If the heat and humidity are getting to you and you long for some cooler temperatures, consider spending time in Sembalun.

High on the eastern slope of Lombok’s magnificent Mt Rinjani volcano, and one of the two main gateways for climbing Rinjani, the air here is crisp and cool. Surrounded by towering mountains and deep valleys, clear blue skies and lush greenery, Sembalun is the perfect place to get away for a few days.

There is a wide range of accommodation available in and around Sembalun – ranging from hotels with swimming pools and private western style bathrooms, to simple rustic bungalows overlooking dramatic views, to tents and overnight camping trips to bring you closer to nature.

Days can be spent lazing in the cool environment, rugging up in coats in the early morning and taking a stroll through the village as the sun rises over the dramatic peaks, sipping hot drinks spiced with cinnamon or the rich coffee grown in the area, and cuddling up around a bonfire at night with thousands of stars sparkling in the clear mountain sky above.

Rich volcanic soil and a cool mountain climate have created a fertile environment for farmers here to grow many crops not found in other parts of the island. Valleys are laid out in a patchwork of lush greens and golds, with fields of garlic, shallots, cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce and other cool weather crops. Red rice is the staple food grown in the area and visitors can enjoy delicious meals based around this nutritious nutty-flavoured starch.

Strawberries are another abundant crop grown in Sembalun, with strawberry farms here providing the sweet fruits for the many restaurants on the island, as well as for the export market.

Visitors are welcomed to take a strawberry farm tour and to pick their own strawberries. Prices are very reasonable and many day-trippers come to Sembalun to fill up on strawberry orders for family and friends!

The landscape of Sembalun is sublime. Surrounding the valley are ancient ridges, dramatic peaks and drop offs, and the ever-present Rinjani volcano towering above it all. For those who love getting out in nature, the possibilities are endless.

From Sembalun, climb the nearby hill – Bukit Pergasingan – an epic viewpoint reached via a steep and challenging trail.

From the top of the hill, panoramic views stretch out across the valleys and you get a true perspective of the majesty of this area, surrounded by the rugged, deeply grooved slopes and the soaring peaks of the volcanic mountain range and, of course, the queen of them all – Rinjani.

The best times to hike Bukit Pergasingan are before sunrise and sunset, to take in the glorious views. The trek is suitable for most hikers and, although you can do the climb on your own, the start of the trail isn’t easy to find so it’s best to take a local guide who can show you the way and help on some of the steep parts.

Some of the local trekking businesses will arrange overnight camping on the hill when weather permits. This is an awesome experience with the clear sky above filled with stars at night and waking to the stunning view of the sunrise over the mountains the next morning. There are many other treks available from Sembalun. Hike through huge bamboo forests and rustic villages, walk amongst verdant green farmlands with local people planting or harvesting their crops, and discover the raw beauty of the rarely-visited Mangku Sakti Waterfall.

Treks are easily organized online and through local tour operators in the village – just do an online search for any of the places of interest mentioned in this article.

For those who love adventure travel and getting lost in nature, exploring Sembalun and the surrounding mountains is the perfect adjunct (or even alternative) to climbing Rinjani!