TREKKING INFORMATION

LOMBOK RINJANI TREKKING INFORMATION

Welcome to Lombok Rinjani Mountain Trekking Information Center Adventure Club and Agent, We provide all information about program packages, guide, climbing and trek to rinjani mountain lombok island volcano Indonesia Asia, and service with safe, fun, exception, and help you to finding unforgettable experience in your life time at the excellent nature of adventure to rinjani mountain lombok island volcano Indonesia Asia.

 

RINJANI NATIONAL PARK

The park covers an area of 41,330 ha on the northern part of Lombok. Named after Indonesia’s second highest volcanic peak outside of West Papua, the peak of Gunung Rinjani (3,726m) dominates the landscape. Within the crater is the spectacular Segara Anak lake and the still-active volcano Gunung Baru (2,363m). It is surrounded by a further 66,000 ha of Protection Forest and covers the three administrative district of West, East and Central Lombok. The park ecosystem is in the transitional zone between Asia and Australia (Wallace zone). Average rainfall is about 3,000 mm annually. Gunung Rinjani is rich in a variety of flora, fauna and vegetation types. On the south western side of the mountain is the most eastern extent of primary rainforest in Nusa Tenggara. This gives way to monsoon forest and drier climate in the east, and savannah in the north east. Notable flora includes the everlasting edelweiss flower (Anopheles viscid), tiger orchid (Vanda sp.), alang-alang grass (Imperata cylindrical), cemara trees (Casuarinas trifoliate and Casuarinas occidental).

Mt. Rinjani, one of the over 40 National Parks throughout Indonesia, was established in 1997. It is valued and protected for its spiritual as well as natural values, and is worshipped by thousands of Balinese as well as Sasak pilgrims. Hot springs near the crater lake are sought after for their healing powers. Over 20 villages surround Rinjani and there are many routes up the mountain, but the main access is from Senaru in the north and Sembalun Lawang to the east. The challenging three-day Rinjani Trek route from Senaru to the crater rim (Plawangan), down to the stunning crater lake then on to Sembalun Lawang, is considered one of the best treks in South East Asia. Those heading for the summit usually prefer to start in Sembalun Lawang.

The village of Senaru is the main gateway to Gunung Rinjani National Park, the most popular start point for the three day Rinjani Trek up Indonesia’s second highest volcanic peak (3,726m). For the people of Lombok, Sasak and Balinese alike, the volcano is revered as a sacred place and the abode of gods. Within the spectacular crater, the Segara Anak Lake is the destination of many pilgrims who place offerings in the water and bathe away disease in the nearby hot springs. Developed with New Zealand Government assistance since 1999, the Rinjani Trek Centre embodies under one roof (satu atap) the unique partnership of the National Park, tourism industry and local communities that has been forged to manage and protect the Rinjani mountain environment.

The Rinjani mountain is the second highest peak active volcano in Indonesia and absolutely a challenging mountain walk and you must be prepared with good equipment, warm and windproof clothing if you want to make adventure trekking to the summit of rinjani mountain 3726 m. Trekking to Rinjani mountain lombok Indonesia can attract severe storms, lightening and strong winds. When the weather is settled, the sun is intense and the nights frosty. Parts of the trail are steep and slippery.

Beware of bad weather and risks of exposure to the wet and cold (hypothermia). If caught in an electrical storm, take shelter and avoid prominent ridges. Beware of snakes, and stinging insects and plants. Leeches can be a nuisance in the wet season.
 

Geography

Elevation        : 3,726 metres (12,224 feet)

Location         : Lombok, Indonesia

Prominence    : 3,726 m

Coordinates   : 8°25'S, 116°28'E

Type               : Stratovolcano (active)

Eruption         : 2004

Erupted History
The June 1994 eruption. At 02:00 pm, on June 3rd, 1994, Barujari come began erupting by sending an ash plume 500 m high. On June 8th, press report described emission of "smoldering lava" and "thick smoke", as well as ash fall in nearby villages from an ash cloud rising 1,500 m above the summit. Between 3rd and 10th of June, up to 172 explosions could be heard each day from the Sembalun Lawang volcano observatory (15 km NE). During this period, seismic data indicated a dramatic increase in the number of explosions per day, from 68 to 18,720. Eruptions were continuous at least through 19th of June, with maximum ash plume heights of 2,000 m on 9th to 11th.

The ash plume generally drifted SE, depositing up to 30 mm of ash on the island. Strombolian eruptions ejected pyroclastic material > 2m in size as high as 600 m above the vent; this material fell in a restricted proximal area around the cone and in the lake. Lava flows began on 8th of June and partially covered previous lava flows from Rombongan (in 1944) and Barujari (in 1966).

A series of aircraft warnings based on pilot reports and weather satellite images indicated much larger plumes than suggested by the ground observations. First an eruption at about 12:00 on June 7th produced a long plume that caused a large number of aviation warnings. The plume, located on satellite imagery, extended 120 km S of Rinjani and was beginning to disperse by 15:30. A pilot report at 16:45 indicated a "smoke" plume to 13,500 m altitude moving ESE, but by 23:45 the plume was in distinguish- able on satellite imagery. The imagery showed a plume around 06:33 on the 8th of June, which extended at least 83 km SE of the volcano. Aircraft were advised to avoid this area to an altitude of 10,500 m. above sea level.

REQUIREMENT

To do Rinjani mountain trek. its important that you you be of at least above fitness and should be able to carry your own load of personal day pack through the trekking. You better be prepare for Rinjani terk.


Here you day pack personal :

- Torch or Flashlight
- 1pair champ shoes/trek shoes are good
- Toiletries
- Sun block/lotion, hat/cap, sun glasses
- Spray for muscle/balm
- Insect repellent
- Camera, Handy cam (Manual or Digital)
- Small towel
- 2/3 paces of T-Shirts
- Long trek pants/wind proof
- Windproof Jacket
- 2 pcs of shorts
- Trek stick/lekki (optional)
- Sandals (optional)
- Swimming Suite (optional)
- Binocular (optional)
- Extra trail snack (we supply fruits, menu)
- Fishing Gear (optional)
- Garbage Plastic can (optional)

Note :
prepare your day pack not more that weight limit.

Before trekking you should prepare Day pack, as personal Day Pack :

- Torch or Flashlight
- 1pair champ shoes/trek shoes are good
- Toiletries
- Sun block/lotion, hat/cap, sun glasses
- Spray for muscle/balm

- Insect repellent
- Camera, Handy cam (Manual or Digital)
- Small towel
- 2/3 paces of T-Shirts
- Long trek pants/wind proof
- Windproof Jacket
- 2 paces of shorts
- Trek stick/like (optional)
- Sandals (optional)
- Swimming Suite (optional)
- Binocular (optional)
- Extra trail snack (we supply fruits, menu)
- Fishing Gear (optional)
- Garbage Plastic can (optional)

Note :
prepare your day pack not more that weight limit.

OUR TREK EQUIPMENT & FACILITIES

In order to give our clients total satisfaction, we committed to serve you with best available trek and camping equipment.

Following are list of the major trek and camping equipment that included in each trek program you book through Rinjani Trekking Agent

For list of items you should prepare, please see personal daypack for more info.

Waterproof Camping Tents

For camping tents, we use Coleman® waterproof tents, with Weatherize Technology designed to keep you cool and comfortable in temperate environments. What makes a good tent? For starters, one that can protect you from the elements, a tent with a proven weather protection system to help keep you dry.

Comfort smart™ Airbed

Instead of using a thin mattress, we provide Comfort smart Airbed, conforms to your body's shape and sleeping position providing consistent head-to-toe support, for a softer feel as well as keeps you up off the ground. This double size airbed inflates to approx 75" x 55" x 9,5". Comfort smart™ designed to be more like your bed at home, providing a better night's sleep, helping you fall asleep faster and wake up in the morning more refreshed.

Features:

1.Fast and simple inflation and deflation
2.Coil construction provides more strength, firmness and comfort than beam construction.
3.Wider side gussets add comfort and stability
4.Rayon flocked top provides a slip-free surface
5.Advanced Double Lock Valve™ locks in air two ways


Portable™ Toilet & Toilet Tent

This portable easy-to-move toilet is one of your benefit to book your trek through Rinjani Trekking Agent. Designed to meet the standard western-style toilet keeps you feel comfortable anywhere, in any kind of environment. To complete this feature, we cover it with toilet tent which we ordered specially to ensure your privacy. This portable toilet is also easy to flush.


Portable Toilet Features:

1. Freshwater tank capacity-3.2 gal.
2. Easy to clean, easy to carry
3. Durable high density polyethylene construction with secure clamps and latches
4. Legally acceptable for use in vessels not having permanently installed heads as determined by U.S. Coast Guard regulations
5. Heavy duty, corrosion resistant side latches lock tanks together
6. Double sealed drain valve protects against leakage and odors

Electric Lantern, Tent Lights, Etc

Our electric water resistant lantern will complete your tour. We also equipped our guest's tents with Tent Light, operates on 4 AA cell batteries last up to 12 hours with on-off switch. To communicate in isolated area, we also provide walkie talkie 2 ways radio (up to 5 miles range). We use Coleman sleeping bags to protect you from the cold weather in high altitude atmosphere.

Cooking Equipment

All food served fresh and well cooked. Processed onsite with clean cooking equipment and use no wood for fire to preserve the nature. We use portable outdoor gas stove. Our well trained porters and guide will feed you with variety of meals during the trek programmed.

Food & Beverages

We serve you with three meals a day (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) with additional snack break, biscuits & cookies, fresh fruits and minimum of 2 - 3 large bottled water feeding per day per person. Coffee, Tea, Hot Chocolate are also included. Please refer to our Trek Menu Sampler for more information.

Drinking Water

Water is essential. Minimum of 3 bottles of bottled water provided for each guest per day, ensuring you stay fit during and after the trek. We provide safe drinking bottled water.

Guide & Porters

We hire only professional mountain guide and porters from the nearest villages in the area of Rinjani National Park who has pass the guiding and handling test and hold a valid guide license. Rinjani Trekking Agent is keen to develop the Eco Tourism Concept, giving as much as benefit to the local community to improve their standard of living. 5% from the net income is donated to support education for the poor children in isolated villages.

Sembalun
Led by Local Guides, this half-day walk explore a Village and Country Side in an ancient Caldera. Located in the foothills of the Spectacular Volcano Mt. Rinjani at 3726 m. It is the second highest Volcano in Indonesia and the sacred mountain of the Sasak People Sembalun Lawang is a gateway to Gunung Rinjani Nasional Park. Most of the communities are farmers who are a mixture of the indigenous people and new comers from other areas of Lombok.

Our walk starts in the fields where the community’s system of farming can b seen. We follow the terraces of the fields and stop for while to talk to the farmers. The walk than leads to the hill where you can gain a beautiful view of Rice Field of the Valley. Further you can enjoy amazing views of Tropical Forest, Neighboring Villages and the Sea. Descending from the hill you will see Bamboo Gardens and a long the way you will also see Coffee Trees. Formerly Sembalun was known as Coffee producer and the community changed to garlic growing because it helped increase their income especially during the garlic boom around 1992.

Along the way your guide will explain what farmers are planting such as Garlic, Onion, Carrot, Potatoes, etc. Next is the Traditional Village, Desa Beleq, which was the original village of Sembalun Lawang. The buildings are replicas of those that stood many years ago. The Village always consisted of seven houses and never more than that so that the following generations had to move away to live. Your guide will explain the architecture and other interesting things that are found inside the houses.

Make sure you bring your camera – the views are simply spectacular! On a clear day you may even catch a glimpse of Sumbawa Island over the Tropical Ocean and the West the lofty Summit of Mt. Rinjani. This natural and cultural diversity makes the walk and unforgettable part of your Lombok experience.

Senaru
This Easy Half-Day Walk explores the foothills of spectacular Rinjani volcano in Lombok’s northern district of Bayan. Starting near the border of Gunung Rinjani National Park, your route follow old pathways amongst shady bamboo groves and village gardens before entering a wide, open landscape of rice terraces and palms. Following a winding irrigation channel you reach the lush rainforest of the famous Sendang Gila Waterfall Reserve.

Along the way, discover tropical plants as your guide explains how the local people make practical use of them. You came across the cheeky long tailed monkeys and, with a bit of luck, may even spot the rare ebony leaf monkey. Passing small hamlets where age-old traditions are practiced, you will gain insight into the colorful village life of the Sasak. There is always something interesting happening here as you meet local people and admire traditional houses along the way.

Make sure you bring your camera-the views are simply spectacular! On a clear day you may even catch glimpse of Bali’s famous Gunung Agung volcano rising high above the blue waters of the Lombok Strait. Each turn of the track offers new vistas as finally Rinjani-the sacred mountain of the Sasak people-emerges majestically above rice terraces and rainforest. This natural and cultural diversity makes the Panorama Walk an unforgettable Lombok experience.

What you should to Know ?

The Rinjani trek is a challenging mountain walk and you must be prepared with good equipment, warm and windproof clothing. Rinjani can attract severe storms, lightening and strong winds. When the weather is settled, the sun is intense and the nights frosty. Parts of the trail are steep and slippery. Beware of bad weather and risks of exposure to the wet and cold (hypothermia). If caught in an electrical storm, take shelter and avoid prominent ridges. Beware of stinging insects and plants. Leeches can be a nuisance in the wet season.

 

Volcanic Hazards:
Although Mt.Rinjani has not erupted in recorded history, Mt.Baru (2,351m) in the crater lake is an active volcano. It last erupted dramatically in 1994. Check the notice boards for recent hazards, and take advice from park staff and guides.

Spring Water:
Fresh water springs are a feature of the trek and determine campsites. Your guide know where these are. During the drier months (July - September) some springs completely disappear. Park staff and guides constantly monitor these water sources to determine their abundance.

Park Fees:
Fees are paid at the Rinjani Trek Center at Rp. 60,000/person/entry. They contribute to the protection, maintenance and management of the national park, rinjani trek route, village attractions and visitor facilities.

Guides and Porters:
We hire only professional mountain guide and porters from the nearest villages in the area of Rinjani National Park who has pass the guiding and handling test and hold a valid guide license. Lombok Network is keen to develop the Eco Tourism Concept, giving as much as benefit to the local community to improve their standard of living. 5% from the net income is donated to support education for the poor children in isolated villages.

About Our Trek Team
Our trek team is fully operated by a team of young, energetic people who are fanatical about keeping intact, while sharing the natural and cultural environments of the places we visit.

Our Philosophy
We deal largely in ecotourism & adventure travel, but for us adventures are not just the rugged kind. An adventure can take many forms and need involve little that is overly strenuous - to us every trip is a voyage of discovery and hence an adventure. The guiding philosophy behind each is that the trip be environmentally friendly and sustainable. This means impacting as little as possible on the peoples and places we visit, always respecting the distinctiveness and special qualities of each.

To sum up, we try:
- To learn from nature & other cultures
- To minimize impact on the natural & cultural environments
- To return something to the local community
- To facilitate self-determination for native peoples
- To promote sustainable tourism
- To have fun

The way we do it must be environmentally-friendly as well as economically and physically efficient. This means we trek, cook, camp and shows you more of the things with care and attentions. We use mechanized transport when we have to cover long distances in limited time; even so, we use local modes of transportation as far as possible to maximize exposure to the local lifestyles and to get close to the people. As a consequence, during the tours there is a lot of opportunity to learn about and from the indigenous peoples.

You are advised to ensure that your guide is carrying a radio handset or mobile phone. Our trek programme equipped with two ways radio communication. In a group of minimum 6, we also provide a dinning tents, emergency lamp, trek leader, rangers or Save And Rescue (SAR) team if necessary.

Telephone Communication:
Cell phone (GSM) covers most area of Rinjani National Park. Most guide carry their own mobile phone. Not all cellular operators can be used. Pro XL is recommended. 

WHAT YOU MIGHT SEE IN RINJANI NATIONAL PARK

Over 20 villages surround Mt. Rinjani and there are many routes up the mountain, but the main access is from Senaru in the north and Sembalun Lawang to the east.

Gunung Rinjani national park lies within the major transition zone (Wallace) where the flora and fauna of south East Asia makes a dramatic transition into that which is typical of Australia. The park has a rich variety of plants and animals, although they can be hard to spot due to the terrain and rainforest cover.

Sometimes seen early in the morning is the morning is the rare black Ebony leaf monkey, know locally as lutung. The long tailed gray macaque of kera is common in Lombok and order males are seen on the crater rim. Rusa deer are forest dwellers and are occasionally seen a long the Rinjani trek train.

The smaller barking deer or kijang has an alarm call with a distinct dog - like bark. Look for the disturbed ground where the wild pig or babi hutan has been foraging. Also found in the forest is the leopard cat or bodok alas, palm civet or ujat and porcupine or landak.

A variety of colorful birds live in the forest of the park. Perhaps the best – know icon of the park is the crested cockatoo that is not found any further west of Lombok. Many of the forest-dwelling animals, insects, birds, civets, and monkeys owe their survival to the wild fig tree or beringin as a provider of food and shelter.

The pine-like casuarinas species, Cemara, are a feature of the grassy higher slopes. Orchids or anggrek are also a feature of the grassland areas, as is edelweiss or bunga abadi growing above the tree line, it is a beautiful icon of the park and one of the park and one of our best-know sub-alvine plants.

The following stories are a selection taken from a booklet for village guides containing a collection of traditional stories that have been related for generations by the people of Dusun Senaru.

Bunut Ngengkang

The first place to rest, located where the paths from Senaru and Semokan meet. Here is a Banyan tree with a wide space on the lower part, which looks like a person standing up with legs apart. That is why it is called Bunut Ngengkang. Andongan Tambing is one of the forrest entry gates and the First Camp on the Rinjani Trek. At this point the trekkers are warned to be careful of the steep slopes.

 

Half Way Point (Pos II Campsite)
At the second resting place (Camp II) is a stone which is called Batu Penyesalan. This marks the place where the trekkers feels a conflict about whether to continue or to turn back because we still have as far to go to our destination as we have already walked.

Usually it takes about two hours to walk here from Bunut Ngengkang.

Caves
One of the three famous caves (Goa Susu, Goa Payung, dan Goa Manik), Susu Cave is a good place for self reflection and is often used as a place to meditate. The people with unclean and envious mind will have difficulty entering Susu cave which has a narrow entrance, but people with noble and pure mind will easily enter the cave.
Inside the cave water drips from the tip of a stone which looks like a nipple, so people say the water in Goa Susu tastes different. Inside Goa Susu is hot and there is a lot of smoke which looks like cooking steam so people call this Mengukus (hot house) and sometimes people call it Rontgen (X-Ray).

Healing Hot Springs
Aiq Kalak means hot water and it is used to cure various deseases. One of the hot springs is named Pangkereman Jembangan which is meant a place for dipping. The water which spurts out of the spring is very hot. Weapons such as keris, swords, big knives, and lances are dipped in the spring to test their magic power. If the weapon become sticky it means that the weapon is bad and has no magical power. However if the weapon remain unchanged it means that the weapon has supernatural power and the power and the strength will be increased.
People also use the hot spring to make medicine from coconut cream. After dipping a bottle of coconut cream in the hot spring if the liquid becomes clear oily it can be used as medicinal oil. Then the medicinal oil is used for good things and is called Siu Satus Tunggal or in Bayan language Siu Satunggal which means that it can be used to cure a thousand kinds of desease.

Segara Anak Crater Lake
Segara Anak Lake is so wide it appears like the sea with its blue water. The name Segara Anak means child of the sea.

Segara Anak Lake holds various mysteries and invisible power.
People feel content to stay a long time in this place because of the large community of mysterious spirits which live arround the lake. The local people believe that if the lake looks wide when seen at a distance it is a sign they will live to an old age; or if the lake seems narrow it is a sign of a short age. So in order not to be pessimistic, people quickly purify 

These guidelines help minimize the impact of your visit on the natural environment and also on other visitors. Help to keep the park unspoiled for future visitors.

Remove rubbish :

Litters is unattractive, harmful to wildlife, and can increase. Plan your trip to minimize rubbish by not taking bottles and cans. Rinjani has a “pack it in –pack it out” policy, so be sure to carry out of the pack whatever you carry in.

Keep to the track :

By keeping to the trail, you avoid trampling undergrowth and risking getting lost in the forest.

Camp with care :

When camping, camping, leave no trace of your visit.

Keep streams an lake clean :

Wash well away from the water source by talking water in a container. Soap and detergent are harmful to the creatures that live in the streams alike, drain used water into the ground.

Bury toilet waste :

In areas without toilet facilities, bury your toilet waste in a shallow hole well away from waterways, tracts, campsites and shelter. Take care with fires. Portable fuel stoves are less harmful to the environment and are more efficient than fires. If you must use a fire, keep it small and make sure that the fire is out before leaving by dousing it with water and checking the ashes.

Respect cultural and natural heritage :

Help protect the spiritual and historical significance of Mt. Rinjani by respecting our local culture. Conserve wildlife and plants of the National Park by not removing anything.

Consider other visitors :

Walk quietly trough the forest so that you do not disturb the wildlife that you and others have come to see.

Enjoy your visit :

Enjoy your visit and before leaving the area take one last look - will the next visitor know that you have been here?

LOMBOK TRIPLE DIVISION
phone/fax: +62 370 621161
mobile: +62 818 543 900
e-mail: ribal_ririe@yahoo.com  /  riri.e@hotmail.com  /  triple.arie@gmail.com