Lombok Travel Guide : (Part I)

Lombok is another exquisite island across Bali that you must visit and it should be on your travel bucket list! Just 40 minutes of flight from Bali and you can feel all the tropical vibes. Besides its beauty, Lombok also offers you a plenty of things to do. With its easy accessibility within the island, almost all of the destinations are easily accessible and will bring you an amazing adventure. So here’s some recommendations to give you wild inspirations to enjoy your stay in Lombok!

What To Do:

1. Take a Road Trip by Motorbike

Rent a motorbike is a perfect way to go exploring around Lombok, because you can stop anywhere, if you see any beautiful scenery along the road, just pull over and shoot away. Besides, it will only take around Rp 60.000 (around $4 USD) to rent the motorbike. You can reach all the destinations in a cheap way. So, grab your helmet and be safe!

2. Cultural Experience in Sasak Village

Sasak Village is a must see attraction while you’re in Lombok, Sasak known as the largest Lombok tribe that still in existence. It’s such a good way to understand the traditional ways of the local village and see how the indigenous people live. Sasak indigenous people mainly focus on textile production as their main income. And because of that, they facilitate us if we are willing to join them in textile production. So you can easily visit Sade Village since it’s the closest village from Kuta just 8 kilometers away. There will be a guide to help you out to explore the whole village and get more insights of Sasak culture.

3. Enjoy Sunset View from Asthari Kuta

Asthari Lounge and Kitchen is located on the top the hill with breathtaking view of the bay of Kuta Beach. They serve wide varieties of menu from western food and Indonesian food with reasonable price while you can chill on the beanbags or sit at a table and FYI, the inside lounge is so perfect! And their sunset drinks and pizza should not to be missed!

4. Enjoy the Majestic Waterfalls

Benang Kelambu and Benang Stokel Waterfall

Beside the amazing beaches, try another experience to explore breathtaking waterfalls in the central of Lombok, one and half hour drive from Kuta or an hour drive from Mataram. Benang Kelambu and Benang Stokel waterfall located in a hiking route to Lake Segara Anak, Mount Rinjani. For the entrance fee we have to pay Rp 75.000 or around $6 USD all included for entrance fee and a guide. I suggested you to take ojek or motorcycle (it will cost you around Rp 35.000 – Rp 40.000 or around $3 USD) to reach the waterfall because it’s a quite difficult way with rocky roads and steep hills. It’s gonna took around 20 minutes from the entrance gate to Benang Kelambu Waterfall, it’s not an easy ride but I guarantee it’s gonna be worth your while.

Benang Kelambu waterfall will gave you a memorable sight! It’s beautiful and scenic, the water streamed down through the green curtain leaves along the waterfalls. The best thing about Benang Kelambu Waterfall is you can actually drink the water directly, clean and fresh because it comes directly from the fountain.

To reach Benang Setokel Waterfall is way easier since it’s really close from the entrance gate; you just need 10 minutes of walk and turn down through the stairs. Along the walkway to Benang Setokel you will be “accompanied” by several monkeys (Don’t worry it’s not dangerous!) and it will make you feel like you’re in a jungle. The waterfall have a huge shallow pond so you can swim or just to take a quick dip. You will feel the fresh of the water straight from Mount Rinjani. There’s a small waterfall in front of Benang Setokel that you can actually jump from 11 meters high and it’s absolutely safe!

I recommend you to hire a guide to explore all of the waterfall. The last time I visited, I was guided by Mr. Irwan. He’s a very generous person and willing to carried all of our bags while we’re taking pictures! And he will make you beautiful crown from leaves, it only took him 3 minutes of making the crown. (His contact 087865775208)

Other waterfall that you must to visit!:

1. Tiu Kelep Waterfall

2. Sendang Gile Waterfall

3. Mangku Sakti Waterfall

5. Catch Sunset in Merese Hill

Bring your highlight of Lombok trip to another level by catching sunset in Merese Hill! Located on the right side of Tanjung Aan Beach, you just need 10 - 20 minutes hike to the top of the hill and sit out on the edge with ocean views and hills on the background. You’ll be greeted by herds of cows and bulls with their shepherd, adds up to the Lombok beauty. You can try to explore it on the afternoon if you want to avoid crowded tourist, just make sure to put your sunblock on!

6. Exploring South Lombok Beaches

Selong Belanak Beach

This probably one of my favorite beach in Lombok! About 50 kilometers away from Mataram and 9 kilometers away from Mawun beach. It’s a wide long beach with white soft sand, and crystal clear water in the most stunning huge bay framed by hills on the background. The beach has a perfect wave for those who want to learn surfing or just to take a dip in the ocean. Along the coastline there’s a plenty of small cafes and restaurant within walking distance so you can sun bathing or watching the sunset while enjoying the coconut and the seafood.

Kuta Beach

This is another Kuta Beach besides Bali, and Lombok has its own version. This beach is the most popular among the local people because it’s very strategic place located near the center of the city. Kuta Beach has a long coastline surrounded by small hills. The sand itself is white but not too soft like in Selong Belanak, it feels like pepper grains. There were many good restaurants and cafes along the beach and a few places to facilitate your snorkeling and diving services.

Mawun Beach

If you’re looking for peaceful and calm atmosphere, this beach is the answer. Not too touristy like Kuta Beach, it makes Mawun Beach offers you a perfect place to chill. The crystal blue water of the beach is irresistible! Curvy coastline surrounded by beautiful green hills on the both side makes it more magical. I would say this place is purely for swimming or take a dip because the waves are too calm for surfing. There weren’t many of food stalls so make sure to bring your own snacks!

Tanjung Aan Beach

Just 3 kilometers away from Kuta Beach, this beach is one of the popular because of its swing by the beach. With a long and curvy coastline, it’s nice to lounge and chill around on white sand beach with view of calm clear blue waters. But further to the right there’s a viewpoint hills across the bay area where you can see the coastal beach and the whole area of Tanjung Aan.

Other beach you can explore too:

1. Pink Beach or Tangis Beach

2. Seger Beach (really close from Tanjung Aan)

3. Mawi Beach

4. Semeti Beach

7. Get the Colorful Feels at Pergasingan Hills

This could be a great way to get yourself warmed up before hiking to Mount Rinjani. It’s 1700 MAMSL located in Sembalun Village and it offers you such a beautiful scenery of colorful rice fields and stunning panoramas of Mount Rinjani. To climb the hill just take around 3 hours of soft trekking and for those who aren’t capable to hike Mount Rinjani, this could be an alternative option. A perfect place for camping while enjoying the sunrise and the sunset, just don’t forget to bring a complete equipment!

8. Hiking The Great Mount Rinjani

For those who seeking for a tough and extreme adventure, you might consider to hike the second largest volcano mountain in Indonesia (3,726 MAMSL), but make sure that you’re really able to hike, physically fit and well prepared. From the top of the Rinjani summit, you can actually see panorama scenic views of the whole the land of Lombok and Gili Islands from up there. Mostly people take 3D2N for the trip until reached the summit and will cost around Rp 1.300.000 – Rp 2.000.000 ($100 - $150USD) all included for the gear and meal.

If you’re planning to hike Mount Rinjani, I suggested you to hike from Sembalun area since it’s more closer to the campsite rather than from Senaru. And one thing for sure, The Segara Anak Lake should not to be missed! Surrounded by hills and Mount Rinjani as the background it will leaves you speechless! And during the night you can enjoy the sky full of stars very clearly from the campsite! Around 200 meter from Segara Anak Lake you take a short walk down, there’s located Air Kalak Hot Spring where you can go soak to stretch your muscle and to wrap your whole Rinjani experience to another level.

9. Visit The Gili Islands

The most popular thing to do while in Lombok probably to visit Gili Islands. However, you don’t have to stay, it’s easy to take a day trip to exploring all the Islands (Gili Trawangan, Gili Air and Gili Meno). Go snorkeling, diving, and lounging by the beach to try another experience of Lombok!

Thank you for reading! I hope this post will help to give you some inspiration and to get know more insights of Lombok. I’ll keep updating if there’s some new things to do. So, what’s your favorite part? I love to hear your thoughts on the comment section below!

Ps. Click here to see Lombok Travel Guide Part II to give you some recommendation about where to stay and where to eat in Lombok!

Cheers, Firzyalifas.

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