Bad news: Tigerair and Airasia do not operate direct flights to Lombok (LOP) anymore.

Silkair operates direct flights– but they are not available every day and are expensive

Getting there: SIN to LOP: Friday Silkair: 7:50 aM – 10:35PM (2h45 flight)
Coming back: LOP to SIN: Sunday Silkair 7:25 PM – 10:10 AM
Return tickets from SGD 420.

Get your ticket NOW to enjoy the best fares. Use Skyscanner to find the cheapest flight or check directly on the airlines websites (as some flights may not be visible on Skyscanner).

So if you’re tight on budget, take a flight with a connection: You can fly via Bali Denpasar, Surabaya, Kuala Lumpur or Jakarta with AirAsia, Merapi, Garuda Indonesia, or Lion Air.

Get your ticket NOW to enjoy the best fares. Use Skyscanner to find the cheapest flight.

1. Private car – easier & faster You will find a taxi counter at the Arrival terminal. From Lombok Airport to Sembalun Lawang, it will take you 4 hours and will cost you IDR 400 000 – SGD 50 for a car (max 4 persons).
2. Public transportation – longer & cheaper You can also get to Sembalun Lawang by public transportation if you have enough time and patience. The bemo station is far from the airport. You can ask at the airport how to get there

You will need to spend a night in Sembalun in order to start the trek early morning the next day. Pondok Sembalun hotel can organize treks to the Volcan, you can call them +62 (0)376 62 16 56. You can also contact John’s adventure who have been recommended to us by friends.

To our knowledge, there is currently no hotel/guesthouse in Sambalun that offers online booking via our favorite (and partner) platforms Agoda or Booking.com (or their competitors). So you will have to pick up the phone and book or get there and decide on the spot. You can always give it a try

Don’t worry about the accommodation during the trek as you will sleep in a tent! (provided by your guide if you did not bring your own).

Well, of course, you want explore the Park and not climb the Rinjani. However, there are high chances that you there to get to the top of this volcano. Below is the description of the trek to the summit over 3 days. So it’s a dense version that requires a high level of fitness. Alternatively, you can either go to the crater rim only or go the summit but add one day.

Walk from 8 am to 5 pm. A 7 hour walk to reach the base camp located at the crater rim. You will get to see a nice landscape going up from village to savanna and pine forest.

Your main bag

That’s the one you leave at the hotel. Ideally you want to avoid checking in your luggage when flying. So check the weight and dimensions for hand carry luggage with your airlines (some airlines will allow only 7kg, some will allow up to 10kg). From head to toes.

• Short sleeves tops: your main outfit. Everybody will see them on all your pictures. You really want to take that old Mickey Mouse T-shirt? Be mindful that you will be in a different environment so it might be a good idea to adjust your wardrobe.
• Long sleeves tops: to protect yourself from the sun (if you’ve stayed for 5 hours on a motorbike with short sleeves you know what I mean) or to enter religious buildings or to protect yourself from mosquitoes in the evening.
• Pullover. Yes I know, you’re going to a country where the temperature never goes down below 25 degrees and you need to pack a pullover? You will thank us when you’re back. Remember that flight during which  you were freezing? Or this museum where the aircon is set to the “polar bear” temperature?
• Short/skirt (you should be able to chose the appropriate one by yourself).
• Trousers for the same reasons you need to take long sleeves tops. Jeans are usually not a good option. They are heavy and keep you too warm.
• Underwear: well, you know. If you plan to walk or ride motorbikes for long hours, take something comfortable as the combination heat + friction can make you regret this sophisticated silk underwear. Cotton is good.
• Shoes: one pair of flip flap and one pair of confortable shoes. Remember that you are going to spend most of the time on your feet. Forget about high heels and leave your Westons at home.
• Swimsuit: even if you don’t plan to go to the beach, you never know. A nice river, a swimming pool, a heavy rain? Always have one with you.
• Raincoat and protection for your bag. Even if you are visiting the country during the “best season”, you never know what the sky will be like.
• Torch: take a pocket torch with you if you visit countries where the power is not reliable… Can come very handy when stuck in the dark in your room.
• Toilet bag: Shampoo, soap, toothbrush & toothpath, deodorant, sun screen, tiger balm. Ideally, all these in miniature formats.
• Sleeping bag liner (if you plan to stay in very cheap or dirty places, not required if you are staying in a 5-star hotel…)
• Your IT stuff: iPad, eBook, laptop, chargers, memory card, batteries, etc.
• Dryer sheets: they will help keep a fresh smell in your bag.

Your small bag

That’s the one you keep with you, all the time. Hence, a backpack is the best option.

• Your passport, cash, credit cards and other life saving items like your insurance card with emergency contact details. Not a bad idea to put them in a zip-lock bag  in case it rains. It will keep your documents dry.
• Your driver’s licence if you plan to rent a car or a motorbike (some countries are quite particular about this so take it with you in case you are not sure, even for a motorbike rental).
• Your emergency medical kit: painkillers, mosquitoes repellent, dressing/plaster, disinfectant, anti diarrhea, eyewash
• Tissues and toilet paper (you will thank me later). Remember that in a lot of countries, you will not be provided napkins when having a meal.
• Water – plastic bottles are a good option as they are lighter than a gourd/flask.
• Biscuits (always buy some before you go when you are not sure what you will find. Always have “emergency” biscuit  and water in case you cannot find food around and need to recharge batteries)
• Sunglasses: you’ll need them. Take them even if it’s raining. Weather can change very fast in the region.
• Scarf (krama, or any kind of fabric that you can use to put around your neck, put on your head to protect it from the sun, cover your shoulders in temples, dry your sweat, etc). Can come very handy in some situation. It will not stay clean for long so it’s wise to pick a dark color…
• Camera and its protection.

Indonesia

2015

* check the exact date as it varies from one year to another, check this website for other years.When Public Holidays falls on a Sunday, the following day will be Public Holiday.