Indonesia. What to see on the island of Lombok. Indonesia, Lombok island: in search of “snow-white beaches” Which country does Lombok belong to?

– an ideal place for a secluded holiday and exciting diving.

Lombok is called the little brother of Bali. Until recently, tourists came from there mainly on excursions. After the opening of the international airport, getting to Lombok became much easier and the number of vacationers increased significantly. The tourism infrastructure is gradually developing. Compared to Bali, there are much fewer tourists here, but the holiday is more calm, secluded and exotic.

Lombok is located in the Malay Archipelago and administratively belongs to Indonesia. Lombok is located between two islands - to the west of it is the island. Bali, from the east - . Lombok is slightly smaller in area than Bali. The population of the island is 3 million inhabitants, the capital is Mataram.

How to get there

Just a few years ago it was possible to get to Lombok only from the island. After the discovery of the international Airport Bandara International Lombok, tourists have the opportunity to use direct international flights connecting Lombok with Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. Domestic flights The airport accepts flights from the islands of Java and Bali.

There are up to eight flights a day from Bali to Lombok, but it is extremely difficult to buy tickets online in advance. Therefore, it is better to purchase them in Bali at the airport or travel agency. The flight takes 25 minutes. From the new airport Shuttle Buses go to the city of Mataram and to the resort of Senggigi. A taxi ride is much more comfortable, but will cost five times more. All official taxis are equipped with meters. Boarding a taxi is carried out after paying a service fee at the airport ticket office.

You can also get to the island from Bali by ferry. Compared to air travel, the ferry option is almost 10 times cheaper. Ferries depart around the clock every hour, the journey time is about five hours. In case of bad weather, flights are cancelled. Ferries run from Padang Bai pier (Bali) to Lembar pier (Lombok). From Lembar you can take a taxi to Mataram or Senggigi.

The best way to get around the island is by minibus taxis, which are called Bemo here. On such passenger buses You can also make intercity trips for a small fee. It is possible to rent this transport, which is beneficial for tourists traveling in a group. An ordinary taxi will cost more and cannot be found everywhere. IN tourist areas Renting a car or motorcycle is common practice.

general information

The northeastern part of the island is mountainous and is home to the Rinjani volcano. The south is dominated by limestone plateaus, covered in places by hills. It's very beautiful landscapes– deserted roads run through green hills, clean beaches, quiet bays. Tourist infrastructure is developed in the western part of the island - in the area of the Senggigi resort, where beach holiday, and on south coast– in Kuta (not to be confused with), a favorite place for surfers. In general, Lombok is more suitable for lovers of wild tourism. By car or bike you can travel along deserted roads, visiting secluded exotic places.

Senggigi – resort town, located along the coastal highway. There are all possibilities for relaxation - hotels, expensive and cheap, cafes, restaurants. The main entertainment here is a relaxing holiday on the beach, massage, snorkeling.

Kuta Beach is attractive for surfing. Although there are few hotels and only a few cafes, there is a surf school and rental of surfing equipment. Many tourists rent a scooter to get around the resort. The largest hotel in Kuta is Novotel, which has 2 restaurants, a spa center, an indoor beach, and outdoor swimming pools.

Weather

The climate on the island of Lombok is tropical and hot throughout the year. Tourist season continues year-round, but its peak occurs from March to August. The rainy season lasts from October to April. The greatest amount of precipitation falls in December and January. The driest months are July and August. Average annual temperature air temperature is 28-29 °C, water temperature is 27-30 °C. In the northern mountainous areas noticeably colder than on the coast.

Attractions

The island of Lombok has plenty of attractions, both natural and man-made. Although they are quite modest, they have not yet been promoted, “untapped” by numerous tourist groups. You can get to local attractions by taxi or rented transport. The most convenient and cheap option– join one of group excursions. If you decide to travel on your own, you can order an experienced guide from a travel agency.

Mount Rinjani volcano is the most significant landmark of the island. Not many people can boast that they have visited the crater of a volcano. When in Lambok, it's hard to resist traveling to Mt. Although it has gentle slopes, the height is quite impressive - 3726 m, so the climb takes a whole day. Every healthy person can master it, but traveling alone is not recommended.

Volcano Rinjani

Trekking group trips with porters and a guide are organized for two to three days. By paying $100–200, tourists receive accompanying persons, food, tents, and sleeping bags. Located in the crater of the volcano huge lake where you can swim. After relaxing and admiring the unique views, those who wish can climb the highest point mountains.

– another attraction located near the coast of Lombok. Three of them - Meno, Air and Trawangan - are the most popular. Here tourism infrastructure quite developed: there are hotels of different price categories and several diving clubs.

Gili Islands

Holidays on the Gili Islands are a great opportunity to sunbathe on clean sandy beaches or go snorkeling and diving. The largest of them is Trawangan , most populated by tourists, it is a party place. Lovers of diving among corals come here.

On about. Meno , on the contrary, it is quiet and calm. There are hotels here, but not very many, and all entertainment is concentrated only on their territory. The beaches are beautiful and clean, but there are fragments of coral in the water. Meno – appropriate place for people who want to be in solitude on a deserted island.

Eyre is the smallest and greenest of the three islands. There are many local residents, there are bars and restaurants. The shore and water are clean. Perfect place for those who want to sunbathe and swim, but boring for partygoers.

Narmada Water Park , built at the beginning of the 19th century by one of the local kings, it was used by members of the royal family for recreation. There is a Hindu temple, a swimming pool, springs with clean water, and lakes. The park is beautiful and cozy, the area is carefully cleaned.

Mayura Water Palace – witness to the history of the island. IN late XIX century, a fierce battle took place on the territory of the palace between the Balinese and the Dutch, as a result of which the palace was damaged. Statues, cannons, and altars installed around the lake remind local residents of distant battles for independence.

Pura Meru – Hindu temple built in 1720. Believers are invited to the ceremony by beating large drums located on its premises.

Pura Lingsar – a temple complex consisting of two temples - Hindu and Islamic.

Climate and nature

Climatic conditions vary depending on the region. In December-February the maximum precipitation falls here, the average annual amount is 1600 mm. In general, the climate here is assessed as equatorial-monsoon. But the temperature fluctuates slightly and averages +26°C.

The relief of the island is quite complex - it rises sharply from south to north, where it rises high volcano. Another interesting fact is that in the western part of the island there is the Wallace Line - the conventional border between the flora and fauna of Asia and. Thanks to this, in Lombok you can see plants and animals typical of Australian nature.

Population

The island is inhabited by more than 3 million people. These are the Sasaki people (80%), Balinese (10%), Javanese and Chinese. The vast majority of the population professes Islam, thanks to which about 1,000 mosques have been built in Lombok.

The largest city and capital of the island is Mataram. It is also considered the administrative center of the entire Western Minor Province Sunda Islands, or Nusa Tenggara Barat, to which Lombok belongs. The territory of the island itself is divided into 4 kabupaten - districts: Western, Central, Eastern and Northern. At the same time, the south and east of the island are more densely populated. The most touristic cities are Kuta (not to be confused with the Balinese city of the same name) and.

Lombok – what to see?

The main islands of Lombok in Indonesia include:

– the third highest point in the country. In its crater there is beautiful lake With blue waters, Segara Anak. This area has been a .
Narmada Park– a large landscape and architectural complex with a water park.
Turtle Sanctuary on the Gili Islands.
Mayura Water Palace(Mayura Water Palace).
Hindu Pura Meru and Pura Kalasa.

Holidays on the island

When you come to Lombok, you won't have to worry about what to do here. Although the island is not the most touristy, vacationers are offered a fairly wide range of entertainment:

Beach holidays on the beaches of Lombok island. The most popular in Lombok are Sendjiji and Kuta. This area is considered the most developed in in terms of tourism: all the cafes, shops, and entertainment of the island are concentrated here. There are several other nice secluded coves to the north of Sendjiji. Among other good beaches on the island, travelers name:
- Pantai Putri Nyale;
- Seger Beach;
- Tanjung A'an;
- Air Guling;
- Mawi;
- Mawun;
- Pink Beach (Lombok's famous pink beach).
Best in Lombok- on the coast of Kuta. Here, nature itself has created excellent conditions for surfers of intermediate and high skill levels; there are many different interesting spots. But for those who have never “caught a wave” before, it will be difficult to study in Kuta.
in Lombok can be ordered from local travel agencies. The most popular among guests of the island are climbing Mount Rinjani Volcano and visiting Narmada Park. If you wish, you can travel around Lombok on your own, renting transport and looking at everything interesting corners islands.
Study in local communities. These are not ethnic villages where ostentatious shows are staged for tourists, but the most ordinary ones, where life has been going on as usual for hundreds of years. Here you can meet the local population, walk through rice fields and tobacco plantations, see the beautiful Lombok Sindang Gila and Tiu Kelep waterfalls, and look into the jungle where black monkeys live. And, of course, buy souvenirs.
Nightlife. There are clubs and discos on the island, but only at the Sendjiji resort.

Where to stay?

Mostly active lovers, backpackers and unpretentious tourists who are not looking for comfort go to Lombok. However, if you wish, you can find good hotels. Among Lombok with good reviews Vacationers should note:

Kila Senggigi Beach Hotel 4*;
Katamaran Resort 5*;
Pool Villa Club Lombok 5*;
Kaleydo Villas 4*;
Living Asia Resort and Spa 4*.

In addition to them, there are many guesthouses and inexpensive hotels. The most budget options are:

Sonya Home Stay;
Puri Rinjani Bungalows;
Indah Homestay;
Mina Tanjung Hotel.

Where to eat?

When traveling around the island, you will only be able to eat. You can only find establishments serving Western cuisine in Sengjiji and Kuta. Since Lombok is predominantly Muslim, alcohol is not welcome here.

Shopping Features

Tourists bring many interesting things from the island of Lombok:

pearls and products made from pearls;
figures made of rattan, bamboo, teak;
wicker baskets;
clay figurines and dishes;
wooden masks and boxes;
sarongs;
designer clothes and accessories.

Most popular places for shopping - it's big shopping mall Mataram Mall (the only one of its kind on the island) in Mataram, traditional Asian markets in the cities, the villages of Sukarara, Penujak and Banumelek, where you can buy handicrafts.

Transport

The only one with international status is located on the island of Lombok in Indonesia. There are also two sea ports: Lembar in the west and Labuan Lombok in the east. They have ferry connections to the islands of Sumbawa and Bali.

Government buses run from the airport to Mataram and Sendjiji Beach. For tourists there are taxis and minivans (quite expensive).

An unusual vehicle is the chimodo - a horse-drawn two-wheeled carriage, which is used as a means for tourist walks.

And the most popular among tourists is to rent a bike, on which you can comfortably explore the entire island and visit the most interesting places without reference to the public schedule. Rental costs from $3 to $3.5 per day.

How to get to the island?

There are no direct flights to Lombok from the CIS countries; you can fly here from or from the capital, ($30-50). But, as practice shows, many tourists find it easier to get to Lombok from Bali. This can be done by air ($20.45 minutes) or by Bali-Lombok ferry ($4.5 hours).

In the northern part of Lombok rises the huge volcano Gunung Rinjani, the second largest in Indonesia. Most people live here on a fertile plain at the foot of the mountain range. The south of the island is hilly and arid, covered in low, harsh vegetation, and its eroded valleys resemble some Australian landscapes.

Having studied the plants and animals of Indonesia, the 19th century naturalist. Alfred Wallace divided it into two parts: western, relating to South-East Asia, and eastern, which is geographically adjacent to Australia and Oceania. He drew the dividing line precisely through the Lombok Strait, showing that Bali and Lombok belong to different geographical areas. Although this division is not indisputable, its basis - the “Wallace Line” - is still recognized.

For many years, Lombok served as home to the Sasaks, who once came here from Asia through Java and Bali. It is known that they were animists - they animated everything that surrounded them. When Islam entered the island (partly from Bali), part of the population accepted it, but in its own version, Vectu Telu, which retained significant influence of animism. Now the majority of the island's inhabitants profess Islam to one degree or another. Traveling around Lombok, you will notice many exotic mosques, with domes and fancy arcades, as well as a considerable number of young women in headscarves and specially cut dresses.

Bali's first attempts at intervention began in the 18th century. After some time, most of Lombok was governed from Balinese Karangasem. Later, the Balinese province of Lombok became independent and even tried to subjugate Karangasem. The animistic-Hindu beliefs of the Balinese and the animistic-Muslim religion of the Sasaks were not always in conflict; there was much in common between them. Nowadays, most people from Bali live in the west of Lombok and influence the development of local trade and tourism.

At the end of the 19th century. The Dutch, taking advantage of the differences between the Balinese and the Sasaks, joined the latter and then established complete control over them. After World War II, at the end of the Japanese occupation of Lombok, the Dutch short term returned to the island, but as soon as Indonesia declared independence, they left it again.

People

Lombok, named after a local variety of chili pepper, is also called the “island of a thousand mosques.” Indeed, the Hindus who came here in the 16th century from Balinese Karangsem settled only on west coast and number only 100 thousand people. The vast majority of the population - over two million - are Sasaks who profess Islam. They are divided into two groups: Vetu Tulu (Wetu Tulu)- almost pagans living in the mountains and observing only some Islamic and Hindu rituals, and Vetulima (Wetu Lima)- real orthodox Sunnis.

They all speak Sasak and Bahasa, and many understand Balinese and Sumbawa. English is spoken only at the most popular resorts.

Where to go in Lombok

What you will love about Lombok is the leisurely, relaxing pace of life, clean beaches and natural, untouched beauty. Visitors to the island appreciate the tranquil country roads, where water buffalo roam with their calves, hens run with their chicks and the unexpected blue of the ocean, dotted with the points of sails, opens up. Most tourists stay in hotels near Senggigi Beach or several remote islands Gili, but there is also one in the south of Lombok good beaches, suitable for snorkeling.

There are several on the island worthy of attention temples, palaces and others historical places, but its rich culture is not conspicuous, not on display. The coexistence of Sasak and Balinese-Hindu traditions means that there are always some ceremonies taking place here, information about which can be obtained from your hotel.

Some villages specialize in certain crafts: basketry, weaving, pottery or wood carving. For a glimpse of village life, it's best to rent a car or motorbike and take a day trip through the charming rural areas. It is worth checking out the opening times of the markets; in many towns and villages they open in the mornings once or twice a week. The roads outside the city limits are clear, and pony-drawn carts still predominate among vehicles. (chidomo).

Ampenan, Mataram and Chakranegara

Planes land at Selaparang Airport, located on the northern border of Lombok's capital, Mataram. Slow ferries from Bali dock at Lembar Port, 10 km to the south.

Not long ago, the old port of Ampenan, the administrative center of Mataram and the commercial district of Chakranegara were completely separated from each other. Now it is an urban conglomerate, home to a quarter of a million people. They are united by a long, wide street that ends in Sveta, the city's central transport hub.

The Ampenan port area is already crumbling and almost unused; the narrow streets of the old town are much busier. The majority of the population are descendants of Arab traders and can be seen in the well-kept mosques, where they gather for prayer amid the shouts of the muezzins.

South of the center, in Jalan Banjar Tilar Negara, is the Nusa Tenggara Barat Museum (Tue-Sun 7.00-14.00, entrance fee). There you can get acquainted with the culture of the island and its nature.

In Mataram, the capital of Nusa Tenggara Barat province, there are a number of government agencies; the tree-lined streets are full of rich houses. On the way to the temple, located on the top of Mount Gunung Peng Song, 6 km to the south, you will be greeted by groups of monkeys waiting for handouts.

Lombok's commercial center Chakranegara, or simply Chakra, grew up around the palace of the Balinese rajahs. Of all the royal buildings, only the Mayura Water Palace has survived to this day, which previously housed halls for receptions and court hearings. The palace stands in the middle of the lake; You can approach it along a paved road guarded by cannons. Here in 1894 the Balinese won a brief victory over Dutch troops. A few weeks after this triumph, everything changed and the Dutch continued their conquest of the island.

Across the street stands Pura Meru, the largest temple in Lombok, built in 1720. Its three meru shrines are dedicated to Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. A huge wooden drum in the outer courtyard announces the start of celebrations and ceremonies to the Hindu community. In the east transport node Sveta is crowded with buses (bemo) and pony-drawn carts (chidomo). The largest market in Lombok is noisy here.

Near the capital

The hillside gardens and lake at Narmada, 10 km east of Chakranegara, were created in the 19th century. by order of one of the kings: they were supposed to remind him of the Gunung Rinjani volcano and the lake located in its crater (due to old age he could no longer visit them). Once another rectangular pool was added, the similarities were no longer so obvious.

In Lingsar, in the north of the Narmada, stands the ecumenical temple Pura Lingsar, designed to unite people of different religions. Its upper structure is intended for Hindus. There are big old sacred eels in the pool of the Vektu Telu temple, you need to feed them with sacrificial boiled eggs, which the merchants will sell you at the gate. In another building lies a stone brought from Gunung Rinjani, wrapped in white cloth and tied with a yellow sash. It is said to represent the spirits of the family. Chinese Taoists take a mirror with them to ward off evil spirits.

Suranadi Gardens, east of Lingsar, will also offer eggs for the inhabitants of the pond at the Temple of the Sacred Eels. You can also take a dip in the natural spring pool and stay for lunch at the old Dutch-built Suranadi Hotel.

Senggigi Beach and Gili Islands

Heading along the coast north of Ampenan, visit the Pura Setara water temple near the bright, colorful Chinese cemetery. Villagers gather next to it to pull fishing boats ashore and sort their catch. The vaulted Pura Batu Bolong stands on a rock just in front of Senggigi. An ancient Hindu shrine juts out into the sea, representing wonderful playground, from which you can enjoy the sunset over the Lombok Strait.

The first place to stop is near Senggigi Beach, north of Batubolong. Sometimes the beach slopes down steeply, and there may be rocks or a coral reef just below the surface of the water, so it is better to walk along it in rubber shoes rather than barefoot. The road north of Senggigi follows one of the most stunning coastlines in the Indonesian archipelago. Sometimes she climbs to the tops of cliffs, and then rushes down to the water itself. Tiny villages hide among the palm trees, and bright spots of sails flicker in the ocean distance.

Sometimes tours from Senggigi and transport from Mataram are directed not to the coast, but inland, along the windswept Pusuk Pass road. Two roads meet in Pemenang, one of them, a country road, leads to the small port of Bangsal, from where you can go to the three Gili Islands located in the distance (the word gili means "island"). The nearest one, Gili Air, lies about 3 km away, followed by Gili Meno, and then Gili Trawangan - it is not only the furthest, but also the largest of them, although it is only 2.5 km long.

The white sand beaches and coral reefs have made the Gili extremely popular with divers, tourists and those looking to have fun. The quietest of the islands is Gili Meno; here you can relax in numerous beach cafes and bamboo bungalows, without fear of the noise of cars, motorcycles and barking dogs disturbing the peace. But Gili Trawangan is famous for its noisy parties, and in general there is more entertainment here, including diving centers.

Boats traveling from Bangsal to the islands usually depart only when they are full of passengers (usually one boat accommodates 15-20 people). In July and August you don’t have to wait long, but out of season it’s better to pay for empty seats or hire a round-trip carrier (for a fairly low flat fee). Buy tickets in the main building, and not from traveling salesmen or in makeshift stalls: you can easily run into scammers there. In some large hotels on the Gili Islands they provide transfers by speed boats.

Mountain trekking

Gunung Rinjani, 3,726m high, is revered by both the Sasaks and Balinese, who make pilgrimages to its crater lake and hot springs. Every year many lovers come to this area mountain tourism; they begin their route from one of the villages at the foot of the volcano, south of Bayan (we recommend hiking during the dry season, from June to November).

The narrow road rises quickly from the center of Bayan to Batu Kok, leads to the nearby village of Senaru and ends there. There are guest houses along the road, some of them have a restaurant or cafe attached to them. (warung), and from the restaurant overlooking the valley you can see the reflections of the Sendang Gile Falls. In Rinjani you can hire a guide - either for one day or for a longer climb. the main objective tourists - an awe-inspiring crater with a beautiful crescent-shaped lake. To reach it you will need a whole day of tiring trekking. The depth of the crater is 600 m; descending its steep, slippery slope will take several more hours. Plan on the expedition to last three or even four days, especially if you want to climb to the top of Rinjani. Those who don't have as much time or energy can enjoy a half-hour walk through the valley and lunch at Senaru, next to the magnificent Sendang and Tin Kelep waterfalls.

South and East Lombok

As you leave the road leading through Lombok and head east of the Narmada, you will come across a cluster of handicraft villages. Loyok, for example, is famous throughout Indonesia for its bamboo baskets and mats. In nearby Rungkang, pitch-black pots of all sizes are made and then woven with thin, flexible rattan.

On the southern slope of Gunung Rinjani is Tetebatu, favorite place holiday for local residents, with an old hotel and a couple of apartments overlooking the green valleys. Here you can walk to a forest waterfall, accompanied by black monkeys who will chat, squeal and jump from branch to branch.

Labuhan-Lombok on east coast- this is a local “outback”; It’s hot and stuffy here, the impression is smoothed out only by the picturesque stilt houses. Freight and passenger ferries depart from Kayangan Terminal, 3 km from this village, heading to the island of Sumbawa.

In Sukarar, south of Mataram, almost every home has an ancient loom for producing magnificent songket fabrics, which mix gold and silver threads with cotton. A little further south is Penujak, where world-famous ceramics are made for export.

Beleka, located east of the market town of Praia, specializes in complex weaving: making just one large table mat takes local craftswomen about a week. Further south, near Kuta itself, is Rambitan, a traditional Sasak settlement with bamboo-covered houses and tall barns for storing rice. There are always crowds of tourists and souvenir sellers. Sade is similar to him, but not as big. Note the bamboo-roofed mosques in both villages.

In the south, dry, low scrub hills lead you slowly through semi-desert before revealing one of Indonesia's most stunning coastlines. Kuta Beach with its snow-white coral sand is one of the most convenient places The surf spot, however, unlike its Balinese namesake, is largely empty. You can stay here in modest cottages; Some of them have restaurants.

U sandy beach Mandalika is the Novotel Coralia Resort hotel, stylized as a traditional Sasak village. This is the most best hotel in District. At the request of the guests, drivers can take them to one of the most beautiful secluded beaches located nearby.

The Sunday morning market in the village of Kuta is worth a visit: it is very crowded and interesting. Once a year, in February or March, for a few days after the second full moon, people gather on the beach near the Novotel to celebrate the Bau Nyale festival. The festival has a very ancient origins and passes into the night when millions of sea worms crawl out of the water to mate.

Trip around Lombok

Settling in Senggigi organized tours to Lombok's few cultural attractions and artisan villages. Some include visiting one of the Gili Islands for snorkeling or diving. Bemos travel from city to city, but rarely leave the densely populated central lowlands. They can be rented at a price approximately corresponding to the cost of daily rental of a standard vehicle. On the ubiquitous chidomo (pony with a cart similar to a Balinese dokar) Convenient for short trips. Taxis outside of Senggigi must be booked in advance. You can rent a car in Senggigi and Mataram. You can also rent bicycles; they are good for traveling through the mountains during the dry season. (from June to October).

Accommodation

Most visitors to this island stay in and around Senggigi. A number of hotels are located in Kuta Beach and on the south coast. The Gili Islands have comfortable middle-class hotels, losmens, as well as luxury villas and hotels, the number of which is increasing.

In villages where there are no official places to stay overnight, but if you want to stay here, you need to introduce yourself to the elder: he will place you with one of the local families.

Kitchen

Lombok cuisine is no different from its Balinese neighbor. Except for one thing: this is a Muslim island and finding pork on the menu of restaurants outside the resorts is problematic. Alcohol is ubiquitous in tourist areas, mainly in the form of Bintang beer.

Crafts

Crafts in Lombok focus on producing household items that have natural beauty and functionality. Look at the exquisite wickerwork, be it mats, boxes, plates, bags or the popular rice barn models today. Also very attractive are the wooden carved and painted boxes for storing spices, tobacco, jewelry. Simple products made of red clay are made in Penujak, and black pots woven with complex patterns are made in Rungkang.

How to get there

Selaparang International Airport ("Selaparang") in Mataram, two ferry crossings- that’s the whole sparse set of communications between Lombok and the “mainland”, which usually means neighboring Bali.

Actually, air traffic with other countries is limited only to flights of Singapore's Silk Air with its inhumane 300 SGD one way and 490 SGD round trip from Singapore (approximately $190 and 300)- and this is a couple of months before the flight. A week before the desired date, the price tag skyrockets, and it is more logical to use flights from Air Asia and local airlines with a transfer in Denpasar. The Bali capital is very close - 15 minutes in the air on a Merpati plane (2-3 flights per day, $60). Those wishing to save money are offered flights on a Fokker airliner Trigana for $30 - an unforgettable experience in the style of a “chronicle of a dive bomber”!

If you wish, you can also fly directly to Surabaya and Yogyakarta on Citilink airlines. Tickets are sold at airport ticket offices and travel agencies. Arriving guests of the island are transported to cities and resorts by taxi. You should ignore the intrusive bombers, go out through the parking lot onto the road and catch blue taxis with a meter - a trip to Mataram will cost 6,000 - 7,000 Rp (3 km south).

The main western gate of Lombok is at Lembara (Lembar), where ferries from Bali's Padangbai land every hour and a half. The ticket is inexpensive - 15,000 Rp, but you will have to pay extra for the vehicle, from 40,000 Rp for a motorbike to 225,000 Rp for a car. Passengers of buses, regular and charter, do not need to pay anything extra. Ferry tickets are sold at the ticket office; cunning port scammers claim that the ticket office is closed, but you shouldn’t believe them. Huge Pelni ferries from other Indonesian islands also dock at the port. Due to their deadly slow speed, they are rarely used by tourists. From Lembar to Mataram you can travel by motorbike along beautiful road for 25,000 Rp or by taxi.

Those wishing to continue their journey east to the Nusa Tenggara Islands (Sumbawa - Komodo - Flores) use the eastern port of Kayangan (Kayagan) in Labuan Lombok (Labuhan Lombok), from where ferries to Sumbawa leave every hour (9,000 Rp, additional payment for transport). It is connected to Mataram by a good road and numerous buses departing from the city's Bertais bus station. ("Bertais") (2 hours).

In general, bus service starting from trans-island Jakarta - Sape (Sape) (Sumbawa Island) and ending with Regatta's daily tourist charters to all Bali resorts - the cheapest and most popular means of communication with the outside world. The easiest way to get there is from Denpasar (6 - 7 hours, 90,000 Rp) and Sumbawa Besar (Sumbawa Besar) (6 hours, 65,000 Rp). A trip from Jakarta will turn into an extreme 32 hours in a smoky bus for 300,000 Rp - very cheap, but incredibly angry.

Helpful information

The Tourist Office is located at Mataram, Lombok. Jalan Langka, 70, Tel: 0370-631-730. Useful maps and booklets, which, however, are not always available.

We also recommend the company "Bidy Tour" in Lombok (tel.: 0370-632-127; www.bidytour-lombok.com). Another reliable travel agency is “Perama Tours” (tel: 0370-693-007 in Lombok, 0361-751-551 in Bali; www.peramatour.com) offers a variety of excursions, as well as transfers throughout Lombok and Indonesia.

Five hours by ferry to Bali’s neighboring island of Lombok and you find yourself in a completely different world. The nature here is different, the architecture is different, the atmosphere is different - here you will not see the usual rice fields and small green villages decorated in a typical Balinese style: here the religion is different - Islam.

After the smiling Balinese, Lombok is a little unusual, but I like the nature itself - especially southern Lombok - much more than in Bali. The views here are incredible: rocky green bays with clear blue water, endless white sand beaches, mostly untouched by civilization. When you get to Lombok, you begin to wonder if Bali 10 or 15 years ago was so calm and almost unspoiled by tourist flows?

I am often asked whether it is worth going to Lombok and what to do there. My friends and I come here because of surfing: a real surf trip, a spirit of adventure, a change of scenery and the opportunity to live right on a surf spot. Unpretentious tourists without special requests will also like it here, but lovers of a civilized holiday may find it boring here. However, there are several hotels right on the beach, if someone is looking for a relaxing holiday on the hotel grounds, then you can find something here.

Resort areas of Lombok

Lombok has two main resorts: Sengigi on the west coast and Kuta on the south coast.

Kuta

Kuta is popular among surfers and backpackers, and there are also a couple of 4-star hotels with private beach. Lombok's Kuta is not at all similar to Balinese and is a street running along the beach with a couple of bamboo cafes and private hotels.

The main activities are surfing and beach holidays. The beaches in this part of the island are very beautiful and uncrowded, although quite wild. To get around you will need to rent a scooter.

Accommodation in Kuta costs from $10 to $30 for a medium-comfort room. The cheap rooms have fairly basic furnishings, no hot water and no air conditioning. The only international hotel in Kuta is Novotel.

Food in local cafes is about $3-4 per dish, in European restaurants around $5-7.

In Kuta there are two ATMs, a currency exchange, a massage parlor, yoga classes, a hospital, and a pharmacy.

Senggigi

Senggigi is a fairly developed resort town, with hotels for every taste, restaurants and cafes. By the way, public boats leave from Singigi to the Gili Islands; a ticket for such a boat costs about $1-2.

The main activities here are relaxing, beaches and snorkeling.

There is enough in Senggigi developed infrastructure, there are cafes and restaurants. To get around you can use a taxi, there are opportunities for hiking especially not, since the town stretches along the coastal highway.

Things to do in Lombok

Lombok does not have any special cultural attractions, but it is an ideal place for road trips: it’s great to come here by car or bike and travel around the island, visiting different places.

The south of Lombok has very beautiful landscapes: deserted (or almost deserted:) roads through the hills, deserted bays, beautiful beaches. To BaliBlogger's taste, Lombok is much more beautiful than Bali!

One of the advantages of Lombok is that it is still almost unspoilt by civilization and there are no suffocating tourist flows from which you don’t know where to go. Although this of course has back side: lack of a clear infrastructure in the form of wifi internet, ATMs, exchangers, restaurants with non-Indonesian food. All this is beginning to actively develop in tourist centers, but if you're used to restaurants on Oberoi and beach clubs like Potato Head, Lombok will seem too wild for you. In general, in some places Lombok looks quite poor and dirty, but this is its special flavor. In general, Lombok is a place for lovers of wild tourism :)

Climbing Rijani Volcano

Among the interesting things in Lombok is the Rinjani volcano. This is one of the highest still active Indonesian volcanoes! Its height is more than 3700 meters! And this is probably one of the most beautiful volcanoes in Indonesia, and the main thing is that you can climb it.

The volcano itself is huge, consisting of three peaks and a large caldera with a volcanic lake. The last time it erupted was quite recently, in 2009!

Climbing Rijani is relatively easy and can be done by anyone. The beauty is simply unreal! The hike to the top of the volcano lasts about 3-5 days, depending on how fast you move and what route you take. (Here is an example in pictures of what climbing to the volcano looks like.)

Near the Rijani volcano there are beautiful high waterfalls Sindang Gila and Tiu Kelep.

Most of us living in Bali travel to Lombok regularly to surf the local surf spots. There are many spots here, they are all different, suitable for different levels. Mostly intermediate to advanced. You can also learn to surf from scratch in Lombok, but the conditions are generally a little less suitable than in Bali. There are not many good instructors in Lombok, only local ones, so in the opinion of BaliBlogger, the place is not the best for beginners. But there is a lot of interesting things here for intermediate and advanced levels.

Almost all surfers flock to Kuta as the main spots are located close to it. Some spots are good in the rainy season, and some are good in the dry season. The most popular spots are in a fishing village called Gerupuk.

Beaches in the south of Lombok

Kuta Beach is the main beach and the place where you can find accommodation, restaurants, currency exchange, and an ATM. Kuta beach is huge, beautiful, where you can swim and sunbathe. The beach is wide, there are local cafes on the beach where you can have a snack or leave your things while you swim.

Beaches east of Kuta (leave from Kuta along the main road along the beach and move east, signs lead to all beaches):

Pantai Putri Nyale ( Novotel Beach) – 3 km east of Kuta, “civilized” beach at the hotel.
Seger Beach is the beach next to Novotel to the east of Kuta, you can come here to see beautiful views from the hill or watch the sunset. The beach is not suitable for swimming; there is a strong current.
Tanjung A'an - 7 km from Kuta, a huge bay with clear turquoise water and snow-white sand, one of the most beautiful lagoons in the south of Lombok. There are many local cafes on the beach where you can leave things. On windy days, you can even go kite riding here.

Beaches west of Kuta (from the center of Kuta you need to go west along the country road leading towards the hills in the west):

Air Guling is a large bay suitable for swimming, closest to Kuta.
Mawun – 8 km from Kuta; beautiful beach, bordered by hills, usually completely deserted. You can swim here.
Mawi is the most popular surfing beach near Kuta, a very beautiful bay where you can swim and surf (the waves are suitable for experienced surfers).

Secluded holiday on the Gili Islands

The ones everyone knows in Bali are actually located near Lombok. We all know about the three islands (Meno, Air and Trawangan), but in fact there are a lot of them around Lombok.

The word Gili means in the local dialect (the language of the Sasaks living in Lombok) a small island. Near Lombok there are such famous Gili islands as Gili Gede or Gili Nangu. These two islands are very different from the familiar Gili Islands, they are completely secluded, much greener. Both of these islands are located just south of the port of Lembar, where ferries from Bali arrive, in the southwest of the island.

On Gili Ged there are excellent bungalow houses that stand on stilts on the water. We stayed there once, it was just great!

Cafe Ashtari – best view in Lombok

What to try from local cuisine

Most of the food in Lombok is standard. local dishes– nasi goreng or mi goreng. Among the local dishes typical of this region, BaliBlogger recommends trying ayam taliwang– grilled chicken in a special sauce. Sooooo tasty, but a little spicy - ask for less pepper!

Other food names that you can also find in Lombok: pecking– a hot sauce made from chili, tomato and shrimp paste (lengkare), which can be used to cook meat, fish or the popular spinach here (plecing kangkung); kelor- vegetable soup; serebuk– vegetables stewed with coconut flakes; timun urap– salad of cucumber, coconut, onion and garlic; beberuk terong– stewed eggplants with other vegetables; sate ikan tanjung– sea bass skewers marinated in coconut milk and spices; bebalung– soup made from cow or buffalo ribs.

If you don't like local cuisine, you'll have a hard time in Lombok; you can find a couple of Western restaurants in Kuta or Senggigi, but not in other areas.

How to get to Lombok

There are two ways to choose: by air or by water. The first is more expensive and faster, the second is more budget-friendly, but also significantly longer.

Costs from $30 to $50 one way. The flight is only 45 minutes by direct flight Denpasar – Mataram (airport code – LOP). Merpati Airlines.

The ferry takes 5 hours from Padang Bai port in Bali to Lembar port in Lombok. Ferries arrive every hour, you don’t need to fit a special schedule, you just arrive at the port and that’s it. The ticket price depends on the vehicle. A scooter costs $10, a car costs $70. Tickets are sold directly at the port.

Dangers

Unlike Bali, Lombok is considered a place where you can get into trouble with the locals. I’ve heard a lot of unpleasant stories about Lombok, and I’ve been to one myself. The main danger in Lombok is robbery from local residents and attempts to extort money under various pretexts. That is, in general, the people there are very nice, every time I return to Lombok with pleasure, this summer alone I have been there 3 times already, but sometimes there are unpleasant types.

To avoid this, BaliBlogger advises following the following rules:

If you are a tourist, it is better to move around the island by car; or in large groups. It is best to avoid traveling around the island during dark time days, on bikes - that’s right.
Do not get involved with the locals: no matter what, do not swear with them, behave as friendly as possible, I would even say, “act like a joyful idiot.” God forbid you start arguing with someone on the street, the whole village will come running. (This is exactly what happened to us:)
If something happens, immediately call the police, call the tourist police and our consulate. In the police, ask to speak with the head of the local department, these people are more useful. The main thing is to behave calmly but confidently, do not panic.

Our bad experience last year in Lombok: a small collision between our car and a local bike (among the damages: our bumper was scratched, the bike’s kickstand was bent) ended with the whole village coming running and trying to force us out of the car and “talk”. It all ended with 10 hours of sitting in a police station and extorting money. I won’t go into details, but for the first time in Indonesia I was scared for myself and my friends.

Useful phone numbers:

Lombok Police: ☎ +62 370 693110 or 110

Tourist Police (located in Senggigi): ☎ +62 370 632733 / Address: Police Senggigi (Pos Polsek Senggigi), Jl. Raya Senggigi, km 1 Senggigi (next to Art Market)
Russian Embassy (located in Jakarta): ☎ + 62-21 522-29-12/14, + 62-21 522-29-16

Beach in Kuta (Lombok): White sand and turquoise water

Did you know that there is a place on our planet called “chili pepper”? Yes, yes, this is how the Indonesian word Lombok, an island located in the Malay archipelago, is translated into Russian.

On one side the shores of the island meet the waters Indian Ocean, and on the other - with the Bali Sea, which flows into Pacific Ocean. Despite the fact that Lombok's area is small, its reliefs vary greatly depending on the part of the island. So, in the north there is mostly mountainous terrain, in the south there are plains. In addition, Lombok has a real active volcano. The volcano is called Rinjani and is the third highest point in all of Indonesia.

About the history of the island. The first mention of the existence of states in Lombok dates back to the 9th century AD. During the same historical period, there was a massive subjugation of all the small members of the archipelago by the Balinese principalities. Lombok was no exception. In this situation, the island existed until the Middle Ages.

In the mid-17th century, some skirmishes began on the island lands with the Dutch colonialists, in which the latter were defeated. Three centuries later, during the Second World War, Lombok, like the rest of the nearby islands, was occupied by Japanese troops. Over the ten years after the war, the island found itself in different administrative statuses. As a result, in the fifties of the last century, Indonesian sovereignty was finally established to this day.

As you already understood, Lombok - quite an interesting place to travel. And a favorable climate, and ethnic diversity, and rich story– all this only encourages tourists to visit this corner of the Earth. So that you don’t get confused when you arrive on the island and don’t grab your head in search of attractions, this article was written. Here is a list of the main places in Lombok that are definitely worth seeing.

Climbing to the top of the mountain is probably the most popular activity among tourists. After all, where else if not from above does the best view of most of the island, the ocean and the volcanic lake open? But you shouldn’t rush to climb on your own: the climb itself is not dangerous, but it takes a long time.

The ascent alone will take you almost the whole day, and you still need to save energy for spending the night in tents and descending. That is why in Lombok it is not difficult to find a company that organizes trips to Rinjani professionally. The price for such a pleasure is quite affordable, considering that in addition to the ascent itself accompanied by a guide, the price also includes full equipment (tent, sleeping bag, etc.).

When heading to the shores of these coral islands, prepare your eyes in advance for the indescribable beauty of the landscape. You won’t want to leave here, because the water here is completely clear and the sand is snow-white. On the islands you can try yourself as a diver and explore the life of the inhabitants of coral reefs.

Don't worry about running out of hotels: the Gili complex includes three islands that are very close to each other. Each of them has all the conditions for comfortable rest tourists.

The first thought that arises when you hear the phrase “water park” is entertainment water park with hundreds of slides and pools. But in Lombok this place is connected with something slightly different. This place has long been loved by members of the government and the royal family. Today here you can find a temple, a fountain whose water rejuvenates, a swimming pool, and many natural springs.

The water palace is named because most of the territory is occupied by a lake. The place is perfect for secluded walks away from the noisy world. It was also here that in the 17th century there were fierce battles between the local population and the Dutch colonialists, which led to the almost complete destruction of the palace building.

This local attraction is directly related to the previous one, because it is located on its territory. It must be said that Sukarare is not the only craft village in the Mayura water palace, but today it is the largest and most interesting. This is where you can watch how real weavers work, how looms work, etc.

Today Pura Meru is the largest temple on the entire island. The faith it professes is Judaism. It was built at the beginning of the 18th century.

The interest of tourists is attracted not by the decoration of the temple itself or its history, but by the huge wooden drums that are located in the courtyard. It is with their help that the temple servants invite all the believers of the island to worship. Also in the courtyard you can find about thirty sculptures dedicated to different gods.

The temple was built at the beginning of the eighteenth century and today it serves two religions: Hinduism, called Balinese, and three-day Islam called “Vektu Telu”. On the territory of the complex there is a separate temple for each religion. Entrance is free, like most other temples, but donations will never be superfluous.

The waterfall cannot boast that it is easy to reach, but its advantages include its height - more than five hundred meters - and, of course, a picturesque reservoir in which anyone can swim.

Unlike the previous waterfall, this one is practically unattainable. You can see the landscapes of this area only if you have rock climbing skills. If you are one, do not even think about going in search of Betar on your own: without a guide, you are unlikely to cope with this difficult task and thereby spoil your impressions of the entire vacation.

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