The road from Bayan leads to Senaru, the gateway to the Rinjani National Park. Senaru is a pretty village set in lovely scenery with fantastic views of the volcanic mountain range. There is a good selection of accommodation available in the area, ranging from basic backpacker home-stays to nice cottages and, whether you climb the mountain or not, Senaru is a nice place for a short stay.

The Rinjani National Park is a nature reserve of 41 330 hectares surrounding the volcano that provides many opportunities for eco-tourism.

The whole area is a picturesque haven, featuring magnificent waterfalls, lush and accessible jungle trekking, traditional villages, and plantations of tobacco and cashew nuts, grown alongside verdant rice terraces. Tropical animal species, including monkeys and tropical birds, live in the surrounding jungle, as well as abundant varieties of tropical plants and flowers.

Sendang Gile Waterfall at Senaru is amongst Lombok’s most spectacular, even after climbing the 200 vertical steps down to stand below them. The water cascades in a steep vertical drop, around 40m down the hillside into a rocky stream below. This is a popular place with local people on weekends and public holidays, when the waterfall and nearby creek can get crowded. Annoying touts and rubbish can sometimes be a nuisance.

Guides are compulsory (pay around Rp 40 000) for the trek through the jungle to the lovely Tiu Kelep waterfall nearby. The steep hike takes around an hour, through lush jungle paths and over a bridge with gaps in it (and sometimes through an old irrigation tunnel!)

The waterfall is worth the effort, with gushing water flowing into a pool at the base, good for swimming. Climb the rocks to the hidden cave behind the falls and follow local legend that says for every pass behind the waterfall, you take one year off your age.

A third waterfall, Betara Lenjang, is reached by scrambling up rocks and slippery jungle tracks. This is only for the adventurous and physically fit, accompanied by a guide and proper equipment.

There are many tour operators (and independent guides) available who offer guided tours including rain forest and jungle hikes, waterfall tours, and full day programmes that take in visits to local villages, the Masjid Kuno mosque in Bayan and the waterfalls.