Many travellers come to Lombok to climb the famous Mount Rinjani, or simply use the island as a jumping off point for Komodo National Park. Few backpackers linger long enough to experience the amazing local treasures of the island and this tour is designed to help you do just that!
With a local Lombok driver, you will explore the highlights of the island on and off land, including trips to amazing waterfalls, pristine sandy white beaches, visit local temples, handicraft villages and encounter the indigenous Sasak people who are the original settlers of Lombok. You will also take a trip to the secret island of Gili Nanggu where you will snorkel in crystal clear waters like you have never before seen!
- Start Time on Day 1: 9am. Pick up from your hotel included.
- Finish Time on Day 3: 5pm. Drop off to your hotel included.
3-Day, 2-night Itinerary: Explore Lombok Tour
Day 1: Getting to know the Sasak Culture
On your first day exploring Lombok Island, you will learn more about the culture, history and traditions of the local Sasak people, native to the region. You will visit the following local places:
Stop 1: Narmada Water Temple – 12km East From Mataram
First, we will visit the Narmada Water Palace which dates back to 1727 and is one of Lombok’s most beautiful attractions. This Royal Garden is home to a temple and a holy spring/swimming pool used by Hindus in their Balinese water ceremonies as well as manicured tiered gardens. The holy spring is believed to bestow eternal youth to whoever swims in it. The Hindu temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is named ‘Pura Kalasa’ after a secret river in India. The palace is surrounded by rice paddies, forests and a lake and is a lovely place to spend a few hours.
Stop 2: Sukarara Traditional Village – 28km Southeast From Mataram
Next stop is a traditional Sasak village which is home to a bustling weaving industry. Here, the weaving skills have been handed down from generation to generation over hundreds of years. The talented villagers produce an exquisite array of fine woven cloths using cotton silk or gold and silver to create original designs, for which Lombok is now famous.
Stop 3: Rambitan and Sade Traditional Sasak Villages – 42km Southeast from Mataram
On this stop, we will visit two traditional villages where you can glimpse the local way of life of the Sasak people. You will see the traditional thatched architectural design of the dwellings, with their soaring roofs. Visitors will also get a chance to try their hand at weaving a ‘gedogan’ (a Muslim shawl) using simple looms.
Stop 4: Kuta Beach – 55km Southeast from Mataram
Our last stop of the day is the impressive white sandy expanse of Kuta Beach, which lies on the ruggedly beautiful south coast of Lombok. The beach is a perfect place to wander at low tide, among a plethora of shells, coral and other marine life. The people of Lombok call this beautiful beach ‘Putri Nyale’. Every year, in the tenth month of the Sasak Calendar (February or March), The Bau Nyale ceremony is held here where the local people join together at night to catch sea worms by torchlight, whilst singing Pantun (traditional Sasak poetry). Finally, we will visit Tanjung A’an white sandy beach to finish the day.
- Included on Day 1: AC car with local driver. English speaking tour guide. All entrance fees. All parking fees. All taxes and service charges. Lunch.
- Accommodation on Day 1: You will spend the night at the lovely Santai Homestay in Kuta, Lombok. Twin bed or double accommodation with private bathroom and swimming pool for guests.
Day 2: Snorkeling Tour to Gili Nanggu, Gili Kedis and Gili Tangkong
On day two, you are in for a real adventure as we head off by boat to visit the amazing secret island of Gili Nanggu on the West coast of Lombok. The island is rarely visited by tourists and is surrounded by pristine white sandy beaches and colourful coral reefs full of tropical fish – amazing for snorkelling!
The day begins at 9am where you will be met at your hotel and driven by AC car to Tawun Harbour. You will leave the harbour by local outrigger boat to the island of Gili Nanggu where you will spend some time swimming and snorkelling in the clear warm waters. You will see colourful coral reefs and tropical fishes, but please be sure not to stand on the coral reef as it can be damaged very easily. Swimming only.
We will enjoy a delicious packed lunch on the island before moving on to the next islands; Gili Kedis and Gili Tangkong. Both islands have white sandy beaches and spectacular bays with waters that are perfect for swimming and snorkelling. At 4pm, we will return by boat to Tawun Harbour and drive back to your hotel in Kuta where you can relax for the rest of the day.
- Included on Day 2: AC car with local driver. English speaking tour guide. Outrigger boat charter. Snorkelling equipment. Breakfast at the hotel. Packed lunch box. Mineral water during the tour. All entrance fees. All parking fees. All taxes and service charges.
- Accommodation on Day 2: You will spend the night at the lovely Santai Homestay in Kuta, Lombok. Twin bed or double accommodation with private bathroom and swimming pool for guests.
Day 3: Lombok Waterfalls Tour & Trek
On the last day, we will explore some of Lombok’s most spectacular waterfalls, swim in the pools and visit a Cacao plantation.
Stop 1: Benang Stokel Waterfall
Benang Stokel Waterfall is one of the highest waterfalls in Lombok! The water cascades over steep rocks 20-metres high, originating from the mighty Rinjani Mountain. You will breathe in the fresh, cool air in this beautiful region that’s home to lush rice fields and mountain scenery. You will explore the natural beauty of inland Lombok with some light trekking through the forest. The waterfall is located North of Praya Town.
Stop 2: Benang Kelambu Waterfall
We will walk through banana, orange, coffee and cacao plantations to reach the second waterfall named Benang Kelambu located 30-minutes walk from the first waterfall. Splash around in the falls and cool off after your trek.
- Included on Day 3: Breakfast at the hotel. Lunch. AC car with local driver. English speaking tour guide. Mineral water during the tour. All entrance fees. All parking fees. All taxes and service charges.
Maximum of 4 people on the tour.
Hi, I’m Nikki and I started South East Asia Backpacker in 2008 after my own first solo backpacking trip! My vision was to create a travel diary for everyone, a place for travellers to share their experiences from the road. After backpacking and writing about Southeast Asia for over 10 years, I saw the opportunity to provide backpackers with the kind of experiences that I’d treasured myself in the region!
