North Lombok
Indonesia · Asia
About North Lombok
North Lombok is a region of Lombok, Indonesia
North Lombok travel guide
Understand
North Lombok is dominated by the 3,726 m Mount Rinjani, an active stratovolcano. Rinjani is also the second highest volcano in Indonesia, second only to Mount Kerinci on Sumatra and is Indonesia's third highest peak. The volcano last erupted at the Barujari site in May 2010 with active lava flows and ash projected high into the sky with ash plumes rising to an altitude of 5.5 km. Within its 50 square kilometre caldera sits the crater lake Segara Anak (Child of the Sea). Eruptions within the caldera have formed a small cone called Gunung Baru (New Mountain). The Rinjani mountain and its surrounding slopes form the Mount Rinjani National Park (Taman Nasional Gunung Rinjani). The park is made up of 41,000 hectares within the park boundaries and a further 66,000 hectares of protected forest outside. In 2008, the Indonesian government proposed to UNESCO that Mount Rinjani be one of the world's official geoparks. If this is approved by UNESCO, Mount Rinjani will become the first such geological park in Indonesia. The highlands are forest clad and mostly undeveloped. The lowlands are highly cultivated. Rice, soybeans, coffee, tobacco, cotton, cinnamon, cacao, cloves, cassava, corn, coconuts, copra, bananas and vanilla are the major crops grown in the fertile soils of the island. The slopes are populated by the indigenous Sasak population. There are also some basic tourist related activities established on Rinjani primarily in or about the village of Senaru. Gunung Rinjani Observation Post Rinjani Sembalun is located in the village of Lawang, Sub Sembalun 12.5 km (4000 feet) northeast of G. Rinjani) in the District of East Lombok. Observers at this post monitor G.Rinjani, G.Barujari/G.Tenga within the Segara Anak Caldera. The northern part of Lombok has deep traditions and still holds a repository of original Sasak beliefs and customs. The Waktu Telu people still have a strong presence in the north. Waktu Telu ("Three Prayers"), as the name suggests pray only three times da
Getting there
Public buses and bemo run to and from the west coast and the city of Mataram. northward via Tanjung to access Bayan. Similar services are available to connect through to the north of the island via Pusuk pass and on to Pemenang near the small Bangsal harbour that serves as the primary access point from Gili Islands. The northern hub for buses and bemo is in nearby Tanjung. Airport taxis and other Lombok Taxi services such as Bluebird and Express travel into North Lombok and are available to arriving passengers at the airport. All taxis are clearly marked and use a meter, the charge is determined by both time and distance. A Rp 17,500 airport taxi surcharge is payable when departing the airport in a taxi. Coupons are available at the Taxi Service counter immediately outside the airport terminal doors. Private cars can be rented with or without a driver to access this region. Motorbikes are also a popular means of transport for visitors.
Getting around
Rent a car Rent a motor bike It may be easier to seek a rental car or motorbike in Senggigi or Mangsit to the south as there are more suppliers based there. Please see the main Lombok article article for more detailed information on driving in Lombok and ensure you obtain and use a helmet when riding a motor bike. Metered taxis normally operate in the northern areas of Lombok however they will be hard to find in the more remote areas. Bookings can be made in advance by calling their radio dispatch service. Bluebird * Lombok Taksi, ☏ +62 370 627000. 24hr service. Express * Express Taksi, ☏ +62 370 635968. 24 hr service.
See
Mount Rinjani is one of the largest mountains in Indonesia. On a clear day you can see breathtaking views from the summit. There is a crater lake, Segara Anak and a natural hot spring there. Gunung Baru in the caldera lake of Mount Rinjani Desa Beloq, traditional North Lombok Sasak village, very traditional and non-touristic, best to have a skilled and knowledgeable local guide accompany you, nice walk to nearby waterfall Senaru's waterfalls: Air Terjun Sindang gila, Air Terjun Tiu Kelep, and Air Terjun Betara Lenjang
Do
Visit the waterfalls of north Lombok: Tiu Tega waterfall Sindang Gila waterfall and Tiu Kelep waterfall at Senaru Jeruk Manis waterfall.
Buy
In and around Sembalun Lawang and in Bayan you can purchase unique and high-quality hand-woven cloth.
Eat
The area has quite limited facilities catering to tourists and those are centred about Senaru and Sembalun and Tetebatu to the immediate south. Senaru has a few restaurants and cafes attached to the lodges and small hotels in and near the village. Nearby Tanjung township in West Lombok has plently of warungs and small local eating houses serving local traditional food. Also in nearby Tanjung are the upmarket Oberoi Lombok Resort, Tugu Resort, the new Lombok Lodge and the nearby medium priced Medana Resort, all have restaurants and cafes that provide food and drinks with western oriented menus and prices. Otherwise the region does not support tourism oriented dining and a trip to Gili islands or further south to the Senggigi region may be required.
Drink & nightlife
There are few licensed premises such as hotels and some restaurants that serve alcohol in the north Lombok region. The north of Lombok is a quiet and often conservative area. Please respect local sensibilities by avoiding drinking openly in public whilst in Lombok especially in the north unless actually inside a tourist oriented establishment that serves alcoholic drinks. Local coffee, tea, fruit juices, coconut juice and softdrinks (sodas) are normally readily available.
Go next
Gili Islands a short distance off the west coast near Bangsal and Tanjung South Lombok, Kuta, Tanjung A'an and the many remote surf beaches, Sekotong and Gili Gede in the southwest corner of the island Central and East Lombok, traditional weaving, rice padi walks and forests on the slopes of Rinjani, Tetebatu on the southern slopes of Rinjani West Lombok, Senggigi, Sire Beach with its 18-hole golf course and at Medana bay in Tanjung a boating marina Bali Sumbawa Java Singapore Kuala Lumpur
Overview adapted from Wikipedia, travel guide fromWikivoyage (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.