Mount Rinjani Trek: A Local’s Guide (2026)

Mount Rinjani is 3,726 m high, the second-highest volcano in Indonesia, and the trek to its summit takes most people three days from Sembalun. The crater rim is the shorter goal: two days from Senaru, with a night camped on the edge looking straight down at the lake.

We live under this mountain, and most of our team have climbed it, some of them many times as guides. It’s changed a lot in the last decade. Rinjani is a big industry now, the trails get busy in July and August, and the summit push is the hardest thing most of us have done without ropes.

This guide covers which trek to pick, what the permits cost, the rules that came in for 2026, and how cold the nights on the rim get. We don’t climb Rinjani on the Lombok Loop, but we can set up your trek with a local Lombok operator before or after the tour.

Trail status, checked 18 October 2026: Sembalun, Senaru, Aik Berik, Tetebatu and Timbanuh are open and booking normally through eRinjani. Torean has been closed since 23 September 2026, after forest fires burned parts of the route, and there’s no reopening date yet. The same fires shut Senaru from 26 September until it reopened on 3 October. The park posts closures first on its Instagram, @btn_gn_rinjani.

Mount Rinjani at a Glance

Every foreign trekker needs a licensed guide and a permit booked through the park’s eRinjani system, so you can’t turn up at a trailhead and start walking. Your trekking company handles both, along with the health certificate you now need before they’ll let you on the trail.

• Height: 3,726 m at the summit. The two crater rim camps sit at 2,639 m (Sembalun side) and 2,641 m (Senaru side)
• The two classic treks: The crater rim in 2 days and 1 night from Senaru, or the summit in 2 or 3 days from Sembalun
• Season: The park closes every year from 1 January to the end of March. In 2026 it reopened on 1 April
• Permit: 250,000 IDR per person per day for foreigners on the main routes, and nearly every package includes it
• Guide: Compulsory for foreigners, with no more than four trekkers per guide since January 2026
• Arrive: The night before, in Senaru or Sembalun. Treks start walking at around 6am

Which Rinjani Trek Should You Do?

If you’ve got the fitness and three days, do the 3 day, 2 night summit trek from Sembalun. It’s the one we recommend most. You summit on the second morning, drop down to Segara Anak Lake and the hot springs, and finish through the jungle to Senaru, so you see both sides of the mountain.

These days most people book the 2 day summit trek because it’s shorter and cheaper. It works, but it’s a hard, fast hike: you climb to the rim on day one, summit at sunrise on day two, then walk all the way down the same afternoon. We’ve seen plenty of people finish that version too wrecked to enjoy any of it.

Trek	Duration	Start	Best for
Crater rim	2D/1N	Senaru	First-timers, limited time
Summit attack	2D/1N	Sembalun	Very fit and short on time
Summit and lake	3D/2N	Sembalun, finishing in Senaru	The full experience
The full loop	4D/3N	Sembalun	Photographers, a slower pace

Crater Rim from Senaru

This is the trek for first-timers and anyone who doesn’t need the summit. You walk up through jungle, then open ground, and camp on the rim at 2,641 m with the lake and the summit in front of you. Most of the famous Rinjani photos are taken from a rim, so skipping the top costs you less than you’d think.

Summit from Sembalun

Sembalun sits on the east side, higher up and out in the savanna, so it’s the standard start for the summit. Day one ends at the Sembalun crater rim at 2,639 m, and the summit push leaves camp at around 2:30am.

Torean (Closed for Now)

Torean is the steep valley route between the lake and the north of the island, and in the last two seasons it became a popular way to finish a summit loop. It’s been closed since the September 2026 fires. It’s also had fatal falls, including a 17-year-old trekker in July 2026, so we’d only walk it with a guide who’s been on it recently.

Tetebatu, Aik Berik and Timbanuh

The park classes these southern routes as Class 2, and they see far fewer trekkers. We’ve been working on a route up from Tetebatu for a while: dense forest and almost nobody else on it, but it’s hard to run for groups. If you want something quieter, message us and we’ll tell you where it’s at, and you can read up on where to stay in Tetebatu for the village at the bottom.

Rinjani Permits, Fees and the 2026 Rules

The park moved to a class system on 3 November 2025. Sembalun, Senaru and Torean are Class 1, so almost every foreign trekker pays the Class 1 rate. Fees are per person, per day on the mountain.

Route	Foreigners	Indonesians (weekday)	Indonesians (weekend)
Class 1: Sembalun, Senaru, Torean	250,000 IDR	50,000 IDR	75,000 IDR
Class 2: Aik Berik, Tetebatu, Timbanuh	200,000 IDR	20,000 IDR	30,000 IDR

A 3 day summit trek is 750,000 IDR in permits alone. Every operator we’d use includes it in the package price, so check that your quote says so. Fees are from the park’s own tariff notice, in force since 3 November 2025 and checked October 2026.

The Rules That Changed

• Book through eRinjani: Every trekker needs a permit in their own name, checked by QR code at the gate. For July to September, book two to four weeks ahead
• One guide per four trekkers: The ratio tightened on 1 January 2026. A private trek with your own guide is the simplest way to meet it
• Porter loads: Porters can carry a maximum of 25 kg. We still think that’s too much, and we prefer operators that stick to the International Porter Protection Group’s recommendation of 20 kg
• Health certificate: You need a Surat Keterangan Sehat from a clinic before you start. Operators book the visit in Senaru or Sembalun for you. We’ve noticed it isn’t always checked as strictly as officials say, but don’t count on that
• RFID wristbands: Since the 2026 reopening, trekkers wear a wristband so rangers can see who’s on the mountain, and every group carries a personal emergency beacon
• Fire season limits: In a long dry season the park can restrict climbing, check bags for anything that could start a fire and ban open flames. That happened from 1 September 2026

Want us to set it up? We’ll connect you with a local Lombok trekking company we trust, at the same price as booking them direct and cheaper than the touts on the Gilis. That works whether you join the Lombok Loop or not.

• WhatsApp: +62 877-4900-9007
• Email: [email protected]

How Hard Is the Mount Rinjani Hike?

The crater rim is a hard day’s walk that anyone in decent shape can do. The summit is a different level. The last stretch is loose volcanic scree, steep enough that you slide back half a step for every step up, and you do it in the dark and the cold from 2:30am. You don’t need climbing skills, just fitness and stubbornness.

It’s also a serious mountain, and people die on it. Brazilian hiker Juliana Marins fell near the summit in June 2025, and there have been more fatal falls since, including on the Torean route in July 2026. Stay on the trail, stay with your guide, and turn around when they tell you to. Our guide to whether Lombok is safe covers the rest of the island.

Barujari, the active cone inside the crater, has been at alert Level II since 2015. The volcanology office advises staying 1.5 km from it, and normal treks stay well outside that.

Mount Rinjani Summit Itinerary: 3 Days, 2 Nights

Day 1: Sembalun to the Sembalun Crater Rim

Your trek starts after breakfast with a 45-minute drive to Sembalun village. After registration you walk through savanna and grassland to Pos 3 for lunch, then climb for about three hours to the Sembalun crater rim (2,639 m). You camp there and watch the sunset before an early night.

Distance: 10 km | Time: 6 to 7 hours | Difficulty: Moderate

Day 2: Summit Push and Down to Segara Anak Lake

The wake-up call is 2:30am for the three-hour climb to the summit at 3,726 m. At sunrise you can see Lombok, Bali, Sumbawa and the whole lake below you. You’re back at camp for breakfast, then you head down to Segara Anak Lake and the hot springs for lunch, and up the far side to the Senaru crater rim for your second night.

Summit: 5 km | Time: 6 to 7 hours return | Difficulty: Very hard

Down to the lake: 3.4 km | Time: 3 to 4 hours | Difficulty: Moderate

Day 3: Down to Senaru

Sunrise and breakfast on the Senaru rim, then a long descent through forest, past the old rest stops, to Senaru village. Most groups reach the Rinjani Trekking Centre around midday.

Distance: 9.2 km | Time: 5 to 6 hours | Difficulty: Moderate

Rinjani Crater Rim Itinerary: 2 Days, 1 Night

Day 1: Senaru Village to the Senaru Crater Rim

After an early breakfast you register at the park entrance in Senaru. The trail starts in thick jungle, where you might spot Lombok’s black monkeys, and stops at Pos 2 for a cooked lunch. Then it opens out and steepens to the rim at 2,641 m, where you’ll set up camp in time for sunset over the lake.

Distance: 9.2 km | Time: 6 to 7 hours | Difficulty: Moderate

Day 2: Back Down to Senaru

You’re up early for sunrise over the caldera and a light breakfast, then it’s about four hours back down. The descent is easier on your lungs and harder on your knees. The dirt is loose and almost everyone slips at least once, and you’re back at the trekking centre by midday.

Distance: 9.2 km | Time: 4 to 5 hours | Difficulty: Moderate

When to Climb Mount Rinjani

April to November is the dry season and the time to go. The park closes from 1 January to the end of March, and December is wetter and slipperier on the trails. July and August are the busiest months on the mountain, so that’s when we’d book furthest ahead.

Late in a long dry season, fire becomes the risk. In September 2026 the park limited climbing, then fires closed Torean and Senaru. If you’re planning a trek for September or October, keep your dates flexible and check the status the week you travel. Our guide to the best time to visit Lombok goes month by month for the rest of the island.

Weather on Mount Rinjani

Daytime in the lower forest runs 28 to 35°C. The rim camps drop to 8 to 10°C at night, the lake sits around 10 to 15°C, and the summit at sunrise can be 0 to 5°C before you count the wind. Rain is common in the shoulder months, so pack a waterproof whenever you go.

What to Pack for the Rinjani Trek

Pack for both ends of that temperature range, and keep it light. Porters carry the tents, food and cooking gear, so we only ever carry a daypack with water, layers and a camera.

• Warm layers: A thermal top, a fleece and a down jacket for the rim at night and the summit
• Rain jacket: A waterproof jacket or poncho for sudden showers
• Boots: Good grip and ankle support for the rocks and the scree
• Headlamp: You’ll climb the summit in the dark. Bring spare batteries
• Beanie and gloves: The summit wind is colder than the temperature suggests
• Sunscreen and sunglasses: The sun at altitude burns fast
• Trekking poles: They save your knees on the way down
• Water: 2 to 3 litres a day. Most operators refill your bottle
• Snacks: Nuts, dried fruit or bars for the summit push
• Toilet paper, hand sanitiser and wet wipes: There are no showers
• Sleeping bag: Some operators provide one. Bringing your own means you know it’s warm enough
• Power bank: There’s nowhere to charge on the mountain

Where to Stay Before the Rinjani Trek

Stay in the village your trek starts from, so you’re not driving at 5am. Senaru is 2 to 2.5 hours from Senggigi and around 3.5 hours from Kuta, and Sembalun is about an hour’s drive from Senaru. If you’re coming from Bali, get to Lombok at least a day before your trek. From the Gilis, the boats land at Bangsal Harbour, about two hours from either trailhead.

For bases elsewhere, we cover the whole island in where to stay in Lombok.

Where to Stay in Senaru

Senaru is the start of the crater rim trek and the end of most summit loops. It’s a small village with homestays, guesthouses and a couple of mid-range hotels looking out over jungle and rice terraces.

• Rinjani Lodge (Luxury) – Our favourite hotel in Senaru, and the one we’d pick after a summit. Two outdoor pools, the mountain behind them and breakfast delivered to your room. We’ve written a full Rinjani Lodge review
• Rinjani Lighthouse (Mid-range) – Bungalows in the forest, a short walk from the Sendang Gile and Tiu Kelep waterfalls. Rooms have mosquito nets, hot showers and a seating area
• Dragonfly Senaru Lodge (Budget) – Wide views of the volcano at a low price, and a garden full of the dragonflies it’s named after

Where to Stay in Sembalun

Sembalun is the start for the summit, about 3 hours from Senggigi, and quieter and higher than Senaru. The valley is all vegetable farms, with the mountain standing over them.

• Bukit Tiga Lima (Luxury) – Triangular rooms with views over the fields, BBQ facilities and breakfast included
• Radiya Guesthouse (Budget) – One of the best-value beds in Sembalun. Small, clean rooms, free breakfast and unlimited coffee and tea
• Sembalun Kita Cottage (Cottage) – Mountain views, hot showers, free breakfast and the option to sleep in a 100-year-old traditional house

On the Mountain: Trails, Camps and Food

The Trails

You’ll walk through dense jungle, open savanna and bare volcanic rock, sometimes all in one day. Earthquakes and landslides have changed the trails over the years, and the park has rebuilt the main routes, which are in better shape now than when we first walked them.

The lower sections are shaded and fairly gentle. The summit is steep, loose scree and sharp rock. Boots with good grip aren’t optional, and we’d take poles for the descent every time.

Campsites

Camps are basic, with views that make up for it. Your porters carry up every tent and pot, so don’t expect glamping. Your crew sets up camp, and the best spots on the rim go early, so getting in ahead of the big groups helps. At 8 to 10°C at night, you’ll want every layer you brought.

Food

Your porters cook every meal: fried rice, noodles, fresh fruit and plenty of it. Vegetarian food is easy if you ask when you book. We’d still pack your own snacks for the summit push, because breakfast comes after it.

Toilets

Toilets are squat-style at best, and some camps only have a toilet tent. Bring your own toilet paper and hand sanitiser. There are no showers, so wet wipes are the closest you’ll get to a wash for two or three days.

Sunrise at the Summit

You’ll climb the last stretch by headlamp from around 2:30am, and it’s tough going. At the top, the sun comes up over Lombok, Bali and Sumbawa with Segara Anak Lake below you. We think it’s the best view in Indonesia, and we’re only a little biased.

Not Up for Three Days on a Volcano?

Bukit Pergasingan in Sembalun is our go-to short hike for the Rinjani view without the overnight. It’s a steep climb of about two hours, with the summit straight across the valley and Sembalun’s patchwork of fields below. In Senaru, the Tiu Kelep and Sendang Gile waterfalls make a good half day before or after a trek.

More ideas are in our list of things to do in Lombok, and our round-up of waterfalls in Lombok covers the rest of the north.

Planning Rinjani Around the Lombok Loop

Rinjani isn’t on the Lombok Loop route, but plenty of our riders climb it before or after the tour, and our 7-day Lombok itinerary shows where it fits. Message us on WhatsApp and we’ll book your trek with a local operator at their direct price, with transport and a bed in Senaru or Sembalun sorted.

The Lombok Loop itself is four days on motorbikes through the south coast’s beaches, the highlands and the northern waterfalls, leaving Senggigi every Thursday and Kuta every Friday.