Lombok-Info

The island of Lombok with the vulcano Rinjani in the evening sun.
 

View from Gili Meno to Lombok with Rinjani.

Lush vegetation in higher locations.

(Enlargement of the cutting see below)

The volcano Mt. Rinjani dominates the island of Lombok with a summit-peak of 3.726 m above sea-level. The last eruption ( starting 3 June 1994 ) formed a 1.500 m high ash-plume above the Barujari-cone, and there were eruptions over several months.
On 3rd November 1994 a mudslide of cold ash killed 30 people at Kokok Jenggak River.
On 12th November 1995 a new small ash-plume was reported.

Gunung Rinjani National Park

Mt. Rinjani forms the second highest volcanic peak in Indonesia, part of the celebrated "Ring of Fire". The dramatic landscape has been created over millions of years of cone-building, violent explosions, and erosion. Forested slopes rising directly from the sea create their own weather pattern and act as water-collectors for the whole of Lombok.

For the people of Lombok, Sasak and Balinese alike, the volcano is revered as a sacred place and abode of deities. Segara Anak crater lake is the destination of thousands of pilgrims who place offerings in the water and bathe away disease in the hot springs. The endemic duck "Belebis" is found here and several species of fish are recorded.

Mt. Rinjani, one of the over 40 National Parks throughout Indonesia, was established in 1997.

Over 20 villages surround Rinjani and there are many routes up the mountain, but the main access is from Senaru in the north and Sembalun Lawang to the east. The challenging three-day Rinjani Trek route from Senaru to the crater rim (Plawangan), down to the stunning crater lake, then on to Sembalun Lawang, is considered one of the best treks in South East Asia. Those heading for the summit usually prefer to start in Sembalun Lawang.

Rice terraces near Senaru

Bamboo in Sembalun

A model for ecotourism in Indonesia, the community-based activities are focussed on the Rinjani Trek Centre in Senaru, the most popular starting point for the tough trek. Developed with New Zealand Government assistance since 1999, the Rinjani Trek Centre embodies under one roof (sotu atop) the unique partnership of the National Park, tourism industry, and local communities that has been forged to manage and protect the Rinjani mountain environment.

(Source: NZODA Gunung Rinjani National Park Project, Tourism Resource Consultants,
c/o Hotel Sahid Legi, Jalan Sriwijaya No. 81, P.O.Box 1159, Mataram, Lombok, NTB. E-Mail: rinjani@indo.net.id)