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Rinjani 2015 – Itinerary

Posted on May 15, 2015 by jipp

Day 1

KL – Lombok International Airport Air Asia MYR 740 (return)

Lombok International Airport – Senaru Taxi IDR 550 K

Checked in at Pondok Indah IDR 330 K

Day 2

Senaru – Sembalun 3D2N Package IDR 2mil

Sembalun – Plawangan Sembalun map of lombok

Camping Night 1

Day 3

Plawangan – Summit

Summit – Plawangan Sembalun

Plawangan Sembalun – Lake

Lake – Plawangan Senaru

Camping Night 2

Day 4

Plawangan Senaru – Senaru

Senaru – Senggigi

Checked in at Sunset Hotel IDR 800K

Day 5

Senggigi – airport IDR 250K

Lombok Airport – KL

The Airport

The airport is quiet far from Rinjani . You’ll need another 3 hours to travel from the airport to Senaru – the starting point of the trek to Rinjani. You can take a taxi if you want to go directly to Senaru (about IDR 800,000 or less for an airport cab, may be lesser for street taxis – we managed to get IDR 550,000) or you can take a bus to Senggigi – and save a few dollars – and take a taxi from there to Senaru. If you haven’t changed your money to local currency, you better do it at the airport. I found it quite difficult to find a money changer – except at Senggigi where I saw some.

The Packages

There are 1D1N, 3D2N and 4D3N packages up for grab. WE took the most popular one, the 3D2N package. A pick-up took us from Senaru to Semalun (both at the foothill of Rinjani but on different sides) from where we trekked to the rim on the Semalun’s side to camp for one night before climbing up to the peak at 2 in the morning then returning to the camp before descending to the lake and up to the 2^nd camping site at the rim on Senaru’s side. From there we descended back to Senaru before being transported to Senggigi where we spent our last night in Lombok before returning to Malaysia the next morning.

I can think of 3 options in booking for a package to Rinjani based on my observation there.

Option 1 – Book online

I wouldn’t touch on the reliability of websites because seriously, I am not quite sure. But still a lot of people book online to make things much easier for them. If you book online, you can include in the package your pick-up transfer from the airport all the way to Senaru, then your 1-night accommodation at Senaru before scaling that damn mountain the next day. You can even include your transport to any ‘desired destination’ in Lombok from Senaru – even to the airport as I was told. It sounds quite hassle-free actually.

Option 2 – Go to Senggigi and book for a package from there

Senggigi is quite a big town about 1 hour away from the airport and 2 hours from Rinjani. It is quite a touristy area so you’ll find plenty of companies offering you climbing packages at a varying price range. Senggigi is reachable by bus from the airport so you can save a little bit of money on the cab. But then from Senggigi to Senaru (Rinjani) you still have to take a taxi – which is probably arranged by the company that you chose. The problem is, you might have to depart very early from Senggigi so that you can reach the starting point of the trek in time for you to reach the camping site before it is too dark (and cold).

Option 3 – Go directly to Senaru and arrange everything there

Senaru is located at the foothill of Mount Rinjani. It is 3 hours away from the airport so you might have to spend quite a bit of money on the taxi. There is no direct public transport from the airport to Rinjani – or so I was told. Upon reaching there, you can easily find a company to arrange for your climb – there are always ready even at the very last minute. They can provide you a night’s accommodation at Senaru or you can just check into any of the chalets (plenty) and ask the company for a discount (because you pay for your own accommodation).

The Trekking Map

The good thing about this option is that, the money will go directly to the people at Rinjani. I was told that 90% of the people there do a job that is related in one way or another to the tourism at Rinjani. Then you can open the table for negotiation on the prices too. You’d see that these ‘little enterprises’ that arrange for the climb to Mount Rinjani don’t even have a proper office but rest assured – they really know what they are doing. You won’t believe how hassle-free your hiking trip will turn out to be.

Each package usually includes your food and drink for the whole trip and the basic comfort of accommodation (sleeping in a tent). They might help you bring some of your personal belongings but of course you can’t really demand much. I see how most people go up to Rinjani without a single shit of luggage on them but I’d rather bring (most of) my own things in my backpack. It’ll look good in my pictures 😛

The Prices

I’d say the range of prices of the packages from one company to another are about the same actually. Some companies would offer you what is called ‘deluxe’ package which among others give you luxury of drinking Bintang – Indonesia’s most revered local beer – up at the mountain. Then they might give you a thicker mattress for a better comfort.

What we paid for was probably a normal package – but seriously, I wouldn’t have asked for more then what they had offered to us.

The Food

My gosh, how I underestimated the porters and the tour guide. Despite their looks (kidding) they really know how to cook! I was told that ability to cook is one of the requirements to be a porter and a guide at Mount Rinjani. They cooked different dishes every time so we always found ourselves excited about finding out what the next dishes would be!

Trekking Gear

First and foremost, it is recommended that that you bring your own trekking gear. You wouldn’t find any shops that sell trekking gear at Senaru, may be you would, but I didn’t see any when I was there. Even if there were, I’m sure the number of choices would be very limited. I managed to buy a rather dilapidated umbrella there to serve for my protection from the rain and also as my hiking pole. It worked really well – at least for me because I’m quite used to using umbrella instead of wrapping myself up with a rain coat whenever I go hiking.

Money Changer

No, there is no money changer at Senaru. It is a just a village. If you want to change your money to local currency, do it at the airport, or probably Senggigi. The locals there don’t even know the exchange rate which is one of the reasons why they are not quite fond of being paid in any currency then their own (rupiah).

Posted in Adventure, Itinerary | Tagged Indonesia, Lombok, Mountains, SEA | Leave a comment

I Left my Heart at Rinjani

Posted on May 9, 2015 by jipp

I have come to find out that the beauty of Rinjani doesn’t lie on the mountain alone but it comes in packages. When I went up to the summit, I thought I had seen it all. But it was when I came down from the summit and descended further and further down to the danau (lake) that I found out that there was much more of Rinjani then the view seen from the peak – or even from the rim.

I couldn’t even begin to describe how ‘mysterious’ Rinjani was as our guide led us onto one of the most amazing treks that I’ve ever come upon. I didn’t read about the trek at all so I had no idea how it was going to be like. Having just come down from the summit attack, it really was a struggle. Somehow I managed to get my momentum back so I was doing quite OK. My buddy Rao wasn’t quite up to it so he really was struggling. In fact, he was kinda dragging his legs down the very rocky trail and he had to ask us to stop every now and then for a breather. But seriously, the trail and the view along the way were just so amazing. It gave me that feel of being lost in the middle of nowhere. It was heavily misty so everything seemed surreal and mysterious. We knew we were going deeper into the valley but we didn’t know how much deeper we were actually going.

We were quite happy because the rain had miraculously paved way for bright sunshine when we were at the summit and the blessing had continued on until we returned to the (first) camping site. But as we descended to the lake, the rain had returned to claim its portion of the day. By the time we reached the lake where we’d stop for lunch, it was raining like crazy. I hastily slipped out of my backpack and headed for the lake to see it up close. Looking down from the peak, I really thought that it was a dead lake without any inhabitants because it looked quiet too green for a livable lake. But seeing it up-close, I was quite surprised to see a lot of fish swimming in it. In fact, people would go there to fish.

“I’ve had some wins. And been knocked down with defeats. Glimpsed views from the top of the mountain. And walked through the darkest of valleys. But through this entire ride called ‘a life’ – I’ve refused to give up” – Robin S. Sharma

Looking down to the lake from the summit was already a wow, but looking up at the mountain from the lake was even more breath-taking. There was the towering Rinjani and the volcano that continuously spews smokes from its crater. The reflection that they made off the lake made it such a perfect picture postcard. I let myself be fully soaked in the beauty before continuing on with a heavy heart. We made our way up to the rim – this time with more challenges not only for the fact that we were trekking against the altitude again but also the rocks and fell to the trail from wherever they were up there before.

It was almost dark when we arrived at the second camping site. It was already bustling with many trekkers had already had their tents up. People were chatting and laughing and some would just holler which was quite beyond my understanding. But then, it was all about having a good time so I was quite OK with it. We followed our guide to some isolated corner of the camping area where our porters had already set up the tent for us. We were so exhausted that we actually went into the tent and never went out ever again – not until the next morning. I did wake up a few times when the tent shook because of the very strong wind but I was too exhausted to do anything about it. I just kept going back to sleep.

It was the next morning that I found out how beautiful the scenery was from the camping site. I could still see Mount Agong in the far distance and the overpowering shade of Mount Rinjani spread across the sea all the way to Bali. It was one of those times when the word magnificence was best defined.

I pushed my way up to the upper ridge of the hill where people would go to to see the sunrise. Too bad that there was another hill that obliterates what would have been a great sunrise view. Still the morning sun made the panoramic view from the hill so amazingly beautiful. I could see right to the top of Rinjani and most of the lake – which was now a sparkling blue probably because of the bright morning sun. Again, the view that I saw from there that very morning would stay in my head for a very long time.

After having breakfast, we packed up and made our way down to Senaru. It was an all-descending business so it was a great relief from all the suffering that we were made to go through the day before. I took the time to soak in everything – the view, the atmosphere, the nature, the freshness of the mountain air, the greenery – everything. As we descended further, the grassland paved way for a green and lush forest, which is one of the most beautiful forests that I’ve ever come upon. There were all kinds of sounds – the sounds of nature as I’d call them – and I couldn’t help but feeling so blessed to be there to experience it all.

If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere – Vincent Van Gogh

After 5 hours of the leg-breaking descending journey, we were back in Senaru and before I knew, it was time to leave. The company provided us with transportation to Senggigi – a very beautiful town on the south coast of Lombok – as part of the package. 3 hours on and we found ourselves in Senggigi, at a brand new hotel called The Sunset Hotel. It was sad to leave Rinjani quite so immediately but it felt so good to be back to civilization again. Heh.

It was almost impossible to have a shower up at the mountain so it was a payback time. Quite almost immediately after I unpacked everything at the hotel room, I headed for the swimming pool and let the water do all the job in the world to free me from whatever dirt that I caught while trekking for 3 days and 2 nights back at Rinjani. Water had never been tastier on my skin. I thought I could just sleep there for the whole night. Heh.

I had my very last glimpse of Rinjani as the flight that I was on cruised further and further away from Lombok International Airport the next morning. I would be long gone but all the memory that I picked up along the trek at Rinjani would stay in me for a very long time. Again, it was always good to have another thing struck off the bucketlist. As to where I’m heading next – I have no idea. There are a few places in mind but I haven’t decided which one yet. Perhaps – just perhaps – climbing another mountain is not really a bad idea 🙂

Posted in Adventure | Tagged Adventure, Indonesia, Lombok, Mountains, SEA | Leave a comment

Humbled by Rinjani

Posted on May 7, 2015 by jipp

Mount Rinjani in Lombok had always been in the list of mountains that I wanted to climb – together with Semeru in the East Java. Considered as one of the most beautiful volcanos in the world, Rinjani has been gaining more and more popularity at least among adventure-seekers especially now that Lombok has its own international airport. People used to go to Lombok on a ferry from Bali. Thanks to Air Asia which provides direct flights from KL and even Johor Bharu (and probably some other major cities), it has now become one of the hottest destinations at least among Malaysians who are attracted to its sandy beaches, scenic and green countryside and of course the beauty of the mighty Mount Rinjani itself.

Touching down at Lombok International Airport from an early flight from KL, my climbing buddy Rao who had flown in from Johor Bharu the day before was already there to welcome me. We took a taxi directly to Senaru – some 3 hours away from the airport and located at the foothill of Mount Rinjani. Funny thing was, I really thought Senaru was more like a town bustling with tourists and avid trekkers so I was imagining there’d be shops that sell all kind of trekking gear and there’d be money changers in just about every corner for those who are too lazy to change their local currencies to rupiah back in their countries like me. LOL. Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure | Tagged Adventure, Indonesia, Mountains | Leave a comment

Rinjani 2015 – Itinerary

I Left my Heart at Rinjani

Humbled by Rinjani

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