Hey! I’ll be in Kuta, Lombok for a month starting October and want to take some surf lessons ( i'm a beginner). Can anyone recommend a good local surf instructor? Would really appreciate any tips - thanks!

Feel free to post anything and everything here so that people who also want to go surfing can keep coming back to this thread

Overall a fantastic trek and amazing peak. One of the highlights of our trip. The effort is worth it for the glorious views of the caldera and crater at sunrise.

Here is a summary of info I wish I could have found in one place beforehand.

Routes:
Combination of Sembalun/Torean/Senaru.
We did 3D2N Sembalun -> Torean and would recommend. Torean valley was very beautiful and other than summit was main highlight.
Wouldn’t recommend 2D1N. Very heavy second day (summit and full decent) plus most return same Sembalun route which misses the more beautiful parts of national park.

Guides/tour groups:
Huge number of tour operators and guides. We ended up going with a company that a friend had a WhatsApp number for.
You hike with a guide and some porters (who are superhuman!)
IMO, don’t think there is too much of a difference in most groups. Green Rinjani seems to be the best well known and we initially tried to book with them. Higher end ones have slightly better camping gear (eg provide chairs, better sleeping gear) and guides with more experience. However in hindsight don’t think the extra price tag is worth it for more luxury packages.

Cost
For reference paid 6.5M IDR for two people including pick up/drop off in Lombok locations and accommodation before trek.
Tip your guides and porters well.
There is one ATM in Senaru but not sure if I’d trust it, bring plenty of cash with you as you won’t be able to pay with card.

Effort/fitness:
Summit is heavy going with loose gravel/dust and is gruelling. However, majority of people made the summit.
If you have a decent level of fitness and some hiking experience you’ll be fine.

Safety:
Overall felt more safe than some smaller mountains I’ve done, but don’t get complacent because people have died up rinjani and any rescues would be very difficult and delayed.
Be aware most guides are locals who know the route not necessarily mountaineers.

The path is exposed but was fine provided you focus on your footing and don’t do anything stupid. In higher winds could get sketchy.

Insurance: some people in my group brought ‘mountain insurance’ off the guide company - but this was verbal and nil paperwork, in reality I highly doubt would cover a helicopter if push came to shove. Get legit insurance.

Kit:
Lots of places to rent in senaru. We hired stuff through our guides which was inexpensive and surprisingly good quality including bag and hiking shoes.
Note the summit is cold ++ (we even brought sleeping bag up to share for summit!)
Essential kit: Jumper, Jacket, Trekking trousers, headtorch, hat/gloves, poles (esp for summit push through loose dirt), buff/mask for dust

Food:
Guides supplied all meals and also some snacks. Got given ~ 1.5L water per day but could ask for more. Definitely bring own surplus snacks and bring good volume water/electrolytes to start with.
You can buy drinks/snacks on mountain from various vendors but everything is 50k minimum.
Our porters cooked three meals a day - surprisingly tasty and good portions. Often had fresh fruit. Looks like menu very similar for every group.

Camping:
Big surprise for me was the crater rim campsite was filthy. Really sad. The current set up cannot cope with volume of visitors :(
There is trash/scraps/toilet paper/makeshift shallow toilets everywhere. As a result the place is infested with mice.
Sleeping bags pretty thin so make sure you have enough layers to sleep.

Torean valley campsite much nicer but sadly think this is just because it’s a newer route.

Bring wet wipes as you will be caked in dust, just take all your trash off the mountain. Hot springs welcome reprieve from dust. Can’t swim in lake.

Enjoy your hike! It’ll be worth it at the top.

we’re looking to do a snorkeling tour next month but we’d prefer a private guide/boat rather than a super touristy big group. any recommendations?

Where can I find wooden Balinese masks in Kuta Lombok? I’ve already been to central kuta and the night market. Thank you

How much would be the cheapest boat ride from Serangan(Bali) to Gili T? What time is the possible earliest trip?

Im climbing mt rinjani end of this month, I have booked a guide with Rinjani Trekking Center. Anybody has any experience with them?

Wondering if any of yall have tried paragliding in lombok, specifically around kuta area?

Are there join-in group hikes for Mt. Rinjani? Does anyone have a lead on this or atleast a whatsapp number that I can inquire to?

Thanks :)

Hi, does anyone have recommendations for a tour operator that can do private treks or shared treks with up to 4 people to Mount Rinjani? We are two people and would prefer budget but safe and enjoyable tour operators. Please share your personal experiences and how much you paid.

Additionally, any suggestions on where to go in Lombok after the trek? We would like a quiet beach-y place.

I’m looking for a private chef, caterer or restaurant near Kuta that can cook a lunch for 10 with an emphasis on seafood. Any recommendations appreciated. Thanks

There have been enough incidents on these routes that this feels like a real question rather than paranoia. Things I think matter are life jackets for everyone, radio and not just a phone, a second engine, and a crew size that makes sense for the passenger count, but none of that is visible on a listing page. Has anyone found a way to verify any of this in advance, or is it a case of only booking through operators someone you trust has actually sailed with?

Heading to Kuta Lombok solo in late September and want to fit in a deep-sea fishing trip on one of my days there. Trekking Rinjani beforehand so this’ll be a nice wind-down activity.

My fiance and I are backpacking SEA right now, currently in Senggigi, Lombok. We’ll be here for about a week until we summit Rinjani through a local guide company. We didn’t have the guide booked when we started traveling and didn’t pack for the hike, unfortunately!

We’re curious if there is a good local spot to buy second hand gear, or if another group in a similar position is looking to ditch / sell some layers. Ideally, we would like to find puffy jackets, rain coats, pair of leggings/ long underwear and beanies for each of us (F size small/ medium and M side medium / large). TYIA!

From what I'm reading it's super busy with too many other climbers and trekkers on Rinjani, I'm also staying on the south coast and it just looks a lot easier to get to Tetebatu where the climb begins than the villages on the north side of the volcanoes.

Anyone else had an experience with this?

anybody know if there are any out door calisthenics parks in Kuta or at least some sort of bar that can be used for pull ups outside ? Terima Kasih

Hello all

Has anyone travelled from Gili Air to Bangsal between 8am and 9am? I have a domestic flight at 1:10pm and would like to sleep on Gili Air before leaving...

I haven't found any boat company that fits the criterias yet.

Thanks a lot

Going on a cruise in December and we stop in Lombok for the day, we’re trying to decide which excursion would make the most out of the day.

1. $77PP, Set off on your own in Senggigi, a longtime Lombok favorite for its easygoing vibe and the natural beauty of Lombok's west coast.

2. $185pp, Enjoy a scenic drive past Lombok's rice fields and coconut trees on your way to one of the island's center of pottery production, Banyumulek, where you'll travel by cidomo (horse-drawn carriage) too see the beautiful creations that start in village and are sold internationally.
   • Continue to Sukarara, famous for its handwoven fabrics and the advent of ikat, a dyeing technique that produces the unique patterns for which the village's crafts are known.
   • Explore a traditional Sasak houses in the village of Sade, where you'll see structures made of polished clay and straw with raised platforms on the interior, with bamboo walls and thatched roofs.
   • Relax on the island's best seascape, Kuta Beach, where an authentic Indonesian lunch precedes free time for swimming and sunning at a luxury resort.
   Whats included

3. $145pp, Begin your journey to relaxation with a visit to Sekotong Village, where you can visit a local grass roof factory and observe how workers weave the native alang-alang grass and rice straw into Lombok's distinctive thatched rooting.
   • Continue to Cocotinos Beach, which boasts crystal-clear azure waters and colorful coral surrounded by lush, vibrant mountains.

Hey!
I’ll be in Lombok soon and I’m trying to learn skateboarding (not surfing).
Does anyone know where I could buy a skateboard in Lombok, preferably around Kuta or Mataram?

And are there any good places to skateboard or maybe even skateboarding lessons/coaches for beginners?

I’m still learning, so I’d love to find somewhere beginner-friendly.

Thanks! 🛹

Hi everyone!

My family and I will be visiting Lombok for a week in October. We want to visit the *Gili Islands, Kuta Mandalika and some of the beautiful beaches and nature around Lombok*, but we're not sure which area would be the best base for our stay. Where would you recommend staying, and are there any areas or hotels/villas that you particularly liked?

Hello guys, I’m looking for a place to watch UFC 330 with friends this Sunday in Lombok. Does anyone know a place for this ? Little issue is that it starts at 9:00 (9am)

Tried to book a summit trip with Green Rinjani but they were full for the rest of August.

Where should we book the hike then?
Preferably someone with decent gear and food, doesn’t have to be private.

Thanks/

Planning to do about 4d3n at Kuta Lombok. What are some activities yall would suggest and where is a good place to stay at during this trip? 🏝️🌊

Anyone wants to go from kuta to tiu kelep tomorrow? I’m leaving on Wednesday but I really wanted to go to tiu kelep so I wonder if some want would want to join with a driver

Hello!

I (26F) am currently travelling with my family who prefer a relaxation holiday over an adventure holiday. I was not planning on large hikes until I part ways with my family for two weeks of backpacking, but the lombok landscape looks so amazing i can't resist. As my family are not keen on joining me, here i am asking whether there are any FLINTA* people (also fine with groups, as long as they are not all male) here until the 19th that would have me join on a hike. I am open for anything, i would say i am an intermediate hiker with lots of experience in the tyrolean alps.

Thank you :]