Lombok Island
Slightly smaller than Bali, Lombok measures 4739 sq km and is therefore, virtually impossible to circumnavigate in one day. There are a wide variety of topographical features and microclimates on the island which, although close to Bali and the other islands of Indonesia, make it quite unique. Pert of the reason for this is the "Wallacea Line", which separates Asia and Australia start from east of Bali and Lombok and goes up north to east. Thus on Lombok many species of fauna and flora one comes across are also found in parts of Australia.

Lombok is slightly smaller than Bali and divides conveniently into three geographical regions. Only a 15-minute flight (or a ferry trip) from Bali. The island possesses one of the highest volcanic mountains in the Indonesian archipelago, Mount Rinjani, whose cloud-piercing peak soars to 3745m (12,290ft).

Mount Rinjani from a distance, Gunung Rinjani (3726m) appears to rise in solitary glory from the plains, but in fact the entire area is a throng of bare summits, wreathed in dense forest. The most breathtaking feature of the range is Segara Anak, the magnificent crater lake, measuring 8km by 6km.
Most visitors come to the area to trek up Rinjani. This most energetic and rewarding trek on either Bali or Lombok; access points are Senaru, to the north of the mountain or Sembalun Lawang in a high valley on the eastern flanks. You can arrange treks very easily in the Rinjani Trek Centre in Senaru.

The simplest trek is from Senaru, climbing to the crater rim. The route takes you from the village at 860m, up through the forest to further rest positions with small bale (open-sided pavilions). It takes most people six to seven hours, not allowing for rests, to get to the rim from Senaru and usually involves a night on the mountain unless you are extremely fit and fast. A tent is preferable to sleeping in the bale, and vital if you plan to sleep on the actual rim.

A further possibility after climbing to the rim is to descend down into the crater to the lake itself, at around 2000m. The path (1 hr 30min) into the crater is steep and frightening at the top, but gets better further down. You can bathe in the warm lake or the hot springs along its shores. Most people get down to the lake in one day from Senaru, stay by the shore and return the same way in another day's walking.