Overview
The itinerary from the Gilis
The natural starting point is Lombok, reachable by ferry from the Gili Islands in under an hour. Your agency picks you up directly, no extra organisation needed.
Official trek map, departure from Sembalun (our route) or Senaru, via the 3,726 m summit and Segara Anak lake. Click the markers below to see our stages.
The essential thing before you go
The guide, the most important decision
Before talking about the trek, I need to talk about Ardy. Without him, this trek would have been a completely different story. Caring, motivating, always there at the right moment with a sugar cube or a word of encouragement, he made this adventure not only doable but unforgettable.
A good guide is truly the thing not to overlook. He handles everything: hotel pick-up, medical check before departure, route briefing, coordination with the porters.
📬 Contact me for Ardy's details, I recommend him without hesitation. Write to me here.
The porters also deserve a special mention. They carry tents, mattresses, stoves and all the food, in flip-flops, overtaking you at a run. An incredibly physical job, forces of nature. Without them, nobody could do this.
The trek
The programme day by day
Getting started
Elevation gain: +1,100 m · Duration: ~7h · Arrive at camp at 2,600 m
The trek starts around 10am from the official trailhead. The first few hours are gentle, we cross moorland and rolling plains, climbing gradually. The group takes shape, conversations start. Lunch break along the way with Indonesian specialities cooked on a camp stove by the porters, honestly, we ate like royalty.
Then comes the serious climb. Four hours of elevation gain to reach the base camp at 2,600 m. The end is tough, legs burning, lungs feeling the altitude. But we arrive for sunset, and the view over the crater, the lake and the summit silhouetted in the distance is worth every single step.
The night: dinner facing the volcano, asleep by 7pm. And a few cold sweats listening to the briefing for the next day. It's cold, dress up warm.
The ascent
Wake-up at 1:30 am · Summit at 3,726 m · The longest day
Yes. 1:30 in the morning. After a short, restless night between the cold, discomfort and anxiety, we gear up, layer up as much as possible, and off we go.
Phase 1 · 2h
The climb through the ash
From 2,600 m to around 3,400 m. Rocks and volcanic ash: one step forward, two steps back. It's exhausting, the altitude weighs on your breathing, the darkness is total. Very short breaks, the sunrise doesn't wait.
Phase 2 · 1h
The ridge
One hour walking along the volcanic ridge. Pitch black, you can only see the light from your headtorch, and you know there's a sheer drop on both sides. The wind pushes in every direction. We move forward focused, silent.
Phase 3 · 1h
The final push, alone with yourself
The hardest part. Near-vertical ascent through ash and rocks. Some people stop, turn back. I keep repeating: you didn't come all this way for nothing. You can do this. The body is at its limit, it's purely mental now. And then the sky starts to turn pink. And there it is.
The summit at 3,726 m. My friends Maël and Romane, our guide Ardy, and a view that gives you chills, Bali in the distance, the Gilis, the entire ridge we'd just climbed through the night. We stay for about half an hour up there, huddled under a sleeping bag, watching the sun rise over Indonesia. These moments can't really be explained. There were only about forty of us on that summit.
The afternoon: descent to the crater lake (2,000 m) via rocks and ropes, pure climbing. We arrive at the natural hot springs on the lake shore, and it's absolute bliss. Soaking in the steaming water, replaying the morning's images on loop. Evening: campsite in a secret valley, a waterfall in front of us, campfire with the porters. A moment out of time.
The descent
Wake-up 5:30 am · ~7h hiking · Arrival in the rain
Last day. The aches are setting in, the body is stiff, but the morning light over our little corner of paradise is magnificent. Breakfast facing the waterfall, departure at 6:30, we have a ferry to catch.
The descent alternates with uphills, crossing breathtaking landscapes: rivers, waterfalls, forests. Beautiful but tough. I keep telling myself mentally you're not in pain, keep going, on repeat.
Lunch break in the forest, then the magic announcement: just 2.5 hours left. We practically run, we can't feel anything anymore, but we can see the end. And when the finish line appears in a torrential downpour, we don't care, it feels good, it washes everything away, and we are so proud.
Summit certificate collected, tearful goodbyes to Ardy (a few tears, a big hug), and back to the port.
Let's be honest
What fitness level do you need?
I set off as a beginner hiker, moderately fit (swimming, walking), with no specific training. And I did it.
This is no walk in the park. It's 27 hours of cumulative hiking, 3,726 m altitude, a sleepless night and a serious dose of mental strength. But it's not reserved for seasoned athletes. What really matters:
- Good general fitness
- No serious heart or respiratory conditions
- The right mindset, mental strength accounts for 70% of the effort
- Actually listen to your guide
- If you have asthma, bring your inhaler, I needed mine
A medical check is mandatory before departure, it's included in the agency programme. It's a good thing and takes very little time.
Practical information
Everything you need to know
The trek
- 3 days / 2 nights (classic format)
- Total elevation gain: ~3,100 m
- Starting point: Sembalun or Senaru
- Mandatory medical check before departure
Equipment available to rent
Warm jacket, trekking poles, gloves, headtorch, everything can be rented at the trailhead. No need to cram all that into your backpack.
What to bring
- Warm layers (it gets very cold at night)
- Sweet snacks for energy
- Medication if needed (inhaler, paracetamol)
- Plenty of water
The guide
This is the most important decision. Write to me to get Ardy's contact details, I recommend him without hesitation and can give you all the details for organising your trek.
Price
Ask me directly, rates vary by season and group size. Contact me for an up-to-date estimate.
From the Gilis
Ferry from Gili T → Lombok, then the agency picks you up directly. And Lombok is also the ideal departure point for the Komodo cruise!
To wrap up
My verdict
I won't be rushing back out hiking anytime soon. My legs hated me for a week. But if tomorrow someone told me "27 hours of hiking and 3,700 m of elevation", I'd go back without hesitation.
Rinjani is one of those experiences that proves you're capable of far more than you think. Every tear, every step through the ash, every moment I wanted to give up, it was all worth those 30 minutes at the summit watching the sun rise over Indonesia.
And if you're building your Indonesia itinerary: the combo Gili Islands → Rinjani → Komodo cruise is in my opinion the perfect way to experience Lombok to the fullest. You arrive by boat from the Gilis, summit the volcano, then set sail, finishing in Labuan Bajo on Flores, from where you can catch a small plane back to Bali or head elsewhere.
As Ardy would say: never try, never know.
Planning your Rinjani trek?
Write to me for the guide's contact, prices, preparation tips, I'll answer everything.
