A GUIDE TO CLIMBING MOUNT RINJANI
Rising from the lowlands, Mount Rinjani is located on the Indonesian island of Lombok. Climbing to the top, at 3726 meters (12,224 ft), will test your limitations. However, the reward for reaching the summit is the sight of far-off volcanoes covered in clouds and Segara Anak, a vivid turquoise lake located within the crater rim.
Read More: Mount Rinjani Trek
Indonesia is home to several volcanoes, but most of them are too active or have too uneven terrain for us to climb. Rinjani, nevertheless, is quite approachable. It’s a terrific one if you want to push yourself,” says Yangyang Li, marketing manager at an adventure travel business in Indonesia.
Because of its height, this volcano is very different from the others I’ve visited. The dry, sparse grasses of the savannah are where you start. After that, you ascend to the volcanic ash layer and eventually arrive at the volcanic rocks. Of course, the top of the peak offers a breathtaking view of Bali’s Agung, sometimes even visible during the dawn.
After that, you’ll go downhill and pass a lake that is encircled by woods, where you may spot many of monkeys. Local fisherman will be present; they ascend Rinjani specifically to go fishing. During the dry season, hot springs are also present; however, they are not always accessible since heavy rains cause the lake to swell. You must descend 2000 meters farther through a vast tropical jungle to reach the trail’s terminus. I enjoy climbing Rinjani since there is a wide variety of greenery to be seen along the route.
“All of the volcanoes are spiritual to the locals; they are the homes of their god.” Thus, all Indonesians will walk up the volcanoes, notably Rinjani, if they wish to perform rituals or pray, particularly after the major Ramadan celebration. It’s one of their sacred volcanoes, Rinjani, and they believe that everyone should ascend it at some point in their lives for prayer.
WHERE IS THE RINJANI MOUNT?
Part of the Sunda Archipelago, which also includes islands like Bali and Flores, Mount Rinjani is situated on the Indonesian island of Lombok. As shown in the above map, Mount Rinjani is situated in the island’s northern region and is a component of the Pacific Ring of Fire.
How difficult is it to climb Mount Rinjani?
Because ascending Mount Rinjani involves relatively small distances, trekkers sometimes misjudge the degree of hardship. However, Yangyang advises against doing so.
Since they often walk 30 kilometers in a day, sometimes my customers assume it would be simple since the first day’s walk is just 10 kilometers. I advise them to verify the elevation as they will be ascending more than a thousand meters on their first day. It wears me out a lot,” she explains.
Our tour takes three days and two nights, so it’s fairly demanding. Rinjani needs at least two days and one night, if you want to conquer the summit. Although the summit trip is just one kilometer long, it takes three hours to complete. Sand, ashes, and pebbles make up the landscape. Three steps up and two steps down is what you can do. It is similar to strolling in a desert. That explains why it requires so much time.
The route to Climb Mount Rinjani
The Senaru Route and the Sembalun Route are the two paths that ascend Mount Rinjani. Yangyang suggests starting with the former, which starts at the customary village of Sembalum, then going down the Senaru route from there. You’ll be able to visit the crater lake and hot springs without having to go back and forth.
You can, of course, go backward. After that, you would begin at Senaru Village, make your way through the forest, and ascend to the Senaru Crater Rim for your first night’s camp, according to Yangyang. Although the first day’s climb is simpler, we suggest to start from Sembalun so that you may save your energy for the peak the following morning.
Many hikers on the Senaru Route simply trek up to the crater rim to view the lake and the fisherman, with no intention of reaching the top. Therefore, you start with Sembalum for the highest chance of reaching the peak.