The 3 Volcano Challenge in Indonesia: Self-Launched Edition

Fly into Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS). Skip the private transfer and take the fixed-rate Kura-Kura shuttle bus or a pre-booked Grab taxi to Ubud (around £8–12). Check into a guesthouse or hostel in central Ubud, then wander the main street, visit the Ubud Palace, and meet fellow travellers. Grab a cheap Nasi Goreng dinner at a warung for under £2.

🚌Grab taxi or Kura-Kura shuttle from airport to Ubud (~£8–12)

🛏Guesthouse or hostel in Ubud (e.g. Ubi Ubud Hostel or Mango Tree Hostel) — ~£12–16/night twin share

• →Arrive at Denpasar Airport and take Grab or shuttle to Ubud (~£8–12)
• →Check into guesthouse in central Ubud
• →Explore Ubud Palace and Monkey Forest area
• →Dinner at a local warung

Book a self-guided or locally guided Mount Catur trek directly with a local agency in Ubud or via GetYourGuide (expect £20–35 including transport). Depart early for the Bedugul area (~1.5hrs from Ubud by minivan). The 6km trek climbs through dense tropical forest past Lakes Bratan, Buyan, and Tamblingan to the sacred Pura Puncak Mangu temple at the summit. Descend via an alternate trail and return to Ubud by afternoon. Local trekking companies on Jalan Hanoman offer the best rates.

🚌Shared minivan with local trek operator included in trek cost

🛏Guesthouse in Ubud (same as Day 1) — ~£12–16/night

• →Early morning drive to Bedugul trailhead (~1.5hrs)
• →Hike Mount Catur: 6km, 750m ascent, 800m descent through rainforest
• →Visit sacred Pura Puncak Mangu temple at the summit
• →Views of Lakes Bratan, Buyan and Tamblingan
• →Return to Ubud by late afternoon

A lighter recovery day before the big Agung push tomorrow. Hire a scooter (£5/day) or join a cheap shared day tour (£10–15) to explore Tampaksiring. Visit the 11th-century Gunung Kawi temple complex (entry ~£1.50), walk through rice terraces, stop at Tirta Empul holy water temple, and browse local herb gardens. Return to Ubud mid-afternoon, eat an early dinner, and get to bed early — you'll be waking at midnight.

🚌Scooter hire or shared day tour (~£10–15)

🛏Guesthouse in Ubud — ~£12–16/night

• →Hire scooter or join cheap shared day tour to Tampaksiring (~£10–15)
• →Visit Gunung Kawi temple complex (entry ~£1.50)
• →Walk rice terraces and herbal gardens
• →Try Indonesian coffee and traditional Balinese snacks
• →Visit Tirta Empul holy water temple
• →Early dinner and early night — 01:00 wake-up tomorrow

Book a Mount Agung sunrise trek directly with a local operator in Ubud or via GetYourGuide (£25–45 including guide, transport, and park fee — a mandatory guide is legally required for Agung). Depart around 01:00am, arriving at Pasar Agung temple (1490m) for the trailhead. The tough 9km round trip climbs through forest, scrub, and loose volcanic scree to the sacred second summit at 2880m. Watch sunrise from the top, then descend. After the trek, have your driver drop you in Candidasa on the northeast coast rather than returning to Ubud — a beautiful and tranquil base. Check into a simple guesthouse.

🚌Included in trek booking; drop-off at Candidasa instead of Ubud

🛏Simple guesthouse in Candidasa (e.g. Puri Oka Beach Bungalows) — ~£12–18/night

• →01:00am departure for Mount Agung trailhead at Pasar Agung temple
• →Trek 9km round trip with mandatory local guide: 1200m ascent through forest and volcanic terrain
• →Sunrise from the sacred second summit at 2880m
• →Breakfast at the summit or trailhead
• →Drive to Candidasa on the northeast coast to rest and recover

Head to Padangbai harbour (30 mins from Candidasa by Grab/ojek, ~£3) and board a public fast boat to Lombok. Multiple companies run the crossing daily (Bluewater Express, Gili Getaway etc.) — tickets cost £15–25 for the ~2hr crossing to Bangsal or Teluk Nare. From the harbour, arrange a local driver or ojek to Senaru village (~1.5hrs, £8–12). Stop at Sendang Gile Waterfall on arrival (entry ~£1) for a refreshing hike and swim. Settle into your lodge in Senaru and fuel up on Indonesian food ahead of the Rinjani adventure.

🚌Fast boat Padangbai–Lombok (~£20), local transport to Senaru (~£10)

🛏Guesthouse or lodge in Senaru village (e.g. Rinjani Lodge or local family homestay) — ~£10–15/night

• →Transfer to Padangbai harbour by Grab (~£3)
• →Public fast boat from Padangbai to Lombok (~£20, ~2hrs)
• →Local transport from harbour to Senaru village (~£10)
• →Hike to Sendang Gile Waterfall (entry ~£1, 1hr round trip)
• →Dinner and rest at Senaru lodge

Book a 3-day/2-night Rinjani trek package through an accredited operator based in Senaru or Sembalun. Official prices are regulated: a standard 3D/2N package including guide, porters, cook, meals, camping equipment, and park fees costs approximately £80–130pp depending on group size and operator. This is genuinely the most cost-effective way to do Rinjani and is non-negotiable for park access. Head to Sembalun trailhead, check in at the Rinjani Trek Centre, collect your gear and meet your crew. Trek through open savannah grassland, ascending steadily through pine forest to Pelawangan Crater Rim Camp (2639m) for sunset and dinner under the stars.

🚌Transport to Sembalun included in or added to trek package (~£5)

🛏Camping at Pelawangan Crater Rim (tent and equipment provided in trek package)

• →Transfer to Sembalun trailhead (~45 mins from Senaru)
• →Check in at Rinjani Trek Centre and meet guide and porter crew
• →Trek 6.5km: ascent from Sembalun to Pelawangan Camp (2639m)
• →Walk through open grassland and pine forest
• →Sunset from the crater rim
• →Dinner and camping at Pelawangan — first night under the Milky Way

Rise at 02:00am for the summit push. A 3-hour climb in the dark brings you to the summit of Mount Rinjani at 3726m — the third highest peak in Indonesia. Watch the sunrise unfold across Lombok, Bali, and beyond. Descend back to camp for a hearty breakfast, then pack up and descend steeply to Segara Anak crater lake and its volcanic hot springs. Swim and soak in the healing waters with views of the active Gunung Baru cone. Lunch by the lake, then ascend to the Senaru Crater Rim camp for sunset and your second night camping.

🚌All trekking on foot — included in trek package

🛏Camping at Senaru Crater Rim (tent and equipment provided in trek package)

• →02:00am summit push — 3hr climb to 3726m
• →Sunrise from the summit of Mount Rinjani
• →Descend to Pelawangan camp for breakfast
• →Steep descent to Segara Anak crater lake
• →Swim and soak in volcanic hot springs
• →Lakeside lunch with views of Gunung Baru
• →Ascent to Senaru Crater Rim camp for second night

After breakfast at camp, pack down and tackle the epic 5.5km descent of roughly 2000m all the way back to Senaru village (~5hrs). This completes a rare full circular route around the Rinjani complex. Arrive in Senaru, bid farewell to your guide and porter crew (tip generously — they work hard!). Arrange a local driver to take you to the west Lombok coast (~2hrs, £10–15). Check into a mid-range beachside guesthouse or budget resort near Senggigi or Kuta Lombok for a very well-earned rest.

🚌Local driver Senaru to west Lombok coast (~£12)

🛏Beachside guesthouse or budget bungalows on Lombok coast (e.g. near Senggigi or Kuta Lombok) — ~£15–25/night

• →Breakfast at Senaru Crater Rim camp
• →5hr descent: 5.5km, 2040m down to Senaru village
• →Farewell and tip your guide and porters
• →Transfer to west Lombok coast by local driver (~2hrs)

You've earned this. Spend the day entirely at your own pace on one of Lombok's beautiful and uncrowded beaches. Take a long beach walk, swim in the sea, find a hammock, or book a cheap beach massage (~£5). If you have energy, rent a scooter (£5) and explore the coast. Eat cheaply at beachside warungs and watch the sunset over the sea with Bali's volcanoes on the horizon.

🚌Optional scooter hire (~£5)

🛏Beachside guesthouse on Lombok coast — ~£15–25/night

• →Free day to rest and recover at the beach
• →Sea swimming and beach walks
• →Optional scooter hire to explore the coastline (~£5)
• →Cheap beach massage (~£5)
• →Sunset from the beach — spot Mount Agung on the horizon

Arrange a local driver to take you to Lembar or Bangsal harbour (~1–2hrs, £8–12). Board a public fast boat back to Bali (~£20, ~2hrs). Arrive into Padangbai or Sanur, then take a Grab taxi to Kuta (~£5–10). Check into a lively hostel or guesthouse in Kuta for your final night. Celebrate the end of an epic triple-summit adventure with a group dinner at one of Kuta's many great restaurants.

🚌Local driver to harbour (~£10), fast boat (~£20), Grab to Kuta (~£8)

🛏Hostel or guesthouse in Kuta (e.g. Kuta Bed & Breakfast or Capsule Pod Hostel) — ~£12–16/night

• →Morning transfer to Lombok harbour by local driver (~£10)
• →Public fast boat back to Bali (~£20)
• →Grab taxi from Padangbai/Sanur to Kuta (~£8)
• →Check into Kuta hostel or guesthouse
• →Celebratory dinner in Kuta

Enjoy a final Balinese breakfast and some last-minute shopping in Kuta. Book a Grab taxi to Ngurah Rai International Airport (£5–8) in plenty of time for your onward flight. You've just summited three Indonesian volcanoes independently — not bad for a self-launched adventure.

🚌Grab taxi to airport (~£6)

🛏N/A — departure day

• →Final breakfast in Kuta
• →Optional last-minute souvenir shopping in Kuta
• →Grab taxi to Ngurah Rai International Airport (~£5–8)