Indonesia's second-highest volcano at 3,726m, with a multi-day summit trek past a crater lake and hot springs. It is one of the country's most rewarding and challenging hikes.
8.41°S 116.46°E
Rinjani is open roughly April to December and closes every year from January through March for safety and recovery
3 nights
LOP
$12/night
Mount Rinjani is Indonesia's second-highest volcano at 3,726 meters, dominating the north of Lombok and visible from the Gilis on a clear day. Its draw is the enormous crater holding a blue-green lake, Segara Anak, with a younger smoking cone rising from it. This is not a viewpoint you drive to. Reaching the rim, the lake, or the summit means a serious multi-day trek on steep volcanic terrain, mostly with a guide and porters, sleeping in tents at altitude.
It suits fit, experienced hikers who want a genuine challenge and a payoff most people never see. It does not suit anyone looking for a casual day out. The summit push in particular is brutal, a pre-dawn slog up loose scree, and plenty of people turn back. Go in prepared and the crater is unforgettable.
The classic goal is the summit, usually attempted on a two-day-one-night or three-day-two-night trip. The final push starts around 2am from the crater rim camp, climbing several hours up loose volcanic gravel where you slide back with every step. It is genuinely hard and cold, but reaching the top for sunrise over the lake and the island is the reason people come.
Even if you skip the summit, trekking to the crater rim (Sembalun or Senaru side) and camping there is the heart of the experience. Porters set up tents on the edge with the lake and cone spread out below. Nights are cold at altitude, so bring or rent warm layers, a hat, and a decent sleeping bag.
Longer itineraries drop down from the rim to the crater lake itself, a steep and knee-punishing descent and climb back out. By the water you can camp, fish with the porters, and soak in nearby natural hot springs. This adds a day but turns the trek into a fuller loop rather than an out-and-back.
Near the lake, a series of natural hot springs run down the rocks, and locals consider them healing. After a hard day on the mountain, easing into the warm water is a real highlight. They are only reachable on the itineraries that include the lake descent.
Getting there
Fly into Lombok International Airport (LOP), then drive roughly 2.5 to 3 hours to the trailhead villages of Senaru or Sembalun in the north. Almost everyone books a trek package that includes the transfer from the airport, the Gilis, or their Lombok hotel, so the logistics are handled for you. From Bali, fly to Lombok or take a fast boat to the Gilis or Bangsal and continue by road. From Jakarta, fly direct to Lombok. You cannot legally climb without a guide and a digital permit, both arranged through your operator.
Best time to visit
Rinjani is open roughly April to December and closes every year from January through March for safety and recovery, so do not plan a trek in those months. The best window is the dry season from around June to September, with July and August busiest, when you should book permits and an operator two to four weeks ahead.
Where to stay
Most trekkers spend a night before and after in a simple guesthouse or homestay in Senaru or Sembalun (often from around 200,000 to 500,000 IDR) to acclimatize and start early. On the mountain itself you sleep in tents that your operator and porters provide as part of the package.
Quite fit. This is a strenuous high-altitude trek with long days, steep loose terrain, and a punishing summit push, so regular hikers manage it but unprepared people often struggle or turn back. Train beforehand and be honest with yourself about the lake-and-summit itineraries.
No. The national park requires every trekker to go with a licensed guide and hold a digital e-ticket permit issued in their name, both organized through a registered operator. Solo unguided climbing is not permitted.
As of late 2025 the park entrance fee for foreigners on the main routes is 250,000 IDR per person per day, charged for each day you are inside the park, and this is usually built into your package. Full guided treks typically run from a few million rupiah depending on length, group size, and operator quality.
Build a route across Indonesia in minutes. We work out the travel time and cost between every stop, then a local turns it into a trip.
Build your tripIf a multi-day summit is too much, the village of Senaru at the foot of the mountain has two accessible waterfalls, Sendang Gile and Tiu Kelep, reachable on a half-day walk through forest. Tiu Kelep involves wading across a stream. It is a good low-commitment taste of the national park without the punishing climb.
Most trekkers use the Sembalun and Senaru trailheads, but the Torean route is a lesser-used path that follows a river valley straight toward the lake, with fewer crowds and lush scenery. It is less commercial and a good option if you want solitude, though you still go with a licensed guide.
