Indonesian pictures are at the top when we think of a beach holiday. It is visited by millions of people every year. The best part of Indonesia, it makes for a year-round destination. Being a tropical country, this place never goes out of season. Indonesia comprises five main islands which are further broken into smaller islands, the count of which goes into thousands. Out of which only 6000 are inhabited.
This summer I ferried my way to Lombok. One of the islands that form a part of the Sunda Islands. Lombok is a hidden treasure of nature. There are beautiful landscapes and waterfalls that delight the senses. The strait of Lombok separates this island from Bali. The Gilli islands are situated minutes away from the bigger island of Lombok. In fact, Lombok happens to be the largest island of this archipelago. The most famous Mount Rinjani is located here in Lombok. The beaches are pristine and oozing with coral life. The capital city is Mataram.
Previously only a surfer’s paradise is now an upcoming destination for beach travelers. This place has a lot of hidden beauty that remains untouched and unexplored. Many believe that Lombok is the new Bali, waiting to be tapped. If you are looking for a relaxing beach vacation, then Lombok should be your choice. Unfortunately, there are not many luxury properties, party vibes, or culinary options on the island yet. But this does not stop the place from being an Uber vacation spot. With proper planning, Lombok has the potential to make for an exceptional holiday destination.
How to reach Lombok?
There are multiple ways to get to Lombok.
By Air :
The flights from Jakarta take around 2 hours to reach Lombok. Whereas flights from Bali have a short flight time of 40 minutes.
By Ferry :
There are numerous ferry options available to reach Lombok. The duration of the journey depends on the boat’s speed. The fast boats take anywhere between 1.5 hours to 3 hours. Whereas the slow boats take around 5 hours to 8 hours to reach Lombok from Bali. The highly operated Padang Bai port in eastern Bali happens to be the departing port for Lombok.
The Easybook application is a quick way to book your ferry tickets hassle-free. The on-spot tickets tend to get sold quickly leading to taking slower boats.
The Padang Bai port is around 2 hours drive from Bali’s city center. Whereas the arrival and departure port for most of the ferries in Lombok is the Bangsal Port.
Where to stay in Lombok?
For my 4 nights stay in Lombok I chose The Oberoi Beach Resort. It is located in Tanjung, North Lombok, a 15-minute drive from the Bangsal Port. This 5-star resort is a spoiler when it comes to hospitality. I thoroughly loved my stay here. An Indian Hotel, this place offers amazing Indian as well as International cuisine. There are recreational sports and activities inside the resort that were a respite, as they kept my kid engaged throughout the stay. While I was away at the scuba diving, the resort made sure to take care of my kid at no additional cost. He was engaged in activities like wood carving, mocktail mixing, snorkeling (under guidance), cycling, baking, and many more.
The resort has an excellent spa and boutique. Ranging from Balinese to Deep tissue, it has it all covered. Post an aroma therapy massage I relaxed at the jacuzzi and sauna to rejuvenate my inner being. I would highly recommend a session. The big stretch of lawn is perfect for bird-watching with a hot cup. The resort has a private beach to enjoy water sports and to sip a nice cocktail in the evenings. There is a pool at the center too. The surreal sunset at the deck was very special.
The scuba center of the resort is the only one in Lombok that is PADI certified. The three-day course of PADI certification is available on request and vacancies. A tandem dive is also available for guests with professional divers.
The capital city of Mataram is situated at an hour’s drive from the resort. This property is situated away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The beauty of the resort is unparalleled. There are many hostel and lodge options available in Lombok.
- Best of South Africa in 2 WeeksSouth Africa is a perfect pick for every kind of traveler. From the stunning mountains to the oceans, crossing over… Read more: Best of South Africa in 2 Weeks
What to do in Lombok?
Day 1
After arriving at the Bangsal Port. I took a cab and arrived at the resort. A smooth check-in process with a refreshing welcome drink landed me in my room and it was incredible. I relaxed my evening away at the property after a 3-hour ferry ride here. A complimentary snack was arranged in the evening. The dinner was excellent. The room service was note-worthy. I asked for a reliable taxi option for my next day trip at the front desk. I was assisted seamlessly. The tour desk assisted me with all the places that I could see in and around Lombok.
Day 2
Waking up early for a nice stroll by the beach is invigorating. Then we ordered breakfast, at an additional cost as mine was room only plan. No buffets are set up because the resort is exclusive. I would recommend placing a la carte order. The chef was Indian and made us a delectable breakfast.
We visited the Lombok Wildlife Park after that. The zoo provides complimentary two-way transfers when booked in advance. There are more than 200 animals, over 50 species in this park. We also had an encounter with a baby orangutan for 30 minutes. My son was head over heels to interact with Kiki, the baby orangutan. We all had a lovely time. Our guide was a pro at giving all the details about the animals inside the plaza. The feeding baskets provided with the package tickets are a good addition. They served refreshments at the end. And then we went for an elephant encounter where we interacted and bathed one of the elephants.
Thereafter we took a cab to the Teluk Nare Harbour and visited Gili Trawangan, one of the Gili islands. We took a private round-trip boat to Gili Trawangan. It is the biggest of the three Gili islands. Instead of staying here, I opted for a day trip, which proved to be a better choice. There isn’t much to do and see around the island. But indeed this place is a paradise for party animals and water sports enthusiasts. A 40-minute horsecart ride showed us through the whole island. Or you can opt for an e-bike or bicycle. Indulge in a foot massage or any other services and loiter in the evening. The island comes to life post-sunset. The only vegetarian restaurant is Pesona Beach Resort and Spa. We had our dinner and made our way back to the boat.
Day 3
This was the most exciting day of the stay in Lombok. Post breakfast head to witness the most amazing twin waterfalls at the foot of Mount Rinjani. Do not forget to book your cab one day ahead for a smooth round trip. The route from my resort to Utara was around 2 hours one way. The roads are in good condition making the travel a scenic one. The waterfalls are a thing of beauty and cannot be missed during your stay in Lombok. There is a small entry fee to visit the falls. We took a private guide along to make it all the more informative.
The Sedang Gile waterfall can be done by people of all ages. It is an easy trek of 15 minutes. Whereas the other fall, Tiu Kelep is a challenging one. It involves three river crossings. I would recommend wearing wet shoes for this one. You can always ask your hotel front desk to assist you with the same. Most of the places will provide you with the same at no additional cost. The waves come in force and can lead to unwanted accidents if you don’t be careful. Nonetheless, the sight at the end is worth all the effort and it will be a memorable one. I highly recommend doing it. I was lucky to witness the twin rainbows that lasted for merely 2 minutes that too during my clothes change saga.
Clubbing this waterfall day with a visit to a local village is all you will need. The local artisans and the craftsman have their work for display and sale. They make for good souvenirs and gifts for loved ones back home. In this way, it also helps the locals keep their motivation alive. Thereafter give a visit to the acclamined Sengiggi Beach and soak in the views. Come back to your resort after a delightful meal at a local restaurant serving the local food. It might not be for everyone but surely worth giving a try. The islands are oozing with sealife which is the most relished food choice here. As a vegetarian, I didn’t have many options to choose from.
Day 4
If you are one for trekking then make the most of it today. Opt for a Mount Rinjani hike. There are options for a single-day or two-day hike with an overnight stay at a camp base on the hill. I was traveling with a five-year-old so instead I opted for a full-day tandem scuba diving and snorkeling trip to the Gili islands from my resort. As mentioned above, the resort was more than happy to assist me with taking care of my kid.
The dive was an amazing one. It was full of coral life. I managed to dive at a depth of around 11 meters before giving up. It was all deserving of the impetus I had to put in before the dive. The dive at Gili Meno was my favorite where I saw life-size turtles swimming all around me. I had a first-hand experience seeing the famous 48 erotic sculptures that are located underwater. After a tiring dive, I relaxed my evening away at the resort with a scrumptious repast.
- Zero-Cost Dubai: A Budget Traveler’s Guide to the City of LuxuryDubai, known for its opulence and extravagance, might not be the first destination that comes to mind when you’re on… Read more: Zero-Cost Dubai: A Budget Traveler’s Guide to the City of Luxury
Day 5
Post breakfast leave for port and ferry back to the mainland of Bali. Or take a flight from the Lombok International Airport. I came back with unforgettable memories and experiences from Lombok. This is one island that lacks the attention it should be getting from the world. I seized the first opportunity I got to visit here before it became crowded and pampered.
Afterword
Lombok is full of nature and hiking trails. A few extra days will only add to the adventure. The hiking trails are for fit adults only. Please refrain from indulging in them if you are traveling with elders or children. As the hike can be a tedious one without any refreshment stops on the way, you need to go fully prepared with hiking gear, sleeping bags, and/or tents. Do carry sufficient water and food for the entire duration of the hiking trip. You can book your hiking trips with various camp providers at the location.
Read about the author here.