The 3 Volcano Challenge in Indonesia: Self-Launched Edition

Fly into Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS), Denpasar. Pre-book a Grab taxi or use the official airport taxi counter to get to Ubud (approx. £10–14, ~1.5 hrs). Check into a budget guesthouse or hostel in Ubud — there are dozens of excellent options around Jalan Bisma and the monkey forest area for £10–18/night. Spend the afternoon strolling the town, visiting the Ubud Palace, and getting your bearings. Head to one of the many warungs (local eateries) on Jalan Dewi Sita for a cheap and delicious dinner.

🚌Grab taxi or official airport taxi from DPS to Ubud (~£10–14, ~1.5 hrs)

🛏Guesthouse or hostel in Ubud (e.g. Oka Wati Hotel, Ubud Tropical, or similar) — approx. £12–18/night

• →Arrive at Denpasar Airport and take a Grab taxi or official metered taxi to Ubud (~£10–14)
• →Check in to a guesthouse or hostel in central Ubud
• →Explore Ubud town centre, Ubud Palace and the main market
• →Dinner at a local warung on Jalan Dewi Sita or Jalan Hanoman

Book a local guided trek to Mount Catur (Puncak Mangu) through a Ubud trekking agency or via GetYourGuide — guided treks including transport from Ubud typically cost £25–40. The trek departs early (around 5–6 AM) and takes you through lush tropical forest past Lakes Bratan, Buyan and Tamblingan to the sacred Pura Puncak Mangu temple near the summit. Expect 4–5 hours of hiking over 4 miles. Lunch is often included with guided packages; if not, pick up supplies at Bedugul market. Return to Ubud by early afternoon for rest and a relaxed dinner.

🚌Included in guided trek package from Ubud

🛏Same guesthouse in Ubud

• →Early guided trek up Mount Catur (Puncak Mangu) — book via GetYourGuide or local Ubud agency (~£25–40 incl. transport)
• →Visit sacred Pura Puncak Mangu temple near the summit
• →Enjoy sweeping views of Lakes Bratan, Buyan and Tamblingan
• →Return to Ubud for rest and dinner

A lighter recovery day before tomorrow's big summit push. Book a local guided cultural walk around the Tampaksiring area (~£15–25 via GetYourGuide or a local guide arranged through your guesthouse). Visit the 11th-century Gunung Kawi temple, meander through rice terraces, herbal gardens and local markets. Try traditional Balinese coffee and jamu (herbal drink) at a local café. Return to your hotel by mid-afternoon for an early dinner and an early night — you'll be waking up around midnight.

🚌Shared minibus or scooter hire to Tampaksiring (~£3–6)

🛏Same guesthouse in Ubud

• →Guided cultural walking tour of Tampaksiring area (£15–25 via GetYourGuide or local agency)
• →Visit the 11th-century Gunung Kawi temple complex
• →Walk through rice terraces and herbal plant gardens
• →Try traditional Balinese coffee and jamu (herbal drinks)
• →Early dinner and early bedtime ahead of 1 AM start

This is an extremely early start — your guide will collect you around midnight. Book a guided Mount Agung sunrise trek via GetYourGuide or a reputable local operator (e.g. Bali Trekking Guide or similar); these typically cost £35–55 per person including transport and guide. Treks depart from Pasar Agung Temple (4,888 ft). The trail climbs through forest, then sparse scrub and volcanic rock to the sacred second summit at 9,449 ft. Watch the sunrise over the Lombok Strait. Descend by mid-morning and ask your guide to drop you in Candidasa (usually possible for a small supplement of £5–10), a tranquil coastal village to rest and recover. Check into a guesthouse in Candidasa for the night.

🚌Included in guided trek package; arrange onward drop to Candidasa with guide (~£5–10 supplement) or take a local bemo/shared taxi

🛏Budget guesthouse in Candidasa (e.g. Geringsing Homestay or similar) — approx. £10–15/night

• →Midnight guided trek to the summit of Mount Agung — book via GetYourGuide or local Bali trekking agency (£35–55 incl. transport)
• →Watch sunrise from 9,449 ft over the Lombok Strait
• →Visit Pasar Agung Temple at the trailhead
• →Afternoon rest and recovery in Candidasa coastal village

Make your way from Candidasa to Padang Bai harbour (approx. 30 min by bemo or shared taxi, ~£2–4). Book a speedboat from Padang Bai to Teluk Nara, Lombok (~£15–25 depending on operator; try Blue Water Express or Scoot Fast Cruises — book online in advance). From Teluk Nara, take a local taxi or pre-arranged transfer to Senaru village (~£12–18, about 1.5–2 hrs). Stop at Sendang Gile Waterfall on arrival in Senaru — entrance fee is around £1. Check into a local guesthouse or lodge in Senaru village and fuel up on Indonesian food for dinner.

🚌Bemo to Padang Bai + speedboat to Lombok + taxi to Senaru

🛏Guesthouse or lodge in Senaru village (e.g. Rinjani Lodge, Pondok Senaru, or similar) — approx. £10–15/night

• →Shared taxi or bemo from Candidasa to Padang Bai harbour (~£2–4)
• →Speedboat from Padang Bai to Lombok (~£15–25, book Blue Water Express or Scoot Fast Cruises in advance)
• →Taxi from Teluk Nara to Senaru village (~£12–18)
• →Short hike to Sendang Gile Waterfall in Senaru (entrance ~£1)
• →Dinner at guesthouse or local warung in Senaru

Book your Rinjani trek package through a licensed Senaru or Sembalun trekking agency (many options at the trailhead or book ahead via Rinjani Trek Centre or GetYourGuide). A 3-day/2-night porter-supported camping trek costs approximately £80–130 per person and includes guide, porters, camping gear, cooking equipment, meals on the mountain, and national park entry fees. Check in at the Rinjani National Park office in Sembalun (a short drive from Senaru, ~£3). Begin trekking through open savannah grassland, ascending steadily. Lunch on the trail. Steep afternoon climb through pine forest to Pelawangan Crater Rim Camp at 8,658 ft. Watch the sunset over the crater and enjoy a cooked dinner prepared by your porter-cook.

🚌Short taxi/ojek from Senaru to Sembalun trailhead (~£3–5)

🛏Camping at Pelawangan Crater Rim Camp (tent provided by trekking package)

• →Book 3-day/2-night porter-supported Rinjani trek package via Rinjani Trek Centre or local Senaru/Sembalun agency (~£80–130 pp incl. guide, porters, meals, gear and park fees)
• →Check in at Rinjani National Park office in Sembalun
• →Trek from Sembalun through open grassland and pine forest
• →Lunch on the trail at ~4,921 ft
• →Reach Pelawangan Crater Rim Camp (8,658 ft) for sunset and dinner

Wake at around 2 AM for the summit push — a 3-hour climb to Rinjani's 12,224 ft peak. Your guide (included in the package) will lead you up through the dark with headtorches. Reach the summit for sunrise and incredible views back toward Bali and Mount Agung. Descend to camp for a well-earned breakfast, then pack down and descend to Segara Anak Crater Lake. Swim and soak in the volcanic hot springs on the lake shore. Lakeside lunch with views of the active Mount Baru inside the crater. Ascend to Senaru Crater Rim campsite in time for sunset.

🚌All on foot; guide included in trek package

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

• →2 AM summit push to Rinjani's peak at 12,224 ft with guide (included in trek package)
• →Watch the sunrise from the summit
• →Descend to Segara Anak Crater Lake for breakfast
• →Swim and soak in volcanic hot springs at the lake shore
• →Lakeside lunch with views of Mount Baru
• →Ascend to Senaru Crater Rim campsite for sunset

After breakfast at camp, begin the full descent from the Senaru crater rim all the way down to Senaru village — approximately 5–6 hours of trekking (6,500 ft descent). The circular route is more rewarding than returning the same way. Arrive in Senaru, where your trekking company can arrange an ojek or shared taxi to the west Lombok coast (~£10–15). Instead of the operator's Living Asia Resort, check into a comfortable mid-range guesthouse or eco-lodge near Sire Beach or Senggigi — clean, comfortable options are available for £15–30/night. Have a shower, a long dinner, and sleep.

🚌Ojek or shared taxi from Senaru to west Lombok coast (~£10–15)

🛏Mid-range guesthouse or eco-lodge near Sire Beach or Senggigi, west Lombok (e.g. Sire Beach Bungalows, or similar) — approx. £15–28/night

• →Breakfast at Senaru Crater Rim Camp
• →Full descent trek from crater rim to Senaru village (~5–6 hrs, 6,500 ft down)
• →Ojek or shared taxi from Senaru to west Lombok coast (£10–15)
• →Check in to a guesthouse near Sire Beach or Senggigi
• →Hot shower, long dinner and well-earned rest

A complete rest day — you've earned it. Spend the day on a quiet stretch of Lombok's west coast. Sire Beach is long, wide and largely uncrowded. Swim, find a hammock, hire a sun lounger, or simply walk along the shore. If you want to explore, rent a scooter (~£5/day) and head to nearby fishing villages or Malimbu viewpoint. Eat fresh grilled fish from beachside warungs and recharge for the journey home.

🚌Optional scooter hire (~£5/day)

🛏Same guesthouse on west Lombok coast

• →Beach walks, sea swimming and relaxation at Sire Beach or nearby beaches
• →Optional: rent a scooter to explore local fishing villages and Malimbu viewpoint (~£5/day)
• →Lunch and dinner at beachside warungs (fresh grilled fish, nasi goreng, etc.)
• →Sunset views over the Bali Strait toward Mount Agung

Make your way back to Teluk Nara or Bangsal harbour (shared taxi ~£5–8) and take the speedboat back to Padang Bai, Bali (~£15–25). From Padang Bai, take a Grab taxi or shuttle bus to Kuta (~£5–10, about 1 hour). Check in to a hostel or guesthouse in Kuta for your final night. Celebrate the end of an incredible adventure with a big dinner and a drink or two at one of Kuta's many restaurants and bars.

🚌Shared taxi to harbour + speedboat to Padang Bai + Grab/shuttle to Kuta

🛏Hostel or budget guesthouse in Kuta, Bali (e.g. Bounce Bali, Puri Damai, or similar) — approx. £12–18/night

• →Shared taxi from guesthouse to Lombok harbour (Teluk Nara or Bangsal, ~£5–8)
• →Speedboat back to Padang Bai, Bali (~£15–25)
• →Grab taxi or shuttle bus from Padang Bai to Kuta (~£5–10)
• →Check in to Kuta hostel or guesthouse
• →Celebratory dinner and drinks in Kuta

Enjoy a final breakfast in Kuta — there are dozens of great cafés along Poppies Lane and Jalan Legian. Depending on your flight time, explore Kuta beach one last time, or browse the surf shops along the main strip. Book a Grab taxi to Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) from central Kuta — it's only about 15–20 minutes and costs around £3–5. Allow plenty of time if flying during peak hours.

🚌Grab taxi from Kuta to DPS airport (~£3–5)

🛏N/A — departure day

• →Final breakfast at a café in Kuta (Poppies Lane or Jalan Legian area)
• →Optional last beach walk or browse Kuta's surf shops
• →Grab taxi to Ngurah Rai International Airport (~£3–5, 15–20 min)