Rinjani volcano trekking

About the tour organization: The tour organization is excellent, with round-trip transfers in a comfortable car, good hotel with hot water, the opportunity to rent equipment, transfer to the starting point and back, and registration at the national park - everything is clear and without delays. The only downside is that equipment rental at the Rinjani trekking center is expensive. There is a stall a couple of blocks from the accommodation where you can find gear three times cheaper. Definitely bring trekking poles, flashlights, and jackets. About the tour itself: It is a physically demanding climb, be prepared to walk more than 8 hours a day for all 3 days NOT on a straight road: rocks, stones, earth, volcanic sand, cliffs, mountain rivers, and streams. There may be a steep ascent up, a sharp descent down the stones, a winding road, a passage next to a sheer cliff, etc. You must realize that your training will allow you to remain fully concentrated and in control of your body, despite fatigue. Ignoring this can be dangerous. But some people still go at their own risk. Food: You are fed Indonesian food and fruits. It's tasty, though sometimes a bit spicy. Nasi goreng, mi goreng, chicken curry, rice, meat, local greens like beans and vegetables. As for fruits: apples, pineapples, watermelon, oranges. The first day of the program is straightforward: from about 10 am to 4-5 pm, you gradually ascend to the base camp at an altitude of around 2600 meters. There will be a break for lunch, snacks, rest. We got caught in the rain once, drying clothes was difficult afterward – bring something that dries quickly. The second day brings mixed feelings. According to the program, you should start at 2 am, climb to an altitude of 3700 meters in 4 hours, spend half an hour at the summit, descend in an hour, have breakfast in another hour, and then start descending to the lake. Reach it in 3 hours, bathe in hot springs, and then ascend again for another night stay at around 2600 meters in another base camp (where it's windy and cloudy). In reality, reaching 3700 meters to the summit in 4 hours is possible (we managed in 3.5 intense hours), but descending to the base camp in an hour is very challenging. The descent is steep; we didn't want to damage our knees with jarring jumps or risk slipping, so we moved slowly. We descended in 3 hours with photo breaks and were back at the base by 9 am. We had breakfast, and our guide suggested that after the lake, we don't go to the base camp at the top, as we wouldn't make it in time, but instead stay near the springs overnight and continue down the next day. We agreed with this suggestion. I'll explain why: we descended to the lake in 4 hours over sheer rocks (here, you must be extremely careful, and our legs were already tired by 6 am), we had lunch, and then walked for another 40 minutes to the hot springs. We were at the hot springs after 3:00 pm - with this timing, we wouldn't have made it to the top as per the original plan (and climbing back involves the same sheer rocks in the clouds). After the springs, we descended to the overnight spot, conveniently located in a windless area near a mountain river. As confirmed by additional reviews, the path to the second base camp is no less harsh, and the prospect of going up and then back down is less appealing than walking through stunning gorges, hot springs, and staying overnight in a deserted place near a mountain river. On the third day, we continued descending over similar cliffs and sheer rocks, but without rushing, taking a lunch break, and enjoying remarkable landscapes that we would have missed if we had taken the usual 7-hour route down from the second camp. In conclusion: difficult, at times dangerous ascents and descents (no jokes or exaggerations), insanely beautiful nature, incredible sensations, and the joy of having listened to the guide. Knees intact thanks to trekking poles and movement resembling that of a senior citizen due to muscle fatigue for 4 days post-descent. An experience that will surely be remembered, and like any mountains, it is a self-overcoming and boundary expansion. As the guys in suits said in one movie: -Is it worth it? -Oh yeah it’s worth it, if you’re strong enough!

Let's start with the transfer across Lombok. After arriving at the pier, you'll embark on a 2.5-3-hour journey to your "hotel," which looks more like a barrack. In fact, I sent a video of this hotel to a friend who served in the Israeli army, and he said that their barracks were more decent. What did we have: a tiny bed, a nightstand, a falling apart fan, and a cold shower. But before the hotel, let's talk about the road. It doesn't exist. In some places, the asphalt completely disappears, and you're driving on a mixture of dirt and sand. If in Bali the average speed of transport is considered to be 30-40 km/h, in Lombok – forget it! – 20-30 km/h. But you arrive at a hotel on the mountain, on the slope of Rinjani. You have a road upward, which you plan to take in the morning. BUT, it turns out that in the morning, after a night in Spartan conditions and the meager breakfast that can be offered (ONE small pancake with a small banana per person), you find out there is another hour and a half transfer to a village on the other slope of the mountain. Why couldn't we stay there immediately is a mystery shrouded in darkness. In this village, you undergo a "health check," where no one checks you; you simply fill out a paper yourself, which could have been done at the hotel, and then wait for your guide to get tickets to the mountain. Why your presence is needed there is also an interesting question. But that's not all. After that, you get into a car and again drive half an hour to the starting point of the trail on rural roads. After which, three hours after waking up, with no breakfast and two hours marinating in the car, you are expected to start hiking uphill. Not from the slope of the mountain, but way before it, on a very boring route where there's nothing but an incline and crowds of tourists and eternally passing by bikes. Unfortunately, we can't say how the further ascent transpired, because an hour into the climb, we realized it wasn't worth it, gave up, and headed back. To an exciting ten-hour transfer back to Bali.

It was an unforgettable journey!) With full comfort. I was met at the port on the island of Lombok, taken to a hotel with a fantastic view of the Rinjani stratovolcano. This journey was not easy for me, I got sick, had to postpone the trip, the guys helped me in every way they could: they resolved arising difficulties, supported me morally and kept me entertained. I was surrounded by care everywhere and all the time: delicious lunches, dinners, sweet snacks during the ascent, a great tent, and warm sleeping bags at the camping site.)) A friendly and understanding team? ❤️ Thank you MyBaliTrip for such a journey, I will definitely come back to you again ????

That was an amazing experience! Everything was organized very well. Our guide Pendy was very caring, understanding, and supportive. He always had water for us, telling interesting facts about the Rinjani area and Indonesia. Porters are also great guys, were cooking tasty food and creating a very friendly atmosphere. Challenging but incredible views. Totally recommend!