Mount Rinjani Trek 2026: Routes, Permits & Difficulty

At 3,726 meters, Mount Rinjani is the centerpiece of Lombok and one of Indonesia’s serious multi-day treks. The reward is the crater rim, Segara Anak lake, and, if you choose the summit, a pre-dawn climb to Indonesia’s second-highest volcano. It is also regulated, seasonal, and physically harder than many beach-trip add-ons suggest.

The useful decision is not just “do Rinjani or not.” It is whether you want the crater rim only, the summit, or a slower route that also reaches the lake. That choice decides your trailhead, your number of days, and how much punishment you accept for the sunrise.

The Two Main Route Decisions

There are two main gateways, and the difference matters. Sembalun, to the east, opens onto gentler grassland savannah and is the usual start for a summit attempt, because it positions you for the pre-dawn climb. Senaru, to the north, is the classic route to the crater rim and the lake, through forest, and the common way down. Most summit treks start at Sembalun and descend via Senaru, linking the two. We compare them in detail in our Senaru versus Sembalun guide.

How Long, And How High

The trek comes in a few lengths. A two-day, one-night trip reaches the crater rim for sunrise over the lake, without the summit, and is the realistic option for most fit walkers. A three-day, two-night trip adds the summit push and the descent to the lake. A four-day version does it all at a more humane pace, and for first-timers it is often the wiser choice, since it spreads the hardest sections and leaves more in the tank for summit night.

Permits, Tariffs, And Package Costs

TNGR’s official 2026 tariff update moved Senaru, Sembalun, and Torean into the higher trekking class, with foreign visitor tickets listed at IDR 250,000 per person per day from November 3, 2025. Check the official TNGR tariff notice before booking because permit rules, insurance, and access notices can change. Operator packages then add the guide, porters, food, camping gear, transfers, and service level.

How Hard Is It, Really?

Rinjani is moderate to challenging, and the summit night is genuinely tough. The crater rim is within reach of anyone who walks or jogs regularly, but the summit push is a different animal: it starts around 2am from the Sembalun rim, climbs three to four hours up steep, sliding volcanic scree in the cold and dark, and finishes at nearly 3,800 meters where the thin air can bring on a mild headache regardless of how fit you are. Below the rim, the descent to Segara Anak, the crater lake, and its hot springs is steep but rewarding. Train with some cardio and hill walking in the weeks before, and break in your boots.

When To Go, And When It Closes

For 2026, TNGR announced a trekking closure from January 1 to March 31 for hydrometeorological risk mitigation and ecosystem recovery, with reopening scheduled from April 1. See the official TNGR closure notice and recheck close to travel. In normal planning, the middle of the open season is usually driest and clearest, while early and late season can be quieter but more weather-sensitive.

Is The Summit Worth It?

Honestly, not for everyone, and there is no shame in stopping at the rim. The crater-rim sunrise over the lake is spectacular on its own, and plenty of people have a better trip skipping the brutal summit night. But if you want it, and you are fit and acclimatized, standing on the second-highest point in Indonesia as the sun comes up over Bali and Sumbawa is a memory that earns the suffering. Decide honestly, and choose your package to match. For getting around Lombok and the islands nearby, see our Gili Islands guide, and plan a Rinjani trek with us.