FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why should I hike with Rudy Trekker?
As a Lonely Planet & Tripadvisor recommended operator, we at Rudy Trekker pride ourselves with the best service hiking Mount Rinjani. We provide professional guides & experienced porters that have gone through our program to ensure that they are trained in all things Mt Rinjani. As a Lombok owned and operated trekking company, Rudy Trekker employs local staff and provides fair pay. Rudy himself began as a porter and guide before starting his own trekking company. The service of the trek extends to ensure all trash is taken down from the mountain.
When is the best time of the year to trek Rinjani?
The best time to trek Rinjani is from April until December. April and December are shoulder seasons, where you may experience more rain. It is mostly pleasant from May to July. Rinjani National Park is closed from 1st January until 31st March due to heavy rain and extreme weather. The Rinjani National Park trekking season officially opens on the 1st April. Unless the volcano is somewhat active or we are in the rain season, it is possible to trek all year from April to December.
What is included in the trekking packages?
Here at Rudy Trekker we want you to have a memorable and exciting experience hiking Rinjani and ensure you have the best equipment and services to support you along the way. Included in all of our treks are the following:
- Transfer to and from Lombok airport, Kuta-Lombok, Lembar Pier, Mataram area, Senggigi area or Bangsal pier to Rudy Trekker’s guest house. Here, we will debrief you on your hiking itenerary and check to see if you require any additional gear for the Hhke. Then you will have a good night’s sleep and will then leave the next morning after a hearty breakfast.
- One night’s accomodation before the trek in your own room with hot shower & swimming pool at Rudy Trekker’s guest house.
- 3 cooked meals for each day of the trek as well as trail biscuits, snacks, hot drinks, fresh fruit and even a celebratory beer. You will start each day with a healthy & filling breakfast, followed by meal breaks and snacks throughout every day, which are carried & cooked by our porters during the trek.
- Tents, mattresses, sleeping bags, pillows, cooking equipment, chairs, blankets, meal tents and a toilet tent, which will all be carried by our porters.
- Hiking sticks are recommended and can be lent from Rudy Trekker’s the night before your trek.
- Pants, jackets, beanies, a torch and trekking shoes are essential for your hike and can be lent from Rudy Trekker’s extras wardrobe if you don’t have them (on a first come, first served basis).**
- Gloves are highly recommended. Please pick them up at reception the night before you leave.**
** there are no costs attributed to hiring extra equipment, however a small donation is requested so we can maintain extra items for our trekkers.
Can I hike Rinjani in sneakers or running shoes?
We do recommend wearing your own hiking boots. However, if you have sneakers or running shoes with you that you feel entirely comfortable trekking in, then you should be fine. The terrain is varied and at times quite challenging, so having footwear that has strong traction and are comfortable is essential. Remember, that you will be wearing these shoes for a few days. Appropriate hiking boots are highly advised, however we have had many trekkers hiking in sneakers. In case the profile of your soles is quite flat, or if you are thinking of walking in street style sneakers such as Converse or skater shoes, we highly recommend lending trekking shoes from Rudy Trekker’s extras wardrobe (if available) as the track can get very muddy very quickly. If you have a history of spraining your ankle(s) or want to be on the safe side, we recommend strapping your ankles during the trek with strapping tape for extra support.
No. You will have a tent either to yourself or with your partner/friend/family. Please let us know in advance who you would like to team up with. Our tents are all well equipped 3 man dome tents with ample room for a comfortable night sleep during your hiking adventure.
Will the porters carry my pack?
Usually you carry your own pack. It is recommended to bring a small bag to hold your clothes and additional items which should not exceed 7 kilos, which you will take along with you throughout the trek. During each day your guides will also carry additional bottled water and snacks for you. The porters will carry all food, bottled water, extra drinks, camping gear and cooking equipment. If need be an additional porter can carry your personal items for an additional fee. Please book this in advance.
Where can I leave the luggage that I don’t need?
You can leave your personal luggage not required for the trek in a secure locker at Rudy Trekker’s guest house, where you will start your trek. At the end of the hike you will return to the Rudy Trekker Guest House where a hot shower and your personal items await you. Make sure to only pack as little as you need for the hike itself. By the second day any extra weight won’t go unnoticed (we learned this the hard way).
What should I bring on the trek?
We advise to bring one light day pack per person that includes clothes for sunny, windy, cold and rainy weather along with a first aid kit / medication and additional snacks or drinks that you’d like to have for yourself on the trek. Remember to pack warm! While Lombok is almost always sitting around 30°C at sea level, Gunung Rinjani is a very different story and the temperature will drop by around 6-7 degrees for every 1000m altitude. Both major campsites on the crater rim are each at more than 2,700m, which means after dark the temperature can drop below 5°C, while at the summit it’s a few degrees off freezing.
Can you give me an example of what to pack for trekking Mt Rinjani?
Here’s an example of what women may pack/wear (equivalent for men):
- 1 day pack
- gym shorts (for walking)
- long leggings (for sleeping and hiking the summit)
- 1 long pair of warm pants**
- 1 pair of underwear for each day hiking
- 1 pair of socks for each day hiking
- 2 short sleeved shirts
- 1-2 long sleeved shirts/ hoodies (depending on how cold you get)**
- 1 rain jacket and/or 1 poncho (additionally for heavy rain)
- 1 beanie**
- 2 trekking poles**
- 1 head torch**
- ,1 pair of flip flops (to wear at camp)
- 1 bikini or bathers (if you’re going to the hot springs)
- toothbrush & toothpaste
- facial cream
- emergency toilet paper (essential)
- wet wipes (there’s no shower on the mountain, so this will make you feel clean)
- hair band
- 1 sports bra
- chocolate chip cookies (great to share)
- can of sprite
- sun screen
- sun hat
- first aid kit / medication
- phone /camera (to take photos).
Do I need a first aid kit?
We don’t want you to be overly cautious, but better safe than sorry. Our guides have a simple first aid kit with them, however we encourage everyone to bring their own with additional remedies. Many of these have come in very useful. We recommend bringing: Sun screen, tiger balm (to soothe muscle pain), effervescent magnesium tablets (to avoid leg cramps), blister band aids (depending on your trek, you will be wearing your shoes for a few days), strapping tape (to support your ankles), lip balm (against cracked lips), ear plugs (if you are a sensitive sleeper), band aids & first aid cream (always come in handy). Insect repellent can be brought just in case but is not entirely necessary since Rinjani is situated so high that there are barely mosquitos.
Do the guides speak English?
Yes, all our guides speak English. They have gone through a special program to give you the best service possible.
Do I have to bring my own water?
No, you don’t have to bring your own water. We will have 3 liters of water per day per person available. Your guide will distribute the waters at the start of the trek and then upon request. You will carry one bottle of your own water at a time, so that you always have water on your person during the hike.
Are there toilets on the Mt Rinjani trail? No, but we have toilet tents.
With Rudy Trekker you will have a private toilet tent set-up at each camping site for your hiking group to use in the morning before hiking, and in the evening once you reach camp. However it’s important to remember there are no established toilets on the trail and when nature calls you will have to find a bush. Please feel free to ask our guides to help you find a spot if you need to go to the bathroom during the trek.
What will the weather be like?
Chances are, you will encounter sunny, cold & rainy weather during your trek. The weather in the Savannah can be cloudy, sunny or rainy. The weather on the crater rims is mostly beautiful. The weather in the rain-forest closest to Senaru is mostly damp with rain showers common throughout the day. A poncho or rain-jacket is a must. It might only rain for 30 minutes, but that’s plenty of time to drench everything you have brought with you. When at camp on the crater rim and at the summit we are above the clouds, so although it gets cold we barely ever have any rain there. Each day the crater often clouds over, however the clouds clear in the late afternoon to reveal a spectacular scenery. Weather during the nights and on the summit is very cold, so you will likely pull out every piece of warm clothing you have.