Mount Rinjani National Park

Mount Rinjani National Park is a protected area on Lombok Island with a massive volcano at its center and diverse landscapes including forests, lakes, and alpine meadows. The volcano itself is Indonesia's second highest peak and dominates the entire park.

The area received its official status as a national park in 1990, providing legal protection for the island's ecosystems. This protection measure came from recognizing the ecological importance and diversity of the volcano and its surroundings.

The Sasak people who live on the island hold deep spiritual ties to Segara Anak Lake within the park, celebrating traditional ceremonies there throughout the year. As you walk the trails, you notice small shrines and the way locals treat the lake with reverence.

Visitors can enter through three main gateways at Senaru, Sembalun, or Timbanuh villages, with guided treks available during the drier months from April to October. The cooler temperatures at higher elevations mean you should bring layers and expect the hike to be physically demanding.

The park sits on Wallace's Line, a natural boundary where plants and animals from Asian and Australian origins meet and live together. This geographical crossroads makes it a rare place where visitors can experience both biological regions in one landscape.