Our 30-day Indonesia itinerary started in the island of Java, finishing up in Lombok. And what a place to end an epic Indonesian adventure.
This Lombok travel guide highlights the very best Lombok attractions, places we’ve personally explored and loved, and we cannot wait to tell you all about it.
Discover the allure of Lombok, a paradise with mountain hikes, pristine beaches, and tropical islands, all less crowded than Bali!
After reading this guide and learning about the incredible experiences Lombok offers, trust us you’ll be eager to book your flights to this stunning Indonesia island.
Lombok Things To Do- Top 7 Lombok Attractions
Let’s kick this Lombok travel guide off and get straight into the top Lombok attractions so you can start getting excited about your Lombok Holiday.
1. Lombok Things To Do: Hike Mount Rinjani
First up on our Lombok things to do is hike Mount Rinjani. Mount Rinjani is an active volcano and the second-highest mountain in Indonesia.
Don’t worry, if hiking is not for you it gets easier after this first recommendation!
Known for its challenging trek, a stunning crater lake (Segara Anak), and cultural significance to the local Sasak people – a place where they believe their ancestors reside.
Can you hike Mount Rinjani independently?
Climbing Mount Rinjani independently is not recommended. The trek to the summit of Mount Rinjani is challenging, and there are several reasons why it’s advisable to go with a guided tour, for example, the trail to the summit can be difficult to navigate, and it an active volcano after all!
Most people book the 2 days/one night trek for the opportunity to experience the magnificent sunset and sunrise views on this majestic mountain, however if you are stuck for time or for a more budget friendly option you can do this trek in one day.
Question: Do you know what is Indonesia’s highest mountain? (find out the answer at the bottom of the article)
2. Lombok Things To Do: Sendang Gile and Tiu Kelep Waterfalls
Next up on our Lombok travel guide is a visit to the most beautiful waterfalls in Lombok. You can’t not visit a waterfall during your Lombok holiday right?!
While in the region of North Lombok there is still more to experience than Mount Rinjani.
Now that you have recovered from the Mount Rinjani hike, let’s take on a MUCH easier walk to see two of the most stunning waterfalls hidden amongst beautiful tropical surroundings.
Sendang Gile and Tiu Kelep, both standing at over 30 feet high, are just two examples of Indonesia’s natural beauty. The walk through the topical lush landscape is an activity worth doing in itself, read more about the trek– the two magical waterfalls are a bonus!
These waterfalls were spectacular BUT check out our favourite Indonesian waterfall.
Where is the entrance and what is the fee?
When visiting these Lombok waterfalls we would recommend entering and exiting through Sendang Gate 1 for an easier walk.
The entrance fee is 20,000 IDR/1.20 Euro per person.
After only 10mins walk you will come across Sendang Giles waterfall (walk through it to get blessed!) Lots of people only visit this waterfall BUT make sure to continue on to the second waterfall – Tiu Kelep. Walk for approximately 30mins (depending on your fitness level) to Tiu Kelep waterfall.
*Wear shoes you don’t mind getting wet as you will have to walk through shallow water for some parts.
Arrive before 10am to avoid the crowds. It gets really busy after this time.
It is possible to go tubing here. This will cost 100k/€5.90 PP – Although when they saw we weren’t interested they offered 100k for both of us. It was still a hard no from us, as it is a tubing experience through a dark tunnel for 5 – 6 minutes….. No thanks!
3. Lombok Things To Do: Bukit Selong Viewpoint
Bukit Selong is not mentioned on most of “Lombok Top Things to do” lists so this is a Lombok travel top tip for you and a Lombok hidden gem. You’re welcome!
Bukit Selong, or, Selong Hill is a small rice field viewpoint overlooking a carpet of fields and paddies in Sembalun, East Lombok.
From the top of Selong Hill, you can also see the entire town of Sembalun which we felt looked like an “Indonesian Florence” with the striking view of the multitude of Mosques against the village below.
Bukit Selong viewpoint is one of the best things to do in Lombok if you’re looking for a great sunset or sunrise viewpoint without much of a hike involved.
Prepare yourself with everything you need to know for your Indonesia holiday.
Where is Bukit Selong viewpoint located?
The easiest way to find Bukit Selong Viewpoint is to use Google Maps, which will direct you all the way to the viewpoint.
However, here are some general directions if you get lost:
From the Rinjani National Park Office, follow the main road south and turn left just after “Putra Sembalun Homestay”. Keep walking until you cross a small bridge over a river and through the bamboo forest until you arrive at a small village.
From here, you can already see some of the rice fields, Bukit Selong viewpoint is the small hill just forward from the village.
There are two viewpoints that overlook the rice fields – Tangkok Hill Sembalun (see map above) is at a lower level with just as great views (this is the one we went to!) and the other, Bukit Selong, is further up the hill where you’ll see a handcrafted wooden star on bamboo stilts that makes for a great photo.
4. Lombok Things To Do: Visit the Gili Islands
Did you know that Lombok is the closest major island to the Gili Islands. The Gili Islands are a group of three small islands located off the northwest coast of Lombok.
If you really want to make the most of your perfect Lombok holiday, why not throw in some paradise tropical islands in the mix?!
For all the information you need about the Gili Islands see the post below. You will also find our review of each individual Gili island on our socials.
Travelers typically take boats or fast ferries from various points along the coast of Lombok, such as Bangsal Harbor in the north or Teluk Nare in the west, to reach the Gili Islands.
The relatively short distance between Lombok and the Gili Islands makes the journey quick and easy – usually between 15-20 minutes depending on which island you are visiting.
We travelled from Gili Meno to Bangsal Harbour on a local boat at the cost of only 21k IDR/1.25 Euro per person. This price will vary again depending on the which Gili Island you are visiting.
Check out the video to see how we got on travelling from the Gili islands to Lombok.
5. Lombok Things To Do: Take a Lombok Road-Trip
Roads in Lombok are in excellent condition and basically brand new all the way around the island.
So why not hit the road )so to speak) and experience all the Lombok viewpoints, secluded Lombok beaches and tropical forests for yourself at your own pace. It doesn’t get better than this and there’s no better way to truly delve into and get to know the island fully during your Lombok holiday.
During our visit to Lombok we rented a scooter for 4 days. This will cost you between 70-80k IDR/4-5 Euro per day. We based ourselves in Senggigi venturing on a day trip to Kuta and Bukit Merese.
Also, we took a longer Lombok road trip which included an over night stay in North/East Lombok to visit Sendang Giles and Tiu Kelep waterfalls and Bukit Selong viewpoint.
The waterfalls and viewpoints were the main Lombok attractions, however, there was so much more to explore around Lombok. With such a stunning, rugged island soaked in natural beauty, we found ourselves stopping off on so many occasions for photos or simply just to take it all in.
During our Lombok road trip we stopped off in local villages, ate in local restaurants and shopped in local shops – the time and freedom of having our own transport is unbeatable.
If you don’t drive a scooter yourself we witnessed plenty of people who hired a Lombok local to drive them around the island on a scooter so don’t worry you still get the Lombok road trip experience.
Or simply get your fully customizable day tour here.
For more information on an even lesser visiting Indonesian island that is absolutely packed with adventure check out our Java Itinerary.
6. Lombok Things To Do: Kuta
Kuta in Lombok is a must-visit for its stunning beaches like Selong Belanak and Tanjung Aan, excellent surfing spots at Gerupuk Bay. Kuta is one of the most visited towns in Lombok.
Kuta offers plenty of accommodation, restaurants/bars, laid-back vibe, and a range of outdoor activities, providing the perfect mix of relaxation and adventure.
Why not include Lombok travel in an ultimate 2-week Indonesia itinerary?
7. Lombok Things To Do: Bukit Merese
Lastly on our Lombok travel guide of 7 best Lombok things to do is Bukit Merese.
Bukit Merese, located near Kuta, is a picturesque hill offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes, stunning beaches, and the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean.
Trust us you will be awe struck by the beauty of this place. It was a cloudy, rainy day when we visited and we were still taken aback by the natural beauty so we can only imagine how stunning it is on a clear sunny day.
Asides from the breath-taking beauty, you can also engage in activities like paragliding or hiking to make the most of this scenic spot.
Bukit Merese is an amazing spot to enjoy a picnic and watch the sunset during your Lombok holiday. You can bring your own food or purchase snacks from the various vendors present in the parking lot – just remember to clean up after yourself and put your rubbish in the bins provided.
What is the fee for Bukit Merese?
There is not an “official” fee but you can see it more as a parking fee of 10,000 IDR/60cent. This covers entry To Tanjung Aan Beach and Bukit Merese Hill. Yes, you can gain access to paradise views for just a parking fee!
Answer: The highest mountain in Indonesia is Puncak Jaya, also known as Carstensz Pyramid. It is located in the Sudirman Range of the Papua Province, on the island of New Guinea.
Enjoy Your Lombok Travel!
Most people flock to the popular island of Bali for their Indonesia experience, however, we hope we have convinced you to take a trip to this less visited island of Indonesia.
Lombok now holds a special place in our hearts and we truly feel it has something to offer every type of travellers with it’s perfect balance of relaxation, activities and nature.
What do you think of our Lombok travel guide? Have you visited any of these Lombok things to do or even more importantly, are we missing any other best things to do in Lombok?
Please feel free to leave us a message below or contact us through our socials.
We hope you love it as much as we do and we would love to hear your thoughts.
Slán go fóil
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