Lombok, Indonesia
Lombok Loop
Thirteen days circling Lombok, from secret islands and rice terraces to the summit of Mount Rinjani.
~600 km
Distance
13 days
Duration
Easy
Difficulty
August 2024
Trip Date
Lombok turned out to be everything I'd hoped for, rich in nature and tradition, the kind of place that pulls you in slowly. I spent 13 days riding a loop through lush rice fields, quiet beaches, and laid-back villages. The roads were mostly excellent, so even as a fairly casual rider I never felt out of my depth, and I loved discovering spots that felt far removed from the crowds I'd left behind in popular Bali. Right in the middle of the loop was the climb up Mount Rinjani, where I parked the scooter for a couple of days and took on what turned out to be one of the most challenging, and rewarding, adventures I've ever done.
The Route
Here's the list of places I stopped at along the way, with a quick note on what each one is about:
Lembar Port
My gateway into Lombok, arriving from Bali's Padangbai Ferry Port with my scooter in tow.
Gili Sudak
One of the so-called "Secret Gilis," this remote island in southern Lombok was the perfect place to recharge before the busy days ahead.
Kuta Lombok
The most touristy corner of the island, with access to some of Lombok's best beaches. I stayed a couple of nights here and was glad I did.
Ekas
Known for its surf beaches and the nearby Pink Beach, a good spot for snorkeling and just relaxing for a bit.
Tetebatu
Sitting south of Mount Rinjani, this lush area gave me a real taste of local culture, with rice terraces and waterfalls scattered everywhere.
Sapit
A village most tourists skip entirely. I found it bucolic and authentic, with some stunning views thrown in.
Sembalun
Heading north, the scenery kept getting greener and the views more dramatic. This was a highlight, especially since I'm into trekking.
Senaru
A short hop from Sembalun, with beautiful waterfalls and a relaxed, unhurried atmosphere.
Mount Rinjani
I couldn't have skipped this one. Sembalun and Senaru are the two main gateways for hiking Rinjani, with treks running two to three days and a night or two of camping.
Mataram
The capital and commercial hub of Lombok. Here I got a proper dose of local life, markets, mosques, and none of the tourist crowds.
Bali→Gili Sudak1
Ferry Crossing to Lembar
1Gili Sudak→Kuta Lombok2
One Last Quiet Morning on Gili Sudak
Kuta Lombok2
2Kuta Lombok→Ekas3
3Ekas→Tetebatu4
The Coastline Around Ekas
Tetebatu4
4Tetebatu→Sapit5
5Sapit→Sembalun6
Sunrise Hike near Sapit
6Sembalun→Senaru7
Climbing Mount Rinjani8
The Climb Begins
Mount Rinjani Summit8
The Final Push to the Summit
8Senaru→Mataram9
One Last Waterfall near Senaru
9Mataram→Bali
Mataram, Lombok's Capital
Lombok gave me everything I'd hoped for and then some, the rice fields, the quiet villages, and a summit I'll never forget. It's proof that just one island over from Bali, an entirely different, slower Asia is still waiting to be found.
Trip Info