Mount Rinjani, the second highest mountain in Indonesia and an active volcano, is cherished and safeguarded by many for its spiritual and natural significance. It is a revered site for thousands of Balinese and Sasak pilgrims who worship its majesty.
Covering an area of 41,330 hectares in northern Lombok, the park is dominated by the towering peak of Gunung Rinjani (3,726 meters). Within its vast crater lies the stunning Segara Anak lake and the still-active volcano Gunung Baru (2,363 meters). This area is surrounded by an additional 66,000 hectares of Protection Forest and spans the four administrative districts of West, East, North, and Central Lombok. The park’s ecosystem is located in the transitional zone between Asia and Australia, known as the Wallace zone, and receives an average annual rainfall of about 3,000 mm. Gunung Rinjani boasts a rich diversity of flora and fauna. The southwestern side of the mountain features the easternmost extent of primary rainforest in Nusa Tenggara, which transitions to monsoon forest, drier climates in the east, and savannah in the northeast. Notable flora include the everlasting edelweiss flower (Anaphalis viscid), tiger orchid (Vanda sp.), alang-alang grass (Imperata cylindrica), and casuarina trees (Casuarina trifolia and Casuarina occidentalis).
For the people of Lombok, both Sasak and Balinese, the volcano is considered a sacred place and the abode of deities. Segara Anak crater lake attracts thousands of pilgrims who offer sacrifices in the water and seek to cure diseases in its hot springs. The endemic Belebis duck and several fish species also inhabit this area. Mount Rinjani, one of over 40 national parks in Indonesia, was established in 1997.
More than 20 villages surround Rinjani, with many routes leading up the mountain. The primary access points are from Senaru in the north and Sembalun Lawang in the east. The challenging three-day Rinjani Trek from Senaru to the crater rim (Pelawangan), down to the breathtaking crater lake, and then on to Sembalun Lawang, is regarded as one of the best treks in Southeast Asia.
Senaru and Sembalun villages serve as the main gateways to Gunung Rinjani National Park, offering the most popular starting points for the three-day trek up Indonesia’s second-highest volcanic peak (3,726 meters). For the local people of Lombok, Sasak, and Balinese, the volcano is a sacred site and the dwelling of gods. The picturesque Segara Anak Lake within the crater is a pilgrimage destination where offerings are made and diseases are believed to be cured in the hot springs. Since 1999, with assistance from the New Zealand Government, the Rinjani Trek Centre has embodied the unique partnership of the National Park, tourism industry, and local communities, all working together to manage and protect the Rinjani mountain environment.