Sembalun trekking route

Sembalun Trekking route with a grand savanna view.

The Sembalun trekking route offers a grass savanna with gentle winds. Along the way, climbers will enjoy the view of the vast savanna meadow, which will reduce fatigue. The starting altitude is 1100 above sea level, so there are no humid conditions to deal with. The first half or more of the trek is literally a breeze.

Starting from the entrance gate of Sembalun to crater Rim Sembalun will take about 7-8 hours, with a 10 km distance.

sembalun trekking route

Sembalun trekking Route Overview

  • Starting Elevation: ~1,156 meters above sea level.
  • Terrain: Open, sweeping savannah grasslands with no canopy shade for the first half, transitioning into steep, rocky mountain ridges.
  • Key Advantage: You start at a higher elevation than the Senaru route, saving energy for the final summit push.
  • Key Challenge: Intense heat exposure during the day due to the open landscape, followed by the notorious “Bukit Penyesalan” (Regret Hills).

Sembalun to Senaru Treking Route

Sembalun Trekking Route – Detailed Trail Checkpoints (Pos)

1. Start: Sembalun Gate to Pos 1 Pemantauan (1,300m)

  • Hiking Time: 1.5 to 2 hours.
  • Terrain: Flat, easy dirt paths cutting through open cattle pastures and grasslands.

2. Pos 1 to Pos 2 Tengengean (1,500m)

  • Hiking Time: 45 minutes to 1 hour.
  • Terrain: Gentle incline. Pos 2 is the standard stopover where porters cook lunch for hikers.

3. Pos 2 to Pos 3 Pada Balong (1,800m)

  • Hiking Time: 1 to 1.5 hours.
  • Terrain: The incline begins to increase gradually. Pos 3 is the final resting area before the grueling mountain ridges.

4. Pos 3 to Plawangan Sembalun Crater Rim (2,639m)

  • Hiking Time: 3 to 4 hours.
  • Terrain: Extremely steep dirt and gravel switchbacks known as Bukit Penyesalan (Regret Hills). There are 7 distinct hills to cross. This section is physically demanding and tests your endurance.

5. Crater Rim to Mount Rinjani Summit (3,726m)

  • Hiking Time: 3 to 4 hours (usually starts at 2:00 AM for sunrise).
  • Terrain: Loose volcanic ash, gravel, and sand. The final ridge (“The Scree”) is highly challenging—for every two steps forward, you often slide one step back. Strong winds and freezing temperatures are common.

Essential Preparation Tips

  • Sun Protection: Wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen. The savanna heat can quickly cause dehydration or heat exhaustion.
  • Layers for Cold: While the daytime trek is hot, temperatures at Plawangan Sembalun and the summit drop to 0°C – 5°C (32°F – 41°F) at night. Pack a down jacket, windbreaker, gloves, and a beanie.
  • Trekking Poles: Highly recommended to maintain balance and save energy while climbing the loose gravel slopes leading to the summit.

We recommend these trips for you:

  1. 2 days Summit Rinjani. Start from Sembalun and finish at Sembalun
  2. 2 days Crater Rim Sembalun
  3. 3 days Summit Rinjani. You will see all parts of Mount Rinjani. Start from Sembalun and finish at Senaru village.
  4. 4D3N Explore Rinjani. Start Sembalun and finish in Senaru Village.