THE MIGHTY MOUNT RINJANI - LOMBOK

Do You Believe in Mountain?
Mount Rinjani, Lombok's highest peak ( 3726 m asl or 12,200 ft. ), draws religious pilgrim and adventure tourist alike. its crater frames a lake, which is 5 miles wide and known as segara anak, which means the lake of child. this crater also contains an active volcano, Gunung Baru.

RINJANI NATIONAL PARK
http://www.dephut.go.id/INFORMASI/TN%20INDO-ENGLISH/rinjani_NP.htm

The park covers an area of 41,330 ha on the northern part of Lombok and locates the three administrative district of West, East and Central Lombok. The area covers 12,357.67 ha in the west, 22,152.88 ha in the east and 6,819.45 ha in central Lombok. Rinjani dominates the National Park of Lombok, an island east of Bali on the Indonesian archipelago. At 3726m it is the second highest volcano in Indonesia, part of the infamous ring of fire that encircles the basin of the Pacific. Within the crater is the spectacular Segara Anak lake and the still – active volcano Gunung Baru (2,363m).

It is surrounded by further 66,000 ha of Protection Forest also covers the three administrative districts. The park ecosystem is in the transitional zone between Asia and Australia (Wallace zone). Average rainfall is about 3,000mm annually.

Gunung Rinjani is rich in variety of flora and fauna and vegetation types. There are 114 families and more than 500 several of floras found and about 50 species of plant that can be used for traditional medicine. While fauna in Gunung Rinjani is about 12 mammal and reptile species, more than 50 birds’ species and more 50 several of butterflies which some are protected and has limited area of spread. On the South Western side of mountain is the most eastern extent of primary rainforest in Nusa Tenggara. This gives way to monsoon forest and drier climate in the east, and savannah in the north east. Notable flora includes the everlasting edelweiss flower (Anaphalis viscida), tiger orchid (Vanda sp) alang-alang grass (Imperata cylindrical), cemara tress (Casuarina trifolia and Casuarina ocidentale).

Gunung Rinjani, one of the over 50 National Parks through out Indonesia and 21 become National Park model included Gunung Rinjani National Park, it was established in 1997. It is valued and protected for its spiritual as well natural values, and is worshipped by thousands of Balinese as well as Sasak pilgrims. Hot springs near the Lake are sought after for their healing powers.

Over 38 villages spread out in 12 sub-districts surround Rinjani and there are many routes up to the mountain, but the main access is from Sembalun Lawang to the East. The challenging three-day Rinjani Trek route from Senaru to crater rim (Pelawangan), down to the stunning crater lake then on to Sembalun Lawang, is considered one of the best treks in South East Asia. Those heading for the summit usually prefer to start in Sembalun Lawang.

The village of Senaru is the main gateway to Mt. Rinjani National Park, the most popular start point for the three day Rinjani Trek up Indonesia’s second highest volcanic peak (3,762 m). For the people of Lombok, Sasak and Balinese alike, the volcano is revered as a sacred place and the abode of Gods. Within the spectacular crater, the Segara Anak Lake is destination of many pilgrims who place offerings in nearby hot spring.

A model for ecotourism in Indonesia, the community-based activities are focused on the Rinjani Trek Centre in Senaru and Rinjani Information Centre in Sembalun Lawang,
the most popular starting points for the tough trek. Developed with New Zealand Government assistance since 1999, the Rinjani Trek Centre and Rinjani Information Centre embody under one roof (satu atap) the unique partnership of the National Park, tourism industry and local communities that has been forged to manage and protect the Rinjani mountain environment. The programmer has been successful and in 2004, the Rinjani Trek won the 2004 Destination Stewardship Award for “the tourism destination that best demonstrates effective protection its natural and cultural environment.”

THE RINJANI TREK
Over 38 villages spread out in 12 sub-districts surround Mt. Rinjani and there are many routes up the mountain, but the main access is from Senaru in the north and Sembalun Lawang to the east. The challenging three-day Rinjani Trek route from Senaru to the crater rim (Plawangan), down to the stunning Lake then on to Sembalun Lawang, is considered one of the best treks in South East Asia or the 3-day Rinjani Trek that includes the climb to the summit and usually begins in Sembalun Lawang.

A model for ecotourism in Indonesia, the community-based activities are focused on the Rinjani Trek Centre in Senaru and on the Rinjani Information Centre in Sembalun Lawang, the most popular starting point for the tough trek. Developed with New Zealand Government assistance since 1999, the Rinjani Trek Centers embody under one roof (satu atap) the unique partnership of the National Park, tourism industry and local communities that has been forged to manage and protect the Rinjani mountain environment. During the period of the New Zealand Government assistance, the Rinjani Trek Management Board (RTMB) was formed and continues the program of Rinjani Trek Ecotourism Program

Rinjani Trek Ecotourism Program has received the following International and National Awards;
The World Legacy Award sponsored by International Conservation and National Geographic Traveler, June 2004 The Award for Innovative Ecotourism from the Ministry of Tourism, September 2004
A finalist in the Tourism for Tomorrow Destination Awards, April 2005

WHAT YOU MIGHT SEE
Gunung Rinjani National Park lies within the major transition zone (Wallaceae) where the flora and fauna of South East Asia makes a dramatic transition into that which is typical of Australasia. The Park has a rich variety of plants and animals, although they can be hard to spot due to the terrain and rainforest cover.
Sometimes seen early in the mornings is the rare black Ebony leaf monkey, known locally as Lutung. The Long tailed grey macaque or Kera is common in Lombok and older males are seen on the crater rim. Rusa deer are forest dwellers and are occasionally seen along the Rinjani trek trail. The smaller Barking deer or Kijang has an alarm call with a distinct dog-like bark. Look for the disturbed ground where the Wild pig or Babi hutan has been foraging. Also found in the forest is the Leopard cat or Bodok alas, Palm civet or Ujat and Porcupine or Landak.
A variety of colourful birds live in the forests of the Park. Perhaps the best-known icon of the Park is the Sulphur Crested Cockatoo that is not found any further west of Lombok. Many of the forest-dwelling animals, insects, birds, civets and monkeys owe their survival to the wild fig tree or Beringin as a provider of food and shelter. The pine-like Casuarina species, Cemara, are a feature of the grassy higher slopes. Orchids or Anggrek are also a feature of the grassland areas, as is Edelweiss or Bunga Abadi growing above the tree line; it is a beautiful icon of the Park and one of our best-known sub-alpine plants.


CULTURAL TIPS
DO's
- Smile and greet people, especially elders.
- Shake hands, gently.
- Accept hospitality and food. You do not have to eat and drink, but it is polite to ACCEPT.
- Say goodbye and thank you when you leave.
- Dress modestly. Women should keep upper arms and thighs covered.
- Bend down and walk around seated people when you need to pass.
- Use only your right hand to eat and to hand objects or money to someone.
- Be sure to sit at the same level as other people.
- Wear a sarong when entering the house of Melokaq (Adat leader) and when participating in ritual and adat ceremonies.

DON'T's
- Enter houses, building or village without being invited.
- Wear shoes inside a house.
- Point at people with your finger. Don’t ever use your foot to point at objects or people.
- Point the bottom of your feet directly at people whilst sitting on the floor.
- Touch anyone’s head.
- Step over people or food on the floor.
- Eat with your left hand, or use your left hand to give or accept objects or money.
- Raise your voice, especially in anger.

The Peak of Rinjani The people of Lombok believe that the peak of Mt. Rinjani is where Dewi Anjani, the Queen apirit and ruler of Mt. Rinjani live. To the south – east from the peak in a sea of dust called “Segara Muncar” is the invisible palace of the queen Dewi Anjani and her follower, They good spirits. According to a story about the queen spirit Dewi Anjani she was the daughter of a King who would not allow her  to marry  her boyfriend.  At a spring called Mandala she disappeared and changed from  the real world to the spirit world.

Mount BARU JARI Gunung Baru is the name of the new volcano, which emerged in the center of Segara Anak Lake. People believe that gunung baru erupted it will not harm the people of lombok unless the erupted is from the peak of Mt. Rinjani. Some people said that the 1994 gunung baru erupted was caused by spirits who were building something because the stones that erupted were arranged in an orderly and attractive way at the foot of gunung baru. (Around September 2004 gunung baru was erupted again).

Segara Anak Lake Segara Anak Lake is so wide it appears like the sea with its blue water, the name Segara Anak means child of the Sea. Segara anak Lake holds various mysteries and invisible powers. People feel content to stay a long time in this place because of the large community of the mysterious spirits, which live around the lake. The local people believe that if the lake looks wide when seen at a distance, it is sign they will live to an old age; or if the lake seems narrow, it is a sign of a short age. So in order not to be pessimistic, people quickly purify themselves by lifting up their spirit and calm soul and look at the lake contentedly. In the area of the lake, it forbidden to have sexual intercourse, complain or say dirty things. We mush be patient when facing problem.

Healing Hot Spring Aiq Kalak means hot water and it is used to cure various diseases. One of the hot springs named “pengkereman jembangan” which is means a place for dipping. The water, which spurts out of the spring is very hot. Weapon such as Kris, sword, big knives, and lances are dipped in the spring to test their magic power. If the weapon become sticky, it mean that the weapon is bad and has no magical power. However if the weapon remain unchanged it means that the weapon has supernatural power and the strength will be increased. People also used hot spring to make medicine from coconut cream. After dipping bottle of coconut cream in the hot spring if the liquid become clear and oily it can be use ad medicinal oil. Than the medicinal oil is used for good things and is called “Siu satus tunggal” which means that it can be used to cure a thousand kinds of diseases.

Cave one of the three famous caves ( goa susu, goa payung, dan goa manik ), susu cave is a good place for self reflection and its often used as a place to meditate. the people with unclean and envious mind will have difficulty entering susu cave which has narrow entrance, but people with noble and pure mind will easily enter the cave. Inside the cave water drips from the tip of a stone which looks like a nipple, so people say the water in goa susu tastes different. inside goa susu is hot and there is a lot of smoke which looks like cooking steam so people call this menguku (hot house ) and sometimes people call it roentgen ( X-Ray ).