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Lombok is a tropical island in Indonesia, east of Bali, known for its top surfing spots, secluded beaches and spectacular waterfalls.
Characterised by verdant rice fields, endless coconut plantations and tropical jungles, just a drive through Lombok seems like a dream.
Although it's Bali’s next door neighbour, Lombok is a lot less touristy and because of this, you are able to experience the appeal and charm of local Lombok life. In the end, it’s the people you meet that create the best memories.
Mt Rinjani is Indonesia’s 2nd highest volcano, making Lombok island a trekker’s paradise. Along with scenic beaches, lush forests and epic waterfalls, what more could you ask for?
If you’re visiting the nearby Gili islands for diving and snorkelling, why not make the 15min boat trip to Lombok to chase some waterfalls and catch some waves?
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How long do you need?
If you only have a week, you can combine Lombok and the Gilis but of course you will be left wanting more! If I was to visit Lombok and the Gilis again (see my other blog post on the Gili Islands!), I would actually stay in Lombok for a whole week for it’s local charm and to escape the tourist hub. Additionally, if you want to trek up Mt Rinjani (leaving at 2am for sunrise summit) and visit Komodo island you’ll need a few nights for each of these activities!
However, if you’re short on time, you can still chase some epic waterfalls and visit beautiful beaches in 2 days, leaving the other days for each of the three Gili islands.
2 Day itinerary for Lombok
As with most new destinations, you are often left to gamble with different tour packages and trust hotels that offer you island tours. Sometimes you get lucky and sometimes your driver gets lost and takes an extra 2.5 hours just to arrive at mediocre destinations you wouldn’t normally choose anyway. After this happened to us and a lot of our limited time was wasted, we narrowed it down to the essential points of interest that any experienced traveller will LOVE!
Rather than spending a rushed few minutes at multiple average beaches, it’s better to spend quality time surfing at the best possible one, right? #qualitynotquantity
Therefore, I’ve compiled a 2 day itinerary for your trip to Lombok which involves chasing the most spectacular waterfalls, swimming in the most turquoise waters and eating the most authentic local meals!
Day 1) Chasing waterfalls
This was by far our favourite day of the whole week. Never have I seen such powerful waterfalls and the best part is that we had both of them to ourselves!
If you’re one of those travellers who finds an exhausting trek up a mountain super rewarding because of the epic sunrise at the end then you’ll love day 1!
Today we are going on a humid, sweaty, jungle trek to get to these two enormous waterfalls. You’ll have a guide to show you the way but the trek will start off with flat, lush and verdant scenery and then it’ll involve steep stair cases, balancing on giant logs and even crossing rivers! This is definitely a day where you will become one with nature!
The two waterfalls are about 20 minutes from each other and it takes about 2.5 hours in total, including swimming and taking photos at each waterfall. If you have a super funny and attentive guide like us, he will insist on carrying your bags, towels and even shoes!
Waterfall 1: Sendang Gile
When you arrive at Bangsal harbour, Lombok find any taxi to take you to Sendang Gile and Tiu Kelep and when you reach the entrance a guide will lead the way!
Hopefully, you will get Bree, who was our super funny guide. He knew a lot of fun facts about the waterfalls and told us lots of hilarious stories about his job as a waterfall tour guide.
He mentioned that the name of the waterfall, Sendang Gile, actually means ‘crazy hill’ because there are two spouts for the water to come out of.
Once you reach the first waterfall, you will be drenched just standing 5m away from it as it is 45m tall, super loud and so powerful! Further down the stream to the left of the waterfall is where you can go in for a refreshing dip then it’s time to head to the next waterfall!
Waterfall 2: Tiu Kelep
It is about a 20 min jungle trek to the next waterfall and rather than being an easy, flat walk along the aquaducts and grass trail like the first part, this trek involves climbing over logs, tree roots, boulders and crossing the river twice each way!
‘I suggest you wear flip flops for the river crossing’, said Bree. We didn’t expect to be crossing rivers so only brought our regular walking shoes. Bree insisted on giving his flip flops to us, carrying our other shoes AND walking through the river bare feet himself! The service you get in South East Asia always surpasses anywhere else in the world! Would you agree?
Once you arrive, the waterfall is just as amazing as the first one but different. With a pool at the very top, the water cascades down into several smaller pools right to the bottom, where you can have a dip!
Once you’ve gone right up close to the waterfall for an epic #chasingwaterfalls pic, it’s time to head all the way back across the river, over the logs, through the jungle, up the stairs and back along the aquaducts to the restaurant for a well-earned traditional Lombok lunch!
Local delicacies
I’d suggest tasting some authentic local Lombok food such as:
Urap Urap: vegetables with a special local coconut sauce
Gado Gado: vegetables with local peanut sauce
Ayam Taliwang: Indonesian grilled chicken covered in special Taliwang sauce!
Plecing Kangkung: spicy water spinach salad topped with chili, coconut and shrimp paste
Ikan Bakar Pantai: a fresh, grilled BBQ fish marinated in traditional seasonings. Other varieties include shrimp and squid.
Although the trek to the waterfalls and lunch only take about 3 hours in total, you need to be back at Bangsal harbour for the last boat that leaves at 4pm back to the Gilis (unless you are staying in Lombok) and it takes about 90 min to drive between the waterfalls and the harbour so that’s all we’ll have time for today but spend the rest of the evening laid back on a bean bag, watching some live music at the Gili islands, with a cocktail in hand, enjoying the sunset and we’ll come back tomorrow for our 2nd day trip!
Day 2) Selong Belanak; Tanjung Aan; Malimbu hill & local secret river!
You will find that all the beautiful destinations for travellers are so far apart and Lombok island is a LOT bigger than the Gilis so you can’t exactly visit everything in one day. You also don’t want to be rushed and only spend a few minutes at each place so we’re heading to the best surfing spot on the island and then over to the beach that defines Paradise!
Again when you arrive at Bangsal harbour, hire a taxi to drive you to Selong Belanak beach for a morning of surfing!
Remember to negotiate a price at the start and be sure to tell the driver all the places you’re visiting that day to avoid confusion later on.
Surfing at Selong Belanak
If your driver doesn’t get lost like ours did, it should take 90 min to get to Selong Belanak. Once arrived, hire a surf board and dive into that turquoise water! This is where you will find all the locals (and tourists) surfing the breakers on the shore.
Once you’ve had your fair share of swallowed saltwater, don’t get ripped off at these tourist centred restaurants because we’re heading to Tanjung Aan for a taste of local Lombok!
Tanjung Aan
If you’re looking for paradise then Tanjung Aan is the epitome of ‘paradise’. It’s the very first image that comes to mind when you think of the word ‘paradise’. Gentle, turquoise waters, straw huts, bright, green cliffs towering in the background and colourful boats bopping in the waves. On top of that, you’ve got all the beach swings to satisfy your Instagram cravings!
Despite being the only restaurant here, it is still super cheap, letting you order as many authentic dishes as you like! You can’t go wrong with a Mie goreng and I highly recommend trying a fresh, grilled Lombok fish (yep, they give you a whole fish!).
Be prepared for the super cute kids who will charm you with their cheeky smiles and impressive salesman techniques to try and get you to buy a shell bracelet they’ve made ‘just for you!’ #yeahright.
Along with women selling shawls, men selling more jewellery and well, you will be bothered for your whole meal actually but it’s all part of the fun!
Watch out for the stray dogs along the beach that switch from brutally attacking each other to humping each other right in front of you while you eat your lunch!
Once you’ve been in for a dip and relaxed on one of the FREE beach chairs, we’re heading back to Bangsal harbour via Mallimbu hill.
Malimbu hill
Malimbu hill is a viewpoint of Nipah beach and is famous for providing one of the best sunset views from Lombok as on a clear day you can see the Gili islands. Malimbu hill is a perfect way to end your day trip at Lombok.
Tiu Roton Secret local River
Right near Bangsal harbour, our guide took us to a local river that only locals know about. It’s called Tiu Roton and consists of separate pools to swim in, water gushing down a hill to splash about in and rocks that are super fun to jump off into the river.
'Tiu Roton' actually means 'steps' because there is a set of steps that the water runs down, creating a cool waterfall that you can sit, stand or slide down into the pools below!
This is where young, local families and groups of teenagers come for a serene and fun escape!
Once you’ve done enough backflips (or bellyflops), head back to Bangsal harbour for the last boat that leaves at 4pm.
Other things to do/see on Lombok
Benang Kelambu and Benang Stokel twin waterfalls (can swim and jump at)
Tiu Teja waterfall (‘Rainbow falls’)
Jeruk Manis waterfall (30m high)
Pink beach
Seger beach
Hike at Tanjung Ringgit
Batu Payung Lombok rock (best at low tide)
Semeti beach (volcanic rock formations, blow holes and rock pools)
Mawun beach
So if you’re looking to maximise your time on Lombok island with quality experiences at the most beautiful waterfalls and beaches then follow this 2 day itinerary to create memories that’ll last forever!
If you’re interested in visiting the nearby Gili islands, check out my most recent blog post ‘The Gili Islands’ for everything you need to know!
Happy Travels! :)