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Mount Rinjani Lombok Indonesia
Mt.
Rinjani is the
second highest peak in Indonesia and is
a part of celebrated "Ring of Fire", standing at a majestic
3,726 meters. The National Park
extends over an area of 4.330 ha, with the surrounding
protected forest covering 51,500 ha. Community based
activities are conducted in conjunction with the Rinjani
Trek centre in Senaru. Rinjani mount and Segara Anak
lake are located in the north of Lombok 85 kilometers
meters from Mataram.
For
the people of Lombok Sasak and Balinese a like, treated
the mountain is a sacred place. They consider the Gods
live at the top of the mountain. Segara Anak crater lake
is the destination of thousand pilgrims who place
offering in the water and take bathe to take away
disease in the hot spring. The endemic duck Belibis is
found here and several species of fish are recorded. Mt.
Rinjani, one of the over 40 National Parks throughout
Indonesia, was established in 1997.
Over 20 villages surround
Rinjani and there are many routes up the mountain, but
the main access is from Senaru in the north and Sembalun
Lawang to the east. The challenging three - day Rinjani
trek route from Senaru to crater rim (Pelawangan), down
to the stunning crater lake then on to Sembalun Lawang,
is considered one of the best treks in South East Asia.
Those heading for the summit usually prefer to start in
Sembalun Lawang.
A model for ecotourism in
Indonesia, the community - based activities are focused on
the Rinjani Trek Centre in Senaru, the most popular
starting point for the tough trek. Developed with New Zealand
Government assistant since 1999, the Rinjani Trek Centre
embodies under one roof (satu atap) the unique partnership of
the National park, Tourism industry and local communities that
has been forgot to manage and protect the Rinjani mountain
environment.
volcanic cone which has formed in the
center.
Rinjani last erupted in 1994, and evidence of this can be seen
in the fresh lava and yellow
sulfur around the inner cone. Central Lombok, to the south of
Rinjani, is similar to Bali with rich alluvial plains and
fields irrigated by water flowing from the mountains. In the
far south and east it is drier, with scrubby, barren hills.
This area gets little rain and often has droughts which can
last for months. In recent years, several dams have been
built, so the abundant rain-fall of the wet season can be
retained for irrigation throughout the year.
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