The tent, the sleeping bag, the mattress, every meal and all the drinking water are part of the trek, and my porters carry them up. What you pack yourself is your clothing, your shoes and a daypack. Most of that you can also rent at my guesthouse in Senaru the evening before you start.
What is provided, and what you bring yourself
The camp comes with every trek. You do not bring any of it and you do not carry any of it.
Provided on every trek
- Tent. Two-person dome tents, shared with another trekker or to yourself if you are trekking Rinjani solo, depending on group size.
- Sleeping bag. Rated for mountain temperatures, which drop to 2–5°C at camp.
- Sleeping mattress. Foam pad for insulation from the ground.
- All meals. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks, freshly prepared by the team.
- Cooking gear. Stove, pots, plates, cups, cutlery.
- Drinking water. Provided throughout the trek.
You bring or rent yourself
- Clothing in layers. Base layer, fleece, windproof shell, trekking trousers, hat and gloves.
- Hiking boots or trail running shoes. Plus sandals for camp and the hot springs.
- A daypack and a headlamp. You need the headlamp for the 2am start.
- Sun protection. Sunscreen and sunglasses. Above the clouds the sun is strong.
- Personal things. Medication, toiletries, a water bottle and some rupiah in cash.
Essential clothing for the Rinjani trek
You start the first day in the heat and stand on the summit in the cold less than a day later. This is roughly what to expect:
- Trailhead (Sembalun, 1,150 m): 28–32°C. Hot and sunny in the morning
- Day 1 camp (crater rim, 2,641 m): 12–18°C during the day, 5–10°C at night
- Summit push (3,726 m, 2am start): 0–4°C, colder in the wind. Frost is common
- Descent: it warms up quickly, and by midday most people walk in a T-shirt again
So you dress in layers and take them off and put them back on several times a day.
- Base layer: a T-shirt or long-sleeve that dries fast (synthetic or merino wool)
- Mid layer: a fleece or a light insulated jacket
- Outer layer: a jacket that keeps out wind and rain
- Trekking trousers: light and quick-drying. Zip-off legs work well
- Warm hat: a beanie or buff for the summit push
- Gloves: light gloves are enough, but do bring them for the summit
- Warm socks: at least two pairs, wool or a synthetic blend
- Shorts and a T-shirt: for the warm lower sections and around camp
Footwear for Rinjani: the most important gear decision
Your shoes matter more than anything else you pack, because the last part to the summit and the way down are loose volcanic sand and scree. You can do the trek in hiking boots or in trail running shoes, and both work well.
- Hiking boots: good if you like support around your ankles. Wear them in before you arrive, not on the mountain
- Trail running shoes: a good choice too. They are light, dry quickly and grip well on the loose sand, as long as the sole is deep and rough
- Sandals or flip-flops: for camp and the hot springs
Personal items and gear to bring
Everything below goes in the daypack you carry yourself, so keep it light. I split it into what you use while walking and the small things that are easy to forget.
On your back
- Daypack: 20 to 30 litres, for your water, snacks and layers during the day
- Headlamp: you walk the first hours of the summit push in the dark. Bring spare batteries
- Water bottle: at least 1 litre. My team refills it at camp
- Phone and power bank: there is nowhere to charge on the mountain
- Dry bags or plastic bags: to keep your phone and clothes dry
Sun, skin and cash
- Sunscreen: SPF 50+. At this height you burn fast
- Sunglasses: with UV protection
- Toiletries: toothbrush, biodegradable soap, wet wipes, toilet paper
- Personal medication: painkillers, something for an upset stomach and any prescription medication
- Cash in rupiah: there is no cash machine in Senaru or Sembalun, so get money out before you come
Do I need travel insurance for Rinjani?
Yes. The park wants every foreign trekker to be insured for a helicopter evacuation. You can arrange that in one of two ways.
Your own travel insurance. This works if your policy covers trekking up to 3,726 m and a helicopter evacuation. Send it to me on WhatsApp before the trek and I arrange your permit with it. Read the small print first, because many ordinary holiday policies stop at a certain height or do not pay for a rescue by air.
The park’s premium insurance. If you have no policy, or yours does not cover this, I add the park’s premium insurance to your permit. It costs USD 18 per person, which you pay me in cash when you arrive. It covers a helicopter evacuation up to IDR 260 million, a rescue by winch included, and medical treatment up to IDR 20 million, for up to four days on the mountain.
Every park ticket already includes a basic insurance of its own. It covers small accidents and an evacuation over land, but not a helicopter, and that is why the park asks for one of the two above. Just tell me in the notes when you book which of the two you choose.
The Rinjani preparation kit
I wrote down everything I’d tell you in person: training, timing, and the summit push, hour by hour. Free.
Inside: whether you can actually do this, the month I would pick, how to train for it, and the summit push step by step.
The kit is on its way to your inbox. Sometimes it lands in spam.
Zainal, your guideTen years of walking people up this mountain, written down.
Optional extras, and what not to bring
You carry your daypack uphill for six to eight hours on the first day, so most people end up wishing they had brought less. These few extras are worth it. The rest can stay at the guesthouse.
Worth bringing
- Trekking poles: they help most on the way down, on the loose sand
- Camera: for the sunrise on the summit and the crater lake
- Earplugs: if you sleep lightly. The wind makes the tent noisy
- Snacks you like: energy bars, nuts or dried fruit. You get plenty of food, but your own favourites help on the long stretches
- Swimwear: for the hot springs on the 3-day Summit, Lake & Hot Springs trek
Leave it behind
- Jeans or cotton trousers: cotton soaks up sweat, stays wet and gets cold at night
- A heavy camera with several lenses: a phone takes good photos up there, and every extra kilo counts on the climb
- Lots of spare clothes: one set for walking and one dry set for camp is enough
- Full-size toiletry bottles: travel sizes are enough for two or three days
- Sandals as your only shoes: they are fine at camp, not on the trail
- Your big bag or suitcase: it stays at my guesthouse in Senaru while you are on the mountain, and after the trek the driver brings you past it before he drops you off
What you can rent
If you are travelling light through Southeast Asia, you do not have to bring mountain gear. You can rent it the evening before the trek, at my guesthouse or at one of the small shops next to it. These are the prices per day:
- Hiking boots: IDR 50,000 to 75,000
- Warm jacket: IDR 30,000 to 50,000
- Trekking poles: IDR 20,000 to 30,000
- Headlamp: IDR 20,000 to 30,000
- Gloves: IDR 10,000 to 15,000
That is roughly USD 1 to 5 per item per day, paid in cash where you rent it. The other costs outside the trek price are in the full cost breakdown. If you already know what you want to rent, put it in the notes when you book.
Three things that make the climb easier
When in doubt, leave it out
Everything you take, you carry uphill yourself. If you are not sure you will need something, you probably will not.
Wear your boots on the way over
They take up the most space, so wear them on the boat or in the car. Everything you do not take up the mountain stays at my guesthouse in Senaru until you are back.
Get your summit kit ready before you sleep
At the crater rim you go to bed early, because the summit push starts at 2am. Put your headlamp, warm layers and water ready beforehand, so you do not have to look for them in the dark.
"Very affordable tour cost considering everything included! Don't forget to bring cash to tip the guides and the porters, they carry up all your food/necessities for the hike!!"
Frequently asked questions
What camping gear is provided on a Rinjani trek?
All camping equipment is provided: tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, toilet tent, and all cooking equipment. You only need to bring personal clothing and gear. Meals and drinking water are also provided throughout the trek.
Do I need trekking poles for Rinjani?
Trekking poles are highly recommended, especially for the descent from the summit and the steep loose scree sections. They significantly reduce knee strain. Poles can be rented the evening before the trek, at the guesthouse where you stay or at one of the small rental shops next to it.
What should I wear for the Rinjani summit push?
The summit push begins at around 2am when temperatures are at 0–4°C. Wear a moisture-wicking base layer, a warm fleece or down mid-layer, a windproof outer jacket, hiking trousers, gloves, and a warm hat. Avoid cotton: it retains moisture. During the day, the temperature rises quickly and you will want to shed layers.
Can I trek Rinjani in trail running shoes?
Yes. Trail running shoes with a deep, rough sole work well on Rinjani, including on the loose sand and scree near the summit. Hiking boots are the other good choice if you want more support around your ankles.
Can I bring a camera on the Rinjani trek?
Yes. A camera is one of the best things you can bring. Keep it in a protective bag or case as dust and humidity can affect electronics. The summit sunrise, the crater lake, and the volcanic landscape offer spectacular photography. A phone or a compact camera is enough. Cold temperatures at the summit can drain batteries faster than usual, so keep a spare warm in your pocket.
Is it safe to drink the water on Rinjani?
No. Do not drink untreated water from streams or rivers on the mountain. All drinking water is provided by the guide team throughout the trek: bottled mineral water and hot drinks at camp. You do not need to carry water from Sembalun. Bring a reusable water bottle; the team will refill it at each camp.
Ready to pack?
Everything for camping is included and carried for you. You only bring personal gear, and most of that can be rented at the guesthouse the evening before. Pick a date and the rest follows.