Rim

The Preparations and Registration

The day before the trek, the guide will visit your accommodation to introduce themselves and provide a short briefing about the trek. They will go over the itinerary with you and tell you what to bring.

Around 7:00 AM, you’ll be picked up, and your Rinjani adventure begins. Most people stay in the village of Senaru, as it is the perfect base for the trek. It’s easily accessible from all over Lombok and has nice accommodations and facilities for travelers. From Senaru, it’s about a 45-minute drive to the starting point of the trek in Sembalun. Before starting the hike, you will first go through a mandatory medical check-up where your blood pressure and blood oxygen levels will be measured. After that, you’ll need to stop at the registration point to confirm your identity, ensuring that all individuals match the registration that has been done. This is at an elevation of 1,051 meters (3,448 feet), and from here, the hike will begin.

The Start of the Trek to Pos 2

The first part of the hike takes you through a beautiful hilly area where you can see the summit of Mount Rinjani and the crater rim in the distance. If you look closely, you can already spot the tents of other hikers at the top, which appear no larger than one centimeter from your viewpoint. This first two hours is a pleasant walk from one hill to another until you reach Pos 1. Once there, you can take a break and seek shade under one of the shelters. The trek from Pos 1 to Pos 2 takes about an hour through a similar area with tall grass. If you’re hiking early in the dry season, around April-May, the landscape is still beautifully green with wildflowers scattered here and there. As the dry season continues, the scenery becomes drier, and the hills take on a yellowish hue. During the dry season, you may encounter small fires, and you might pass by blackened hills.

To Pos 3 and Lunch

Next, it’s an hour’s walk from Pos 2 to Pos 3, and the hills gradually become taller. This segment requires significantly more energy, especially as the temperature rises quickly. If it’s very dry, you’ll likely find yourself covered in dust and sand. The dryness causes all the sand to kick up when people walk in front of you, and combined with a lot of sweat and sunscreen, you’ll soon look like a rugged miner. Fortunately, you can take an hour’s rest at Pos 3 and enjoy a delicious lunch!

From Pos 3 to the Crater Rim of Mount Rinjani

Once you’ve regained your strength after the break at Pos 3, the toughest part of the first day begins. You still have to climb three large hills to reach the crater rim. These three hills are often referred to as the killer hills, and for good reason. The walking now transitions into climbing, so take plenty of breaks to catch your breath.

However, the view will become more beautiful with each step, and you’ll gradually rise above the clouds. On the first two hills, there’s a chance you’ll be hiking in the mist, which is nice because it keeps the temperature cooler. On average, it takes about 3.5 hours to climb the killer hills to the crater rim.

Overnight at the Crater Rim

Upon reaching the crater rim, you can enjoy one of the most beautiful views of Mount Rinjani, provided it’s not cloudy. You’ll be overlooking the lake as the sun sets and clouds drift by. The porters will set up the tents and start preparing dinner. After 6 to 8 hours of hiking and climbing, it’s wonderful to enjoy a good meal in peace. Once the sun sets, you’ll notice it gets cooler quickly. It’s likely you’ll crawl into your tent right away and fall asleep like a rock. This is also advisable, as it will be a short night. You’ll sleep on a mat with a warm sleeping bag, but it’s recommended to keep your thermal clothing on and possibly wear a hat if you feel cold.

Day 2: Climbing to the Summit of Rinjani and Visiting the Hot Springs

The Climb to the Summit and Watching the Sunrise

The second day is all about climbing to the summit of Rinjani, starting early in the morning. You’ll wake up around 2:00 AM for a light breakfast, and then you’ll tackle three hills that are steeper than those on the first day. Fortunately, it’s still dark, so you won’t see how far you have left to go. With your headlamp on, all you can see is the ground and a starry sky filled with thousands of points of light. Each hill will take you about 1 hour without breaks. Be sure to take enough breaks, as you have an hour to spare before the sun rises, and you don’t want to be at the top of the volcano before dawn since it gets really cold up there. The last hour is especially a pain in the ass. You’ll be walking on coarse volcanic gravel, and with each step, you’ll slide back down a bit. However, don’t let this discourage you—keep pushing on. There is indeed an end to this grueling trek, and the view from the top is more than worth all the effort!

After recovering from the climb at the summit and enjoying the sunrise, you’ll begin your descent back to the tent. This part is much easier than the ascent and takes about 2 hours. As the sun rises higher, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the entire crater of Mount Rinjani. On clear days, you can even see the Gili Islands with Mount Agung in Bali in the background.

Descending to the Crater Lake and Relaxing in the Hot Springs

Once back at your tent, you’ll have time to recover from this adventure and enjoy breakfast for the second time. After about an hour of rest, the gear will be packed up again, and you’ll start the descent to the crater lake.

You’ll be descending for 3 hours to reach the lake. Just 100 meters (328 feet) from the lake are the hot springs, where you’ll have the opportunity to visit. This is also a perfect chance to freshen up. After lunch by the lake, you’ll continue the trek back uphill. It’s about another 3 hours of hiking until you reach the crater rim on the other side. You’ll walk through beautiful nature filled with tall grasses and pine trees, while still catching glimpses of the lake. You’ll undoubtedly be thrilled when you arrive at the crater rim and see the colorful tents set up again. After a hearty dinner and, hopefully, a stunning sunset, you’ll fall asleep like a rock.

Day 3: Return Through the Jungle of Rinjani

After breakfast, the return journey begins through the lush jungle. This is another beautiful route because it is entirely different from the landscapes you have seen so far on Mount Rinjani. Although this part is descending and not climbing, it can still be quite challenging since you’ll be using different muscles. Fortunately, you’ll be walking for the most part in the pleasant shade of the treetops. It takes about 5 to 6 hours to reach Senaru.

Packing List for Climbing Mount Rinjani

Rule number one is to take as little as possible. The trek is quite strenuous, as you may have read, and the more stuff you carry, the heavier it will be. There will be porters who carry the tents, sleeping gear, and food and drinks. It’s amazing how strong these men are. A good tip is definitely deserved at the end. Here are the essentials you should bring:

Tip: At the organization we recommend below, you can borrow warm clothing such as gloves and a warm jacket for free the day before the trek, so you don’t have to bring them all the way to Indonesia. You’ll also receive trekking poles and a headlamp. It can be nice to bring your own thermal shirt and/or thermal pants.

Where to Book the Rinjani Trekking?

There are many different tours to choose from, but they are definitely not all of equal quality. Some organizations work with poor guides and substandard tents or very large groups. Since this is not just a simple hike, it’s wise to choose a good and reliable organization. This way, you’ll have a fun and experienced guide, quality gear, and you can be sure to complete the trek safely and without worries. Therefore, we recommend booking this three-day Rinjani tour. This organization has only positive reviews and offers great guides who will assist you well. You can also set your own pace, which is very nice during such a longer trek. They provide free warm clothing such as gloves, a jacket, and trekking poles. The group size is never larger than four people unless you book with more than four people.

Our Favorite Spots in Senaru (the Base for Rinjani)

Senaru is the most popular base for climbing Mount Rinjani. The surroundings are beautiful, and from here you can also visit the impressive Sendang Gile & Tiu Kelep waterfalls. The accommodation options in Senaru are limited, so it’s smart to book your stay a while in advance. One of the most beautiful and affordable places is Rinjani Lighthouse. The rooms are stunning, featuring lots of natural materials, the staff is incredibly friendly, and there’s an excellent restaurant at the hotel. If you’re looking for something a bit more luxurious, Pondok Guru Bakti Cottages comes highly recommended. The rooms may be slightly less impressive, but the lovely pool with a view of Mount Rinjani more than makes up for it. From here, you might even catch a glimpse of monkeys swinging through the trees! If you really want to treat yourself, the most luxurious option in Senaru is Rinjani Lodge. Both the location and the staff are amazing, and from the infinity pool, you can look over the treetops of the jungle all the way to the summit of Mount Rinjani.

Rinjani Lighthouse More Information

Pondok Guru Bakti Cottages More Information

Rinjani Lodge More Information