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Places Of Interest
Rinjani Mountain
National Park
Lombok
is dominated by Mount Rinjani, the Indonesia's second
highest volcano (after Mt. Kerinci in Sumatra). Located
in the province of Nusa Tenggara Barat (West Nusa
Tenggara), it's dense primary rainforest still covers
the steep slopes of the mountain complex.
Lombok
is home to many natural attractions, including the world
famous volcano, Gunung Rinjani, located on the north of
the island. Visitors from all around the world come to
Lombok every year to climb Gunung Rinjani, either to its
awe-inspiring crater lake or to the demanding summit
with panoramic views across the waters to Gunung Agung,
Bali's famous sister volcano. “Gunung” is Bahasa
Indonesia for mountain.
Historically and culturally, Gunung Rinjani has important
significance to both Sasak and Balinese, Muslim and
Hindu alike, and is considered a “Home of the Gods”.
Pilgrimages are made to the mountain, offerings placed,
and many people visit the volcano to pray and bathe in
the pools and hot springs, which are said to have healing powers. Each year, around
the full moon in October or November, a sacred
pilgrimage called “Pekelem” takes place, when gold and
other gifts are thrown into the lake near the summit as
offerings to the Gods.
Nearby Senaru, the gateway to the Rinjani
National Park, is a pretty village set in lovely scenery
with fantastic views of the volcanic mountain range. The
Rinjani National Park is a nature reserve of 41 330
hectares surrounding the volcano that provides many
opportunities for eco-tourism. The whole area is a
picturesque haven, featuring magnificent waterfalls,
lush and accessible jungle trekking, traditional
villages, and plantations of tobacco and cashew nuts,
grown alongside verdant rice terraces. Senaru is the
usual starting point for climbing Lombok's famous
volcano, Gunung Rinjani. Other options, for a slightly
shorter route to the summit, are Sembalun Lawang and
Sembalun Bumbung to the northeast.
Rinjani soars 3726m above sea level and is the second highest
volcano in
Indonesia, attracting thousands of trekkers and climbers
annually. The huge caldera near the top is around 4 kms
wide and is almost filled by a beautiful crescent-shaped
lake, Danau Segara Anak (Child of the Sea). The lake is
around 230m deep and contains plentiful fish, as well as
being home to birds and other wildlife. A smaller
volcanic cone, Gunung Baru Jari, was formed a couple of
hundred years ago and juts from the crater's interior at
the edge of the lake. It's been estimated that the force
needed to create the new cone and the lake would have
been equal to around 300 Hiroshima-type atomic bombs.
There are a number of caves, small waterfalls and hot
springs located around the volcano, most importantly Aik
Kalak on the northeast of the crater, where the
volcanically heated waters are said to cure illnesses,
particularly skin diseases.
In 2004 the Rinjani Trek won the World Legacy Award for
Destination Stewardship and the volcano is recognised
internationally as an important eco-tourism destination.
The Rinjani Trek, funded by the New
Zealand government, has set up a series of programmes
that involve the local communities and guides, for
climbing the volcano and for trekking in the National
Park - ensuring better management and safety for
trekkers. However, it is always prudent to use an
authorised guide, deal with a reputable trekking
business and carry as few valuables as possible with
you.
There are a variety of different options for climbing Gunung
Rinjani. Two day, one night treks are the shortest
available, taking visitors to the crater rim, to view
the wide crater and the emerald green lake within.
However the most popular is the three day, two night
trek which allows trekkers to climb to the very summit
of the volcano, with magnificent views from the highest
point on Lombok - taking in the vista of the surrounding
mountain range, the lush green landscape below, and the
ocean to the west studded with the Gili islands and Bali
floating in the distance.
The best time to climb Gunung Rinjani is in the dry season
from around April to October, or before the rains start.
The sunny days and cooler temperatures make this time of
the year the most comfortable for climbing, and enable
the clearest views of the stunning scenery both on and
around the mountain. It is cold on the mountain at
night, so make sure you take warm clothing.
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Senggigi Beach
Senggigi
Beach is to Lombok what the Kuta Beach area is to Bali
in that it is the most popular tourist centre of the
island. However, that is where the similarity ends.
Senggigi Beach is an idyllic, peaceful beach, offering
safe swimming and snorkeling, and has a reef area
perfect for surfing. Along the beach, you will find a
variety of accommodation from 5 star hotels to local
losmans, up-market restaurants and local warungs.
Senggigi
Beach is surrounded by tropical plants and palm trees
with a backdrop of green hills and mountains. With the
mountains and hills behind you, you face out to a wide
ocean where on the horizon Mount Agung in Bali watches
her big sister mountain Rinjani, here in Lombok. In the
town centre of Senggigi you will find all of your needs
catered for from top restaurants to exciting nightlife
and bars, as well as day-to-day necessary bank machines,
internet services, supermarkets and health clinics,
tours and guides, souvenir shopping and happy, friendly,
smiley people.
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