Mount Rinjani stands 3,726 m above Lombok, with the Segara Anak crater lake at 2,000 m inside the caldera. Almost everyone climbs it in two or three days, and the three-day route runs up from Sembalun and out through Senaru, with a licensed guide and a valid park permit, because trekking on your own is not allowed. The park is open from April to December and closes for the wet season, January to March. Below: the trailheads, the five packages, how hard it really is, when to go, what to bring, what it costs and how to get there from Bali.
The numbers
The fixed points of this mountain, before anyone starts comparing packages.
Starting points: Sembalun and Senaru
Two trailheads on opposite sides of the mountain. Most routes go up one and come down the other, so you rarely walk the same path twice.
Sembalun
The eastern gateway, and where summit routes begin. The trail climbs through open savannah and grassland before it hits volcanic scree. Steeper, but more direct.
- The higher start, so less climbing to the rim
- Open savannah, and almost no shade
- Where the true-summit routes begin
Senaru
The northern gateway. The trail starts in dense tropical forest and reaches the crater rim at 2,641 m. On the three-day traverse it is the way out rather than the way in.
- Dense jungle from the first step
- The exit on the 3-day traverse
- Start and finish of the 2-day Second Summit
Most summit packages depart from Sembalun. The three-day trek is the one that crosses the mountain and walks out through Senaru; the two-day summit trek climbs from Sembalun and comes back down the same side. The two trailheads side by side.
Route options
Five packages, every one all-inclusive: pickup, the night before, all meals, guides, porters, camping gear and park fees. What changes is how long you stay on the mountain, and whether you share the guide.
Rinjani Summit
A night at the crater rim, then the true summit at 3,726 m on the second morning. The shortest way to the top, and the cheapest way onto this mountain with a licensed guide. See the full trek.
Summit, Lake & Hot Springs
The summit on day two, then down into the caldera to Segara Anak lake and the hot springs after lunch, and out through Senaru on day three. Our most popular route, and the one that gives your body a second night to adjust. See the full trek.
Second Summit
Out and back from the Senaru gate to the crater rim at 2,641 m and the second summit at 3,150 m. It does not go to the true summit, which is what makes it the gentler of the two short treks. See the full trek.
Ultimate Rinjani
The same crossing at a slower pace: the summit, the crater rim, the lake and the hot springs, spread over four days instead of three. See the full trek.
Rinjani & Sangkareang
Both summits, the lake and the hot springs, then out through the quiet Torean valley. The longest route on the mountain. See the full trek.
Difficulty and fitness
Rinjani is not a casual hike, and it is not a mountaineering expedition either. Both of those are true at the same time, and most people only hear one of them before they book.
What makes it hard
- The summit push. Steep volcanic scree, loose gravel and thin air, starting in the dark at around 2 am and taking three to four hours.
- The hours. Expect 8 to 10 hours of walking a day on the summit route.
- The cold up top. It drops below freezing on the summit push, and you meet it when you are most tired.
- The way down. The climbing is behind you, but the long descent is where most sore knees come from.
What makes it doable
- You do not need to be an athlete. You do need to be comfortable walking uphill for a few hours, but the group sets an easy pace, pauses often, and your guide keeps everyone together.
- Four to six weeks of cardio. Running, cycling or stair climbing before your trek makes a real difference.
- Day one is moderate. The climb to the crater rim is manageable for anyone with reasonable fitness who hikes occasionally.
- Porters carry the heavy gear. You walk with a daypack, not with a tent and three days of food.
The first day is a long walk. The summit push is where the real difficulty sits, and it is worth knowing that before you pick a route. Read the honest difficulty breakdown.
Best time to go
One long open season and one hard stop. Within the season, what changes is the crowd and your odds on a clear morning.
April to November
The dry season. July and August have the driest conditions and the clearest skies, and they are also the busiest months. April, May and October give a good balance of fewer crowds and reasonable weather. June and September sit in the middle.
- Clearest skies in July and August
- Quieter in April, May and October
- The daily quota fills first in the busy months
December to March
December brings heavier rain, slippery trails and reduced visibility, so it is harder and less predictable. From 1 January to 31 March the park closes altogether for the wet season, and there are no exceptions to that.
- Heavy rain and slippery trails
- Reduced visibility, so no promise of a view
- Closed from 1 January to 31 March
Dry season is strongly recommended, and if your dates are fixed the month decides more than the package does. Read the full month-by-month breakdown.
What to pack
Your guide team carries the camp. You carry a daypack, and a short list of things that have to be your own.
The team provides tents, sleeping bags, mattresses, meals and cooking equipment
All of it sits in the package price, and the porters carry it up. You never pitch a tent or cook a meal on this mountain.
You carry your personal items in a daypack
Hiking boots with ankle support, warm layers for the summit push (it drops below freezing), a headlamp, a rain jacket, sunscreen and a refillable water bottle.
Boots, jackets and gloves can be rented the evening before
Rental happens at the guesthouse where you stay the night before the trek, or at one of the small shops next to it. Useful if you are travelling light and would rather not carry winter clothing around Southeast Asia. See the complete packing list.
Costs breakdown
Trek packages start from $190 per person for the two-day treks and $225 for the three-day, all-inclusive. Those are the group rates, from three people on the same date; alone or as a pair it is $210 and $250. This is what the price does and does not carry.
Included in every package
- Pickup and drop-off transport. Door to door, anywhere on Lombok.
- Pre-trek hotel accommodation. The night before you set off.
- Licensed guides and porters. The people who carry, cook and get you back down.
- All meals. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks on the mountain.
- Camping equipment. Tent, sleeping bag and mattress.
- Park entry fees and permits. Arranged for you, before you arrive at the gate.
Not included
- Personal gear. Boots, jacket, headlamp. Not sure what to bring? See the full packing list.
- Travel insurance. Required for every trekker, and checked before the permits are arranged.
- Tips for guides and porters. Appreciated, never mandatory, and handed over at the end.
- Gear rental. Only if you need it, and only for what you do not own.
Group discounts are available: the more people on the same date, the lower the per-person price, and trekking Rinjani solo, you join a small group at the normal per-person price with no single surcharge. To hold a place you pay a deposit of $30 per person online, which comes off the trek price rather than sitting on top of it, and you hand the rest to your guide in cash on Lombok. For the full breakdown, see the Rinjani cost guide.
Getting there
Most trekkers arrive from Bali, from Lombok airport or from the Gili Islands. Every package includes door-to-door pickup from anywhere on Lombok: Mataram, Senggigi, Kuta, Bangsal Harbour, the airport, or wherever you are staying.
From Bali
A fast boat to Bangsal Harbour takes two to two and a half hours. Flying to Lombok International Airport takes about 45 minutes. Both connect straight to the pickup service, so you are met on arrival either way.
From Gili Islands
A public boat to Bangsal Harbour takes 15 to 30 minutes. Pickup from Bangsal is included in every package.
From Lombok Airport
Pickup is included. The drive to Sembalun takes roughly two and a half hours, through rice terraces and mountain roads.
Altitude and health
The summit is 3,726 m: high enough to feel, and low enough that you never sleep up there.
Mild symptoms above 3,000 m are normal
Headache, shortness of breath, light nausea. For most people they pass quickly.
Serious altitude sickness is rare on Rinjani
You ascend and descend within the same day, so you never sleep at extreme altitude. Stay hydrated, eat well, and tell your guide immediately if you feel unwell.
Your guides carry first aid and watch the group
All guides carry basic first aid equipment, and the team monitors every trekker throughout the climb.
Travel insurance: not included in the package and required for every trekker. Your policy is checked before the permits are arranged. Make sure it covers trekking to 3,726 m and helicopter evacuation, which can cost $5,000–$15,000 at altitude. World Nomads covers this and is what most experienced trekkers use for Southeast Asia. One box you have to tick when you buy it: add the altitude upgrade to 6,000 m, otherwise the summit itself is not covered.
"We did the 2D/1N tour and even though we are not expert hikers, he was very patient with us and helped us along the way. He made sure we were all safe, hydrated and well-fed. Moreover, he told us so many interesting facts about this wonderful park."
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Sembalun and Senaru trailheads?
Sembalun (1,156 m) is the main trailhead for summit-focused treks: open savannah terrain, higher starting altitude, faster acclimatization. Senaru (601 m) starts lower in dense jungle and is most commonly used as the descent exit on 3-day traverse routes. Most summit packages depart from Sembalun.
How many days do I need to reach the Rinjani summit?
The summit can be reached on a 2-day trek (leaving around 2am on day 2) or as part of a 3-day trek that also includes Segara Anak Lake and the hot springs. Both options depart from Sembalun.
What is the altitude of the Rinjani crater rim camp?
The crater rim camp sits at approximately 2,641 metres. The true summit is at 3,726 metres. Most trekkers spend the night at the rim before the pre-dawn summit push.
Do I need previous hiking experience to trek Rinjani?
No previous mountaineering experience is required. Good general fitness is the main requirement. The guides set the pace and adjust to the group. A 3-day trek is recommended for those without extensive hiking experience, as it allows more time and a gentler daily effort.
Are there porters on the Rinjani trek?
Yes. Porters carry all camping equipment, food, and cooking gear. You carry only your personal daypack (water, camera, warm layers). Porter welfare is taken seriously: loads are kept within safe limits and porters are paid fairly.
Is Mount Rinjani an active volcano?
Yes. Mount Rinjani is an active stratovolcano on the island of Lombok, Indonesia. Inside the caldera sits Segara Anak lake, and a smaller active cone called Gunung Baru Jari rises from the lake. Rinjani last had significant eruptions in 2015–2016 and 2018. Trekking access is monitored by the national park authority and temporarily suspended if volcanic activity increases. Under normal conditions the mountain is safe to trek.
Where is Mount Rinjani located?
Mount Rinjani is located on the island of Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, approximately 50 kilometres east of Bali. It lies within Rinjani National Park, with the main trailhead at Sembalun Lawang village (coordinates: -8.4106, 116.4575). Lombok is accessible by fast boat from Bali (2 hours) or by a 45-minute flight.
How much should I tip my Rinjani guide and porters?
Tips are appreciated but not included in the package price. A common guideline: $10–15 per day for the lead guide, $5–8 per day per porter. For a 3-day trek with one guide and two porters, a tip of $50–70 total from the group is well-received. Tips are given directly to each person at the end of the trek.
Is it safe to trek Rinjani?
Yes, with a licensed guide. Rinjani is a serious mountain: steep trails, altitude, and unpredictable weather require experience to navigate safely. Independent trekking without a guide is not permitted in Rinjani National Park. All packages include first-aid trained guides who carry emergency equipment and are authorised to decide whether conditions allow a summit attempt. Incidents on Rinjani are rare and most occur with unpermitted solo trekkers.
Can I trek Rinjani as a solo traveller, and is there a single supplement?
Yes. A solo traveller who joins a small group pays the normal all-inclusive per-person price, from $190 for a 2-day trek and from $225 for a 3-day trek, with no solo surcharge. Whether you can join a group depends on the season: in the busy dry-season months (notably July and August) it is easy to form or join one, while in the quiet wet season solo trekkers often go private or wait for others to book the same dates. A licensed guide is required either way.
Is Mount Rinjani suitable for solo female trekkers?
Yes. Every trekker goes with a licensed guide, since independent trekking is not permitted in Rinjani National Park, and where possible female trekkers are grouped together. No previous mountaineering experience is needed; good general fitness is the main requirement, and the guides set the pace to suit the group.
Ready to climb?
Talk to our team on Lombok directly. A straightforward conversation about dates, routes and group size, and the booking page shows the price for your dates before you send anything.