Lombok Love Affair
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Trip Highlights
• Volunteering and living with the wonderful Sasak people
• The mountain resort of Tetebatu
• Rice fields and plantations
• Mt Rinjani National Park four day trek
• Gili Trawangan island - relax, sunbathe, swim, snorkel, horse ride or explore
• Luxury boutique hotels on Gili Trawangan & Senggigi Beach
Your "Taste of Volunteering" Project
It is the local Sasak people who will guide your trek, and whom you – in turn - will assist by teaching English. Get immersed in the Sasak culture and way of life as you live in their village and contribute directly to their well being by actively participating in their village-based eco-tourism project.
Trip Summary
The trip highlights of your inspiring adventure are: the mountain resort of Tetebatu, rice fields and plantations, Mt Rinjani National Park with its challenging four day trek, Gili Trawangan island - relax, sunbathe, swim, snorkel, horse ride or explore and luxury boutique hotels on Gili Trawangan & Senggigi Beach.
Your trip starts at Lombok’s Mataram Airport where you are met by your English speaking local guide and transferred to Tetebatu village, a hill station with views of Mt. Rinjani providing an area perfect for relaxation and walks in the countryside.
The following day, we visit “Loyok Central Handicraft”. Loyok village is famous for the bamboo crafts that it produces. Many local designs are created by skilled craftsmen working each day on an amazing array of products. We then visit a pottery making village “Masbagik” where the pottery products are gaining an international reputation for its quality workmanship. Pringgasela is a village known for its traditional weaving cloth, still produced on hand-looms by skilled women weavers. We then go to the local market in “Paokmotong” where you observe the interaction between buyers and sellers. We continue to Tanjung Luar, a village of fishermen and the most colourful fish market in Lombok. Here you can go around the village and talk to the local people.
The next day, we walk to an isolated village through tropical forest inhabited by monkeys (we may even spot the rare ebony leaf monkey during the walk). We then follow a small river into which flows the Jeruk Manis Waterfall. You can enjoy the awesome views from the foothills of Rinjani Mountain. In the afternoon we leave for Sembalun Lawang where we check-in to our guesthouse and stay overnight.
On Day 4 starts our Mt Rinjani trek, which will continue for 4 days/3 nights in total. We first visit the nearby Volcanology Centre to check the seismograph, learn about the volcano, and its pattern of eruptions. The trek starts from Sembalun Lawang with a gentle ascent walking through open grassland used as cattle grazing by the local people. Resting at Pos I Pemantauan (1,300m), after about three hours from Sembalun, we reach Pos 2 Tengengean (1,500m) enjoying the beautiful views of Mt. Rinjani’s summit (3,726m). After another hour’s ascent to Pos 3 Pada Balong (1,800m), we start the steep 3.5 hour climb amidst the pine-like Casuarina species locally known as Cemara, perhaps seeing evidence of wild pigs and the long-tailed grey macaque monkeys. The camp site at Plawangan 2 Sembalun crater rim (2,639m) is our resting point for tonight.
The following day, a 3.00 am start is necessary for the hard three-hour climb to the summit (3,726m) on volcanic scree (loose rocks and stones). Savour feelings of satisfaction and enjoy the amazing sunrise views over Sumbawa and Mt. Tambora; to the west across the Wallace Line to Bali & Mt. Agung, and down to the lake Segara Anak (2,000m) inside the Rinjani crater. We return down the ridge passing numerous edelweiss plants to the crater rim camp for a well-deserved breakfast. It takes two to three hours down the steep trail to the crater-lake and tonight’s camp. The rest of the day is spent relaxing, swimming in the lake and exploring the caves and soaking in the hot springs, believed to have healing powers.
The next day, we leave the lake and climb for two hours up to Plawangan 1 Senaru Crater Rim (2,461m). After lunch we enjoy the views of the lake from the other side, relax, explore and await the sunset.
On Day 7, we descend down the trail to Senaru village (601m), through thick tropical forests rich in flora, bird life and a variety of butterflies. You might see orchids and, if you are lucky, the rare black ebony leaf monkey, known locally as lutung. Rest stops are taken along the way, with village stories and local legends related by your guide. After seven hours walk from the rim, the trek ends at Rinjani Trek Centre at the road head in Senaru. The rest of the day is free to relax after checking-in at our guesthouse.
The following day, we commence a panoramic walk guided by female guides. This 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, visits a traditional village to discover the highlight of Senaru before entering a wide, open landscape of rice terraces and palms. Following a winding irrigation canal you reach the lush rainforest of the famous Sindang Gila Waterfall Reserve. Passing small hamlets where age-old traditions are practiced, you gain insight into the colourful village life of the Sasak people.
Your Volunteer Project of teaching English by way of being a conversational reading partner to mountain guides, women guides and porters begins in the afternoon.
The next day, you have some free time in the morning, although there is an optional visit to a “second waterfall”: Tiu Kelep. This is another hour’s walk upriver from Sendang Gila. The scramble over rocks through the tropical forest is rewarded by the beauty of the waterfall and you can swim in its deep pool. The locals say that every time you swim behind the main waterfall of Tiu Kelep you become a year younger, so keep swimming! Your volunteering work continues in the afternoon.
On Day 10 and Day 11, your volunteering work continues in the afternoon after some free time in the morning.
The following day, we say goodbye to our new friends and leave for Gili Terawangan. We drive from the village to Bangsal and from here take a small boat to Gili Terawangan. There are three small islands called “Gili Air, Meno and Terawangan” with beautiful reefs, and white sandy beaches. We check in at our luxury boutique hotel and have the rest of the day to relax.
The next day is a free day -you can go around the island in a horse-cart ride, and other activities include snorkelling, scuba diving on the nearby reef, as well as horse-riding, fishing, cycling and swimming.
On Day 14, we take a boat to Bangsal then drive to Senggigi, and check in at our luxury boutique hotel.
The following day, we have some free time to relax on the beach, and enjoy the hotel.
On the last day you still have enough time during the morning to explore Senggigi before you leave. Your adventure finishes with a transfer out to the airport. Your adventure ends in Lombok, but flights can be arranged to Bali or Jakarta.
* Note on Comfort Level
Your accommodation is in luxurious boutique hotels (4 nights), simple hotels and guesthouses (8 nights), and camping (3 nights), with a homestay option in the village during the Volunteer Project.
For a full trip description PDF format, click here (you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader).
If you like this trip, you may also be interested in:
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