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 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 car-free Gili Islands, where everyone gets around by scooter or horse-drawn cart. Meno and Air, the closest Gilis to Lombok, offer ultimate relaxation whereas big brother Gili Trawangan has a busier 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. Gili Meno and Gili 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, the second highest volcano in Indonesia. This plateau is a patchwork of water logged rice paddies and verdant plots where 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. It's a 25 km (15.5 mile), porter-assisted trek to Rinjani's crater rim summit, via 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 in Lombok
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 are rarely seen. 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 rays, schools of batfish, and both hawksbill and leatherback turtles, among many other species on conservation-first snorkeling and diving expeditions.
