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Chinese If Bali has crowds, Lombok gives you raw stuff where you can see a smoking volcano crater, waterfalls that thunder straight out of the jungle, and three tiny islands where the loudest sound most nights is the tide. If you want an Indonesian trip that swings between genuine alpine adventure and total tropical vibes, this Lombok and Gili Islands itinerary has it all.
This 10-day itinerary will bring you from up to down without missing anything from Lombok. You'll fly into the north, spend a couple of days acclimatizing at the base of the mountain, then take on the main event: a multi-day trek up Mount Rinjani, Indonesia's second-highest volcano. From there, you'll drop straight down into recovery mode on the Gili Islands, before finishing along the surf coast of South Lombok and flying home relaxed instead of rushed. Mount Rinjani sits at the centre of this trip for a reason, from preparation until the reward throughout the journey.
Why 10 Days Is the Ideal Length for a Lombok Trip?
Ten days is the ideal length for a Lombok trip because the island's highlights are spread far enough apart that rushing between them would cost you the experience itself. Senaru and Sembalun in North Lombok sit at the base of Mount Rinjani. While the Gili Islands are a short boat ride from the northwest coast, and the beaches of South Lombok are a 2- to 3-hour drive from either. Trying to visit all three in a week typically means sacrificing the trek, the beach time, or your own peace of mind.
That is why this Lombok and Gili Islands itinerary is proper for you to have activities in each day: Two days to settle in and acclimatize before the climb. Three days for the Rinjani trek itself. Two to three days to recover afterwards in the Gilis. And a final few days on the south coast before flying out. The result is a trip that lets you feel the contrast between mountain and sea, without ever feeling like you're sprinting through a checklist.
What to Pack for the Full Itinerary
This trip swings between high-altitude trekking, jungle waterfalls, and beach or surf days, so your packing list needs to cover more ground than a typical island holiday. A little planning here means you won't be scrambling to buy gear last-minute in Senaru or improvising with beachwear halfway up a volcano.
Trekking gear: Sturdy hiking boots, sweat-wicking layers, a warm jacket or fleece for the last few steps up in the cold, gloves, a headlamp, and a water bottle that can be used more than once.
Beach and island essentials: Swimsuits, reef-safe sunscreen, rash guard or cover-up, and a waterproof dry bag to protect your phone and other items on the Gili boats or at the waterfalls.
Weather protection: A light rain jacket in case it rains unexpectedly on the mountains or in the rainforests of North Lombok.
Practical extras: a basic first-aid kit, cash (many shops and guesthouses on the Gilis only take cash) and a portable power bank. Charging may be unreliable at higher altitudes.
Documents: ID or a passport, details of your travel insurance and any permits you have already organised if you are trekking on your own and not with a guide.
Packing smart for both extremes of this trip means you're ready for Rinjani's cold summit push in the morning and a swim in the Gilis a few days later, without overpacking or leaving anything essential behind.
The First 2 days You’ll Spend in Lombok
Your Lombok and Gili Islands itinerary begins the moment you land at Lombok International Airport (LOP) and head north to Senaru, the traditional gateway village for Mount Rinjani. These first two days are designed to ease you in, letting your body acclimatize to the elevation while you explore Senaru's waterfalls and traditional Sasak culture before the trek begins.
Day 1 – Arrival and acclimatization: Travel three to four hours by car from LOP straight to Senaru. Settle into your guesthouse and treat the day as rest time, letting your body adjust to Senaru's higher elevation and cooler temperatures ahead of the climb.
Day 2 (Waterfalls and light trekking): Warm up your legs without overdoing it with a visit to Tiu Kelep and Sendang Gile. Trek through rainforest and cross the river to reach Tiu Kelep, a wide waterfall with a nearby swimming spot, while Sendang Gile is reached with just a short walk from the village. The moderate hiking time doubles as good preparation for the multi-day Rinjani trek ahead.
Day 2 (Evening Sasak village visit): Wrap up the day with a stop at a traditional Sasak village, marked by thatched-roof houses and centuries-old customs, offering a glimpse of Lombok's native culture distinct from Bali's Hindu-influenced traditions.
To close out the first two days, eat well, stay hydrated, and sort out your gear before settling in for the night. Rest up, because the Rinjani trek begins the next morning.
Rinjani Summit for Days 3 to 5
This is the main event of the whole trip: A trip to conquer Mount Rinjani. Mount Rinjani is the second-highest volcano in Indonesia, and the standard 3D2N trek is ideal for many travellers. It is long enough to reach the crater rim, and the lake lies below it, but it is enough to fit into a broad itinerary without interfering with everything else on the schedule.
Read the following details of each day's activities throughout the Rinjani summit:
Day 1: Ascending through the rainforest to the crater rim Depart from Senaru through dense forest, climbing past the tree line into open, savannah-like ridgelines. It's the toughest, longest ascent of the trek, ending at the crater-rim campsite with sweeping views into the caldera and Segara Anak Lake's turquoise waters below — a rewarding checkpoint after a hard day's climb.
Day 2: Sunrise summit push or descent to Segara Anak Lake and hot springs Summit-bound trekkers start pre-dawn, tackling steep, cold, gravel-strewn terrain to reach Rinjani's peak at 3,726 masl. Those skipping the summit descend into the caldera instead, ending the day with a well-earned soak in the hot springs beside Segara Anak Lake.
Day 3: Final descent back to basecamp Retrace the route down through the forest to Senaru (or exit via Sembalun), finishing with a hot shower, a real bed, and the satisfaction of completing the trek.
Rinjani is not a trek to take lightly, which is why booking with an experienced, licenced operator matters. The 3 Days 2 Nights trek from Rinjani Trekking Center offers certified guides, porters, safety equipment, and pre-arranged permits, giving you a safe and unforgettable experience on your Lombok and Gili Islands itinerary.
Few Days on Gilis Hopping after Rinjani Trek
After being at high altitude for three days, your body is demanding one thing: relax by the beach. Lucky for you, Lombok has the Gili Islands. The Gilis offer an experience that most places in Indonesia find hard to compete with. Once you’re sliding to the island, three choices await:
Gili Trawangan: The largest and liveliest, it has the best snorkeling access, vibrant beach bars, and a very energetic vibe that feels like rewarding you after conquering Mount Rinjani.
Gili Meno: The quietest, it is a popular choice for couples to retreat and enjoy turtle-spotting over the hammocks rather than nightlife.
Gili Air: The most connected to local life, it is where you can feel to live in a fishing village with a walkable ring road, laid-back cafes, and proper infrastructure without putting aside the local culture.
The Gilis have no cars or motorbikes, just bicycles and horse-drawn carts, part of why they feel like such a retreat after Rinjani's intensity. Spend your two days snorkeling over coral gardens and sea turtles, lounging on a hammock, or a mix of both. This is the recovery half of your Lombok and Gili Islands itinerary, and it earns its slower pace.
The Last 3 days in Southern Lombok Coastline
The final trip is heading south as you’re coming to Kuta Lombok after snorkeling in the turquoise water of the Gilis. Kuta Lombok is a surf paradise, surrounded by limestone hills and quite white sand bays. It gives you a feeling like you’re stepping into the Southern Hemisphere rather than Southeast Asia.
Kuta Lombok: Base yourself in this laid-back surf town, surrounded by limestone hills and white sand bays, with plenty of cafés and guesthouses to unwind in between beach days.
Bukit Merese: Catch sunset at one of the island's most beautiful viewpoints, a grassy hilltop overlooking the coastline that turns gold in the late afternoon light.
Tanjung Aan: Spend a day on soft, sugar-textured sand split into two curved bays by a small cape.
Selong Belanak: Try surfing at this wide, gentle-sloped bay, one of Lombok's best beginner surf spots, with several surf schools available right on the beach.
South Lombok closes out your itinerary with slow mornings, tasty seafood, and sunset views, before a convenient one-hour drive to Lombok International Airport (LOP) for your flight home.
How to reach Gili Islands after the Trek?
After days of hiking through jungle, along ridges and to the top of Rinjani, the trek finishes either in Senaru or Sembalun (depending on the route you took). From there you can easily reach the Gili Islands. After your time in Lombok and the Gili Islands, there are two main options for continuing your trip and starting your recovery leg.
Overland to Bangsal Harbour: The most common route, travelling by car or shuttle to Bangsal Harbour, the main departure point for public boats sailing to the Gili Islands.
Private speedboat transfer: Arranged directly from your trek's finish point, this option is worth every penny after multiple days of trekking, cutting hours off your journey and letting you skip the queues for public boats.
Best Time to Plan Your Lombok and Gili Islands Itinerary
The best time to plan the Lombok and Gili Islands itinerary is during the dry season, as the Rinjani trekking trail is officially open for trekkers. It closes during the wet season, when conditions become too dangerous for trekking.
Dry season (April–November): The trail is open, making this the ideal window for the entire itinerary, as you can have the trek with clear skies.
Peak season (June–August): The most reliable stretch for a summit push, with clear weather, though trails are busiest during these months.
If you want to go to Lombok and the Gili Islands during this time, you should change your plans and go when it's dry, when the trail is open and safe.
Ready to Explore Lombok with Rinjani Trekking Center?
Ten days marked by one volcano, three islands, and various coastlines built to watch sunsets. That is how you make your Lombok and Gili Islands itinerary memorable. The hardest part is not the planning, but the climb to Rinjani. Luckily, you don’t have to figure it out alone.
Rinjani Trekking Center is here to help you from the beginning to the end of your journey. Have a look at our full-board Rinjani trekking packages and private customised tours. Easy preparation to conquer Mount Rinjani in the Lombok and Gili Islands itinerary. Our professional team will take care of the guides, permits, and logistics for your requirements.