Bali, Lombok & Sumbawa: Mythical Volcanoes

This morning you will visit Ubud Palace – an iconic historical complex steeped in Balinese history, the former residence of the royal family. Just opposite is the craft market, where you can find all sorts of souvenirs. Afterwards, you will embark on a walk through stunning rice paddies to Tampaksiring. A family of Balinese artists will welcome you to their traditional home and offer you a typical meal accompanied by Balinese dances. In the afternoon, you will stop in the village of Tampaksiring to visit the temples of Gunung Kawi. This site is arguably the most impressive in Bali, with the nine tombs of King Wungsu's family carved into the cliff face. You will also visit Tirta Empul and its sacred pools, where hundreds of Balinese come daily to purify themselves. Return to Ubud in the early evening, where you will have free time to explore the village.

The morning is dedicated to exploring the caldera of Mount Batur. You will visit Ulun Danau Batur temple, the second largest temple in Bali after Besakih. It was rebuilt in 1926 after a lava flow destroyed the original temple. It is dedicated to Dewi Danu, the goddess of lakes and rivers. In the early afternoon, you will ascend the volcano, traversing fields of solidified lava. You will then begin your descent after skirting the four craters created by successive eruptions. Transfer to your nearby hotel in the late afternoon.

Mid-morning, transfer to the Bali Aga village of Trunyan, traveling along Lake Batur. Boat trip to the cemetery where the bodies of the deceased decompose in the open air. Late morning, transfer to the famous Kehen Temple, one of the most important and beautiful in Bali. Transfer to Sidemen after the visit.

The morning is dedicated to a pleasant 4-hour hike around Sidemen, through upland plantations and rice paddies. During this walk, you'll pass numerous hamlets, offering opportunities to meet the locals, and also cross an old suspension bridge. The vegetation is lush and the landscape truly exotic.

Overnight transfer to Pasar Agung Temple (1,600 m) where, at midnight, the ascent begins with 297 steps. At the temple gates, the guide makes an offering to the gods, and hikers are invited to light incense as a sign of respect. The trail skirts the temple, passes two reservoirs, and then plunges into a dense, steep forest, dotted with roots and ravines. After an hour, the vegetation thins out, giving way to steeper, sometimes slippery, rocky sections, already offering superb panoramic views. The first third ends near a dam that supplies the temple. Higher up (2,425 m), the forest disappears, and the trail becomes rocky and demanding, leading to the sub-summit (2,866 m) where the view encompasses Bali, Lombok, Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and even Java. Your guide makes further offerings here. For the most experienced hikers, the ascent continues towards the true summit (3,028 m): the path becomes rocky, with exposed sections requiring caution and concentration, particularly on a narrow, windswept ridge. After a final 15- to 20-minute effort, the summit is finally reached, offering a breathtaking view of the caldera and surrounding volcanoes. The descent, long and technical, demands almost as much energy as the climb.

Morning transfer to Padangbai port, where you will board a speedboat to Lombok. Transfer to Sembalun Lawang.

The first hour of the hike crosses rolling hills, vegetable fields, and farmland, making up the easiest part of the trek. After a small stream, the trail follows the old, unfinished Suharto Project road connecting Sembulan Lawang to the Rinjani crater. Abandoned for over 30 years, this route now offers hikers charming crossings and bridges over ancient lava flows. At around 1,220 m, a short section through the forest provides some shade, but the trail remains largely exposed. The second hour unfolds across rolling hills and meadows. Post 1 (Pemantuan, 1,428 m) has a shelter, but most prefer to continue to Post 2 (Tengengean, 1,513 m) for lunch. Then, it's on to Post 3 (Pada Balong, 1,772 m), where the hike becomes more challenging: the incline steepens and the going becomes strenuous. For nearly three hours, the climb is demanding, each ridge crossed revealing another even higher. But the effort is rewarded: the panorama suddenly opens onto the majestic summit of Mount Rinjani and, 600 meters below, Lake Segara Anak, one of Indonesia's most beautiful natural wonders. The trail then follows the crater rim for 20 minutes before reaching Sembalun Rim or Plawangan Dua (2,658 m), where the campsite is set up for the night. The spacious and open site offers magnificent views and accommodates numerous groups of tents.

As with any volcanic climb, it's advisable to choose your dates according to the lunar cycle: half-moon nights offer natural light, often making a headlamp unnecessary after 3 a.m. From camp, the ascent begins with a steep 350 meters through high-altitude vegetation, before giving way to unstable volcanic soil at 3,000 meters. The first stage ends on the crater rim (2,969 m), with a magical moonlit view of the summit and surrounding peaks. The next 400 meters, steeper but still compact, require an effort slowed by the altitude. As day breaks, the horizon blazes and the summit seems within reach… but there are still 300 formidable meters to go. The final section is the most challenging: loose volcanic sand, slow progress (one step forward, half a step back), and shortness of breath every 10 meters. Sunrise transforms the landscape into a spectacle of shifting colors, offering endless photo opportunities. At the summit, Indonesia's second-highest volcano, the winds are icy: warm clothing and a change of clothes are essential. The descent follows the same path and takes half the time, but remains technical and sometimes slippery. The gentler walk to the lake crosses meadows and ancient lava flows, finally revealing the turquoise waters of Segara Anak, nestled in the dramatic setting of the caldera, dominated by its steep cliffs.

The lake area (2,020 m) is not always clean, as large groups of Muslim and Hindu pilgrims use it as a rest stop and often leave litter. One of the site's main attractions is the presence of hot springs (Aik Kalak), a ten-minute walk away. To reach them, follow the lake's opening, cross the stream twice, and descend 200 m down a steep hill. Natural pools have been created for bathing, but some are overgrown with algae. The higher springs are too hot and dirty, while the large pool below, with two small waterfalls, offers ideal and cleaner water. If you wish to climb Mount Barujari (Gunung Baru) in the center of the lake, allow four hours for the round trip; the trail is sometimes closed due to volcanic activity. At the foot of the cone, other springs heat a small bay, suitable for bathing and camping. The ascent to its summit (2,363 m) takes an hour and offers a unique view of this still-growing volcano. In the early afternoon, from the springs, you head north via Goa Susu (“milk cave,” 1,885 m) to Torean, more than 10 km away, where a vehicle takes you back to Sembalun Lawang. Transfer to Kayangan port to board a ferry to Sumbawa Island. This island, marked by the colossal eruption of Mount Tambora in 1815—the deadliest in recorded history—has experienced global climatic repercussions.

A free day of rest, which also allows your support team to make preparations for the ascent of the Tambora volcano.

The trail begins at a fairly low altitude, and the first few hours of hiking through the jungle are hot and humid. You'll find a clean water source about an hour from the trailhead. The route passes checkpoints 1 (1,080 m), 2 (1,320 m - water available), 3 (1,630 m - water available), and 4 (1,800 m) before reaching checkpoint 5 (2,060 m), where you'll spend the night in a tent after 6-7 hours of hiking.

In the middle of the night, you resume your ascent towards the summit of Mount Tambora. A little over 600 meters of elevation gain remain, through increasingly sparse vegetation. You can then admire the nearby coastline. As night falls, after traversing the final meters through black volcanic sands, you reach the rim of the immense Tambora caldera (2,638 m), one of the most fascinating places in the world (you'll even catch a glimpse of Mount Rinjani to the west, illuminated by a spectacular sunrise). The highest point is located on the western rim of the crater and is marked by both a cairn and an Indonesian flag. If you attempt to approach it, however, be careful, as some areas are unstable and you will have to cross two fairly deep trenches. You then descend back to your camp, and, after a hearty brunch, you continue your descent to post 2, where you will spend another night.

The day is devoted to a gentle return (2-3 hours of walking) to the village of Pancasila.

Free time in the morning. In the afternoon, transfer to the port of Labuan Jambu. Located away from the hustle and bustle of the most popular tourist destinations, Labuan Jambu is a hidden gem that offers travelers an unparalleled experience of nature, culture, and adventure.

Saleh Bay, facing Labuan Jambu, is known for its whale sharks, considered the largest fish in the world (they can reach up to 12 meters in length). These aquatic creatures feed mainly on plankton, small fish, and the organisms that thrive in the bay's waters. In the early morning (around 4:00 AM), you'll board a traditional boat to join a small group of fishing boats at sunrise, ready to haul in their nets full of fish. This is the moment the whale sharks wait for. You'll take this opportunity to put on your masks, snorkels, and fins to get closer to these giants. You'll be surprised by their sociability, as they enjoy swimming around the divers. Return to Labuan Jambu mid-morning and free time until lunch. Transfer in the afternoon to Sumbawa Besar, the capital of West Sumbawa.

The day is dedicated to exploring Moyo Island. In 1986, a national park was established there to conserve and protect the island's vegetation and its numerous animal species (birds, bats, monkeys, wild pigs, deer). A marine reserve was also created to preserve the pristine reefs surrounding the island. In 2019, UNESCO even designated Moyo Island a World Network of Biosphere Reserves. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon.

Free days to relax by the sea.

Free morning until transfer to Sumbawa Besar Airport. Flight to Bali. End of services.