Summary:
Day 3: Waterfall Trek & Highlands of Sembalun
Wake up to a leisurely breakfast at Rinjani Lodge, enjoying breathtaking views of Mount Rinjani and the lush valley below. This morning offers flexibility—if you’re interested, you can take a short visit to Senaru Traditional Village and the forest coffee gardens, where you’ll learn about local Sasak traditions and coffee cultivation.
After a relaxing start, enjoy coffee and a snack at Cafe Rinjani Dawn before departing Senaru. En route to Sajang Village, you’ll have the option to stop for a brief visit at the historic Bayan Old Mosque, one of the oldest in Lombok. The drive to Sajang Village takes approximately an hour, bringing you closer to the remote eastern slopes of Mount Rinjani.
Upon arrival, you’ll begin your trek to Mangku Sakti Waterfall. The walk takes around an hour, but if you prefer a motorbike taxi (ojek), this can be arranged to take you most of the way. Once at the waterfall, your guide will set up a picnic lunch, freshly prepared at Cafe Rinjani Dawn, allowing you to dine in a stunning riverside setting.
After lunch, you’ll have the option to explore the narrow gorge below Mangku Sakti Waterfall, a dramatic canyon carved by volcanic water flows. Some areas are safe for swimming, but swimming directly beneath Mangku Kodek Waterfall is strictly prohibited due to strong underwater currents.
Once you’ve had ample time to relax and explore, you’ll walk back to Sajang Village and continue the drive to Sembalun, a remote highland town surrounded by rolling hills and volcanic peaks. After checking into your Sembalun accommodation, you can either relax at your lodge or take a short drive to Bukit Selong, a famous viewpoint known for its patchwork farmland and spectacular sunset views.
Dinner is not included tonight, but you can choose to dine at your accommodation’s restaurant or at a small local eatery in Sembalun. While options are limited, your guide can offer recommendations.
Approximate Timeline:
- 07:30 AM – Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at Rinjani Lodge, overlooking Mount Rinjani.
- 08:30 AM – Optional visit to Senaru Traditional Village and forest coffee gardens.
- 09:30 AM – Coffee and snack at Cafe Rinjani Dawn, before departing Senaru.
- 10:00 AM – Drive towards Sajang Village, with an optional brief stop at the Bayan Beleq Mosque.
- 11:00 AM – Arrive at Sajang Village and begin the trek to Mangku Sakti Waterfall (ojek motorbike option available).
- 12:00 PM – Reach Mangku Sakti Waterfall and enjoy a picnic lunch beside the river.
- 01:00 PM – Optional exploration of the gorge below Mangku Sakti; swimming is permitted in designated areas.
- 02:30 PM – Walk back to Sajang Village and depart for Sembalun.
- 04:00 PM – Check into your accommodation in Sembalun.
- 05:30 PM – Optional drive to Bukit Selong Viewpoint for sunset views, or relax at your lodge.
- 07:00 PM – Dinner at your accommodation’s restaurant or another local eatery (not included in package).
Useful Information:
- Flexible Morning Options: The morning is relaxed, allowing you to choose whether to visit Senaru Traditional Village and the forest coffee gardens before departing. If you prefer to take it slow, you can enjoy a longer breakfast at Rinjani Lodge and soak in the mountain views.
- Optional Stop at Bayan Old Mosque: En route to Sajang Village, you may choose to stop at the Bayan Old Mosque, one of the oldest Islamic sites in Lombok. This is a short visit, ideal for those interested in local history and culture. It is a small place, and not that touristy.
- Choosing Your Trekking Option: The walk to Mangku Sakti Waterfall takes about an hour, but if you prefer, we can arrange a motorbike taxi (ojek) to take you most of the way. This option is available for those who want to minimize walking time.
- Swimming & Safety at Mangku Sakti: The gorge below Mangku Sakti Waterfall is a beautiful place to explore, and there are safe spots for swimming. However, do not swim beneath Mangku Kodek Waterfall, as the strong current is extremely dangerous. Always follow your guide’s advice regarding safe areas.
- Picnic Lunch: Your guide will carry a freshly prepared picnic lunch from Cafe Rinjani Dawn, which will be enjoyed beside the waterfall. Please inform us in advance if you have any dietary preferences.
- Optional Sunset at Bukit Selong: After checking into your Sembalun accommodation, you can choose to relax or take a short drive to the Bukit Selong viewpoint, which offers panoramic views over Sembalun’s patchwork farmland. This is a great spot for photography, especially at sunset.
- Dinner in Sembalun: Dinner is not included in the package. You can dine at your accommodation’s restaurant or explore other small eateries in Sembalun. While options are limited, your guide can provide recommendations.