2 days in Lombok

Day by day

1. Day 1: Gili Trawangan and Mount Rinjani trek

   Gili Trawangan, Mount Rinjani trek, Gili Meno and the Nest and Gili Air, then Gili Trawangan in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Gili Trawangan

      It is the base for many dive schools, with sites such as Shark Point and Turtle Heaven nearby, and the east coast is lined with cafés and bars; at sunset crowds gather on the west coast for views of Bali's Mount Agung.

   2. Late morning

      Mount Rinjani trek

      Treks with licensed guides and porters run from Sembalun or Senaru, from two days to the crater rim to three or four days including the summit and the lake's hot springs.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Ayam taliwang

      Specialist ayam taliwang restaurants in Mataram and warungs across the island.

   4. Afternoon

      Gili Meno and the Nest

      Off its west coast, the Nest is a circle of 48 life-size figures cast in concrete by Jason deCaires Taylor, now encrusted with coral, which lies in shallow water and can be reached by snorkellers.

   5. Late afternoon

      Gili Air

      Shallow reefs off the north and east coasts are good for snorkelling straight from the beach.

   6. Evening

      Gili Trawangan

      Beach bars and a small club scene along the east-coast strip, with different bars hosting parties on different nights.

2. Day 2: Sendang Gile and Tiu Kelep waterfalls and Tanjung Aan

   Sendang Gile and Tiu Kelep waterfalls, Tanjung Aan, Bukit Merese and Selong Belanak, then Kuta in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Sendang Gile and Tiu Kelep waterfalls

      Tiu Kelep has a pool for swimming in the cold spring water.

   2. Late morning

      Tanjung Aan

      It is one of Lombok's most photographed beaches, with simple beach cafés and boat rides to the surf breaks offshore.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Plecing kangkung

      Almost every warung serving Sasak food; ask for the sambal on the side if you prefer less heat.

   4. Afternoon

      Bukit Merese

      It is the south coast's favourite sunset spot, reached by a short climb from the car park.

   5. Late afternoon

      Selong Belanak

      Surf schools and board rentals operate on the beach, and in the late afternoon local farmers often walk their buffalo along the sand.

   6. Evening

      Kuta

      Surf bars, live music and late parties around the main streets and on the hill above town.

Before you go

• Mount Rinjani trek: The national park usually closes the trails in the wettest months and limits daily climbers; book with a licensed operator well ahead for July and August.

If it rains

• Swap in Islamic Center Mosque, Mataram (Mataram): Visit outside prayer times, dress modestly (women should cover their hair), and ask at the entrance about access to the tower.

Where to stay for this itinerary

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 17–23 hours of visiting over 2 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 11.6 hours in June to 12.6 hours in January.

Getting between stops: Car. Hiring a car with a driver for a day is the most comfortable way to reach Senaru, the waterfalls and distant beaches, and can be arranged by any hotel.

More or fewer days

• One day in Lombok
• 3 days in Lombok
• 5 days in Lombok

Questions travellers ask