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Rinjani National Park
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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