One day 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

      Rent a bicycle and ride the coastal path anticlockwise in the late afternoon to arrive on the west coast for sunset. Allow 1–3 days.

   2. Late morning

      Mount Rinjani trek

      Choose the Sembalun route for the crater rim and summit, carry warm clothes for near-freezing nights, and book only through operators licensed by the national park. Allow 2–4 days.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Ayam taliwang

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

   4. Afternoon

      Gili Meno and the Nest

      Snorkel the Nest early in the morning, before group boats arrive, and look out for turtles along the drop-off to the north. Allow Half a day to 2 days.

   5. Late afternoon

      Gili Air

      Walk or cycle the full circuit of the island, about 5 km, and stop for a swim at the quieter north-west corner. Allow 1–3 days.

   6. Evening

      Gili Trawangan

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

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 8–10 hours of visiting over one day, 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

• 2 days in Lombok
• 3 days in Lombok
• 5 days in Lombok

Questions travellers ask