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| Mount Rinjani, Lombok, Indonesia |
You said that you really like blending to
nature but you haven’t been to Mount Rinjani ? You said that you are Indonesian
but you don’t know what is the most beautiful mountain in Indonesia ? You said that you are a mountain addict but you haven’t place your feet on the Kingdom of
Anjani land ?
nature but you haven’t been to Mount Rinjani ? You said that you are Indonesian
but you don’t know what is the most beautiful mountain in Indonesia ? You said that you are a mountain addict but you haven’t place your feet on the Kingdom of
Anjani land ?
Well, those questions are the things which
came up on my mind when decided to write a story about this very beautiful
mountain. From the height of 3768 meters above sea level, welcome to the
Kingdom of goddess Anjani, Mount
Rinjani, September 2015. This is my journey on the third highest mountain of
Indonesia. And then, let the photos speak and show you those beauties.
came up on my mind when decided to write a story about this very beautiful
mountain. From the height of 3768 meters above sea level, welcome to the
Kingdom of goddess Anjani, Mount
Rinjani, September 2015. This is my journey on the third highest mountain of
Indonesia. And then, let the photos speak and show you those beauties.
I heard a lot more compliments about Mount
Rinjani rather than complaints. Well, i used to
neglect someone who talk about how hard it was to be on the top and on the
other hand trying to be pretty excited to hear about how worth their hard works
were once it’s done.
Rinjani rather than complaints. Well, i used to
neglect someone who talk about how hard it was to be on the top and on the
other hand trying to be pretty excited to hear about how worth their hard works
were once it’s done.
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| The pick up car from Mataram to Sembalun Village which will ride us for about 3 hours. |
The day was finally coming after my 2 nights
presence in Lombok. It started on the early morning. Me, Asoka, Ayub, Dina
and Anggey were waiting on the place where we would be picked up by the car.
This pick up car will bring us to the basecamp of Mount Rinjani where we will
start the journey.
presence in Lombok. It started on the early morning. Me, Asoka, Ayub, Dina
and Anggey were waiting on the place where we would be picked up by the car.
This pick up car will bring us to the basecamp of Mount Rinjani where we will
start the journey.
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| The agents of the summit. Thank you for the inadvertently lot of supports guys. love <3 |
Three hours time spent from Mataram (the
capital city of Lombok) to the Sembalun Basecamp. This basecamp is the last
place where you can find the proper toilet. So, you might be spend some few
minutes here before the journey of wild life starts. Haha.
capital city of Lombok) to the Sembalun Basecamp. This basecamp is the last
place where you can find the proper toilet. So, you might be spend some few
minutes here before the journey of wild life starts. Haha.
DAY 1
Basecamp Sembalun – Rest stop I (45 minutes)
This welcome gate is a sign of the starting
point of the long route upcoming ahead. We started from the basecamp at 01.00
pm, it was too late to reach the Plawangan Sembalun where used to be the last
campsite before the summit hence we planned to stay on campsite 3 on our first
day. It was a pretty flat and enjoyable walk surrounded by some breathtaking
view and golden grassland with quite cloudly sky looking out the fog
blocked the hills view.
point of the long route upcoming ahead. We started from the basecamp at 01.00
pm, it was too late to reach the Plawangan Sembalun where used to be the last
campsite before the summit hence we planned to stay on campsite 3 on our first
day. It was a pretty flat and enjoyable walk surrounded by some breathtaking
view and golden grassland with quite cloudly sky looking out the fog
blocked the hills view.
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| Took a rest on 7 hills of regret |
Rest Stop I – Rest stop II (1 hour)
Still on the same trek on the open
savannah. One hour passed to reach rest stop II. We lied our body on the
gazebo and we saw
the garbage issue, with piles of old trash covering the ground near the
shelters. It was difficult to understand how someone could just throw their
garbage without considering the long term consequences on the environment.
savannah. One hour passed to reach rest stop II. We lied our body on the
gazebo and we saw
the garbage issue, with piles of old trash covering the ground near the
shelters. It was difficult to understand how someone could just throw their
garbage without considering the long term consequences on the environment.
Rest Stop II – Rest Stop III (1,5 hour)
The day was getting darker, at 05.00 pm we
finally reached the last stop to build our tents. Glad to know there was only
other 2 groups at the same area. So it wasn’t really crowded that time. We
really loved the weather, not that cold as we had our dinner outside the tents.
finally reached the last stop to build our tents. Glad to know there was only
other 2 groups at the same area. So it wasn’t really crowded that time. We
really loved the weather, not that cold as we had our dinner outside the tents.
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| this photo has successfully described how messy it was when we were cooking. |
DAY 2
Rest Stop III – Plawangan Sembalun (6 hours)
It was started at 11.00 am, the days before
we were here, we heard a lot about the most difficult trek of Mt. Rinjani. It’s
well known called as “7 bukit penyesalan” or “7 hills of regret”. The reason
why it is called as it is because there will be 7 ups and down hills which
requires the hikers to climb up, go down and then climb up again repeatedly for
7 times.
we were here, we heard a lot about the most difficult trek of Mt. Rinjani. It’s
well known called as “7 bukit penyesalan” or “7 hills of regret”. The reason
why it is called as it is because there will be 7 ups and down hills which
requires the hikers to climb up, go down and then climb up again repeatedly for
7 times.
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| Arrived at Plawangan Sembalun |
I was trying to count down the rest of the hills I have to climb after
finished the previous one. But, I didn’t find that they would be finished
climbing up for 7 times, at the same time I also wondered where are those
“down” lands ? there were only up, up and up again. Anggey said “do not ever
count down the hills, because it’s only make your step heavier”
finished the previous one. But, I didn’t find that they would be finished
climbing up for 7 times, at the same time I also wondered where are those
“down” lands ? there were only up, up and up again. Anggey said “do not ever
count down the hills, because it’s only make your step heavier”
It should be only 5-6 hours spent to reach
Plawangan Sembalun (the last campsite before summit), but we spent like 8 hours
as we really enjoyed the times, we took photos and videos a lot, even we spent
1 hour reposed our body to laughed and joked around.
Plawangan Sembalun (the last campsite before summit), but we spent like 8 hours
as we really enjoyed the times, we took photos and videos a lot, even we spent
1 hour reposed our body to laughed and joked around.
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| Plawangan Sembalun with its foggy view |
Plawangan Sembalun (Last campsite before summit)
Here is the last check point before the
summit, we eventually arrived at the ridge where we were to camp that day. We
were welcomed by the sun which beautifully set behind the Segara Anak lake.
Plawangan Sembalun has very beautiful scenery, we can see Segara Anak Lake from
above. That’s why for some people whose are not their first time visiting
Rinjani, they prefer to stay in Plawangan Sembalun and not going to go for
summit attack.
summit, we eventually arrived at the ridge where we were to camp that day. We
were welcomed by the sun which beautifully set behind the Segara Anak lake.
Plawangan Sembalun has very beautiful scenery, we can see Segara Anak Lake from
above. That’s why for some people whose are not their first time visiting
Rinjani, they prefer to stay in Plawangan Sembalun and not going to go for
summit attack.
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| Our first sunset with Segara Anak Lake view. |
When we finally arrived here, there were so many tents already
built up. The sound of yelling like “do you want hot chocolate or hot tea?”
were very often heard or the smells of chicken curry which were being cooked by
the porter. They looked so delicious
even though were only cooked on limited cooking properties. This is
one of the benefits of having a porter, you don’t need to worry about food,
sleep, and heavy stuffs you have to bring, because they will be ready once you
need.
built up. The sound of yelling like “do you want hot chocolate or hot tea?”
were very often heard or the smells of chicken curry which were being cooked by
the porter. They looked so delicious
even though were only cooked on limited cooking properties. This is
one of the benefits of having a porter, you don’t need to worry about food,
sleep, and heavy stuffs you have to bring, because they will be ready once you
need.
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| Plawangan Sembalun from above |
As the night come over, the milky way
presented itself to us while we were cooking in front of the tent. I set up my
tripod, mounted my camera, took this photo and stared at the universe in
wonder.
presented itself to us while we were cooking in front of the tent. I set up my
tripod, mounted my camera, took this photo and stared at the universe in
wonder.
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| Our first milkyway scenery in Mount Rinjani |
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| Can’t stop stargazing even the wind freeze so cold. |
Day 3
Summit attack to the top of Mount Rinjani
It used to start at 02.00 am on the night in
order to see the beautiful sunrise on the top. There will normally be 4-5 hours
spent to be on the top. One of the reason why you are not allowed to do the
summit attack too late because the afternoon time on the summit are quite
dangerous as there will be strong winds blows.
order to see the beautiful sunrise on the top. There will normally be 4-5 hours
spent to be on the top. One of the reason why you are not allowed to do the
summit attack too late because the afternoon time on the summit are quite
dangerous as there will be strong winds blows.
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| After 30 minutes of stone and sand stairs, you will see this view. |
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| The sunrise has been over, now the sky was turning into blue ! |
But, we were late or we slept too tight hence
we just started at 04.30 am, it was freaking late I think but don’t worry we
could catch up the best time. It was still dark at the moment, we were using
our headlamp for sure. First trek will be stairs made by stones and soils for
30 minutes, and then you will arrive on larger ground. On this spot you can
easily see Plawangan Sembalun from above and Segara Anak Lake also looked more
clear. The summit of Mt. Rinjani was also could easily seen, it looked so close
anyway.
we just started at 04.30 am, it was freaking late I think but don’t worry we
could catch up the best time. It was still dark at the moment, we were using
our headlamp for sure. First trek will be stairs made by stones and soils for
30 minutes, and then you will arrive on larger ground. On this spot you can
easily see Plawangan Sembalun from above and Segara Anak Lake also looked more
clear. The summit of Mt. Rinjani was also could easily seen, it looked so close
anyway.
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| Segara Anak Lake from the summit of Mount Rinjani |
When we continued walking, we met a couple of
foreigners walked on the opposite way. I asked them “how was on the top?” but
they said “we didn’t make to the top, because it still far and the trek was
frustrating” Well okay, the summit really looked so close but it was actually not
!
foreigners walked on the opposite way. I asked them “how was on the top?” but
they said “we didn’t make to the top, because it still far and the trek was
frustrating” Well okay, the summit really looked so close but it was actually not
!
The trek has the S shape to reach the summit. The trail got even steeper
and the more I climbed, the more I had to stop and took a deep breath. I guess
this is what it’s like climbing a sand dune as high as a mountain. Given the volcanic
gravel, the climb consisted of regularly climbing two steps forward only to
slide at least one back. It took about four hours to make it all the way
to the top with freezing winds pelting me the whole way. It was a mental
and physical battle to the top.
and the more I climbed, the more I had to stop and took a deep breath. I guess
this is what it’s like climbing a sand dune as high as a mountain. Given the volcanic
gravel, the climb consisted of regularly climbing two steps forward only to
slide at least one back. It took about four hours to make it all the way
to the top with freezing winds pelting me the whole way. It was a mental
and physical battle to the top.
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| We finally made to the top of Mount Rinjani |
Summit Mount Rinjani 3768 masl
Hey hey….we
finally here, on the Summit of Mount Rinjani. We successfully reached the top
at 09.00 am. Four hours to make it all the way to the top. The clear blue sky,
the ocean clouds and absolutely the surreal view !
finally here, on the Summit of Mount Rinjani. We successfully reached the top
at 09.00 am. Four hours to make it all the way to the top. The clear blue sky,
the ocean clouds and absolutely the surreal view !
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| Doing a Yoga posed on the summit, coz standing on the edge was so last year. |
The land of the goddess
Anjani has proven that it still the most beautiful mountain in Indonesia with
all the views along the way, all the hard works were paid off. Mount Agung in
Bali, the mountain Roared in Banyuwangi and mount Tambora on Sumbawa is clearly
visible when the weather is nice in the morning. Another
life experience of mine were top up.
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| This was taken at 10.00 am |
There were only 2
groups including mine on the top, another one coming from one community, they
made a very noisy voices of having a group photo. Some of them were proudly
hold papers with greetings written on. But when they finally went down 30 minutes
later after our arrival, the summit was all ours. No one else climbing up
because yeah it was already too bright to be there.
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| As me and Asoka planned, we finally celebrated our birthday togetehr on the summit. Asoka (17 August), Kadek (17 September). Please do not ask about what age we were turning on. Well not that old btw. |
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| That “Gosh!” feeling of standing above the clouds |
The journey of
going down only took 2 hours descend down the trail, the ashes blown so bad as
I need to use the mask and sun glasses. And make sure you wear the hat to
cover the direct sunlight onto your face. We arrived at the tent around 01.00
pm, had our lunch and took a rest before continue the way to the lake 2 hours
later.
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| Favourite spot to get a magnificent shot ! |
Check out the full video below.
How To get There
– Mataram city to Sembalun Village (3 hours). If you are in a group you’d better to hire a rent car (pick up car) to bring all your belongings also. It cost IDR 200.000 for two ways.
– The ticket price is IDR 2.500/persn/night for local and IDR 20.000/person/night for foreigner
– Porter fee is 300.000/porter/night (for your consideration, you might have 2 porter for a group of more than 2 people)
– Logistic purchased cost around 300.000/person for 4 nights. (it depends on what you want to eat)
– Hotel in Mataram rats is around 150.000-250.000. I recommend you to stay in Hotel Arca due to its very strategic location near the mataram mall where there are many food stalls exist. And you might need a good place to relax after the super exhausted trekking days, this place is affordable yet worth to pay.
To be continue to Part II…
Full Trip Mount Rinjani 5D4N – Part 2 (Beautiful Segara Anak Lake)
6 Things You Have to Prepare Before Trekking to Mount Rinjani
cheers,
kadekarini
