Lombok is an island full of crazy adventures only an hour’s flight away from Bali. I visited amazing waterfalls, trekked Mount Rinjani, and explored the south coast near Kuta Lombok. I’ve been lucky enough to adventure on Lombok on three separate visits now. I’ve created this Lombok Itinerary specifically for those spending
I know many of the best places and the logistics about how to reach them all in the right order and with what transport. If you have 4-7 days scheduled on the island, this will be a great Lombok Itinerary to help you plan when, where and ow to explore the island.
Lombok Itinerary
In this Lombok itinerary blog post, I will first detail the day-by-day itinerary of what I recommend. Then below that, I will give you detailed information about each activity and location I have listed in the itinerary. That way you can determine if there are any locations you would prefer to skip or some you might decide you simply cannot miss. I’ll also add in some accommodation recommendations for your trip along the way like the places I stayed in Senaru in the north and more.
TOP 3 PLACES TO STAY ON LOMBOK
LOMBOK ITINERARY DAY BY DAY
You don’t need to follow this itinerary exactly depending on your preferences but it is a fun, adventure-filled week of adventures if you do!
DAY 1: LOMBOK ITINERARY
Arrive at the airport or port and drive straight to Senaru, which is a mountain village in the north. The best way is to rent a car or hire a taxi at the port or airport. If you make it up there just after lunch that is perfect timing, you will have time to go explore Sendang Gile and Tiu Kelep Waterfall.
These two waterfalls are just a short walk from most of the accommodations in Senaru and are both beautiful spots in the Lombok Jungle. It’s a great way to kick off your Lombok Itinerary.
Activities: Sendang Gile, Tiu Kelep Waterfall
Read my full blog post about these waterfalls: Tiu Kelep & Sendang Gile Waterfalls
DAY 2 & 3: LOMBOK ITINERARY
It’s time to start early and get your hiking boots on because Mount Rinjani is the main attraction of Lombok. At 3,726m the summit is an incredible and difficult journey but so rewarding. There are several ways to hike Mount Rinjani and depending on which route is open and which you decide to hike it can take anyway from 2 full days to 4 full days.
Personally, I would choose to do the Hike to the summit and Senaru Crater Rim Camp. This way you get to see it all. If the summit isn’t open then just Senaru Crater Rim. I’ll have all the details about each below the itinerary section of this blog post where I go into depth about each activity.
Mount Rinjani Trek Options:
- Hike to the summit 2 days/1 night
- Hike just to Senaru Crater Rim 2 day 1/night (Still with views inside the crater)
- Hike to the summit + Senaru Crater Rim Camp 3 days/ 2 nights
- Hike to the summit + Hot springs and lake + Senaru Crater Rim Camp 4 days/ 3 nights
Where to stay: Tents, and food provided as part of your trek fee.
Activity: Hike Mount Rinjani
Read my full blog post about this trek: Mount Rinjani Trekking Guide
DAY 4: LOMBOK ITINERARY
Your legs are probably pretty sore from hiking Mount Rinjani. Suck it up there’s more to see. Wake up at around 3 am and drive to Senaru on a bike or with your tour guide to the base of Pergasingan Hill. You will then trek to the top of Pergasingan Hill for sunrise, which in my opinion is the best sunrise on Lombok. If you are tired, just check out the Bukit Selong Viewpoint, which doesn’t involve hiking.
I’ve camped up there and you can do that for sure but with just four or five days on Lombok that can chew up a bit of your time. After you get down from Pergasingan Hill don’t head back to Senaru. Continue on down towards the east and make your way to Benang Stokel waterfalls.
There is even a cliff jump spot here but the depth always changes so be sure to check that first. After Benang Stokel, it is probably late afternoon. Make your way the final hour down south to your accommodation so you are ready for a few final adventures in the next day or so. The south is a chill coastal area with lots of cafes, bars, and restaurants and surf culture.
Where to stay:
- Martas Windows – Value/Luxury: This place is incredibly beautiful. Bungalow-style villas surround the modern pool at this amazing property.
- Boogie Hostel Kuta Lombok – Budget: The Boogie Hostel is everything you ask for in a hostel. It’s super modern and clean and has lots of chill spaces as well as lockers for your gear and blinds for privacy at your dorm.
Activities: Pergasingan Hill Trek for sunrise and Benang Stokel Waterfalls
Read my blog posts: Pergasingan Hill, Bukit Selong Viewpoint, Waterfalls on Lombok
That is the end of the Lombok itinerary for five days on Lombok. It’s an adventure and quite tiring but you can always remove a hike or a waterfall to make it less extreme. That is just how I would use five days on Lombok to see the best spots in a short amount of time. I would actually advise two weeks on Lombok to see most of the cool spots at a decent pace.
Below I will post a little paragraph about each of the activities I have suggested in the Lombok itinerary above so that you can get a better idea about what each trek, island hopping, and waterfall is like. Each of the paragraphs has a link to the full blog post I have written about each area. If you do want to see ALL of the things to do in Lombok you can check out my detailed guide: 22 AWESOME THINGS TO DO IN LOMBOK
If you are looking into where exactly you want to stay in each of the regions you visit, I created an in-depth guide with recommendations based on my own personal experience about accommodation options in Lombok that you can check out here: WHERE TO STAY ON LOMBOK: NORTH OR SOUTH REGION
HOW TO GET TO LOMBOK
Senaru is in the North of Lombok. This is a small town most trekkers base themselves in before and after their trekking adventures. I arrived in Lombok via ferry and headed straight north with three other friends. There are also flights directly to Lombok from Bali. Once you arrive to the airport or ferry port, you will need a private transfer or moped to reach the northern villages of Senaru or Sembalun to begin your Mount Rinjani Trek.
HOW MANY DAYS DO YOU NEED IN LOMBOK
You could honestly spend a month here and not have seen half of the waterfalls or hidden beaches. However, most travelers don’t have a full month on their hands. I stayed in Lombok for ten days and managed to fit in all of the adventures you can find below. The main thing to consider is the different regions of Lombok.
I spent time in the north where you will find some awesome waterfalls and base yourself when you trek Mount Rinjani. I then spent a day in central Lombok checking our rice field viewpoints and waterfalls but suggest at least two days for these activities. Finally, if you end up in the south anywhere from three days to a week would be a great amount of time to get a moped and explore up and down the coast. My suggested minimum time to explore Lombok is ten days but three to four weeks would be ideal.
LOMBOK TOURIST SPOTS AND ACTIVITIES
Sendang Gile Waterfall
Sendang Gile was an unexpected addition to our plans. We knew we wanted to visit Tiu Kelep waterfall but on the way discovered that the trail actually takes you to another waterfall. Sendang Gile is an epic two-tiered waterfall that booms down into a shallow river. It was definitely one of my favorite, unexpected things to do in Lombok.
Tiu Kelep Waterfall
Tiu Kelep is the most famous waterfall on Lombok. From Sendang Gile you follow the river for fifteen minutes, often walking through the water and making several crossings along the way. You will arrive in an incredible amphitheater with mist blowing everywhere. It is one of the most magical places I’ve ever been and definitely up there with my favorite things to do on Lombok.
Click Here: to read the full blog post about Senaru Sunrise, Sendang Gile and Tiu Kelep.
Trekking up Pergasingan Hill
Pergasingan Hill is an epic viewpoint at the top of a steep 1-hour trail in the north of Lombok. The trail is suitable for most hikers and offers some of the best views in all of Lombok! It is best done for sunrise or sunset and you can even camp at the top with the help of a trekking guide.
Contact Rinjani Dawn Adventures: If you would love to get in touch with Rinjani Dawn Adventures about trekking Pergasingan Hill or other hikes in Lombok you can do so by clicking through to their booking page here.
Full Blog post: TREKKING PERGASINGAN HILL IN NORTH LOMBOK
Camping on Pergasingan Hill
When I camped on Pergasingan Hill, I came from the backway in a small village and instead of an hour up, it took 2.5 hours to wind our way around the ridge. You will only find this private access point at the back of houses with tour guides.
Full blog post: TREKKING & CAMPING ON PERGASINGAN HILL IN NORTH LOMBOK
Mount Rinjani Trek
Trekking Mount Rinjani was one of the most epic journeys of the year for me! We endured three days and two nights led by our guide and two porters to the summit of Mount Rinjani, an incredible 3,726 meters.
Trekking Mount Rinjani is a pretty enduring few days. Camping in tents, carrying your gear, and walking for up to 15 hours a day means this is for the adventurous souls out there. It was also one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had on my travels and one of the most epic things to add to your Lombok itinerary.
Click Here: to read my full review about Trekking up Mount Rinjani with my mates
Bengang Stokel and Kelambu Waterfalls
Benang Stokel waterfall and Kelambu waterfall are two of the most breathtaking waterfalls in Lombok and are must-visit for anyone who loves adventure and nature. A series of incredible waterfalls all within walking distance is a place you must add to your Lombok itinerary.
Click Here: to read the full blog post about Benang Stokel and Kelambu Waterfall
Sunset Point Kuta Lombok – Bukit Merese Hill
We had heard about Bukit Merese Hill and decided to jump on the moped from town and make the 15-minute journey out to the hill. Be sure to walk all the way to the headland and sit out on the edge with views down the coast in both directions. We laid out here, took some photos, and marveled at the endless ocean as the sky turned a fiery red.
Click Here: to read the full blog post about this sunset spot and why you should go back during the day!
Paragliding
I had never done paragliding before but in case you don’t know what it is, you essentially sit in a harness attached to the guide/professional!
You do a little jog down the hill and then the wind picks up your sail/parachute and all of a sudden you are in the air. It’s not a high-adrenaline activity and is actually quite relaxing as you float up and down the coast with great views.
Compared to skydiving, bungee, and other adrenaline activities this one is actually great for the whole family. If you want to inquire about making a booking you can contact our guides on Whatsapp: +62 823 4083 2043 or Instagram: @dodiparagliding
Tanjung Aan Beach
Lombok was extremely quiet when we visited in November, and that was no exception when we went for lunch at Tanjung Aan Beach. Mango smoothies and Nasi Goreng were on the menu as we enjoyed the entire beach, restaurant, and sun beds to ourselves.
Mawi Beach
Mawi Beach is one of the most popular surf spots on the island. Bamboo huts line the beach, keeping surfers cool in the shade in between sessions. The waves weren’t huge on the day we went but big enough for a few of the surfers to catch some nice rides.
This is a beach you can hang out all day at. You can buy lunch, coconuts, and snacks in between surfs and swims although the prices are a little bit more expensive than Kuta Lombok as it is a bit more isolated. If you are a surfer this is one of the best things to do in Lombok for you!
Secret Gilis Island Hopping Tour
When you hear about ‘The Gilis’, an immediate reaction is to think about the three popular islands Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air. These three islands have become popular snorkeling, party, and relaxation spots – a getaway from the over-crowded Bali. However, there are more Gili’s than you know. In fact, there are 26 different Gili’s near Lombok.
While in Lombok, I did the ‘Secret Gili’s’ tour. While the islands are far from secret they are beautiful and something new to explore with great marine life, tiny sandbars, and a lunch stop on the shore of a remote island.
Full blog post: THE SECRET GILIS ISLAND HOPPING TOUR IN LOMBOK
WHERE TO STAY IN NORTHERN LOMBOK
If you are visiting attractions in the north such as Tiu Kelep or Mount Rinjani you should choose one of the three accommodations in the ‘Northern‘ section below.
- Jeeva Santai Villas – Luxury Villa: Great location on the beautiful Mangsit Beach but also within driving distance of Tiu Kelep and Mount Rinjani. It is a location that offers the best of both worlds.
- Hakiki Inn Bungalows – Value: Set on the edge of rice fields with the jungle feel but the comfort of a private bungalow.
- Blue Mountain Cottage – Budget (but also value): This is where I stayed. The room was very basic but it was comfortable enough with a basic private bathroom.
WHERE TO STAY IN THE SOUTHERN REGION OF LOMBOK
If you are staying in the south to enjoy the beaches and surf in Kuta, Lombok you should choose one of the three accommodations in the ‘Southern‘ section below.
- Harmony Villas – Luxury: The beautiful white theme throughout the property contrasts against the emerald green pool and plants. The villas are laid out impeccably and the best part about this 4-star villa is that it actually isn’t as expensive as it looks.
- Martas Windows – Value/Luxury: This place is incredibly beautiful. Bungalow-style villas surround the modern pool at this amazing property. For less than $80 a night, you can get yourself what would cost hundreds of dollars in most other countries at Martas Windows.
- Boogie Hostel Kuta Lombok – Budget: The Boogie Hostel is everything you ask for in a hostel. It’s super modern and clean and has lots of chill spaces as well as lockers for your gear and blinds for privacy at your dorm.
READ MORE OF MY LOMBOK GUIDES
