Everything you sleep in, cook with and eat on this mountain is already carried up for you: the tent, the sleeping bag, the mattress, every meal and all the drinking water sit inside the package. What you actually pack is your own clothing, your boots and a daypack, and most of that can be rented at the guesthouse the evening before you set off. Below is the full list: what is provided, what you carry, what you can rent, and what is genuinely not worth the weight.
The numbers you are packing for
Two temperature extremes in the same 24 hours, a pack that has to stay light, and a rental shop at the bottom for whatever you did not bring.
What is provided, and what you bring yourself
Every trek package includes the camp. You do not need to bring or buy any of it, and you do not carry any of it either.
Provided on every trek
- Tent. Two-person dome tents, shared with another trekker or to yourself if you are trekking Rinjani solo, depending on group size.
- Sleeping bag. Rated for mountain temperatures, which drop to 2–5°C at camp.
- Sleeping mattress. Foam pad for insulation from the ground.
- All meals. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks, freshly prepared by the team.
- Cooking gear. Stove, pots, plates, cups, cutlery.
- Drinking water. Provided throughout the trek.
You bring or rent yourself
- Clothing in layers. Base layer, fleece, windproof shell, trekking trousers, hat and gloves.
- Boots with ankle support. Plus sandals for camp and the hot springs.
- A daypack and a headlamp. The two things you will miss most at 2am.
- Sun protection. Sunscreen and sunglasses. The glare above the clouds is intense.
- Personal odds and ends. Medication, toiletries, a water bottle and rupiah in cash for tips.
Porters carry all camp equipment, food, and water. You only carry your personal daypack.
Essential clothing for the Rinjani trek
Temperatures vary dramatically across the trek. Plan your layers around this:
- Trailhead (Sembalun, 1,150 m): 28–32°C. Hot, sunny, humid in the morning
- Day 1 camp (crater rim, 2,641 m): 12–18°C during the day, drops to 5–10°C at night
- Summit push (3,726 m, 2am start): 0–4°C with wind chill. Below freezing is common
- Descent back to trailhead: warms up fast. You will be in a T-shirt by midday
Layer everything: you will shed and add layers multiple times each day.
- Base layer: moisture-wicking T-shirt or long-sleeve (synthetic or merino wool)
- Mid layer: fleece jacket or lightweight insulated jacket → View on Amazon
- Outer layer: waterproof/windproof rain jacket → View on Amazon
- Trekking trousers: lightweight, quick-dry. Zip-off legs work well
- Warm hat: beanie or buff for the summit push (pre-dawn, below freezing)
- Gloves: lightweight gloves for the summit. Cold hands slow you down
- Warm socks: at least two pairs. Wool or synthetic blend → View on Amazon
- Shorts and T-shirt: for the hot lower sections and around camp
Footwear for Rinjani: the most important gear decision
This matters more than anything else you pack.
- Hiking boots: ankle support is critical. The volcanic scree is loose and steep. Break them in before you arrive → View on Amazon
- Sandals or flip-flops: for camp and the hot springs
Do not attempt the trek in trainers or running shoes. The terrain is too loose and too steep.
Personal items and gear to bring
Ten things, split by where they live. Everything here goes in the daypack you carry yourself, so weigh it before you decide.
On your back
The gear you reach for while walking, and the two things that decide whether the 2am start goes smoothly.
- Daypack: 20 to 30 litres. Carries your water, snacks, and layers during the day → View on Amazon
- Headlamp: essential for the 2am summit push. Bring spare batteries → View on Amazon
- Water bottle: 1 litre minimum, refillable
- Phone and power bank: no charging points on the mountain
- Dry bags or plastic bags: to keep electronics and clothes dry
Sun, skin and cash
Small, light, and the things people most often leave in the guesthouse by accident.
- Sunscreen: SPF 50+. The sun at altitude burns fast
- Sunglasses: UV protection. The glare above the clouds is intense
- Toiletries: toothbrush, biodegradable soap, wet wipes, toilet paper
- Personal medication: painkillers, anti-diarrhea tablets, any prescription medication
- Cash: small amounts of Indonesian Rupiah for tips and any extras
Do I need travel insurance for Rinjani?
Yes. Travel insurance is required for every trekker and is not part of the trek package. Your policy is checked before the park permits are arranged.
Make sure your policy covers trekking to 3,726 metres and helicopter evacuation. If something goes seriously wrong up there, altitude sickness, a broken ankle, a cardiac event, getting you off the mountain requires a helicopter. That costs between $5,000 and $15,000 without cover.
World Nomads covers helicopter evacuation, emergency medical treatment, trip cancellation, and gear theft. It's what most experienced trekkers use for Southeast Asia.
One box you have to tick: add the altitude upgrade to 6,000 m. The standard policy stops below the summit, so without that upgrade the part of the trek you came for is not covered. It costs very little and it is the difference between a policy that works up there and one that does not.
The Rinjani preparation kit
I wrote down everything I’d tell you in person: training, timing, and the summit push, hour by hour. Free.
Inside: whether you can actually do this, the month I would pick, how to train for it, and the summit push step by step.
The kit is on its way to your inbox. Sometimes it lands in spam.
Zainal, your guideTen years of walking people up this mountain, written down.
Optional extras, and what not to bring
Most people overpack. Everything you carry, you carry uphill for 6–8 hours, so every item has to earn its place. First the ones that do, then the ones that stay at the guesthouse.
Worth the weight
- Trekking poles: useful for the descent, especially on loose scree → View on Amazon
- Camera: the sunrise from the summit is worth carrying the weight
- Earplugs: if you are a light sleeper. Wind and tent fabric are noisy
- Snacks from home: energy bars, nuts, dried fruit. The team provides food, but personal favourites help
- Swimwear: for the hot springs on 3-day treks such as the Summit & Lake route
Leave it behind
- Jeans or cotton trousers: cotton absorbs sweat, stays wet, and gets cold. Genuinely dangerous at altitude
- Heavy DSLR camera with multiple lenses: your phone is fine. A heavy camera becomes a burden after hour three
- More than two full changes of clothes: you are camping two or three nights, not staying at a hotel. One set for trekking, one for camp is enough
- Full-size toiletry bottles: bring travel-size only. Weight adds up fast
- Sandals as your only footwear: some trekkers try this. It does not work on volcanic scree
- A large suitcase-style bag: bring a daypack for the trail. Leave your main luggage at the guesthouse in Senaru
What you can rent
Gear rental happens the evening before the trek, at the guesthouse where you stay or at one of the small rental shops next to it. Useful if you are travelling light through Southeast Asia and do not want to carry mountain gear across multiple countries.
- Hiking boots
- Warm jackets
- Gloves
- Headlamps
- Trekking poles
Prices are reasonable. Contact the team for the current rental list and costs, or see the rough daily rates in the full cost breakdown.
Four things that save you weight and grief
Pack light
Everything you carry, you carry uphill. Most trekkers overpack. If you are unsure whether you need something, you probably do not.
Wear your boots on the way over
They are the bulkiest item, so wear them on the flight or bus. Everything you are not taking up the mountain stays safely at our guesthouse in Senaru and is waiting for you when you come back down. You only carry a daypack.
Cotton kills comfort
It absorbs sweat, stays wet, and gets cold. Stick to synthetic or wool layers.
Lay out the summit kit the night before
The summit push starts at 2am. Have your headlamp, warm layers, and water ready the night before. You will not want to search for anything in the dark.
The gear links above are plain recommendations, not affiliate links. We only link to gear we'd genuinely use ourselves. The travel insurance link is an affiliate link: if you buy through it, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
"Very affordable tour cost considering everything included! Don't forget to bring cash to tip the guides and the porters, they carry up all your food/necessities for the hike!!"
Frequently asked questions
What camping gear is provided on a Rinjani trek?
All camping equipment is provided: tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, toilet tent, and all cooking equipment. You only need to bring personal clothing and gear. Meals and drinking water are also provided throughout the trek.
Do I need trekking poles for Rinjani?
Trekking poles are highly recommended, especially for the descent from the summit and the steep loose scree sections. They significantly reduce knee strain. Poles can be rented the evening before the trek, at the guesthouse where you stay or at one of the small rental shops next to it.
What should I wear for the Rinjani summit push?
The summit push begins at around 2am when temperatures are at 0–4°C. Wear a moisture-wicking base layer, a warm fleece or down mid-layer, a windproof outer jacket, hiking trousers, gloves, and a warm hat. Avoid cotton: it retains moisture. During the day, the temperature rises quickly and you will want to shed layers.
Can I bring a camera on the Rinjani trek?
Yes. A camera is one of the best things you can bring. Keep it in a protective bag or case as dust and humidity can affect electronics. The summit sunrise, the crater lake, and the volcanic landscape offer spectacular photography. A wide-angle lens is ideal. Cold temperatures at the summit can drain batteries faster than usual, so keep a spare warm in your pocket.
Is it safe to drink the water on Rinjani?
No. Do not drink untreated water from streams or rivers on the mountain. All drinking water is provided by the guide team throughout the trek: bottled mineral water and hot drinks at camp. You do not need to carry water from Sembalun. Bring a reusable water bottle; the team will refill it at each camp.
Ready to pack?
Everything for camping is included and carried for you. You only bring personal gear, and most of that can be rented at the guesthouse the evening before. Pick a date and the rest follows.