Mount Rinjani is an active volcano in Indonesia on the island of Lombok. Administratively the mountain is in the Regency of North Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara. It rises to 3,726 metres, making it the second highest volcano in Indonesia.
The park covers an area of 41,330 ha on the northern part of Lombok. Named after Indonesia’s second highest volcanic peak outside of West Papua, the peak of Gunung Rinjani (3,726m) dominates the landscape. Within the crater is the spectacular Segara Anak lake and the still-active volcano Gunung Baru (2,363m). It is surrounded by a further 66,000 ha of Protection Forest and covers the four administrative district of West, East, north and Central Lombok. The park ecosystem is in the transitional zone between Asia and Australia (Wallace zone). Average rainfall is about 3,000 mm annually.
Rinjani Flora
Gunung Rinjani is rich in a variety of flora, fauna and vegetation types. On the south western side of the mountain is the most eastern extent of primary rain forest in Nusa Tenggara. This gives way to monsoon forest and drier climate in the east, and savannah in the north east. Notable flora includes the everlasting
- Edelweiss flower (Anopheles viscid),
- Tiger orchid (Vanda sp.),
- Alang-alang grass (Imperata cylindrical),
- Cemara trees (Casuarinas trifoliate and Casuarinas occidental).
Mt. Rinjani, one of the over 40 National Parks throughout Indonesia, was established in 1997. It is valued and protected for its spiritual as well as natural values, and is worshiper by thousands of Balinese as well as Sasak pilgrims. Hot springs near the crater lake are sought after for their healing powers. Over 20 villages surround Rinjani and there are many routes up the mountain, but the main access is from Senaru in the north and Sembalun Lawang to the east. The challenging three-day Rinjani Trek route from Senaru to the crater rim (Plawangan), down to the stunning crater lake then on to Sembalun, is considered one of the best treks in South East Asia. Those heading for the summit usually prefer to start in Sembalun
Rinjani Mountain Fauna
Lombok is East of the Wallace Line and some bird species with Australasian affinities are therefore apparent. These include
- Honeyeaters,
- Cockatoos and
- Green hanging parrots,
- in addition to species whose heartland is to the West including tits, weavers and tailor-birds. Bird life can be difficult to observe here due to the density of the forest, though if you have patience and are practiced at mimicry many species can be tempted out from cover – if you have the time to spare and the forbearance of your trekking partners.
History of Gunung Baru Jari (New Mountain)
The oldest recorded historical eruption was in 1847. Previous to that this was a very remote region indeed, hence the lack of records.
There was a spate of activity from 1994 to 1995 which resulted in the further growth of the crater cone Gunung Baru, since renamed Gunung Barujari (Finger Mountain).
On 27 April 2009 Gunung Barujari became active again with that activity continuing through to May 2009. The summit ascent routes were closed at that time as the eruptions intensified with plumes of smoke and ash as high as 8,000 m. A Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI):2 rating was issued for the activity between May and December 2009. The ascent routes re-opened on September 14th 2009 but hiking routes down into the crater lake were still deemed unsafe and remained closed.
In February 2010 observers at the Gunung Rinjani Observation Post detected a smoke plume that rose 100 m from the volcano. The activity in early 2010 is centred about Gunung Barujari. On May 1st 2010 a column of smoke was again observed rising from Rinjani issuing eruptions 1,300-1,600 metres tall with thick brown color and strong pressure. On May 5th 2010 a possible ash plume rose to an altitude of 5.5 km (18,000 ft) and drifted 150 km NW. Accordingly the Center of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation advised that intermittent activity could produce ash plumes to 1,500 m (5,000 ft) above the caldera. In light of this The Volcanic Explosivity Index Alert Level was raised to 2 with a recommendation that there be no activity within a radius of 4 km from the eruption at Gunung Barujari.
Rinjani Mountain Lenght
The mountain and its satellites form the Mount Rinjani National Park (Taman Nasional Gunung Rinjani) – officially 41,000 hectares within the park boundaries and a further 66,000 hectares of protected forest outside.
In 2008, the Indonesian government proposed to UNESCO that Mount Rinjani be one of the world’s official geoparks. If this was approved by UNESCO, Mount Rinjani would become the first such geological park in Indonesia.
Hotel Close to Rinjani
There are many hotel close to rinjani which able for you stay a night before trekking starting, that was useful for trekking who get trekking construction, briefing and get in touch for friendly guide, here 5 the best hotel in Senaru which really recommend by most traveler
Waterfall in Feet of Rinjani Mountain
Sendang Gile waterfall which located on Senaru Village which need to take walking around 20 minutes from the ticketing office to the spot, step on the 100 stages down passing the rainy forest with green panoramic also the monkey animal will be a huge view during your trek down to the place.
Sendang Gile has 30 meters height with two waterfall down from short waterfall continue to the long waterfall as second one, remember to bring a camera to shot the beautiful nature around
Tiu Kelep is a second waterfall in Senaru which mean Kelep means wings, the waterfall condition blow down to the water flow like a wings, that way mentioned like that, 2 best waterfall on feet of Rinjani Mountain
Best Spot in Rinjani
There are many place and best intagrammable spot in Rinjani which motivated us to visit every spot, as a Trekking Company, One Rinjani Trekking always totally remain the trekker to Visit the Whole spot without missing at all.
A digital camera will be an important tools to complete your trekking for this spot, a mini Tripod will be a great recommendation to take holder the spot for better results, for better info here 5 Best Spot in Rinjani
How to Reach to Rinjani
Rinjani Mountain can be reach by the two side that Senaru and Sembalun, the both village location on the North side of Lombok and East side of Lombok, Senaru Village which place that you can see two biggest waterfall in Lombok ( Sendang Gile and Tiu Kelep Waterfall)
Another interesting place to visit in Senaru are Rumah Adat Bayan, Masjid Wetu Telu and The coffee plantation which are has the same location one to each other.
Sembalun is a small village which covered by the hill around it, most of the people activity to grow the land with strawberry, onion, carrot and pepper cause the land has high level of fertilization this a chance to plant a potential agriculture to increase the people income.
Reaching Rinjani Mountain from east side, it take 3 hours from lombok Airport to Sembalun passing the East Lombok Province ( Selong ) then continue to reach up the Pusuk Sembalun Route which totally route by rain-forest and hike up road.
When Rinjani Mountain Close for Trekking
Rinjani Mountain will close the trekking activity on first of January and Finish on the last of March, it means three month length due to the Rainy season, Rinjani Trekking Centre close the trekking totally for Regional, Domestic of International.
For whole traveler should remember that the date was sign as Danger date which no body can allow to trek to the Rinjani, the high risk be a reason why the date should be close totally.