Tour Guide, Mount Rinjani, Indonesia
| 7 mins read
"How much does a hiking and trekking package to Rinjani fairly cost?
Why are there so much pricing variances offered online?
Which of them will surely be worth our needs?
What does a sharing trekking package mean and why is it seemed to be the cheapest one among the popular services offered?
...................................................???"
Hiking to Rinjani mountain is one thing but let's pause at the questions listed above. Those are some of the most frequently asked by travelers who plan to do a hiking trip to the sacred volcano. Here I am thinking to give a light description, wish it to be a useful reference then easily find which of the services rates will be fairly worth hikers interest.
Traveling for holiday is a need, even has been being a life-style of people nowadays. It is no more for those rich persons only, whoever can do it as long as having enough money to go. The reason to go far away from home is just simple; need to have a look at another countries' nature, culture, heritage and diversity. Other reason might be want to rest and get away from busy life which requires a big energy and effort.
During that trip period many people (not most) tend to do it in a cheap way. Saving the cost as much as possible, searching the way to minimize the money they probably pay by asking friends, relatives or browsing through internet.
In Rinjani too, we can see many articles on the internet as well as discussion forums talking about the normal cost, which one to choose among the huge variances.
Well, trekking packages are like a hotel rooms: some sound offering standard room rate, some look to be very budget and some are superior even luxury, more luxury and the most luxury. The idea is the more you pay the better room facilities you will have and so, vice verse. On the mountain, hikers will be assisted by more guides and porters team if they purchase a luxury type of trekking package. They will be equipped with luxury-look camping equipments e.g. chairs to sit, thick mat to sleep, a la-restaurant meals menu, first they arrive they stay overnight in a superior type of room and much more special services we find on online offer.
Average price is offered to those who wish in a private standard service, this is the most popular package taken by hikers. Trekking is an adventure, not must in a superior services which sometimes seem to lessen its taste. The most important one for them is enough foods and drinks, not lack of equipments, teams and should fill the safety standard. Not to be involved in a large group which consists of many people with different aim and interest and requires an absolute understanding, tolerance, at least experienced to hike or doing hard job.
The lowest cost offered is sharing trekking package. Sharing trekking package is specially designed for solo travelers or backpackers who wish to do trekking trip in an easy and cheap way by involved in a large group consisting of ten persons or more. This choice only suits those people who are already well-experienced to walk in a long distance and doing several mountain climbing. Beginners are not recommended to take this sharing group. This one is the cheapest because there are many people in the group to share the basic cost of the hiking package. Being understanding and tolerant is a must because in the group you will be with people you might first to meet. many people means many expectations, many characters, many interests and nationalities.
The prices of hiking packages always depend on the type of package a person or group will take. Do they want to be in a luxury trek which requires to pay more, private standard service but safe and comfort, or very budget shared package but less of privacy? Every people know what they really need. The more people to hike with, the lesser cost a person will pay.
Amount of day of trekking and destinations also determine how much a hiker will pay for the tour package. In general, there are five types of popular package available:
Rinjani Hike to Summit 2 Days 1 Night. This two day-climbing to summit is intensionally designed for real hikers or those who are already experienced to do hard work. Taking this package requires high level of fitness. The program starts from Sembalun Lawang heading to Sembalun Rim campsite and the next morning climb the summit and ends in Sembalun Lawang.
Rinjani Hike 2 Days 1 Night to rim 1.Senaru crater rim offers almost 70 percent of the best view in Gunung Rinjani. So if you have a very short time of staying in Lombok, this trekking package might be a smart option. The tour begins in Senaru village to Senaru rim and the next morning decent through the same way to Senaru
Rinjani Hike 2 Days 1 night to Segara Anak Lake and Hot Spring. This program is designed to let you explore Rinjani rim and the crater lake Segara Anak with its hot springs nearby. The tour begins in Senaru heading up to crater rim 1, the next morning decent down to crater lake visiting some hot springs. In the late afternoon ascent up to camp site at the rim 1, stay here for one more night and the last day down to Senaru following the trail through a heavy rain forest.
Rinjani Hike 3 Days 2 Nights to Summit and Lake. Three day-trekking trip to the summit of Rinjani and crater lake is the most popular package among hikers. It allows them to walk in exotic savanna in the east and through typical rainy forest in the west. Climbing the challenging summit and visiting hot spring pools nearby the lake are some of the important points. Taking this trip absolutely requires good level of fitness and hiking experiences.
Rinjani Hike 4 Days 2 Nights to Summit, Lake, and Cave. This trekking package takes four days 3 nights on the mountain. Its itinerary is the same as three day-trek from Sembalun with an extra night camping at the lake side. It is an advance trekking tour to suit a large group, family with children and participants who wish to hike in a shorter distance a day.
Prices for above packages differ from each other. 2 days hiking to summit Rinjani and Senaru rim for a standard service category normally cost starting from USD 185 to USD 200 minimum 2 persons and might be cheaper if you have more participant in your group, if you prefer a luxury one, it may cost USD 250 to USD 300 per person, min. 2 participants. Then a 3 days hiking program, standard category costs from USD 225 to USD 250, and the rates per person for a luxury service varies fro USD 300 to USD 350. The last advance 4 days hiking price ranges from USD 250 to USD 300 per person for a standard service category, while luxury one are much higher, which ranges from USD 375.
A private standard category can be a good option to save the cost. It is designed the same as a private luxury one, both offer a privacy as the strong point. The different only lies a bit on services.
As a conclusion, knowing your main purpose and needs will much help to decide what type of services to take. Good luck and have a good trek