A. Overview
Mount Rinjani is located on the north Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, which is the third highest volcano in Indonesia that included the seven Sumit Indonesia. The height of the peak of Mount Rinjani only be defeated by the Carstensz Pyramid in Papua and Mount Kerinci in Sumatra. Mount Rinjani is not only known by the people of Indonesia, but also known by foreign tourists. Every year, carrying thousands of foreign and domestic tourist who climbed the mountain altitude is 3726 m above sea level.
Forests in Gunung Rinjani including heterogeneous forest types and at specific points in the form of homogeneous forest type. At an altitude of 1000 - 2000 m above sea level will encounter a variety of plants such as the banyan (ficus superb), the fork (dysoxylum sp), and farm residents who planted vegetables such as cabbage, peppers, onions, and potatoes. At an altitude of 2000-3000 m above sea level, the dominant vegetation of the mountain pine (casuarina junghuniana). While at an altitude of 3000 m above sea level upwards there are types of grasses and edelweiss flower (www.trekkingrinjani.com). In the west there is a caldera cone Rinjani area of about 3,500 m × 4800 m, extending to the east and west. In Segara Anak caldera have an area of 11 million m2 with a depth of 230 m. On the east side of the caldera there are New Mountain (New Mount Finger), which has a crater measuring 170m × 200 m with a height of 2296-2376 m asl (www.balioutbound.com).
Based on a story that circulated in the Sasak tribe who settled in the vicinity of Mount Rinjani, the mountain is storing a number of mysteries, one of which is about the existence of the Goddess of Anjani. Dewi Anjani believed to be a direct descendant of King Selaparang obtained from the marriage with an ethereal being who is on Mount Rinjani. Selaparang Kingdom is one of the kingdom that ever existed on the island of Lombok around the 13th century and collapsed in the 16th century. Center of this kingdom in the past was in Selaparang, which is currently a Selaparang Village, District Swela, East Lombok.
The story begins when a long drought in Selaparang. At that time, King Selaparang decided to meditate on Mount Rinjani in order to apply rainfall. Mount Rinjani, King Selaparang met with spirits who later marry. From this marriage then was born Dewi Anjani. Therefore, until now the community Sasak and Hindu Dharma on the island of Lombok often perform rituals Mulang Pakelem, namely rain and fertility ritual begging to Dewi Anjani. The ritual was marked by the giving to the deity worshiped by means sunk into Lake Segara Anak.
Since 1990, Mount Rinjani area declared a National Park which is then reinforced by the Minister of Forestry Decree No. 280/Kpts-II/1997. This decree states that the area with an area of 40,000 hectares, which will serve as a National Park Mount Rinjani (TNGR). In addition, according to news from www.tempointeraktif.com, Mount Rinjani was also proclaimed to be the first geopark in Indonesia. Rinjani Geopark will add to the list of world geopark which currently numbers 53 and spread over 17 countries under the network of United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Currently, tourism management ascent to the summit of Rinjani was done professionally by a body consisting of representatives from government, Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs), citizens around Rinjani, Rinjani Trekking and Management Board (RTMB). Since managed by RMTB, Mount Rinjani has won various international awards, including the World Legacy Award (2004) and Tourism for Tommorow Award finalist in 2005 and 2008 (www.tempointeraktif.com).
B. Feature
Mount Rinjani is renowned as one of the mountain in Indonesia with the natural landscape and stunning beauty. During the trip, you'll pass through tropical forests that once in a while you will be able to see sightings of wild monkeys on the roadside.Vegetable plantations and green canyon scenery inhabited vast stretches traditional Sasak tribe. With this kind of charm, Mount Rinjani the target of the lovers of adventure in the wild, both domestic and foreign climbers.
If you have often climbed mountains in Java, which has a homogeneous and heterogeneous character of the forest, then on Mount Rinjani you will find a much different character. Initial challenges you will face is the vast savannas and rolling hills.Barren and dusty land, and the sting and easy climate change will make the stamina quickly depleted. Characteristics of this nature provide a new experience for the climber who used to climb the mountain in Java.
After savannas, you will be intercepted by a steep incline and a gaping chasm between heterogeneous forest thick. During the trip you can see various kinds of fauna like monkeys and jungle fowl. Mount Rinjani including mountain is safe from the threat of wild animals. After traveling approximately 7 hours, you will arrive at Plawangan (ridge) Sembalun Lawang. In places that are climbing the last post before the peak of the mountain pine grow this much.
While resting in this place, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of Lake ly formed by volcanic eruption of Mount Rinjani. For Sasak Tribe, Lake ly is a sacred place which is guarded purity. This place is often used as a place of pilgrimage and worship of Hindus and Muslims Wettu Barbadensis (Muslim-Hindu syncretism).
In Lake ly the climbers can do various activities such as fishing, swimming, soaking in pools of natural sulfur, or burn the fish in the lake. Carp, tilapia, and carp are found in many fish this lake. Usually the climbers chose to establish a tent and spend a lot of time in this place. Mound of sand dunes that emit white smoke into the sky were also seen across the lake, known as the New Mount Finger. Not many details are explained in detail about the mountains of sand that is still active.
From Lake ly, you may take about 7 hours to reach the summit of Mount Rinjani.Travel to the summit is a difficult journey because you have to pursue a crater lip and across the terrain of sand and stone. In general, climbing Mount Rinjani requires no tools, but you must be strong stamina and patience are doubled. You also need agile climbing rocky slopes with a slope ranging from 40-80 degrees. In addition, you also have to be careful with the risks that endanger the ruins for the soul of rock climbers.However, rough terrain will be paid off when you are able to reach the summit of Rinjani. Beautiful natural scenery awaits. Even if the weather is sunny, you can see Mount Agung in Bali, Mount Ijen-Merapi in Banyuwangi, and Mount Tambora on Sumbawa.
C. Location
Mount Rinjani is administratively located in three districts, namely: District of East Lombok, Central Lombok, and West Lombok regency, the island of Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia.
D. Access
Access to post fairly easy ascent of Mount Rinjani. From the sea port of your sheet to continue the journey to the bus terminal in Kota Mataram. From Mataram city, there are three route options, you just choose the path where. The third route is:
Sembalun Line: From Town to Village Sembalun Mataram, Lombok Timur (4-5 hours of public service vehicles), from Sembalun to Top of Rinjani (7 hours walking)
Senaru Line: From the city of Mataram into Senaru Village, Bayan subdistrict, West Lombok Regency (3-4 hour public vehicles), from Senaru to the top of Rinjani (9-10 hours walking).
Torean Line: From the city of Mataram into Torean Village, Bayan subdistrict, West Lombok Regency (4-5 hours public transport), from Torean to the top of Rinjani (8-9 hour walk).
E. Ticket Prices
To climb Mount Rinjani you have to pay Rp.10.000, 00 at the door entrance boundary of Mount Rinjani National Park, while for the climbers who come from abroad will be charged Rp.150.000, 00. For those who want to hire a guide, you have to spend additional funds amounting to Rp.100.000, 00 per day. While the porter service is Rp.80.000, 00 per day.
We encourage you to climb Mount Rinjani in the dry season or about April, May, June, July, August, September, until early November. That is because in the rainy season climbing lane will be very slippery so as to endanger the safety of climbers.
F. Accommodation and Other Facilities
For those of you who do not have the equipment to make the climb, you do not worry.In this place there is a tool rental place and equipment for climbing. In addition to available services guide that will guide you, here too there are porters who could be hired to carry your stuff so you do not have to bother bringing the carrier (bag mountain) is heavy. In addition, there are several travel agencies that offer climbing programs with various amenities, so you do not have to bother to prepare equipment and adjust the plan ascent.
For those of you who want to climb but was not able to climb to reach the top, in this place there are package deals Sembalun Lawang Walk and Wild Flower Walk.Lawang Sembalun Walk is a journey of climbing the hills around the village of Lawang Sembalun. You later can see the beach from the top of the hill and observe the daily life of local communities. To follow this package you just takes 4 hours. While the Wild Flower Walk is a package to stay at the top of the foot Gunungi Rinjani. Over 2 days 1 night, you will perform a variety of interesting activities such as seeing attraction called cow using salt, take a walk in the Valley Propok while to see orchids and deer herd.