Description
Day 1:
We invite you to join our two days walk through the grassland and tropical forests that clothe the ancient Sembalun caldera and to camp the night in a hidden valley on the lower slopes of Mt. Rinjani. The second highest volcanic peak in Indonesia, Mt. Rinjani is sacred to Sasak and Balinese people and renowned for the challenging Rinjani Trek. This beautiful nature hike wanders through the hills, providing an unforgettable Rinjani experience for the less ambitious walker.
Led by local guides, the first day starts early from the Rinjani Information Centre in East Lombok village of Sembalun Lawang (1,156m) and the eastern gateway into Gunung Rinjani National Park. Winding through agricultural fields belonging to the community, the walk climbs gently up to 100m. Climb to the undulating caldera rim from where there are sweeping views of Sembalun Lawang and Sembalun Bumbung villages. Formerly Sembalun was known for coffee production until the crop was changed to garlic to take advantage of the garlic boom in the early 1990s. On clear days many Lombok villages can be seen to the north with the ocean beyond. To the west is the soaring summit of Mount Rinjani (3,726m).
After a couple of hours’ walk from Sembalun, reach the grassland area of Dandaun, home of wild animals particularly groups of wild pig. October is their breeding season. After another hour the walk arrives at the open grasslands at Kanji where various species of orchid flourish in the trees and the ground is carpeted in wildflowers. Along the way, the guide explains local agricultural activities, the tradition of owners calling their cows using only salt. After about three hours the trail reaches our campsite at Propok (1,600m), a beautiful flat valley with beautiful views of the tropical forest. At sunset and early morning, wild animals such as pigs, deer, various birds and, if you are fortunate, even the rare black Ebony leaf monkey may be observed here.
Day 2:
The next day after breakfast you will walk to the cattle grazing site while the guide explains local agricultural activities, local tradition of farmers on how to herd hundreds of their cows with a grazing system. They come to check their cows once a week or once in two weeks. They will prepare salt or saltwater in the bamboo rod of half-meter long when they reach the site and they start to call their cows mentioning YEEE MAAAAAAAAA means come here. After a half-hour walk through the forest using a different routes, reach the area of tree planting, the guide prepares the tree seedling, and porters make a hole, and clients will plant the tree to compensate for the wood the people burn. Newly planted trees enhance wildlife habitat. This activity is intended as an effort to rehabilitate the conservation environment in National Park. Then it will be continued with a demonstration of the tree nursery, prior to it, the guide will give short training. Then continue the walk returns about three hours to end the hike in Sembalun.
Services included:
Mountain Guide, Local Porter, Camping Equipments (Tents, Sleeping bags, Sleeping mats, Cooking gears), All meals (3 times daily)
Services excluded:
Personal expenses, tipping and additional tour to be included during the trekking
