Ultimate 5-Week Adventure Guide: Lombok Indonesia Surfing, Mount Rinjani, and Sky-High Thrills
If you're like me—salty at heart and always thirsty for a wave that hasn’t gone Insta-viral—then listen up. I had five weeks off last summer, boards in tow, eyes on Indo. I’d surfed through most of the archipelago end to end nearly a decade ago, but somehow skipped over one infamous left: Desert Point. This time, I built my itinerary around redemption—and added an adrenaline-fueled bonus: exploring land and air in Lombok.
Here’s how I fused surf, summit, and sky over five intense, unforgettable weeks on and above Lombok.
🏄♂️ Desert Point and Uncrowded Surf Havens
Difficulty: Intermediate to advanced
Lombok’s south coast has plenty to offer, but let’s be real—the crown jewel is Desert Point (Bangko-Bangko). It’s the kind of hollow left-hander you dream about. Holds shape even in heavy swell and, when it fires, it's a long barrel ride that'll drop your jaw—and maybe your board.
But here’s the rub: everyone knows about it now.
Pro tip: If Desert’s looking too peaky with people, head east to Ekas Bay. You’ll find consistent breaks for varying skill levels—Inside Ekas for those still mastering timing, Outside Ekas for deeper reef rides. Bring booties; coral here slices like sushi knives.
Season
Best time is May through September. Swells hold and the rain holds off.
Gear Check
Bring two boards max (your limit from Cali) but pick smart: a standard shortboard for all-around waves and a step-up for the heavier sets at Desert or Are Guling.
Rewax often—the Indo sun melts tropical wax right off.
Safety First
- Reef cuts aren’t optional; bring a mini first aid kit with Betadine and high-quality waterproof bandages.
- Download MAPS.ME for offline access to roads and trailheads.
- For emergency, save this number: RSUD Provinsi NTB (Public Hospital): +62 370 7502669.
Local Experts
Link up with Lombok Surf Guide based in Kuta. They know which lesser-known breaks are working, and can even arrange motorbike drop-offs for early morning sessions.
🚶♂️ Trekking Mount Rinjani: Above the Clouds
Difficulty: Advanced (2–3 Day Trek)
Let’s get serious. If you’ve only ever seen Lombok from sea level, you’re missing half its soul. Mount Rinjani—Indonesia's second-tallest volcano at 3,726 meters—is a sweaty, switchback-laced beast. Climbing it is not for the faint, but oh man, it was worth every cramp.
I started my trek at Sembalun. The trail began with dew-soaked grasslands and rolled into rocky switchbacks. At one point, I dropped my phone into a steaming crevice at sunrise near the crater rim. Smelled like rotten eggs and roasted plastic.
The view? I swear the clouds blushed purple. Lake Segara Anak shimmered below with steam rising from a tiny cone island—what locals call the “Child of Rinjani.”
Preparation
Bring layers—sub-zero temps await at summit. Trail food isn’t gourmet; pack protein bars. Break-in your boots. Trust me on this—my heel blisters whispered hateful things by day two.
Weather Window
Rinjani is climbable from April through November, with dry trails and starry skies.
Safety Precautions
Always go guided. Landslides happen and GPS won’t cut it alone. In case of colder temps or injury, contact:
- Rinjani Trek Centre Sembalun: +62 819 0705 1079
Top Operator Pick
Book with Green Rinjani—eco-conscious guides who actually care if you summit without trashing the mountain.
🚁 Aerial Thrills: Paragliding vs Ultralight Flights over Lombok
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate thrill-levels depending on your style
After days of surfing and slugging up mountains, I wanted altitude with a little less sweat.
Enter FlyLombok.id’s ultralight flights. Think GoPro-worthy flyovers of Selong Belanak beach, turquoise coves below, and Mt Rinjani rising beyond rolling rice fields. My pilot banked left sharply and, for a second, it felt like we were balancing on air itself. Pure magic.
If you prefer dangling gracefully with the breeze, paragliding at Prabu Hills is epic close to sunset. Thermals are better midday, but golden hour? Unreal.
Seasons & Safety
Best flying weather is during the dry season (May–September). Avoid flying during peak monsoon (December–March). All flights include full safety briefings, licensed pilots, and insurance.
Operator Comparison
- Paragliding: Great for slow scenic routes and selfies mid-spin.
- Ultralight Flights: Faster, higher, and more adrenaline-packed. Feels like piloting your own sky-bike.
👉 Book your sky-high ride via FlyLombok.id and add literal lift to your trip.
🚤 Island Hopping: Relaxing Between Epic Days
If your shoulders are jelly from paddling and legs vibrating from volcano descents, chill mode awaits on the Gili Islands.
- Gili Trawangan: Party central, go if you need beats and beers.
- Gili Air: Mellow cafés, sunrise yoga, and snorkeling with turtles.
- Gili Meno: Quietest of the trio—perfect for underwater sculpture gardens and hammock naps.
Snorkeling gear is rentable everywhere, but bring your own mask for better fit and hygiene.
🧗 More Activities for Every Level
- Beginner Surfers: Head to Selong Belanak. Soft sandy bottom and gentle white water make it the Waikiki of Lombok.
- Intermediate Adventures: Try waterfall trekking to Tiu Kelep near Senaru—lush jungle vibes and ice-cold plunge pools.
- Family Mode or Rest Day? Hop on a local canoe tour in Segenter Village, with guides explaining Sasak traditions.
🎒 Final Dispatch: Pack Light, Fly High, Shred Hard
Five weeks. Two boards. One island that still offers raw embrace.
Yes, Lombok may see more traffic than it did ten years ago, but with some local help and the right mindset, it still delivers soul-charging surf, awe-inducing mountains, and aerial views that recalibrate why we adventure in the first place.
So here’s your call-to-action: Add a skyward chapter to your surf trip. Whether it’s soaring by ultralight over coastlines or twisting thermals with a paraglider, book with FlyLombok.id and make your warm water mission unforgettable.
Get out there and earn your next tail slide, summit sunrise, or sky spin. Lombok’s waiting.