A complete guide to the Mount Rinjani Crater Rim Hike on the incredible island of Lombok. From booking a guide, thoughts on independent hiking, and what to expect from this epic adventure.
Lombok is known as Bali’s adventurous little brother— and the Mount Rinjani Crater Rim hike is one of the most adventurous things you can do in Lombok! The hike is accessible to anyone with relatively good fitness and rewards you with some of the best views in Indonesia.
In this blog post, I’ll detail everything you need to know about hiking to the Mount Rinjani crater rim on Lombok. I’ll go through what to expect on the journey, what to look for in a good guide, and some epic photos from the volcano rim!
Featured in: Amazing Things to do in Lombok Indonesia
Everything You Need to Know Before Hiking to the Mount Rinjani Crater Rim
Below are some commonly asked questions about the Mount Rinjani Crater Rim hike. This is some of the most up-to-date information you’ll find as of March 2022.
Rinjani Volcano Hiking Video
Here’s a quick video that Haylea made with some of the footage we snapped on our trek to Rinjani’s Volcanic rim.
This will give you a good idea of what to expect once you reach the crater.
Booking a Trekking Tour To the Rim
To book a trekking tour, most hikers either show up and haggle for a price in Senaru.
This is great for saving money, but can often be hit-and-miss, as you don’t really know what to expect. Furthermore, due to low tourism numbers in recent years, most operators now rely on bookings through online platforms like Viator.
If you’re looking for a reputable and high-quality tour where everything is organized for you, including transport to and from Senggigi and one-night accommodation before the trek in Senaru, you can book a 2D1N trekking trip here.
This is a great tour with tonnes of 5-star reviews. It includes:
- Experienced trekking guide
- Porters to carry all equipment
- Rinjani National Park Entry Permit
- Food and unlimited water
- Snacks
- Tents, sleeping bags, and sleeping mat
- Something to cover your mouth and face with (to protect from dust)
This trekking tour I booked gave us plenty of food and water on the mountain. However, I’ve been told that some cheaper tours skimp out on food. Another important factor is whether the tours pick up and carry down plastic waste.
Book: Best Lombok Volcano Trekking Tour (best reviews and sustainable company).
Where to Stay in Senaru Before The Trek
Since the best trips to the crater start from Senaru, your best bet is to spend a night here before, and after the trek. Below are my recommended options. (Note if you book the tour above, you’ll get a night accommodation included before the hike).
My Senaru Homestay: Tiu Kelep Homestay – This one is located literally across the road from Tiu Kelep and Sendang Gile waterfalls. The owner is super friendly, offers free unlimited coffee and tea, breakfast and can also organize waterfall, or Rinjani trekking tours. A double room is the cheapest in Senaru at only $7 per night.
Budget Homestay with Hot Shower: Embun Rinjani Homestay – The second time around in Senaru I stayed at Embun Homestay, which is right around the corner from Tiu Kelep and Sendang Gile waterfalls. This one is also super good value since you get a hot shower, large rooms and free breakfast for a ridiculously good price!
Is Mount Rinjani Closed For trekking in 2022?
Mount Rinjani trekking is definitely not closed. While the trail to the Mount Rinjani peak (summit) was closed for a considerable time, it has now been repaired and is open for hiking.
However, the new track is currently more dangerous than the previous route. This has caused the price to hike to Rinjani’s peak to skyrocket.
Therefore, most people tend to just book a trekking trip to the crater rim instead from either Tete Batu or Senaru.
Update 2022: I first hiked the Rinjani crater rim in 2019. For a few years (2018-2020) many of the Rinjani trails were closed. I keep this article updated so that you can use it as a reliable guide for hiking on Lombok!
Mount Rinjani Trekking After the Earthquake
As you could probably imagine, trekking routes on Mount Rinjani were seriously damaged during the earthquakes.
As a result, the families that had their houses destroyed also lost their income. This, coupled with the devastating pandemic and recent flooding means that the people of Lombok really need your help.
Tourism still hasn’t fully recovered but is slowly on the rise again. If you’ve been planning a trip to Lombok or a trek to Mount Rinjani’s volcano rim, then this is definitely the time to do it before the crowds come back!
Can I Hike Mount Rinjani Without a Guide?
Technically, it is possible to trek to the crater rim of Mount Rinjani without a guide. However, you’ll need to carry your own food, water, tents and supplies with you. I wouldn’t recommend hiking Mount Rinjani without a guide for a few reasons.
- Local families rely on trekking tours for income
- You’ll have to pay a 15 000 rupiah National Park Fee per person anyway
- You will miss out on local knowledge and epic mountain-cooked food
- You’ll have to carry your own supplies
What do I need to Bring?
Your guides and porters will carry all necessary supplies for camping and cooking. However, you’ll need to be responsible for bringing the following in a small day-size bag.
- Warm clothes for the top
- Good shoes or boots
- Camera or GoPro
- Toiletries
- Sunblock
- Change of Clothes
ANOTHER EPIC LOMBOK HIKE: PERGASINGAN HILL HIKING GUIDE, SEMBALUN LOMBOK
Mount Rinjani Crater Rim Hiking Guide
Here’s a full Mount Rinjani Crater Rim hiking guide that should answer all your questions about the trek.
Most guided tours to the crater rim run for 2 Days and 1 night. This gives you the opportunity to reach the rim by sunset, spend the night then descend again after an epic volcano sunrise breakfast.
Price to Hike Rinjani’s Crater in 2022
Depending on the quality of your trekking tour, prices to the Rinjani Crater Rim from Senaru vary between 1.8 Million to 3.5 million rupiah. If you have a larger group, you can also negotiate a cheaper price.
For those interested in trekking from Tete Batu, expect to pay a little more since this side has less hiking infrastructure.
I have been told that some smaller trekking groups based in Sembalun will charge less to either the summit or the crater. However, this will heavily depend on how experienced they believe you to be, the size of the group and of course, the trekking company’s reputation and professionalism.
Mount Rinjani Trek Difficulty
Trekking to the crater rim requires no technical climbing abilities.
A generally fit person will be able to reach the rim from Senaru in one day of hiking. Although dusty, the path is well-worn and easy to follow. On the way down, however, it can get a little slippery as you sand-skate down the mountain.
Rinjani Altitude and Elevation
Mount Rinjani’s summit sits at 3726 meters (12,224 feet) above sea level, which makes it the second tallest volcano in Indonesia.
However, Rinjani’s rim is considerably lower at 2639m (8,658 feet).
The starting point, Senaru, sits at around 650 meters, which means you’ll climb nearly 2000 meters of elevation in one day. It’s a leg burner, but the views are worth it!
Related: Sendang Gile & Tiu Kelep Waterfalls (nearby)
What to Expect on the Mount Rinjani Crater Rim Hike
The day begins nice and early with your trekking guides driving you to the National Park entrance.
Here, you’ll sign your names on a register and your guides will pay for your entry permit, which should always be included in your tour. Ahead of you is a steep 7-hour ascent to reach the crater rim.
The Ascent
Along the way, there are three main stops where trekkers can rest their legs. The first stretch is mostly in dense jungle, where you can spot the famous black monkeys. Depending on your pace, your guides and porters will most likely stop at POS 2 to make a cooked lunch, typically rice and vegetables.
After POS 2 and shortly before POS 3, roughly 5 hours into the trek, you’ll break out of the jungle and into a savannah-like landscape. It can get pretty hot in this section, and the dust is a killer.
The final section is the steepest, but soon you’ll reach the crater rim where you’ll get incredible views of Lake Anak and the entire volcanic crater.
Camping on the Mount Rinjani Crater Rim
While you get busy snapping photos, your guides and porters will set up your campsite. Our guides seemed to have claimed the best spot, right on the edge of the Mount Rinjani Crater Rim.
You’ll get some of the best views by walking around to the communications antenna just over to the right of the path. Here, there are no trees that block the view.
Sunset is arguably better than sunrise on Mount Rinjani, as the sun positions itself perfectly to light up the volcanic lake and torch the cotton-candy clouds below you.
The Descent Back to Senaru
After falling asleep under the galactic night sky, you’ll wake up probably a little sore, but undoubtedly still stoked about catching the sunrise. Soon after, we indulged in a banana pancake breakfast before making the tiring descent back to Senaru. Expect about 4 hours for the entire descent.
While not as tiring, the descent is much harder since you’ll undoubtedly be slipping and falling on the loose sandy ground. I found it easier to just make an improvised light run down to avoid falling over.
Before you arrive back at the National Park entrance, your guides will cook you another jungle lunch at one of the rest spots. This was the last time we saw our porters, who quickly darted down the mountain eager to see their families.
More Photos from the Mount Rinjani Crater Rim Hike
Here are a few more photos that I snapped during my time on the trek. I sent the drone up and got some of my favorite drone shots of the year so far!
More Lombok Travel guides
Did you end up doing the Mount Rinjani Crater Rim hike? Did you fork out the cash for the summit?
I’d love to hear about your experience, let me know below. Otherwise, check out some of my other useful guides to traveling in Lombok, Indonesia!
MY CAMERA AND PHOTOGRAPHY EQUIPMENT
- Mirrorless Camera: Canon R5
- Drone: DJI Mavic Pro 2
- 360 Action Camera: Insta360 One X2
- Landscape Lens: Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L
- All-Round Lens: Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L
- Telephoto Lens: Canon RF 100-500mm f/f/4.5-7.1 L
- Long Action Pole: Insta360 Invisible Pole (BulletTime)
- Landscape Lens Filter: Hoya Circular Polarizer
- Camera Backpack: F-Stop Tilopa
- Favorite Photography Accessory: Peak Design Capture Clip
For a list of all my recommended photography gear (including what I use and why) check out my guide to camera gear for travel.
If you’d like to use any of the photographs on this website, please visit my licensing page to find out how. I also sell professional fine-art prints, visit my Print Store or contact me directly for customs prints of any images on We Seek Travel.
Great post! it’s sounds a great adventure. I was to Mount Rinjani in Indonesia, and I had an amazing experiences 🙂
hi thank you for your recommend my place and / lombok.
for everyone if you want do hiking to mount rinjani contact us we offer reasonable price
Thanks for sharing your information. I think I be There after covid 19.
sounds great, good luck !
Thank you for your writing and really important information, this is part of learning process for everyone too and great explanations, I add other information newly opened Rinjani Via Timba Nuh, south east trails, very safe trails elevation
Will educate people here to understand more about hiking
Are you currently allowed to hike Rinjani without a guide/tour?
I guess you could, it’s not ‘illegal’ just frowned upon. Not so much for safety reasons but because the people of Lombok have struggled a lot in recent years. They’ve endured earthquakes, floods, and a crippling pandemic that shut down their tourism completely.
I prefer independent hiking myself as well, but I’d recommend people hire a hiking guide for Rinjani to support the local economy.