Climbing Mount Rinjani: Routes, Rules, Costs and Safety

The short version

Rinjani is a serious multi-day trek, not a sunrise stroll. Most people climb from Sembalun on the east side, camp on the crater rim at around 2,600 to 2,700 meters, and leave for the summit at about 2 a.m. to reach the top, at 3,726 meters, for sunrise. Longer treks descend into the caldera to Segara Anak, the crater lake, with its hot springs and the smoking cone of Gunung Barujari, then climb out to Senaru. You must book through the official system with a licensed operator and guide, and since 2025 the rules have become noticeably stricter. Expect to pay roughly USD 200 to 400 per person for an all-inclusive trek.

Routes and itineraries

• Sembalun: the main summit route. It starts on open savanna, which is hot by day, then climbs steeply to the Sembalun crater rim. The summit push is loose volcanic scree, often described as two steps forward, one back.
• Senaru: on the northern side, through cool rainforest to the Senaru crater rim, with views over the lake. It is the classic route for a rim-only trek or the descent at the end of a traverse.
• Torean and smaller trails: the park also runs routes from Torean, Timbanuh, Tetebatu and Aik Berik. Torean is spectacular but has had temporary closures; ask your operator what is open.

The common itineraries:

• 2D1N crater rim (Senaru or Sembalun): up to the rim, sunset and sunrise over the lake, back down. No summit. The best option if you are unsure of your fitness.
• 2D1N summit (Sembalun): rim on day one, summit at sunrise on day two, then a long descent. Intense: you gain and lose over 2,500 meters in about 30 hours.
• 3D2N summit and lake: summit, then down to Segara Anak and its hot springs, out via Senaru. The most rewarding balance.
• 4D3N: the same with a gentler pace and an extra night by the lake.

Booking and the new rules

Climbing is managed by Mount Rinjani National Park, and all hikers must register through the official eRinjani booking system. In practice, foreign visitors book through a licensed trekking operator, which handles permits, guides, porters, food and camping gear.

After the death of Brazilian hiker Juliana Marins, who fell from a ledge near the summit in June 2025, Indonesia's Ministry of Forestry overhauled its rules. The main changes, which apply to trekkers today:

• Licensed guides only. Guides must be certified and registered with the ministry. Since January 2026, one guide may lead a maximum of four climbers.
• Mandatory insurance. Since October 1, 2025, climbers need premium insurance that covers evacuation, including by helicopter. Many operators now arrange it; check that your own travel insurance covers trekking to 3,726 meters as well.
• Health check. A health and fitness check is required the day before the climb.
• Proof of experience. Rinjani is graded IV, the hardest tier for Indonesian mountains, and hikers may be asked for proof of previous mountain experience, such as photos or certificates.
• Tracking. Hikers are issued RFID wristbands and tracking beacons, monitored from a command center.

Park fees changed in October 2024. Foreigners pay around IDR 200,000 per person per day on the Sembalun, Senaru and Torean routes, usually included in the trek price.

When Rinjani is open

The park normally closes during the rainy season, roughly January to March. For the 2026 season, all trails closed on December 31, 2025, and reopened in early April. Expect a similar closure in early 2027, and check the official announcements before planning.

Dry-season fires can also close the mountain. In September 2026, new eRinjani bookings were suspended for a period because of fire risk, and the Senaru route reopened on October 3, 2026, after a forest fire. Always confirm the current status with your operator a few days before you go.

The best months are April to June, when the hills are green and crowds are lighter, and September to November. July and August are the busiest.

Safety

Rinjani has had several fatal accidents in recent years, mostly falls on the summit ridge and the steep crater wall. The summit trail is exposed, slippery and done in darkness, with strong winds and temperatures that can fall close to freezing.

• Stay with your guide, and turn back if the weather turns or you feel unwell.
• Wear proper hiking boots, gloves and a warm jacket, and carry a headlamp with spare batteries.
• Drink plenty of water and eat on the way up. Altitude sickness is possible above 3,000 meters.
• Never climb independently or with an unlicensed guide. Illegal climbers have been caught and fined.

Fitness and what to expect

You do not need to be an athlete, but you should be able to hike uphill for six to eight hours on consecutive days. Train with stairs or long hill walks for a month beforehand. Porters carry tents, food and water; you carry your daypack, layers and water for the day. Camps are basic, nights are cold and toilets are minimal. Pack out all your rubbish.

What it costs

All-inclusive treks from licensed operators run roughly USD 165 to 225 for a 2D1N crater rim trip, USD 215 to 275 for a 2D1N summit, USD 265 to 325 for 3D2N and USD 315 to 395 for 4D3N, depending on group size. Prices normally include park fees, guides, porters, meals, camping gear and transport on Lombok. Insurance and tips are usually extra. Very cheap offers often mean unlicensed guides or poor equipment, which on this mountain is not a saving worth making.

Most trekkers base themselves in Senaru or Sembalun the night before. From Bali, fly to Lombok and allow at least four days in total.