Indonesia - The Rough Guide to Southeast Asia on a Budget - page 294

ORGANIZING THE TREK
If you want to climb Gunung Rinjani, an extremely useful first stop is one of the Rinjani Trek
Centres : at the top of the village at the start of the path to Gunung Rinjani in Senaru, and in
the centre of Sembalun Lawang (June-Sept daily 7am-5pm; at other times opening hours are
more hit and miss). They provide information about climbing routes, can arrange all-inclusive
trips, and they register and collect the fee from everyone entering the National Park. If you
want to put your trek together independently , it is possible to arrange a guide (from around
Rp220,000/day) and porters (from around Rp180,000) at the Trek Centres (all guides and
porters should be licensed) and rent equipment there, though you'll need to buy your own
food, and food for the porter and guide. Be aware that you'll need to start trekking in the
morning, so you should organize everything the day before.
Don't forget to bring warm clothes, as it's freezing at the top, particularly when you're trying
to sleep, and extra water, as the guides almost invariably don't bring enough.
TOUR PRICES
Prices largely depend on your bargaining ability (though everyone quotes “published prices”, you
should still negotiate). They should include guide, porters, equipment (including sleeping bags
and tents) and meals. Return transport should be included in treks arranged in Senggigi or from
the Gilis. Most people pay from Rp1,000,000 for a budget two-day/one-night crater-rim trek
including transport to and from either Senggigi or the Gilis (you can often secure cheaper deals).
QUESTIONS TO ASK
What exactly is included in the price?
How many porters and guides are included?
What is the menu? Will snacks be provided?
Will the person you are talking to be going with you?
Will your group be part of a larger group or going independently?
TREKKING COMPANIES
The number of trekking agencies arranging all-inclusive treks is bewildering. In Senggigi, the
Rinjani Trekking Club ( T 0370 693202, W info2lombok.com), which is linked to the Rinjani Trek
Centres in Senaru and Sembulan, have fully trained local guides who are committed to
sustainable tourism, and take all rubbish with them off the mountain.
In Senaru and Sembalun check out the Rinjani Trek Centres (RTC), which have a
representative in most guesthouses, and other local operators, including John's Adventures
( T 0817 578 8018, W rinjanimaster.com).
It is also possible to organize a trip from the Gilis (see p.288).

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after a trek, and it's likely to be the best
shower you'll take all trip.
If you are not up to climbing Rinjani,
note that the Rinjani Trek Centres also
organize a half-day panoramic walking
tour of the area with a female guide,
including a visit to a local village (from
Rp100,000 per person; 4hr).
ACCOMMODATION AND EATING
All accommodation listed below is spread for several
kilometres along the road through Batu Koq and Senaru.
Bemos go all the way so you can stop outside any of them.
All offer luggage storage and have small restaurants
attached, serving simple food.
Gunung Baru Near the start of the trail, Senaru T 0819
0741 1211. Small set-up not far from the s tart of the tr ail,
with a handful of simple, tiled bungalows. Rp100,000

Pondok Indah Senaru Cottages T 0878 653 3344.
Ten basic, slightly overpriced rooms, all with attached
cold-water bathrooms. A verand a provides ca lming views
over the surrounding landscape. Rp200,000
Simar Selaran Jl Pariwisata, Senaru T 0818 540673,
E [e-mail]. Basic but good-value
rooms, including a decent breakfast to fuel your trek. The
manager, Jul, is also a rep for the RTC so you can book
treks from here, with one free night's a ccommodatio n and
onward transport included in the price. Rp100,000

Sembalun Lawang and Sembalun
Bumbung
Set in countryside that is unique in
Lombok, the Sembalun area is a high,
flat-bottomed mountain valley
surrounded by hills. SEMBALUN LAWANG
is accessed via a steep 16km road from