Sembalun Village is a beautiful highland village in northeast Lombok, cradled in a valley of rolling savannah hills at around 1,150 metres. Cool, green and ringed by mountains, it’s best known as the main gateway for treks up Mount Rinjani, Indonesia’s second-highest volcano. Beyond trekking, it’s a peaceful escape of strawberry and garlic farms, fresh mountain air and warm Sasak hospitality.
Sembalun as the Rinjani Trekking Gateway
Most Rinjani treks begin here. From Sembalun Lawang, the trail climbs gradually through open savannah grassland and rolling hills, with sweeping views of the valley below. It’s the preferred starting point for reaching the crater rim and the summit, rewarded with spectacular views over Segara Anak Lake and the peak itself. See our Mount Rinjani trekking options to plan a climb.
The trail begins at around 1,150m and climbs gradually through savannah grassland and rolling hills, passing forests, meadows and viewpoints such as “Pos 3 Pada Balong.” From Sembalun Lawang it usually takes around 7–8 hours to reach the crater rim at about 2,639m, depending on fitness, weather and pace. The rim is a popular spot to camp overnight and watch the sunrise before descending.
Things to Do in Sembalun
Even without summiting, Sembalun rewards a visit. Take gentle hikes to viewpoints and smaller hills like Bukit Selong for the famous patchwork-field views. Visit local farms, traditional villages and waterfalls. The cool climate makes it a refreshing contrast to the coast. Explore more of the island on our Lombok destination page.
Browse our Rinjani treks and Lombok tours below, or message us on WhatsApp and we’ll help you plan.
