Is Mount Rinjani still active? Can you hike Mount Rinjani without a guide? 

Soon after we opened our groups in Mount Rinjani, our trekkers have been tossing many questions about trekking to an active volcano.

Mount Rinjani has always been very popular because of the thrill of looking into a volcanic crater, and trekkers around the globe have always been very fond of it. Izzat Yaganagi, Head of the Indiahikes School of Learning (InSOUL) Team, shared a similar story with all of us after completing this trek. 

Our trek information team has beautifully documented her account. You can read it here (Head to the experts speak section) 

This post is dedicated to addressing a very frequently asked question: 

Is Mount Rinjani still active? 

Mount Rinjani is known for being an active volcano, and though you may not always witness visible fumes, the potential activity adds an element of excitement to this trek. The visibility of fumes depends on the timing; sometimes trekkers have spotted them, while for other trekkers, they were absent.

The last time Mount Rinjani erupted was in late October 2015. The ashes from this 12,000-foot volcano blanketed the entire town and surrounding farmlands. Soon after, the government shut down air traffic to several airports.

Reports by several experts and a prominent educational channel, GeologyHub, which emphasises volcanoes and their current eruptions, had predicted Rinjani could erupt in 2024. 

Rinjani is known for a pattern of eruptions that have occurred approximately every decade over the past 100 years. However, it showed several signs of unrest in 2023.

Is it safe to trek to Mount Rinjani?

It is completely safe to trek to Mount Rinjani. Trekkers need to follow strict regulations and guidelines before they start their trek. 

Understanding the geography of Mount Rinjani National Park

To get a better idea of the safety, we have to understand the geography of Mount Rinjani.

Mount Rinjani holds significant geological and geographical interest. The area was once a massive volcanic mountain. Over thousands of years, repeated eruptions caused the primary volcanic structure to collapse, leaving behind a vast crater.

Now, this is important to note: The active volcano within this crater, known as Mount Barujari, has emerged as the central feature. Surrounding it are unique geological formations, lakes, and an area called a "caldera." A caldera is a land that was historically flooded with volcanic lava, now forming a landscape of striking contrasts.

Mount Barujari is relatively small and its activity is quite localised. The crater features Segara Anak Lake, with the active volcano appearing as an "island" within the lake.

How safe is trekking on Mount Rinjani crater?

Now coming to safety, the trek to Mount Rinjani does not involve scaling Mount Barujari itself, as approaching the active volcano is geographically challenging. You do not go anywhere close to Mount Barujari.

Trekking is limited to the crater rim (which is 1-2 km away from Mount Barujari) and forested areas of Mount Rinjani National Park.

Secondly, water within the crater lake further serves as a natural barrier, making trekking along the crater rim a safe experience

Unlike other volcanic mountains in Indonesia, Mount Barujari is considered less intense in its eruptions. Even though the volcano is active, the minor activities noticed remain contained within the crater and do not pose a significant risk to those trekking along the crater rim.

Importantly, Mount Rinjani National Park operates under strict regulations to ensure safety. The National Park Authority actively monitors volcanic activity and enforces guidelines accordingly.

Do you require a guide to trek to Mt Rinjani? 

Yes! It is mandatory to have a guide along with you for the Mount Rinjani Trek. Local guides, who have an in-depth understanding of the terrain and volcanic behaviour, accompany trekkers. 

Additionally, you must also obtain forest permissions and ensure your guide holds proper certification.

What is the main challenge of trekking to Mount Rinjani?

The main challenge of trekking to Mount Rinjani is the altitude gain. On the first day, you will climb from 3,750 feet to 8,650 feet, which is an altitude increase of 5,000 feet (approx). The following day, you will begin your summit push at around 2:00 am, ascending to nearly 12,200 feet, resulting in an additional altitude gain of 4,000 feet (approx). The summit itself presents even greater challenges in terms of acclimatisation and terrain. The terrain mostly consists of gravel, making the ascent more difficult.

What is the best time for the Mount Rinjani trek?

The best time for the Mount Rinjani trek starts in April and stays well till October. April marks the start of clear weather after Indonesia's monsoon season. The answer to why is it preferable to trek during this stretch of the year is that the post-monsoon season offers clean trails (by this time the dust has settled down) and greenery starts to set in the picture.

In some cases, the trails are also accessible till during the start of November as well but the conditions are most favourable from April to September. 

According to Abhishek Tiwari, operations manager at Indihikes, who recently led this trek, “April resembles the green, which is similar to popular treks in regions like Manali, while September ushers in subtle hints of Autumn, giving trekkers a shift in experience, but the trail remains equally thrilling and adventurous.”

In conclusion:

If you have any further questions, you can head to our trek information page or place your query in the comment box. I will revert as soon as possible.

Information Credits: Izzat Yaganagi (Head of Indiahikes School of Outdoor Learning), Abhishek Tiwari (Operations Manager), and Sharwari Brahme (Former head of the Green Trails initiative at Indiahikes).