Gunung Rinjani

Gunung Rinjani National Park encompasses one of Indonesia's most spectacular volcanic landscapes on the island of Lombok. Rising to 3,726 meters, Mount Rinjani is Indonesia's second-highest volcano and features the stunning Segara Anak crater lake, a turquoise jewel nestled within the caldera at 2,000 meters elevation. The park's diverse ecosystems range from lowland tropical forests to alpine vegetation, supporting endangered species including the ebony leaf monkey and Rinjani flying fox. The sacred mountain holds deep spiritual significance for the Sasak people and Hindu Balinese communities, who conduct annual pilgrimage ceremonies at the crater lake. Covering 41,330 hectares of rugged terrain, the park offers some of Southeast Asia's most challenging and rewarding trekking experiences, with dramatic views of neighboring Bali's Mount Agung and the Gili Islands.

Mount Rinjani National Park was officially established in 1997, though the mountain has been protected under various designations since Indonesia's independence. The volcano's most recent major eruption occurred in 2009, with smaller eruptions continuing to shape the landscape, including the formation of Mount Barujari, a small active cone within the Segara Anak crater. Local communities have long revered the mountain, with Hindu Balinese making annual pilgrimages to throw gold and jewelry into the crater lake as offerings. The park was expanded in 2010 to include additional buffer zones and watershed areas critical for water supply to Lombok's agricultural regions. International recognition came in 2018 when the park became part of the Mount Rinjani Global Geopark, acknowledging its geological significance and sustainable tourism practices. Recovery efforts following the devastating 2018 Lombok earthquakes have focused on rebuilding trekking infrastructure while improving environmental monitoring systems.

Senaru and Sembalun villages serve as the primary gateways to Mount Rinjani, offering registered guide services, porter arrangements, and equipment rentals required for all summit attempts. The most popular three-day, two-night trek via the Sembalun route reaches the summit for sunrise views before descending to camp at Segara Anak crater lake, where natural hot springs provide welcome relief for tired muscles. Park regulations mandate the use of licensed guides and porters, with strict waste management policies including carrying out all non-organic trash. Accommodation ranges from basic homestays in gateway villages to organized campsites at designated locations along trekking routes, with camping equipment typically provided by trekking operators. The park operates on a quota system during peak season (May-September) to manage environmental impact, requiring advance booking through registered operators. Visitors should prepare for extreme temperature variations, from tropical heat at lower elevations to freezing conditions near the summit, with appropriate clothing and equipment essential for safe trekking.

The park faces significant conservation challenges including illegal logging, wildlife poaching, and environmental damage from unregulated tourism that peaked before recent management reforms. Post-2018 earthquake recovery efforts have incorporated improved waste management infrastructure, with mandatory trash-carrying policies strictly enforced through guide training programs and trekker education. Community-based conservation initiatives involve local villages in sustainable tourism development, with guide and porter cooperatives providing alternative livelihoods that reduce pressure on forest resources. Endemic species protection focuses on the critically endangered Rinjani scops owl and ebony leaf monkey, with habitat monitoring programs tracking population trends across elevation gradients. Reforestation projects targeting degraded areas use native species to restore watershed functions critical for Lombok's water security, with community tree nurseries providing seedlings. Climate change adaptation strategies address glacier retreat and shifting vegetation zones, while volcanic monitoring systems provide early warning for eruptions that could impact both visitors and surrounding communities.