Highlights of Lombok

📍 From Lombok International Airport in Praya (45 km): 1 hour 30 minutes Senggigi Teluk Kode speed boat harbor – Tetebatu (70 km): 2 hour 15 minutes

Upon arrival at Lombok International Airport, or the speed boat harbour, receive a warm welcome to the island of Lombok by the local guide and be transported to Tetebatu Village at the edge of the Rinjani National Park.

After checking into the hotel for the evening, dinner at the hotel and the rest of the day are at leisure. Explore independently or relax and enjoy the ambience of the hotel.

Overnight at Tetebatu.

Inclusions:

🍗 Dinner

📍 TREKKING in Tetebatu (6 km, mostly flat, good path): 2-2,5 hours Tetebatu - Loyok (15 km): 25 minutes Loyok – Rarang (10 km): 20 minutes Rarang – Kuta (50 km): 1 hours 45 minutes

Today after breakfast, begin a trek across the rice fields, plantations and fruit gardens of Tetebatu. Depending on the season, different crops are grown such as chilies, tobacco, and fruits like rambutan, jackfruit or durian and guavas. Farmers are usually busy with seeding, ploughing or harvesting and a trek through the fields and forests gives unique insight into the lifestyle of the rural community. Pass a monkey forest where, with a bit of luck, it’s possible to see monkeys jumping from tree to tree before arriving at the scenic Tibu Topat Waterfall. Enjoy the soothing waters of this gorgeous spot and be sure to snap a few photos.

Aftewards, return by car to the hotel in Tetebatu. Upon arrival, take some time to freshen up before checking out. Then, head out into the village and enjoy a nice lunch at one of the local restaurants.

In the afternoon continue to Loyok, to meet with a basket-making family for an introduction into the techniques of making bamboo thread and weaving of baskets, bags and boxes. The family is a typical example for many of Lombok’s residents stemming from diverse backgrounds all over Indonesia. Give basket-weaving a try and attempt to produce some of the different patterns that are possible under the guidance of the family.

Then continue to a village where roof tiles are produced from clay and get familiar with the different steps of producing a tile, from bringing the clay to the right consistency to cooking it in the impressive kilns that every homestead in the village has.

Continue later this afternoon to Kuta on the southern coast of Lombok. En route, stop at one of the roadside markets and taste some of the exotic  tropical fruit that can be found in Lombok.

Overnight at Kuta

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Kuta – Pink Beach (55 km): 2 hours 00 minutes Boat Ride: Pink Beach & Gili Petulu to Tanjung Luar: (total about 11 km): 3-3,5 hours [trips to Kuta Lombok] Tanjung Luar – Kuta Lombok (44 km): 1 hour 15 minutes

After breakfast, be picked up from the hotel by the guide and driver then transfer to Pink Beach on the east coast of Lombok. From here, start an exciting snorkelling excursion to  three different spots.

First, snorkel at a spot near the beach which features lots of coral in different shapes and sizes. There are blue coral, purple coral and yellow coral.

Then continue by boat to the two small islets of Gili Petelu, connected by an exotic beach. Gravel on this beach make the water very clear and perfect for discovering the underwater-world. While on one side of the islets it’s possible to encounter small reef sharks, the other side is usually swarmed by lots of colorful fish.

Continue to some of the deserted beaches around this area to enjoy a snack lunch under the shade of a tree or on the  boat or relax on the beach.

Next, sail to Tanjung Luar past a small island with a fishermen village and huge fishing nets on wooden structures built in the ocean, which are usually inhabited by sea gulls. From Tanjung Luar,  continue by car to Kuta.

En route make a brief stop at a salt panning place, where sea salt is cooked in fire and collected in conical containers almost resembling ice cream cones. Return to Kuta late in the afternoon.

The rest of the day is at leisure.

Overnight in Kuta.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Kuta – Tanjung Aan (5 km): 10 minutes Tanjung Aan - Kuta (5 km): 10 minutes Kuta – Ende (15 km): 30 minutes Ende – Sukarare (15 km): 30 minutes Sukarare – Senggigi (43 km): 1 hour 30 minutes

This morning after breakfast take a short drive to Tanjung Aan, one of the most stunning bays on Lombok’s south coast.  Go for a swim and enjoy a fresh coconut while soaking up the scenic atmosphere.

Afterwards, return to the hotel to freshen up and check-out.

Lunch is at leisure. Enjoy local cuisine at one of the warungss in Kuta, Lombok (not included).

This afternoon, set-off for a discovery of the unique Sasak culture of the people of Lombok. The Sasak people of Lombok have their unique culture which is related to the Balinese in language and ethnicity, but different in that they practice a form of Islam that’s also mixed with Hindu and animist beliefs.

The small village of Ende is well known for its  lumbungs,  unique traditional rice-barn style houses. A walk through the village provides insight into local life in Lombok and the crafts that are produced in the small hamlets. While driving through the rural areas of Lombok, see farmers at work on their rice paddies or herding cattle the same  way they have done for ages.

Continue to Sukarara. At the Patuh cooperative, the whole village is involved in producing different types of Ikat and Sarungs on a traditional loom. Cotton is grown on the plantations of Lombok, and the dye is made from natural materials. A walking tour through the village leads to many families homes where the sound of looms is omnipresent. The women of the village are known for their incredibly in-depth knowledge of fabric patterns, which is considered to be required knowledge in order for them to get married.

Enjoy a local snack and a cup of coffee at the village, then continue to Senggigi.

Overnight at Senggigi.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 Senggigi – Keboen Market (17 km): 33 minutes Keboen Market – Lingsar Temple (12 km): 26 minutes Lingsar Temple – Narmada Park (5 km): 10 minutes Narmada Park – lunch restaurant (7 km): 20 minutes lunch restaurant - West Nusa Tenggara Museum (7 km): 20 minutes West Nusa Tenggara Museum – Mayura Palace (7 km): 18 minutes Mayura Palace - Senggigi (22 km): 44 minutes

The ethnic and religious diversity of the island and its population consisting of Sasak people, Balinese Hindus, and other ethnicities from further west and east in Indonesia becomes visible on a tour through the most interesting places and sites around the bustling yet relaxed capital city Mataram.

Visit the bustling Kebon Roek Market where, during the busy morning hours, locals are immersed in the daily activities of trading goods such as vegetables, spices, fish and meats as well as tobacco and other agricultural goods. This market is where all communities blend together. Continue to Lingsar Temple in the outskirts of Mataram to discover a fascinating syncretism between Balinese Hinduism and Lombok’s mystical take on Islam, the so called Waktu Telu. Built in 1714 by King Anak Agung Ngurah, the beautiful complex is nestled among rice fields and hosts different shrines with locational relationships to both the islands’ holy mountains.

Nearby Pura Agung Narmada has been built as the summer palace of King of Mataram in 1805. When he was no longer able to climb the mighty Mount Rinjani to make offerings in the crater-lake Segara Anak, he built the palace as replica of the volcano and its lake. Narmada Palace and Park invite for a stroll through lush gardens that also host a swimming pool fed by natural holy springs.

Lunch is served at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, visit West Nusa Tenggara Museum which hosts various historical items and artefacts found in Lombok and Sumbawa Island. With its small but comprehensive collections on the geology, flora, fauna, archeology, ethnography, history and crafts of the region, it gives a good overview of this part of Eastern Indonesia.

Visit Mayura Water Palace with its “floating pavilion” built in the middle of an artificial lake surrounded by mangosteen trees. It is part of the former kingdom of Karangasem in East Bali and was built in 1744. It combines both Hindu and Islamic architectural features and is quite a sight to behold.

Overnight in Senggigi.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Senggigi – Teluk Nare (19 km): 30 minutes Teluk Nare – Gili Meno BY BOAT (6,6 km): 30 minutes Gili Meno – Gili Air BY BOAT (5,7km): 25 minutes Gili Air – Teluk Nara BY BOAT (5,23 km): 20 minutes Teluk Nara – Malimbu Hill (9 km): 15 minutes Malimbu Hill – Senggigi (12.5km): 22 minutes

After breakfast in the morning, meet with the guide and driver and receive a transfer to Teluk Nara. There, hop on a speedboat andhead out to experience the intense tropical beauty of the Gili Islands.

The quieter of these islands, Gili Meno, not only has gorgeous and secluded white sand beaches, but also crystal-clear water perfect for snorkelling. Take some time to absorb this picturesque scenery.

Then, continue to the western shore of the island, which has some of the best snorkeling in the Gilis. There is impressive coral gardens accessible right from the white sand beach and also by boat. With a bit of luck, sea turtles can be seen at this spot as well.

At noon, continue by boat to Gili Air, where lunch is served at a relaxed beach-front eatery with a strip of white sand beach and the beautiful blue ocean just in front. Relax on the beach, where a daybed with umbrella will be reserved. Spend the afternoon chilling out and dip into the clear water for a swim.

In the afternoon, get on board the boat and cruise back to Teluk Nara. From here, continue by car to the hotel in Lombok. On the way, stop at Malimbu Hill to enjoy the spectacular views over the region. With a bit of luck, it’s possible to spot wild monkeys in this area as well.  From here, continue by car back to the hotel in Senggigi.

Overnight in Senggigi.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Senggigi - Lombok Airport (50 km): 2 hours Senggigi - Teluk Kode speed boat harbor (17 km): 45 minutes

Today is free at leisure until check-out and departure time according to onwards travel arrangements.

Recommended flights (not included):

Departure on Silk Air: Wed & Fri: MI 123 LOP 11:20 – SIN 13:45, Sun: LOP 19:25 – SIN 22:15

Departure on GA7049 LOP 06:15 – DPS 07:10 (daily), GA 451 LOP 13:05 – DPS 14:00 (daily), GA 437 LOP 17:25 – 18:15

Recommended Speedboat Connections from Bali (not included):

From Teluk Kode at 11:30, arriving in Padangbai at 13:00 / Serangan at 14:00

From Teluk Kode at 10:15 / 15:15, arriving in Padangbai at 12:00 / 17:00 (depending on seasonality)

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast