Lombok itinerary

Plan 01

1 day in Lombok

1. 01

   Day 1: South coast beaches and views

   With a driver, start with Bukit Merese in the early morning for the view, then spend a few hours at Tanjung Aan. Stop at Sade Sasak village on the way, and finish with an early dinner in Kuta. This suits visitors based in the south or arriving at Lombok International Airport with a free day.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Bukit Merese	45 to 90 minutes including the walk and photographs	Moderate	Sunrise or late afternoon, dry season
   Sade Sasak Village	45 to 90 minutes	Easy	Morning, before the heat and tour groups

   Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.

   With parents at Bukit Merese: The path up is short but steep and uneven, with grass and loose earth, and little shade or seating at the top. Older travellers with knee or balance issues may prefer to enjoy the view from the road below.

Plan 02

2 days in Lombok

1. 01

   Day 1: South coast

   Visit Sade village, then Tanjung Aan and Bukit Merese. Pass the Mandalika circuit if you are interested in motor racing. End at Selong Belanak for the sunset if energy allows.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Bukit Merese	45 to 90 minutes including the walk and photographs	Moderate	Sunrise or late afternoon, dry season

   Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.

   With parents at Bukit Merese: The path up is short but steep and uneven, with grass and loose earth, and little shade or seating at the top. Older travellers with knee or balance issues may prefer to enjoy the view from the road below.

2. 02

   Day 2: West Lombok heritage

   Drive toward Mataram. Visit Taman Mayura in the city, then Taman Narmada and Pura Lingsar to the east. The Hubbul Wathan Islamic Center is a landmark in Mataram that you can pass on the way. End at Senggigi for a sunset and dinner.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Taman Mayura	30 to 45 minutes	Easy	Morning or late afternoon
   Taman Narmada	1 hour	Easy	Morning, dry season
   Pura Lingsar	45 to 60 minutes	Easy	Morning; festival day if your dates match

   Pace: All the stops today are easy on the legs.

Plan 03

3 days in Lombok

1. 01

   Day 1: South coast

   Start with Sade village, then Tanjung Aan and Bukit Merese. Rest at midday and take the late-afternoon light at Merese or Selong Belanak.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Bukit Merese	45 to 90 minutes including the walk and photographs	Moderate	Sunrise or late afternoon, dry season

   Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.

   With parents at Bukit Merese: The path up is short but steep and uneven, with grass and loose earth, and little shade or seating at the top. Older travellers with knee or balance issues may prefer to enjoy the view from the road below.

2. 02

   Day 2: Mataram and the Hindu sites

   Spend the morning at Taman Mayura, Taman Narmada and Pura Lingsar. Return to Senggigi for Pura Batu Bolong at sunset.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Taman Mayura	30 to 45 minutes	Easy	Morning or late afternoon
   Taman Narmada	1 hour	Easy	Morning, dry season
   Pura Lingsar	45 to 60 minutes	Easy	Morning; festival day if your dates match
   Pura Batu Bolong	30 to 45 minutes	Easy	Late afternoon for sunset

   Pace: All the stops today are easy on the legs.

3. 03

   Day 3: Rinjani foothills

   Make an early start for Senaru and the Sendang Gile and Tiu Kelep waterfalls, with a guide. Fit visitors can continue to Tiu Kelep; others can stop at the first fall. Seeing Rinjani's slopes does not require a summit trek.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Sendang Gile and Tiu Kelep Waterfalls	3 to 4 hours on site, plus a long drive from Mataram or Senggigi	Moderate	Dry season, early morning

   Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.

   With parents at Sendang Gile and Tiu Kelep Waterfalls: The route involves uneven steps, forest paths and small rocky streams. The first waterfall is closer, while the second is further and wetter. Older visitors should go slowly, take a guide, wear shoes with grip and turn back if tired.

Read before you go

Guides for the stops on these routes

Pacing

Pacing a Lombok trip for parents and children

• Hire a car with a driver for the day. Roads are narrow, and public transport is thin, so a driver also helps with parking and waiting at sites.
• Choose one anchor sight a day. Waterfalls and Rinjani routes involve steep, uneven paths, while beaches and gardens are much easier.
• Carry travel insurance that covers medical evacuation. The island has no international hospital, and the nearest is in Denpasar, Bali, according to Wikivoyage.
• Cover shoulders and knees at mosques, temples and villages. Carry a sarong and sash, and remove shoes when invited into houses or prayer spaces.
• Plan outdoor sights for the cooler morning, rest at midday, and keep a light rain jacket for afternoon showers in the wet season.
• Ask hotels in advance for vegetarian or low-spice meals, and carry dry snacks and bottled water on long drives.

Lombok with elderly parents: the full guide →