Sembalun on Lombok island is a calm sleepy town surrounded by mountains. It is mostly famous as a starting point of Rinajni hike. Sembalun offers a few more attractions one shouldn’t miss. Let’s take a look at best things to do in Sembalun in this travel guide.
Best time to visit Sembalun
In order to enjoy the most of your holiday in Sembalun we recommend coming in summer between June and September. It’s Lombok’s dry season with the least rain. In order to avoid the crowds and get better prices low season might be an interesting choice as well. The nature turns lush green, too. If you plan to hike you should consider when to come. You do not want to spend 3 days hiking Rinjani in rain.
Best things to do in Sembalun
1. Bukit Selong viewpoint
Bukit Selong is very accessible place that offers incredible views for little effort. Once you park it only takes 10 minutes to reach the viewpoint. You can easily find it on Google maps as “Bukit Selong”. There is no entrance fee. We highly recommend getting up early and coming here for sunrise! If the conditions are in your favor you will be completely amazed!
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2. Rinjani trek
One of the best experiences you can have on Lombok is hiking Rinjani. It is a very exhausting but rewarding 2 or 3 days long trek. The views from the top are mind blowing. And the fact that Rinjani is still an active volcano adds to the excitement. There is many companies to choose from. We joined Halomi trekker and it was just perfect! Their service is top notch and everything was well organised.
3. Visit strawberry farm
Sembalun is a paradise for strawberry lovers! There is so many strawberry farm you can visit. If you don’t have time or mood to pick strawberries yourselves you can find many street vendors selling them along the main road.
4. Tiu Kelep waterfall
Tiu Kelep might be one of the most beautiful waterfalls we have seen in Indonesia so far! There is one huge water flow and behind it you can see tens of smaller streams. The trek only takes 20 minutes. Make sure to drive to the last parking spot for the shortest trek. The first sign is still very far from the waterfall. Locals then try to offer you bike taxi to get closer.
5. Sendang Gile waterfall
Sendang Gile is actually a waterfall you will pass on your way to Tiu Kelep. It’s equally beautiful. There is no pool for swimming underneath however.
6. Hike Pergasingan hill
If you are up for a hike Pergasingan is one of the easier treks you can do in Sembalun. It only takes around 2 hours to reach the peak. Pergasingan hill trail is not as steep as some other treks. Consider hiking up for a sunrise!
7. Hike Anak Dara
If you want something more challenging there is Anak Dara. It is an absolutely beautiful trail along a ridge. It might take 4-5 hours to reach the top. Most people choose to trek over 2 days and camp at the top. You can even get a guide for this trail, but it can be done solo.