5 Things To See On The Idyllic Island Of Lombok

Lombok is one of those dream islands that everyone should visit at some point in their lives. It belongs to the province of the Western Lesser Sunda Islands and is located between the paradisiacal islands of Bali and Sumbawa. In addition to kilometers of beaches and a refreshing peace for any tourist, Lombok belongs to the Wallacea area, of great scientific interest for its rich biodiversity.

Along with Bali,  Lombok is one of the most popular Indonesian destinations for lovers of natural beauty and unforgettable experiences. Therefore, we recommend five things to see and do on your vacation in Lombok.

1. The beaches of Lombok

The best beaches in the region are to the south, in the Kuta area. A fishing village where most of the leisure areas and hotel establishments are located. Here we can find beaches such as Tanjung A’an and Selong Belanak.

Located seven kilometers to the east, Tanjung A’an Beach is between two white sand bays. Its waters are absolutely crystal clear. A perfect place for swimming and snorkeling, due to the rocky outcrop.

12 kilometers to the west, Selong Belanak Beach  is a good surf spot. After a few hours of instruction, you will be ready to enjoy the sports in the area.

2. The kilometric waterfalls

If the best beaches on the island were to the south, but the north also offers attractions worth visiting: its waterfalls. In Senaru we will find three of them, huge and that can be visited on foot from the town. The  best known is Sindang Gila, to which the inhabitants of the region have given medicinal and healing properties.

Another of its famous waterfalls called Tiu Kelep. It has a large natural pool in which we can bathe after a walk full of native vegetation that delights visitors.

3. Hiking in its volcano

Lombok is located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area characterized by its seismic and volcanic activity. Located in Senaru , the most famous of its volcanoes is Gunung Rinjiani, which offers great hiking trails.  You can see the shore of the volcano, walk to the caldera and ascend to the highest point.

Precisely,  from the top you can see Bali to the west and Sumbawa to the east. This visit usually lasts two days and one night. In it, visitors usually camp and organize beautiful evenings in the vicinity of a still active volcano.

Four . Gunung Rinjani National Park

This incredible natural space extends across more than forty thousand hectares of mountainous terrain. The aforementioned Mount Rinjani, which is the third highest mountain in Indonesia, is located within the park and gives it its name.

This is a must see for all tourists who wish to enjoy the views, greenery and tranquility of the island of Lombok in all its essence. And this is the place where the gods live, according to the local population.

5.  A visit to a Sasak tribal village

The local people of Lombok, known as “sasak”, are descendants of an ancient Malay race that inhabited Lombok some 2,000 years ago. Traditional magic is widely practiced among the Sasak tribes to ward off evil and disease, to seek fortune, or to aid in the resolution of disputes and personal antipathy. Thus, the figure of the Dukun (traditional healer and magician) is very relevant in Sasak society.

When you visit a dasak village, you think you have traveled through a time tunnel. The Sasak villages are curious: the houses are made of straw, bamboo and buffalo dung. Men earn their living from agriculture and livestock and women make looms and baskets that they sell to tourists.

These are the things you can see and do when you visit the paradise island of Lombok. And something very important: it is a traffic-free island, any type of car is prohibited, so tranquility is assured.