What is provided on a Rinjani trek
Every trek package includes the following equipment. You do not need to bring or buy any of this.
- Tent — two-person dome tents, shared or solo depending on group size
- Sleeping bag — rated for mountain temperatures (drops 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
Porters carry all camp equipment, food, and water. You only carry your personal daypack.
Essential clothing for the Rinjani trek
Temperatures vary dramatically across the trek. Plan your layers around this:
- Trailhead (Sembalun, 1,150m) — 28–32°C. Hot, sunny, humid in the morning
- Day 1 camp (crater rim, 2,641m) — 12–18°C during the day, drops to 5–10°C at night
- Summit push (3,726m, 2am start) — 0–4°C with wind chill. Below freezing is common
- Descent back to trailhead — warms up fast. You will be in a T-shirt by midday
Layer everything — you will shed and add layers multiple times each day.
- Base layer — moisture-wicking T-shirt or long-sleeve (synthetic or merino wool)
- Mid layer — fleece jacket or lightweight insulated jacket
- Outer layer — waterproof/windproof rain jacket
- Trekking trousers — lightweight, quick-dry. Zip-off legs work well
- Warm hat — beanie or buff for the summit push (pre-dawn, below freezing)
- Gloves — lightweight gloves for the summit. Cold hands slow you down
- Warm socks — at least two pairs. Wool or synthetic blend
- Shorts and T-shirt — for the hot lower sections and around camp
Footwear for Rinjani — the most important gear decision
This matters more than anything else you pack.
- Hiking boots — ankle support is critical. The volcanic scree is loose and steep. Break them in before you arrive
- Sandals or flip-flops — for camp and the hot springs
Do not attempt the trek in trainers or running shoes. The terrain is too loose and too steep.
Personal items and gear to bring
- Daypack — 20 to 30 litres. Carries your water, snacks, and layers during the day
- Headlamp — essential for the 2am summit push. Bring spare batteries
- Sunscreen — SPF 50+. The sun at altitude burns fast
- Sunglasses — UV protection. The glare above the clouds is intense
- Water bottle — 1 litre minimum, refillable
- Toiletries — toothbrush, biodegradable soap, wet wipes, toilet paper
- Personal medication — painkillers, anti-diarrhea tablets, any prescription medication
- Cash — small amounts of Indonesian Rupiah for tips and any extras
- Phone and power bank — no charging points on the mountain
- Dry bags or plastic bags — to keep electronics and clothes dry
Do I need travel insurance for Rinjani?
Yes — and Zainal's trekking insurance is not enough on its own.
The package includes basic trekking insurance, but it does not cover helicopter evacuation. If something goes seriously wrong at 3,726 metres — altitude sickness, a broken ankle, a cardiac event — getting you off the mountain requires a helicopter. That costs between $5,000 and $15,000.
World Nomads covers helicopter evacuation, emergency medical treatment, trip cancellation, and gear theft. It's what most experienced trekkers use for Southeast Asia.
Optional extras
- Trekking poles — useful for the descent, especially on loose scree
- Camera — the sunrise from the summit is worth carrying the weight
- Earplugs — if you are a light sleeper. Wind and tent fabric are noisy
- Snacks from home — energy bars, nuts, dried fruit. The team provides food, but personal favourites help
- Swimwear — for the hot springs on 3-day treks
What not to bring on a Rinjani trek
Most people overpack. Everything you carry, you carry uphill for 6–8 hours. Leave these behind:
- Jeans or cotton trousers — cotton absorbs sweat, stays wet, and gets cold. Genuinely dangerous at altitude
- Heavy DSLR camera with multiple lenses — your phone is fine. A heavy camera becomes a burden after hour three
- More than two full changes of clothes — you are camping two or three nights, not staying at a hotel. One set for trekking, one for camp is enough
- Full-size toiletry bottles — bring travel-size only. Weight adds up fast
- Sandals as your only footwear — some trekkers try this. It does not work on volcanic scree
- A large suitcase-style bag — bring a daypack for the trail. Leave your main luggage at the guesthouse in Sembalun
What you can rent
Gear rental is available in Sembalun before you start. Useful if you are travelling light through Southeast Asia and do not want to carry mountain gear across multiple countries.
- Hiking boots
- Warm jackets
- Gloves
- Headlamps
- Trekking poles
Prices are reasonable. Contact the team for the current rental list and costs.
Tips
Pack light. Everything you carry, you carry uphill. Most trekkers overpack. If you are unsure whether you need something, you probably do not.
Wear your hiking boots on the flight or bus. They are the bulkiest item. Leave extra luggage at the hotel in Sembalun — it is safe and waiting for you when you return.
Cotton kills comfort. It absorbs sweat, stays wet, and gets cold. Stick to synthetic or wool layers.
The summit push starts at 2am. Have your headlamp, warm layers, and water ready the night before. You will not want to search for anything in the dark.
Ready to pack?
Questions about gear? Not sure whether to buy or rent? Message Zainal's team. They answer fast and honestly.