Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Mt. Rinjani Crater Rim Trek

After a few days on the beach we were ready to start exploring inland by foot. As it is the rainy season (thankfully we did not get much rain) there are very few people on the trails however a number of trails were closed due to the risk of rock slides around the volcano.  We did the Crater Rim trek which is a beautiful hike starting on the rice terraces of the lower volcano then into the coffee and coca bean plantations before heading into the park jungle (with all of its wildlife) until we reached about 2,000 m where it opened up into beautiful grasslands. From the crater rim you look down into the crater with a very large lake and the active cone with Mt. Rinjani in the background. Heading South to Kuta, Lombok for our last day/night.


Holly looking over the crater rim down to the lake and active cone on the left

Some of the grey monkeys seen on the hike up - Also saw a number of the more elusive black monkeys

Our camp on top of the crater rim (yellow tent at the top right)

Gili Islands seen to the West at sunrise

Holly enjoying a hot tea and breakfast at sunrise

Sunrise over Mt. Rinjani

Hiking down through the grasslands


Through the jungle

Our hiking team (two porters and guide) - more than we needed - they had camp chairs and even a toilet tent

Coffee berries (immature)

Cocoa pod

Terraced rice fields on the lower slopes of the mountain

Jon




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