RINJANI HILL TREK WILDLIFE AND PANORAMA HIKING PROGRAM

SASAK HILL TREK A two days-one night, great experience over Pegasingan Hill We invite you to join our two–day walk through the rice fields, to chat with the farmers and enjoy the scenery from the high hill called Pegasingan. The view from 637 m above the villages and fields of Sembalun Lawang and Sembalun Bumbung is of the glorious panorama of the ancient caldera of Mt. Rinjani. The programme for the walk includes; an explanation of the local tree species that grow at various altitudes and how these are used by the local people for traditional medicines, also how we can assist the local conservation group by planting some trees and species of orchids. We visit the location where, according to legend, it was used by the king to play games of spinning tops. Your guide and porters will show us how to play the spinning top. The overnight camp area is called Bukit Batua (Batua Hill) where a long time ago the villagers used to pray before starting to hunt wild deer. A spiritual leader will pray and give blessings to all the members of the group before the porters and guide install the tents. This is a special place to watch the sunset and sunrise also view the summit slopes of Mt Rinjani and distant mountain of Agung on Bali. After dark we see the lights of Sembelia village and the distant port town of Labuhan Lombok. After dinner we are entertained by our guide or porters playing a melodious flute besides enjoying the ethereal tropical night sky from around 1,773 m above sea level. After breakfast the walk continues for a few hours including our resting time through the tropical rain forest to search for a variety of birds and listen to their calls. At the lunch stop our guide will help us to look for forest food that we may add to our lunch. Continue the trip to Makam Sakan, Makam (Grave) and find out some graves on the way which was known as ancestor. Your guide will tell you the story. On reaching Lendang Madang we will meet our transport that will take as to a site for a bathe in cool spring water, a refreshing finale to the programme. What to Bring: Make sure you bring your camera - the views are simply wonderful! The best season is May to October. Days can be warm (29–32 degrees C.) although during June to August the night time temperatures can drop to well below 15 degrees C. so bring some warm clothing as well as a hat, sun-cream and an umbrella. Camping equipment, all meals and drinking water will be provided. How to Book: Please book at least two days in advance. The Jungle Walk operates on a demand basis with minimum two persons. SAJANG VILLAGE AND WATERFALLS WALK The walk is led by friendly guides who will welcome you to the village of Sajang near the border of Gunung Rinjani National Park. The village people explain their customs and traditions of village life and how they support their daily livelihood by growing coffee, chocolate and vanilla and, depending on the season, you will have the opportunity to work along them. Then an easy walk to explore the foothills of the volcano, Gunung (Mt) Rinjani where the community have their fields that are still farmed just as their ancestors did. The walk continues for a couple of hours to the waterfall where, according to legend, the king used to bathe his horses. There will be time to explore and enjoy the stay at the waterfall and the way back will be through the rain forest to catch sight of the Ebony Leaf Monkey besides heard the noisy of birds. Back in the village the drying coffee beans will be ready to be husked and ground before being ready to make coffee. You will be served to test the coffee. What to bring: Make sure you bring your camera, sun hat and sun cream, comfortable walking shoes, small backpack and bottle water. How to Book: The Sajang Village and Waterfall Walk operates on a demand basis with a minimum two persons and please book at least two days in advance. SENARU PANORAMA WALK Led by local women guides, this easy half-day walk explores the foothills of spectacular Rinjani volcano in Lombok’s northern district of Bayan. Starting near the border of Gunung Rinjani National Park, your route follows old pathways amongst shady bamboo groves and village gardens before entering a wide, open landscape of rice terraces and palms. Following a winding irrigation channel you reach the lush rainforest of the famous Sendang Gila Waterfall Reserve. The local people believe that a refreshing bath behind these thundering falls can cure any disease. Along the way, discover tropical plants as your guide explains how the local people make practical use of them. You come across the cheeky long tailed monkeys and, with a bit of luck, may even spot the rare ebony leaf monkey. Passing small hamlets where age-old traditions are practiced, you will gain insight into the colorful village life of the Sasak. There is always something interesting happening here as you meet local people and admire traditional houses along the way. Make sure you bring your camera - the views are simply spectacular! On a clear day you may even catch a glimpse of Bali’s famous Gunung Agung volcano rising high above the blue waters of the Lombok Strait. Each turn of the track offers new vistas as finally Rinjani - the sacred mountain of the Sasak people - emerges majestically above rice terraces and rainforest. This natural and cultural diversity makes the Senaru Panorama Walk an unforgettable Lombok experience. SEMBALUN WILDFLOWES WALK A two day one night scenic and wildflower hike to Propok in Gunung Rinjani National Park We invite you to join our two day 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 eastern gateway into Gunung Rinjani National Park. Winding through agricultural fields belonging to the community, the walk climbs gently up 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 wild flowers. Along the way the guide explains local agricultural activities, such as the tradition of owners calling their cows using only salt. After about three hours the trail reaches our camp site 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. Next day the walk returns through the forest using a different route and see the communities’ farming, your guide will explain the plantation on the field. Visit hand weaving, women have been weaving in this village for many generations and these techniques have been passed down from mother to daughter. The fine weavings from Sembalun Lawang are made on traditional wooden hand looms and are used for special rituals and religious celebrations. Arrive in the afternoon at the Rinjani Information Centre at Sembalun Lawang. A special feature of this hike is to be accompanied by the local Pemangku (traditional spiritual leader) and on the way blessings are made in sacred places to celebrate the creation of nature and ensure a safe journey. What to Bring: Make sure you bring your camera - the views are simply wonderful! The best season is May to October. Days can be warm (29 – 32 degrees C.) although during June to August the night time temperatures can drop to well below 10 degrees C. so bring some warm clothing as well as a hat, sun-cream and an umbrella. Camping equipment, all meals and drinking water will be provided. How to Book: Please book at least two days in advance. The Sembalun Wildflowers Walk operates on a demand basis with minimum two persons. Booking at : info@rinjaninationalpark.com