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Mount Rinjani National Park,
Lombok island
Historically and
culturally , Gunung Rinjani ( Gunung is bahasa Indonesia for
mountain ). Has important significance to both Sasak and Balinese,
Muslim and Hindu alike, and is considered a Home of the Gods.
Pilgrimages are made to the mountain, offering placed , and many
people visit the volcano to pray and bathe in the pools and hot
springs, which are said to have healing powers. Each year, around
full the moon in October or November, a sacred pilgrimage called "
Pekelem " takes place, when gold and other gifts are thrown into
the lake near the summit as offering to the Gods.
Nearby Senaru, the gateway to the Rinjani National Park, is a
pretty village set in lovely scenery with fantastic views of the
volcanic mountain range. The Rinjani National Park is nature
reserve of 41.330 hectares surrounding the volcano that provides
many opportunities for eco-tourism. The whole area is a
picturesque haven, featuring magnificent waterfalls, lush and
accessible jungle trekking, traditional villages, and plantations
of tobacco and cashew nut , grown alongside verdant rice terraces.
Senaru is the usual starting point for climbing Lombok famous
volcano, Gunung Rinjani. Other options , for a slightly shorter
route to the summit, are Sembalun Lawang and Sembalun Bumbung to
the northeast.
Rinjani soars 3726m above sea level and is the second highest
volcano in Indonesia, attracting thousand of trekkers and climbers
annually. The huge caldera near the top is around 4 km wide and is
almost filled by a beautiful crescent-shaped lake, Danau Segara
Anak ( Child of the sea ). The lake is around 230m deep and
contains plentiful fish , as well as being home to bird and other
wildlife. A smaller volcanic cone, Gunung Baru Jari, was formed a
couple of hundred years ago and just from the craters interior at
the edge of the lake. It's been estimated that the force needed to
create the new cone and the lake would have been equal to around
300 Hiroshima- type atomic bombs. There are a number of caves,
small waterfalls and hot spring located around the volcano, most
importantly Aik Kalak on the northeast of the crater, where the
volcanically heated waters are said to cure illnesses,
particularly skin diseases.
In 2004 the Rinjani Trek won the world Legacy Award for
Destination Stewardship and the Volcano is recognized
internationally as an important eco-tourism destination. The
Rinjani Trek, funded by the New Zealand government, has set up a
series of programmers that involve the local communities and
guide, for climbing the volcano and for trekking in the National
Park ? ensuring better management and safety for trekkers.
However, it is always prudent to use an authorized guide, deal
with a reputable trekking and licensed guide and carry as few
valuables as possible with you.
The best time to climb Gunung Rinjani is in the dry season from
around April to October, or before the rain start. The sunny days
and cooler temperatures make this time of the years most
comfortable for climbing, and enable the clearest views of the
stunning scenery both on and around the mountain. It is cold on
the mountain at night, so make sure you take warm clothing with
you.
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