Mount Rinjani is 3,726 m,
the second highest volcano in Indonesia, second only to Mount
Kerinci on Sumatra, and it dominates the landscape of the relatively
small island of Lombok.
Within its huge 50 km²
caldera sits the crater lake Segara Anak (Child of the Sea). Eruptions within
the caldera have formed a new small cone called appropriately enough, Gunung
Baru (New Mountain). Segara Anak has a natural hot spring.
The mountain and its
satellites form the Mount Rinjani National Park - officially
41,000 hectares within the park boundaries and a further 66,000 hectares of
protected forest outside.
Gunun Rinjani National Park
lies within the major transition zone(Wallaceae) where the flora and fauna of
South East Asia makes a dramatic transition into that which is typical of
Australasia. The Park has a rich variety of plants and animals, although they
can be hard to spot due to the terrain and rainforest cover.
Sometimes seen early in the
mornings is the rare black Ebony leaf monkey, known locally as Lutung.
TheLong tailed grey macaque
or Kera is common in Lombok and older males are seen on the crater rim. Rusa
deer are forest dwellers and are occasionally seen along the Rinjani trek
trail. The smaller Barking deer or Kijang has an alarm call with a distinct dog-like
bark. Look for the disturbed ground where the Wild pig or Babi hutan has been
foraging. Also found in the forest is the Leopard cat or Bodok alas, Palm civet
or Ujat and Porcupine or Landak.
A variety of colourful birds
live in the forests of the Park. Perhaps the best-known icon of the Park is the
Sulphur Crested Cockatoo that is not found any further west of Lombok. Many of
the forest-dwelling animals, insects, birds, civets and monkeys owe their
survival to the wild fig tree or Beringin as a provider of food and shelter.
The pine-like Casuarina species, Cemara, are a feature of the grassy higher
slopes. Orchids or Anggrek are also a feature of the grassland areas, as is
Edelweiss or Bunga Abadi growing above the tree line; it is a beautiful icon of
the Park and one of our best-known sub-alpine plants.
Rinjani Trek Centre: The Centre is located at the
trailhead above Senaru traditional village and Rinjani Information Centre
located at Sembalun Lawang village. They offer information and displays for
visitors on the trek, the National Park, Sasak culture and a range of
activities available in Senaru.
In 2008, the Indonesian
government proposed to UNESCO that Mount Rinjani be one of the world's official
geoparks. If this was approved by UNESCO, Mount Rinjani would become the first
such geological park in Indonesia.
This mount is a very active
volcano. The oldest recorded historical eruption was in 1847. Previous to that
this was a very remote region indeed, hence the lack of records.
There was a spate of
activity from 1994 to 1995 which resulted in the further growth of the crater
cone Gunung Baru, since renamed Gunung Barujari (Finger Mountain).
On 27 April 2009 Gunung
Barujari became active again with that activity continuing through to May 2009.
The summit ascent routes were closed at that time as the eruptions intensified
with plumes of smoke and ash as high as 8,000 m. A Volcanic Explosivity Index
(VEI):2 rating was issued for the activity between May and December 2009. The
ascent routes re-opened on September 14th 2009 but hiking routes down into the
crater lake were still deemed unsafe and remained closed.
The lower and mid levels of
the mountain are quite heavily forested. Above the tree line though the slopes
are barren and rugged scree slopes and volcanic rock. The views of the crater
lake are quite breath-taking from the caldera rim, as is the sunrise. From the
absolute peak you can see Bali to the west and Sumbawa to
the east.
The lower and middle
elevation slopes are densely forested with typical tropical species, including
species which occupy the Wallacea transitional region between the SE
Asian and Australasian flora. Fig trees are especially apparent in the lower
forests, as are the giant Syzigium Jambu, with the gnarled and
epiphyte-hung Engelhardia Bak Bakan becoming prominent in the higher
elevations. Casuarina woodland (cemara) takes over higher up and eventually
these give way to an alpine flora above the treeline.
Lombok is East of the
Wallace Line and some bird species with Australasian affinities are therefore
apparent. These include honeyeaters, cockatoos and green hanging parrots,
in addition to species whose heartland is to the West including tits, weavers
and tailor-birds. Bird life can be difficult to observe here due to the density
of the forest, though if you have patience and are practised at mimicry many
species can be tempted out from cover - if you have the time to spare and the
forebearance of your trekking partners.
The
familiar long-tailed grey macaque (the Bali temple monkey) is
common right up to the crater rim. Of much more interest is the rare ebony
leaf monkey which inhabits these forests and whose soft hooting contact
call often provides a soothing backdrop to the birdsong. Rusa
deer and muntjacs are more often heard than seen.
Rinjani is best climbed
during the April-November dry season. The trekking trails are generally closed
during the rainy season. In recent years the early months of the 'dry season'
have become more prone to rain and you should be prepared to encounter heavy
rain and low visibility with slippery tracks underfoot at any time,
particularly in the afternoon.
It gets very cold on the
mountain above 2,000 m and nears freezing at the summit. Warm clothing is an
absolute must.
Most visitors arrive via the
village of Senaru (600 m), on the northern side of the mountain and
thus closer to the main resort areas of the west coast including Sengingi .
The other possible entry point is Sembalun Lawang (1,150 m), on the
eastern side, which is closer to the summit.
Both villages are accessed
from the main north coast road.