Mount. Rinjani National Park - Lombok
The park covers an area of 41,330 ha on
the northern part of Lombok. Named after Indonesia’s second highest
volcanic peak outside of West Papua, the peak of Gunung Rinjani
(3,726m) dominates the landscape. Within the crater is the
spectacular Segara Anak lake and the still-active volcano Gunung
Baru (2,363m).
It is surrounded by a further 66,000 ha
of Protection Forest and covers the three administrative district of
West, East and Central Lombok. The park ecosystem is in the
transitional zone between Asia and Australia (Walaceae zone).
Average rainfall is about 3,000 mm annually.
Gunung Rinjani is rich in a variety of
flora, fauna and vegetation types. On the south western side of the
mountain is the most eastern extent of primary rainforest in Nusa
Tenggara. This gives way to monsoon forest and drier climate in the
east, and savannah in the north east. Notable flora includes the
everlasting edelweiss flower (Anaphalis viscida), tiger orchid (Vanda
sp.), alang-alang grass (Imperata cylindrica), cemara trees (Casuarina
trifolia and Casuarina ocidentale).
Mt. Rinjani, one of the over 40 National
Parks throughout Indonesia, was established in 1997. It is valued
and protected for its spiritual as well as natural values, and is
worshipped by thousands of Balinese as well as Sasak pilgrims. Hot
springs near the crater lake are sought after for their healing
powers.
Over 20 villages surround Rinjani and
there are many routes up the mountain, but the main access is from
Senaru in the north and Sembalun Lawang to the east. The challenging
three-day Rinjani Trek route from Senaru to the crater rim (Plawangan),
down to the stunning crater lake then on to Sembalun Lawang, is
considered one of the best treks in South East Asia. Those heading
for the summit usually prefer to start in Sembalun Lawang.
The village of Senaru is the main
gateway to Gunung Rinjani National Park, the most popular start
point for the three day Rinjani Trek up Indonesia’s second highest
volcanic peak (3,726m). For the people of Lombok, Sasak and Balinese
alike, the volcano is revered as a sacred place and the abode of
gods. Within the spectacular crater, the Segara Anak Lake is the
destination of many pilgrims who place offerings in the water and
bathe away disease in the nearby hot springs.
A model for ecotourism in Indonesia, the
community-based activities are focussed on the Rinjani Trek Centre
in Senaru, the most popular starting point for the tough trek.
Developed with New Zealand Government assistance since 1999, the
Rinjani Trek Centre embodies under one roof (satu atap) the unique
partnership of the National Park, tourism industry and local
communities that has been forged to manage and protect the Rinjani
mountain environment.
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