Lombok in 3 days

Bali's quieter neighbour: empty south-coast beaches, Rinjani's volcano trek and the Gili islands offshore. Best time to visit: May-September. Average daily budget: $30 to $90 USD.

Day 1, Get oriented

Base: Kuta Lombok, Surf town for the south coast: cafes, hostels, villas and empty bays nearby.

Morning: South coast beach run from Kuta. Tanjung Aan, Selong Belanak and Mawun, wide bays with barely anyone on them.

Afternoon: Explore Kuta Lombok, Surf town for the south coast: cafes, hostels, villas and empty bays nearby.

Evening: Trek Rinjani or Pergasingan Hill. A two to three day volcano summit and crater lake, or a four-hour ridge hike with the same views.

Eat: Ayam taliwang, Lombok's fiery grilled chicken

Day 2, Go deeper

Base: Senggigi, The old west-coast resort strip, calm swimming and sunset views to Bali.

Morning: Snorkel the Gili islands. Green turtles, reef and the underwater statues off Gili Meno, all reachable by boat.

Afternoon: Explore Senggigi, The old west-coast resort strip, calm swimming and sunset views to Bali.

Evening: Sendang Gile and Tiu Kelep waterfalls. Twin jungle falls near Senaru, best in the morning before tour buses arrive.

Eat: Plecing kangkung, water spinach with chilli and lime

Day 3, Hidden side

Base: Senaru & Sembalun, Rinjani trailhead villages with waterfalls, cool air and rice-terrace views.

Morning: Sasak village of Sade for traditional thatched houses and ikat weaving.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Senaru & Sembalun, Rinjani trailhead villages with waterfalls, cool air and rice-terrace views.

Evening: Bukit Merese hill at sunset, the best view on the south coast.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Sate rembiga, sweet-spicy beef skewers from Mataram

Hidden gems

Sasak village of Sade for traditional thatched houses and ikat weaving.
Bukit Merese hill at sunset, the best view on the south coast.
Benang Kelambu falls, a curtain of water in the central highlands.
Pink Beach on the remote south-east coast, reached by a rough road or boat.

Getting around

Lombok International Airport sits in the south, 20 minutes from Kuta and 90 from Senggigi. Fast boats connect Bali and the Gilis in one to three hours. Scooters are the standard way to explore at around $6 a day, but the roads are potholed and police checks for licences are common, so bring an international permit. Private drivers cost roughly $40 to $50 a day.

Safety

Lombok is safe and low-crime, but the south-coast surf has strong rips and few lifeguards, so check conditions before swimming. Scooter accidents are the main cause of traveller injury, and many insurers void claims without a motorcycle licence. Rinjani should only be trekked with a licensed guide, and the mountain closes in the wet season. Lombok is largely Muslim, so dress modestly away from beaches, especially during Ramadan.

Lombok in 5 days | Lombok in 7 days | Full Lombok guide