Rinjani National Park Lombok West Nusa Tenggara are 3726m above sea level and is the second highest volcano in Indonesia,attracting thousand of trekkers and climbers annually. The huge caldera nearthe top is around 4 kms wide and is almost filled by a beautiful crescen t-shaped lake, Danau Segara Anak(Child of the Sea).The lake is around 230m deep and contains plentiful fish, as well as being hometo birds and other wildlife. A smaller volcanic cone,Gunung Baru Jari, wasformed a couple of hundred years ago and just from the crater's interior at theedge of the lake. It's been estimated that the force needed to create the newcone and the lake would have been equal to around 300 hiroshima-type a tomicbombs.
There are a springs located around the volcano, most importantly "AikKalak" on the northeast of the crater, where the volcanically heatedwaters are said to cure illnesses, particularly skin diseases.
In 2004 the Rinjani Trek won the world Legacy Award for Destination Stewards hipand the volcano is recognized internationally as an important eco-tourism destination. The Rinjani Trek, funded by the New Zealand government, has set upa series of programs that involve the local communities and guides, for climbing the volcano and for trekking in the National Park-ensuring better management and safety for trekkers. However, it is always prudent to use an authorized guide, deal with a reputable trekking business and carry as few valuables as possible with you.
There are a variety of different options for climbing Gunung Rinjani, two days one night treks are the shortest available , taking visitors to the crater rim,to view the wide crater and the emerald green lake within. However, the most popular is the three days two nights treks which allows trekkers to climb to the very summit of the volcano, with magnificent views from the highest point on Lombok - taking in the vista of the surrounding mountain range, the lush green landscape below, and the ocean to the west studded with Gili islands and Bali floating in the distance.
The best time to climb Gunung Rinajni is in the dry season from around April to October ,or before the rains start. The sunny days and cooler temperatures make this time of the year the most comfortable for climbing, and enable the clear est views of the stunning scenery both on and around the mountain. It is cold onthe mountain at night, so make sure you take warm clothing.
Gunung Rinjani National Park in the East and North Side of Lombok Island
The park covers an area of 41,330 ha on the northern part of Lom
bok and locatesthe three administrative district of West, East and CentralLombok. The area covers 12,357.67 ha in the west, 22,152.88 ha inthe east and 6,819.45 ha in central Lombok. Rinjani dominates the National Park of Lombok, an island east of Bali on the Indonesian archipelago. At 3726m it is thesecond highest volcano in Indonesia,part of the infamous ring of fire that encircles the basin of the Pacific.Within the crater is the spectacular Segara Anak lake and the still active volcano Gunung Baru (2,363m).
It is surrounded by further 66,000 ha of Protection Forestalso covers the three administrative districts. The park ecosystem is in the transitional zone between Asia and Australia (Walaceae zone). Average rainfall is about 3,000mm annually.