Rinjani volcano trekking

About the tour organization: The tour organization is excellent, with round-trip transfers in a comfortable car, a good hotel with hot water, the possibility to rent equipment, transfer to the starting point and back + registration at the national park - everything is clear, without delays. The only downside is that renting equipment at the Rinjani trekking center is expensive, but a few blocks from the accommodation there is a stall with gear that is three times cheaper. Be sure to take trekking poles, flashlights, and jackets. About the tour itself: a physically challenging ascent, be prepared for the fact that for all 3 days, you will walk more than 8 hours a day NOT on a straight path: rocks, stones, earth, volcanic sand, cliffs, mountain rivers, and streams. There may be a steep climb up, a sudden descent down stones, a winding road, a passage next to a sheer cliff, and so on. You must realize that your preparation will allow you to be constantly fully concentrated and to control your body well, despite fatigue. If you ignore this, it can be dangerous. But some people still somehow take the risk. Food: You will be fed Indonesian food and fruits. Tasty, sometimes a bit spicy. Nasi goreng, mi goreng, chicken curry, rice, meat, local greens like beans and vegetables. From fruits, apples, pineapples, watermelon, oranges. The first day's program raises no questions: from around 10 am to 4-5 pm you gradually ascend to the base camp at an altitude of approximately 2600 meters. There will be a break for lunch, snacks, and rest. We once got caught in the rain, and it was hard to dry clothes afterward - take quick-drying clothing with you. The second day evokes mixed emotions. According to the plan, you should start at 2 am, reach an altitude of 3700 in 4 hours, spend half an hour at the summit, descend in an hour and a half, have breakfast in an hour, and begin descending to the lake. Reach it in 3 hours, swim in the hot springs, and then ascend again to another overnight stay at around 2600 m in another base camp (where there is wind and clouds). The reality is that it is possible to ascend to 3700 to the summit in 4 hours (we managed it in 3.5 hours of intensive climbing), but descending to the base camp in an hour is very difficult. The descent is steep, so we did not want to strain our knees with striking jumps and risk slipping, so we took it slow. We descended in 3 hours with photo breaks and were at the base by 9 am. Then we had breakfast, and the guide suggested we don’t ascend to the base camp after the lake because we were running out of time, but instead stay overnight near the springs and continue down the next day. We supported this suggestion. Here’s why: we descended to the lake in 4 hours over sheer rocks (here you need to be extremely cautious, and our legs were tired at 6 am), had lunch, and walked for another 40 minutes to the hot springs. We reached the springs after 3:00 pm - with this timing, we would not have managed to ascend according to the initial plan (and the ascent is also the sheer rocks in the clouds). After the springs, we descended to the overnight spot, conveniently located in a wind-free place near a mountain river. As we later discovered from reviews, the path to the second base camp is no less severe and the prospect of ascending, then descending again is less attractive than a walk through a stunning gorge, hot springs, and overnight in a secluded place by a mountain river. On the third day, we descended further down similar cliffs and sheer rocks, but without rushing, with a break for lunch and with wonderful landscapes that we wouldn’t have seen if we had followed the usual route 7 hours down from the second camp. In total: challenging and sometimes dangerous ascents and descents (no jokes or exaggerations), insanely beautiful nature, incredible sensations, and joy from listening to the guide. Intact knees thanks to trekking poles and feeling like a pensioner due to muscle fatigue for 4 days after the descent). An experience you’ll definitely remember and, like any mountains, it’s about overcoming oneself and expanding boundaries. As quoted from a movie with guys in suits: -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!