STAY SAFE:
This is a very active volcano. Always be aware of the current assessment of eruptive activity. Sources worth keeping an eye on include local media and The Smithsonian Institute’s weekly Volcanic Activity Report . Do not always take the word of a trek organiser as gospel on safety issues.
Rinjani is high enough that altitude sickness is a concern. Be aware of the symptoms and treatment.
It is also very cold up on the summit (4 to 5°C), so warm, windproof clothes are a must as are appropriate hiking boots and a head lamp. The sun can be very strong during the day and severe sunburn is a risk.
Make sure that your guide is carrying a radio with him and that it is fully charged and working. A test call to the trek centre is advisable. The trek centre has a satellite telephone and it can be used by visitors – ask to see the chart of charges.
The Concepts of the Rinjani Trek Management Board
The Rinjani Trek is managed by a unique partnership of National Park, tourism industry and the local community. Activities focus in the Community – run cooperatives at Rinjani Trek Centre ( RTC ) in Senaru and the Rinjani Information Centre ( RIC ) in Sembalun Lawang. Under the guidance of the Rinjani Trek Management Board ( RTMB ), each are run by a stakeholders’ committee who look after roster systems for guides and porters, village tours, trek trail maintenance, and handicraft sales. Revenue from tourism activities and entry fees is used for conservation, training and management of the Rinjani Trek, thus ensuring sustainability.
Gunung Rinjani National Park is located on the island of Lombok, Indonesia in the North Lombok Regency. The park covers about 41,330 hectares (102,100 acres) and consists of mountainous areas. Mount Rinjani (Gunung Rinjani), which is the third highest mountain of Indonesia at 3,726 metres (12,224 ft), is located in this national park, giving this park its name
Flora and fauna
Some of endangered plants protected in this national park, such as: Pterospermum javanicum, Swietenia macrophylla, Ficus superba, Toona sureni, Vanda sp., Usnea sp and Anaphalis sp.
There are also several endangered fauna protected in this national park, including rusa deer, indian muntjac, Sunda Porcupine, surili monkeys, Helmeted Friarbird, several cockatoos and Scaly-crowned Honeyeater.
Gunung Rinjani National Park represents a range of Nusa Tenggaras ecosystem types, from sub-montane rain forest to montane forest and savanna.
The plant potential in this Park area includes jelutung (Laportea stimulans), dedurenan (Aglaia argentea), bayur (Pterospermum javanicum), beringin (Ficus benjamina), jambu-jambuan (Syzygium sp.), keruing (Dipterocarpus hasseltii), rerau (D. imbricatus), lumut jenggot (Usnea sp.), cemara gunung (Casuarina tripolia and C. equisetifolia), edelweiss flowers (Anaphalis javanica), and endemic species of orchid such as Perisstylus rintjaniensis and P. lombokensis.
There is one endemic species of civet in the Park, namely the musang rinjani (Paradoxurus hemaproditus rinjanicus). Also to be found in the park are barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak nainggolani), ebony leaf monkey (Trachypithecus auratus kohlbruggei), pangolin (Manis javanica), southeast Asian porcupine (Hystrix brachyura), Timor helmeted friarbird (Philemon buceroides neglectus), crested hawk eagle (Spizaetus cirrhatus floris), lesser sulphur-crested cockatoo (Cacatua sulphurea occidentalis), Lombok honeyeater (Lichmera lombokia lombokia), dark-backed imperial pigeon (Ducula lacernulata sasakensis), black-naped oriole (Oriolus chinensis broderipii), and several species of reptile.
Mt. Rinjani, at 3,726 m asl., is the third highest mountain in Indonesia. In a valley high up on the western part of Mt. Rinjani lies Segara Anak Lake (2,208 m asl.) whose sulphurous-smelling water has different temperatures from one part of the Lake to another, ranging from cool, through warm, to very hot. A new volcano is emerging from the centre of this Lake, and it is still active and growing.
Particularly with the coming of the rice-planting season, the communities in the vicinity quite often hold ritual ceremonies on Mt. Rinjani and at Segara Anak Lake. One involves releasing small artificial fish made of very thin gold into the Lake.
Interesting locations/attractions:
Mt. Rinjani: mountain climbing and camping.
Segara Anak Lake, Sebau and Gunung Baru: research, enjoying natural phenomena, thermal springs, bathing, observing animals and exploring the forest, cultural attraction.
Otakokkoq and Kembang Kuning: enjoying thermal springs and waterfalls.
Cultural attractions outside the Park area include, in Mataram, Perang Topat in December, and Ciwaratri in January.
How to reach the Park:
There a number of options. Mataram-Selong-Sambelia-Sembalun Lawang by car, 4.5 hours (140 km), then on foot to Segara Anak Lake, 9 hours (25 km). Or Mataram-Bayan-Senaru by car, 2.5 hours (82 km), then on foot to Segara Anak Lake, 9 hours (25 km). Alternatively, Mataram-Bayan-Torean, 2.5 hours (85 km), then on foot to Segara Anak Lake, 7.5 hours. Or Mataram-Masbagik-Kutaraja-Tetebatu, 1.5 hours (60 km), then on foot to Otakokkoq, 30 minutes.
Best time to trek in Rinjani : April to November
Designated : Minister of Forestry, SK.No.280/Kpts-II/97,
a total area of 41,330 hectares
Location : Regencies; West Lombok, Central Lombok and
East Lombok, Province of West Nusa Tenggara
Temperature 23° – 30° C
Rainfall 2,000 mm/year (on average)
Altitude 550 – 3,726 m asl.
Geographical location 116°18′ – 116°32′ E; 8°18′ – 8°33′ S