How To Get Mount Rinjani Lombok
To start your expedition, you will first need to travel to Lombok, and then make your way to one of the two main trekking hubs at the base of the volcano: Senaru or Sembalun.
Mount Rinjani is located on the island of Lombok in West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. Because Lombok is a major hub right next door to Bali, traveling to the mountain base is straightforward whether you are flying in internationally or taking a quick boat ride from neighboring islands.
To start your expedition, you will first need to travel to Lombok, and then make your way to one of the two main trekking hubs at the base of the volcano: Senaru or Sembalun.
Here is everything you need to know about getting there.
Step 1: Getting to Lombok Island
By Air (Fastest & Most Convenient)
Lombok International Airport (Bandara Internasional Zainuddin Abdul Madjid, Code: LOP) is located in the southern part of the island near Praya.
Domestic Flights: There are daily, 30-minute direct flights from Bali (Ngurah Rai International Airport), as well as direct flights from Jakarta (around 2 hours) and Surabaya.
International Flights: You can fly directly into Lombok from major hubs like Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.
By Fast Boat from Bali or the Gili Islands
If you are already exploring Bali or the Gili Islands, a fast boat is the most popular way to cross over to Lombok.
From Bali: Boats depart daily from Padang Bai, Sanur, and Serangan harbors. The ride takes between 1.5 to 2.5 hours, dropping you off at Bangsal Harbor in northern Lombok, which is very close to the trekking base.
From the Gilis: If you are on Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, or Gili Air, the boat ride to Bangsal Harbor takes only 15 to 30 minutes.
Step 2: Traveling to the Trekking Base
Once you arrive in Lombok, you will need to travel by car to the mountain. The two primary gateway villages for starting a Rinjani trek are Senaru (in the north) and Sembalun (in the east).
Here are the estimated drive times to the trekking villages:
From Lombok International Airport: 2.5 to 3 hours.
From Bangsal Harbor: 1.5 to 2 hours.
From Senggigi or Mataram (City Center): 2 to 2.5 hours.
From Kuta, Lombok (South): 3 to 3.5 hours.
Because treks start very early in the morning, most hikers choose to arrive the day before and spend one night in a guesthouse in Senaru or Sembalun to rest up before hitting the trail.
Step 3: Let Us Handle the Logistics
At Hike Mount Rinjani Company, we want you to focus your energy on conquering the mountain, not figuring out local transportation.
When you book a trek with us, we provide complimentary pick-up and drop-off services from anywhere on the island. Whether you land at the airport, step off a fast boat at Bangsal Harbor, or are relaxing at a hotel in Senggigi or Kuta, our team will pick you up in a private, air-conditioned vehicle and bring you directly to our base camp to prepare for your adventure.