If you are a trekking fanatic and you are used to get up any mountain that’s on your way or if you are just a nature lover in quest of the next occasional hike while on holidays, a Mount Rinjani trek should be your next challenge. Lombok’s Rinjani is one of Indonesia’s absolute musts; Heart stirringly beautiful sceneries and breathtakingly hard ascents are guaranteed. To help with the preparation of this one-time experience and to give you a fair bit of advice for the road, here’s the Ultimate Mount Rinjani Trekking Guide!
Mount Rinjani (on the map)
Mount Rinjani (or Gunung Rijani in Bahasa Indonesia) is the second highest volcano in Indonesia and is located in a very active geothermal area. Its neighbour Gunung Barujari (which by the way means Finger Mountain) erupted in 2009, 2010 and more recently in September 2016, exactly 3 months after I managed to clamber to Rinjani’s top by the skin of my teeth.

A massive 50km2 caldera is neighbouring Mount Rinjani. Here, you can admire the Crater Lake Segara Anak (called Child of the Sea).
The volcanoes, caldera and crater lake are located in the Taman Nasional Gunung Rinjani, (the National Park) which is 41,000 hectares wide… enough to get seriously lost. This is the also the reason why you should not enter the park without a guide!
Mount Rinjani Trekking Guide
Mount Rinjani tour packages
The trekking packages for Mount Rinjani range from 1 day to 6 days, featuring different routes with different difficulty levels. Another variable to take into account while planning your hike is to know if you want to be part of a group or if you want a private tour… everything is possible, the choice is yours. Trekking rates change according to the duration of the tour and the service you choose.
Mainly prices can range between 200 and 400 US$/ per person.
The entrance fee for Mount Rinjani National Park is 150,000 RP/person and has to be paid directly at the Trekking Centre of the park.
Either way, chances are big that you’ll spend the first night on the Crater Rim at 2.600 meters of altitude with an overwhelming view on the lake Segara Anak on one side and the majestic peak of Rinjani on the other.
Accommodation
Hotels and hostels for the night before and after your adventure can be booked in the villages of Sembalun and Senaru, depending on the trekking route you’ve chosen.
There are no accommodations in Mount Rinjani National Park. Be prepared to sleep in a tent. For all those of you who look forward to spending a night in a romantic atmosphere, be aware that this has nothing to do with Glamping! 
Nights in the park, especially the one on the Crater Rim are short, cold and uncomfortable. But hey, you are on an real life adventure!
Routes to and around Mount Rinjani
There are 2 main routes leading to and around the summit of Mount Rinjani. Those routes leave either from Sembalun or from Senaru. 
Choose your trekking route with care. Don’t let your euphoria get ahead of you and plan according to your fitness level (really important) and your time schedule.

- From Sembalun it’s an 8-hour climb to the Crater Rim. After departure you will mainly walk through savannah grassland.
- From Senaru it’s a 6-hour climb to the Crater Rim. Here, you’ll start through the tropical forest. This is the most common route and the least strenuous route to the rim.
Although, you often need medical certificates in Indonesia, like for example the Semeru trek in Java, a health certificate is not required for the Rinjani trek.
Booking your trip
You can book your trip online with the trekking agency, or on spot through your hotel or with one of the many agencies on site (most of them are located in Senaru).
If you book your trip online, my advice would be to stick to those with good ratings on trip advisor or who are recommended on other discussion boards like lonely planet, etc. We planed our trip with online with Galangijo. The owner and the staff was super friendly and it was quite easy to book everything online.
Before paying a deposit, make sure, that the package includes:
- A guide
- Porters
- Camping equipment (tent, sleeping bags, sleeping mats)
- Water bottles (as much as you want)
- Food (3 meals a day)
- First aid kit
- Radio equipment in case of an emergency
- Toilet paper
What should you bring?
The leitmotiv of the whole trek is “travel light”. Don’t bring unnecessary things that will overfill your rucksack! The climb to the Crater Rim is strenuous enough without a heavy backpack.
For our 2 days-1night Rinjani Summit Trek, we were advised not to pack more than 4 kg!
- A torch or a flashlight
- Toiletries (soap or refreshing Towelettes, a small towel)
- Sun block/lotion, hat/cap & sunglasses
- Insect repellent
- Spray for muscle/balm (although, you will most likely need that the week following the trek)
- Warm gloves (if you are going to the summit, it will be icy cold, believe me)
- Camera, smartphone
- A Fully charged camera with an extra battery (very important, there are no electrical plugs up there)
- 2-3 T-Shirts (if you sweat a lot, take 3!)
- Long trekking pants (best if they are wind and waterproof)
- Rain coat or poncho and windproof Jacket
- A fleece jumper or jacke
- 2 shorts or running trousers
- Some people prefer climbing with a trekking stick or Lackie, but it’s not necessary.
Good to know
Drink enough water to avoid altitude sickness
Eat enough, you will need your strengths (a cereal bar is always a good snack to keep in your pocket)
Progress at your own pace, don’t try to break speed records
Watch out for gravel, rocks and other ankle-spraining hazards
Be prepared to turn around at any moment. There can always be a volcanic eruption
Take travel insurance, because, well… you never know!
Don’t let other people, roamers or guides, discourage you.
Also, if you want to attempt a climb to Rinjani’s summit, be aware that this is not just another easy walk around a volcano.It’s a hard ascent and you’ll need a good fitness level!
But, if you are committed to climbing to the utmost top (3.726m, remember) the unforgettable view with the most beautiful sunrise you’ll ever see, makes up for every blister, every sore muscle and any other hassle encountered during the trek.
You want a preview of the Mount Rinjani Summit experience? Here’s my personal logbook of the ascent.
Indonesia is full of beautiful volcanos and breathtaking trekking trails. Your post made me wish to pack my rucksack immediately and go directly to Indonesia. I need those landscapes now!
You are so right! I wish I could go back immediately! 🙂
This sounds like a very fun trek! It’s nice to know you can do it in only a few days and don’t need a certificate to go – this definitely makes it easier! Will have to save this so when I go to Indonesia I have more ideas!
Yeah, the certificate is always a hassle. Here you can adjust you trek to your mood, fintess level,…
This has got to be one of the most thorough and informative posts I’ve ever seen! Thank you for all the resources & help – I’d never heard of Mount Rinjani before today but now I think it’s a definite must on my bucket list!!
Thanks a lot Lynn… Yes, if you love hiking, you should do this one for sure 🙂
You trekked upon an active volcano? Wow! That needs a ton of guts! Congrats!!! Thanks for those awesome tips esp on the things to make sure before paying the deposit.
Thanks a lot 🙂
Great post – I have a question about the tour prices – is it 200-400 USD per whole tour (up to 6 days?) It seems quite cheap for so many days – the place looks amazing and I’d love to do it 🙂
Yes approximately from 1 to 6 nights, generally in a group (around 10 people). That’s the price for 1 person and sleeping in a tent with no luxury but beautiful nature 😉
I love walking holidays, but a full on trek I must admit makes me nervous because of my fitness levels. However Mount Rinjani looks so breathtaking that I cannot help but think I must get over my own fear! Your tips on packing are especially appreciated!
If you love to walk, try to do this hike. It’s really beautiful up there!
How do they allow in active volcanoes? I mean… it is really brave of you to get there but wasn’t it risky?
Very informative post and has created lot of awareness in me about Rinjani mountains.
Yes, They allow you up there, if there’s an eruption you simply have to turn around 😉
Thanks for the trek checklist; incredibly useful! This seems a bit too strenuous for me, but hoping to work on my fitness so I can achieve this!
We’ve been researching Indonesia a lot an both tips we’ve read about climbing here have talked solely about guides. Did I miss it that you can hike it on your own or is a guide required?
Guides are highly recommanded, don’t forget that for 3 people we had 2 porters, with the tent and the cooking material. I wouldn’t have made it up if I had to hike with 25kg on my back…it’s a hard hike.
What gorgeous views! This certainly makes me want to visit Mount Rinjani. And it’s good to know that I shouldn’t go without a guide and that you can negotiate the price. Although based on what you said, the price seems pretty affordable to me considering what you get!
Yes, I think the prices are quite okay… anyways the views you get on the top are priceless!
Wow that’s a brave and scary move! We also have a volcano in Albay called Mount Mayon and trekkers are only allows in some area because it also an active volcano.
But it is such a nice one to cross out in your bucket list 🙂
I’ve never been to Albay… Ha, then there’s another one to put on the bucket list 🙂
I am going to Indonesia in a few weeks and really want to hike a volcano! This looks awesome. I cannot believe it erupted only three months after you climbed it, that’s so crazy!
Oooh, you are so lucky. Have fun & enjoy the hike 🙂
Wow! Active volcano? That sounds crazy… But awesome anyway! Congrats! And thank you for these great tips
Thanks a lot Miriam 🙂
That seems like a well composed rundown of everything you need to know and what to bring. I think this my be a bit beyond my fitness level but I’m sure it is achievable. Packing light is difficult but very important is sounds like.
Yeah, packing light gave me quite a headache… and in the end I forgot half of the things that I wanted to bring with me :-/
I appreciate all the practical details that you included! I’ve added this to my bucket-list!
Ah great! Happy you liked the hike 🙂
This is an impressive stat, second highest volcano in Indonesia. I know there are so many volcanoes there so Rinjani is very important. The view of the lake in the crater justifies the effort it took you to get up there.
That’s true, there are so many volcanoes to hike up! But yes, that view!
Wow! The price is reasonable and the view’s amazing. Hope I’ll get there soon! Thanks
Yep, they are! If you go, have fun and enjoy every moment!
I absolutely love hiking! I’m a little bummed that I was in the Gili islands but I never made it over to Lombok to trek up Mount Rinjani. Comprehensive guide and a good list of things to take! I would probably forget to take a fleece with me… I’m actually a little surprised at how much the tour packages are to hike up. I would have thought it would be a little less. Time for me to start saving then!
Hi Caroline, thanks a lot for your kind words. If you go on that hike, make sure you don’t forget your fleece, we had 5C° during the night climb. You will definitely need it. I think the prices are reasonable, but you can alway try to negociate 🙂
This looks like such an amazing experience! Thanks for going beyond just being there and including some really important tips 🙂
Thanks a lot Bruce! I was a bit lost when during the whole planning and packing process… so I hope I can contribute to other peoples preparation with rhis post 🙂
Such a great detailed guide, I must refer back to this when I next get down to Indonesia! The view looks absolutely incredible!
Yeah, the views and the experience… absolutely incredible.
The place looks absolutely astonishing but I don’t think I’m fit enough to hike all the way to the top. But I would like to have some great pictures like yours!
Hi Maria, I think that in Indonesia there are other cool hikes on volcanos that are not that high up 🙂
Mount Rinjani looks so beautiful and for sure I want to trek this active volcano one day. Your article covers every detail. It is quite informative especially the tips for what to look before booking your trip with the agency,
Thanks a lot. I had quite some difficulties to find all info at once when I started planning it. I hope you get to do this hike one day 🙂
Couldn’t recommend more.
We did the three day rinjani trek, and it was my highlight of a whole month in Indonesia. Jou was doing quite brutally accurate impressions of us both even by the end of the first day – he’s clearly very bright and picks up on any local terminology or slang you use along the way! We laughed our way up the mountain even though our legs were in so much pain – I don’t think Jou shed a drop of sweat!
Haha, it was also my absolute highlight, but I also remember the pain in my legs !
I would love to hike this trail one day! This guide is so motivational and inspirational, Ariane! 🙂
Thanks a lot Agness! Let me know when you make it up there 😉