Lombok & the Gilis
Laid-back Lombok is the antithesis to bustling Bali. Nothing dramatic usually happens, but therein lies its charm. Explore by bike, motor scooter or on foot and discover waterfalls, patchwork paddy fields and traditional tribal villages. The beaches are rustic and formed from coarse volcanic sands, but what else would you expect from a coastline in the shadow of Mt Rinjani? If you're after more traditional, golden sands to sink your toes into, head to the Gili Islands. Meno and Air, the closest Gilis to Lombok, offer ultimate relaxation whereas big brother Gili Trawangan has a wilder vibe.
A few things to do in Lombok & the Gilis
Obviously there's a lot more, this is just to get you started...
The Gilis
Sitting on snow white sands watching clouds drift over the Bali Sea can be all the excitement you need for one day on Gili Meno, the middle of the three islands, or ‘gilis’, off the north-west coast of Lombok. This super secluded spot entices you to snorkel, swim and paddle in sheltered turquoise waters before retiring to a beachfront bar for a cocktail as the sun sets. If Lombok is the laid-back antithesis to busy Bali, then the car-free Gilis represent somewhere in between. Gili Trawangan has always been a hit with party loving backpackers, but you can still find some quiet and connected accommodation options if you step away from the tourist strip. Gilis Meno and Air, on the other hand, are more relaxed and low-key.
Mount Rinjani
Smoke spirals out of Sembalun Valley at the base of Mount Rinjani. This high plateau is a patchwork of water logged rice paddies and verdant allotment plots. Various vegetables, strawberries and garlic are grown in abundance. Towering above the Sasak villages, Rinjani casts an indomitable shadow. The rainforest covered slopes are sacred to the Sasak people and have become one of the trekking community's best loved moderate climbs. This, after all, is the second tallest peak in Indonesia. It's a 25 kilometer, porter-assisted, trek to Rinjani's crater rim summit on steep, muddy creeper-clad slopes. The views are magnificent but don't underestimate just how tough this climb can be if you're not already a keen hiker.
Snorkeling & diving
Lombok and the Gilis are a snorkeling and diving treasure trove, against a backdrop of an abundance of coral in different shapes, sizes and shades. Visit the islets of Gili Petelu, where you’ll find exceptionally clear waters and, with a bit of luck, encounter small reef sharks and other beautiful tropical fish that aren’t seen elsewhere. The smallest and least developed of the three northern Gili Islands, Gili Meno boasts unspoilt beaches and some fantastic snorkelling and diving opportunities. Visibility is good year round and you can expect to see grouper, rays, schools of batfish, and both hawksbill and leatherback turtles amongst many other species on conservation-first snorkeling and diving expeditions.
