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Our Crater Rim Hike is a 2 day / 1 night trek is best for travelers wanting to see the beautiful views on Mt. Rinjani, but possibly find the summit to be a little too challenging. This day starts at your homestay in Senaru Village in North Lombok. You will have breakfast & coffee at your homestay before this day starts.
There are 2 ways to hike to the crater rim. One way is to leave directly from Senaru, and the other is to take 1 hour drive (island style) to Sembalun. The drive is a memory in itself as you ride in the back of a truck, wind in your hair, through the villages of Lombok.
If you journey directly from Senaru, you will hike through the heart of Gunung Rinjani National Park (a UNESCO geopark). On day one, you will ascend through thick rainforest that covers the lower slopes of Mt Rinjani. In the afternoon, you will exit the treeline to the more exposed area of the mountain and follow grassy ridgelines up to Senaru Crater Rim. The campsite at Senaru Crater Rim (also known as Plawangan Senaru) has beautiful views! To the North East is Mount Rinjani’s summit, and just below is Segara Anak & Mt Barujari (an active volcano). On a clear day it’s possible to see the Gili Isles to the West – Gili Trawangan, Meno and Air. Behind these three tiny islands, Bali’s Mt Agung sits high above the horizon.
If you decide to journey from Sembalun, the trek is equally beautiful, but more direct. This is the same route that we offer our Summit Hike travelers, and is a little more steep yet not as long. Both options have you to the crater rim in the afternoon.
Since most travelers prefer to go all the way to the summit, please ask ahead about this hike. We require a minimum of 2 people for this hike.
Travelers usually arrive an Bangsal Harbor via Bali or Gili Islands. Some travelers may arrive via Lombok airport. In both situations, we offer transportation to our homestay in Senaru as part of your package. You will arrive at our homestay and have dinner. You will be able to enjoy beautiful views from our outdoor dining area as well as watch monkeys right below you. You can also walk to Tiu Kelep waterfall which is only 20 minutes by foot. The trail is right in front of our homestay.
You will start your day with breakfast and coffee or tea. Depending on if you are hiking from Sembalun or Senaru, you will either start with a short drive to the trail head or a 1 hour drive to Sembalun. This day you will hike all day until late afternoon, stopping for lunch in the middle. You will arrive at the crater rim in the late afternoon where your porters will already be setting up camp. You will spend the evening enjoying the views from the crater rim & have dinner. You will sleep at the crater rim.
On the 3rd day, you will have breakfast and then begin your decent to either Senaru or Sembalun. If traveling to Sembalun, the decent is mildly steep. If traveling to Senaru, most of the day is through thick rainforest. You will stop mid-day for lunch, and then continue after lunch. Once at the bottom of the mountain, you will be driven back to the port or airport. If you plan to stay for one of our other adventures, you will be brought back to our homestay in Senaru or eco village in Tanjung.
