Mountain Climbing at Mount Rinjani National Park

Mount Rinjani National Park is located on the island of Lombok, Indonesia in the North Lombok Regency. The park represents a range of Nusa Tenggara's ecosystem types, from sub-montane rain forest to montane forest and savanna. In 2008, the Indonesian government proposed to UNESCO that Mount Rinjani be one of the world's official geoparks. If this was approved by UNESCO, Mount Rinjani would become the first such geological park in Indonesia.

View from the northwest Calder Arand on the summit of Gunung Rinjani (3726m),
Gunung Baru smaller (2351m) and Segara Anak lake. Source: wikipedia.org

This national park covers about 41.330 hectares and it has a variety of flora, such as: Nettles (Laportea stimulant), Dedurenan (Aglaea argentea), Bayur (Pterospermum Javanicum), Banyan (Ficus Benjamina), Jambu-jambuan (Syzygium sp), keruing (Dipterocarpus Hasseltii), Rerau (D. imbricatus), Mountain Pine (Casuarina junghuniana), Eidelweis (Anaphalis Javanica) and several kinds of orchids that is endemic forest such as P.Lombokensis and Perisstylus Rinjaniensis. While the variety of fauna in Mount Rinjani National Park, such as: Weasel Rinjani (Paradoxurus Hemaprhoditus Rinjanicus), Deer (Muntiacus muntjak Nainggolani), ebony leaf monkey (Trachypithecus auratus Kohlbruggei), Pangolin (Manis javanicus), Horn Cikukua bird (Philemon Buceroides Neglectus), Dawah Forest (Ducula Lacernulata Sasakensis), black nape orioles (Oriolus Chinensis Broderipii) and some types of reptiles, plus a number of freshwater fish species that live in the Segara Anak lake. The lower and mid levels of the mountain are quite heavily forested. Above the tree line though the slopes are barren and rugged scree slopes and volcanic rock. The views of the crater lake are quite breath-taking from the caldera rim, as is the sunrise. From the absolute peak you can see Bali to the west and Sumbawa to the east.

Mount Rinjani view from Sembalun side.

Mount Rinjani is the second highest volcano in Indonesia with an altitude of 3726 m above sea level and is located at latitude 8º25' S and 116º28' E is a favorite for mountain climbers because of the beauty of the landscape. The park is popular for mountain climbing and trekking. It’s represents an important nature reserve and water catchement area. Mount Rinjani is best climbed during the April-November dry season. It is possible to climb during the rainy season as well but treks are often cancelled at short notice if the rain is heavy. It gets very cold on the mountain above 2,000 m and nears freezing at the summit. Warm clothing is an absolute must.

On the mountain crater (2.800mdpl) there is a inactive crater caused by the eruption of Mount Rinjani formed a vast lake (1.100hA) with beautiful scenery. The lake is called Segara Anak Lake, of the Sasak language means roughly Small Sea. Adequately describe the area of the lake. Lake water depth is estimated around 160m – 230m. Lake water temperature varied from the other side to the other side. The water of the lake there is a very strong sulfur smell so much like a very dangerous Moffet but those that smell like mountain water. In the middle of the Segara Anak lake there is a new mountain called Barujari Mount. Mount Barujari is believed to grow taller every year. The average rainfall in this region is the location of the height of 2.000ml/tahun 550mdpl – 3.726mdpl.

There are some tourist attractions in the park, for example: At mount Rinjani tourist can do mountain climbing, trekking and camping. At Segara Anak Lake, Sebau and Gunung Baru, tourist can do research, observing animals, enjoying natural phenomena and thermal springs, exploring the forest, cultural attraction. At Otakokkoq and Kembang Kuning tourist can enjoying thermal springs and waterfalls.

How to go to Mount Rinjani?

There are a number of options to get to Mount Rinjani:

• Mataram-Selong-Sambelia-Sembalun Lawang by car, it takes about 4.5 hours (140 km), then on foot to Segara Anak Lake, about 9 hours (25 km). 
• Mataram-Bayan-Senaru by car, about 2.5 hours (82 km), then on foot to Segara Anak Lake, about 9 hours (25 km). 
• Mataram-Bayan-Torean, about 2.5 hours (85 km), then on foot to Segara Anak Lake, about 7.5 hours. 
• Mataram-Masbagik-Kutaraja-Tetebatu, about 1.5 hours (60 km), then on foot to Otakokkoq, about 30 minutes.