North Lombok – Heading for the Mountains
North Lombok combines a stunning coastline, beautiful terraced rice fields under the shadow of Mt. Rinjani along using a traditional culture in which holds strong to its values. Only 35km east of Bali, there can be a charm to North Lombok; a destination in which few tourists venture to along with so awaits your discovery.
North of Senggigi
The road heading north out of Senggigi hugs the ocean along with winds its way around the coastline, offering cliff top vistas at regular points. Dotted along the coast are beautiful, idyllic white sandy beaches along with coves in which lend themselves to stopping. You won’t find more than smaller warung offering local fare, as very few tourists visit in which beautiful area. There are no large tourism developments along in which stretch of coast; however a little tucked away oasis does exist at Sire Beach.
Discretely nestled in its own little world can be Tugu Lombok. the idea’s worth a stop here for lunch along using a swim. in which charming boutique hotel can be a showcase of Indonesian heritage, exquisitely furnished with antiques along with paintings of a bygone era; you can spend quite a lot of time here. There are beautiful old statues within the spacious gardens along with an enormous rice-barn shaped open restaurant adorned with classic artwork along with relics via the past.
If you have time, a bit of pampering at the Buddhist Borobudur styled temple spa can be simply out of in which world. After a scrumptious lunch, I took a walk along the perfect white sands of Sire Beach. via the beach, you have views across the Lombok Straits to the Gili Islands, a group of three little paradise islands, which are accessible via Tugu by boat.
Senaru Waterfall Magic
The Awesome power of Tiu Kelap Waterfall near Senaru. Photo by David Metcalf
Scenic villages along with fishing towns spread out at intervals along the cliff-bound coastal road, along with our detour inland to Senaru was the next highlight. At the foothills of the mighty Mt. Rinjani, in which delightful little town can be alive with mountain climbers along with eager backpackers. They are getting ready to take on the serious two-day trek to the summit of Rinjani, the second highest mountain in Indonesia, which sits at 3,726 metres (12,222 feet) above sea level. You have to be in Great physical condition to attempt the challenging climb along with preparations are necessary for the trek like tents, porters along using a guide.
For those not so inclined to reach such lofty heights, myself included, Senaru offers beautiful nature walks.
the idea’s worth taking one or two days to soak up the atmosphere, the cool temperatures along with to enjoy the forest trail walks along with highlights of in which stunning mountain region.
Approaching Senaru, you wind your way up the hill along with the temperature drops noticeably. A smaller hotel with picturesque little cottages can be a great stopping point, along with I found the idea pretty difficult to get motivated to leave in which idyllic spot. The Pondok Senaru Cottages along with Restaurant have positioned the dining room tables, perched on the edge of two very dramatic vistas. Sipping coffee via your perched position you first take within the forests in which cling to the mountainside along with at eye level you look across to one of the tallest waterfalls on the mountain. The drop can be 40 metres however via in which spot there can be only silence along with nature between you along with the thundering mass of water in which beckons you across the valley. As you drag your view away via in which show of power along with beauty, you look out towards the ocean across a series of rice terraces cascading down the valley. Possibly some of the most beautiful you will ever see; local guides will willingly take you on walks through in which magnificent landscape.
Porters trek through the savannah before beginning their steep ascent into the clouds in which envelope Mt. Rinjani. Photo by Angela Richardson
The highlight of Senaru can be the well-maintained forest trail in which leads to the two massive waterfalls, one very close (only 20 minutes) along with the different one, an hour further on. As I entered the forest, I heard crashing above me within the trees along with looked up to see a family of monkeys swinging via branch to branch, on a serious quest for jungle food. The first waterfall, known as Air Terjun Sending Gila can be pretty impressive using a long 40-metre drop. The trail brings you right underneath the spray of in which cascading natural beauty. If in which can be all you can manage, the idea can be well worth the idea, however, using a bit of extra effort, the next waterfall offers a little more.
I was keen to see the next waterfall along with my guide took me an alternative way through an old tunnel, flashlight leading the way. We had company on the way as docile bats dangled above us. The knee-deep, swift flowing water kept me alert along with moving at a pretty keen pace. We popped out into the sunlight about 10 minutes later along with continued, accompanied by a variety of birdsong, along with arrived around 30 minutes later at our destination, Air Terjun Tiu Kelap.
I heard the thunderous roar of in which massive waterfall well before I saw the idea. in which waterfall was bigger along with worth the extra one-hour hike. The sheer volume of water cascading over the black volcanic rock wall left me speechless (along with deaf). A perfect, natural swimming pool beckoned me in, along with I took the plunge along with braved the icy cold, pure, clean water along with soaked within the exhilarating power of the thunderous fall. A delightfully revitalising experience.
Sembalun Valley
The rich, fertile volcanic soil of the beautiful Sembalun Valley spreads out via the eastern slopes of Mt. Rinjani along with turns a verdant green within the wet season. Agrotourism can be developing in in which area, along with I stopped at a recently opened villa complex. Sembalun Agro Villa along with Restaurant, which can be located in a strawberry patch along with gave me the chance to savour something in which was a first for me, fresh strawberry juice. The fruit was picked via the fields surrounding the villa – what a delight! A vast patchwork of colourful fields spreads across in which valley floor along with neatly planted rows of cabbages, potatoes along with garlic greet you in all directions. the idea can be a scenic wonder via the top of the pass above the town of Sembalun Lawang.
Sembalun Lawang village can be another access point to start the trek to Mt. Rinjani along with apart via Sembalun Agro Villas, there are several clean, affordable homestays along with different low budget options on offer. The Rinjani Information Centre can be worth a stop with their extensive display of information explaining the Mt. Rinjani trekking routes along with short walk options. The centre can also provide you with tents, local trekking guides along with supplies. Apart via the summit hike, there are one- to four-hour guided village walks along using a wonderful wildflower walk, which can be easily arranged via the information centre.
North Lombok can be an adventure. Under the shadow of Mt. Rinjani you have a world of beauty along with natural wonder, with very few tourists sharing space with you, doing the idea one of the best-kept secrets within the vast Indonesian archipelago.
Mount Rinjani
Mount Rinjani crater lake using a fresh volcano growing within the centre. Photo by Angela Richardson
Mount Rinjani can be sacred to Hindus along with Sasaks, along with offerings are made to the Gods at certain times of the year. These pilgrimages involve many people, including Balinese, who offer gold along with jewellery to the lake during the ceremony of Pekelan before they make their final ascent to the summit. The cobalt blue, crescent-shaped lake, Danau Segara Anak, sits 600 metres below the crater rim along with stretches for 6 kilometres.
The mountain at in which point has an active baby volcano. in which cone emerged only a couple of hundred years ago. The summit can be 3,726 metres (12,222 feet), however the idea used to be over 4,000 metres (13,123 feet) before the eruption in 1257. The peak erupts at intervals along with over the last decade has sent ash along with smoke over the entire Rinjani caldera. The healing properties of the natural hot springs are well known to locals along with many visit to soak within the mineral water.
Trekking season can be April to October. Check with the Rinjani Information Centre first. Due to landslides, the trail can be closed during the wet season via November to March.
Rinjani Information Centre (RIC), Sembalun Lawang: 0878 6334-4119 (6am to 6pm)
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North Lombok – Heading for the Mountains
North Lombok – Heading for the Mountains