Lombok & Gili Self-Launched: Culture, Peaks & Paradise
7 days · Lombok & Gili Islands, Indonesia
G Adventures charges £375
No-markup version: ~£340 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Same raw jungle treks, Gili island snorkels, rice terrace walks, and bonfire beach nights — just without the group tour price tag. This self-launched version of G Adventures' Lombok & Gili Adventure swaps their private vehicles and package accommodation for local transport, guesthouses, and self-booked activities. You'll base yourself in Tempasan village, explore on two wheels or river tubes, snorkel all three Gili Islands, and kick back with sunset cocktails on Gili Trawangan — all for a fraction of the cost. Estimated costs are approximate and based on current backpacker rates.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Lombok — Welcome to Tempasan Village
Tempasan, Lombok
Fly into Lombok International Airport (LOP). From the airport, take a local taxi or pre-booked Grab car to Tempasan village — around 45–60 minutes, costing roughly £5–8. Check into your guesthouse or homestay and spend the afternoon getting your bearings. In the evening, head out for a local warung dinner and introduce yourself to fellow travellers staying nearby — Tempasan is small and sociable.
🚌Grab car or metered taxi from Lombok Airport to Tempasan (~£5–8)
🛏Local homestay or guesthouse in Tempasan — e.g. Rinjani Home Stay or similar (~£10–15/night)
- →Arrive at Lombok International Airport (LOP)
- →Take a Grab car or local taxi to Tempasan (~£5–8)
- →Check into a village homestay or guesthouse
- →Explore the village on foot at sunset
- →Dinner at a local warung
Rice Terraces, Weaving & Village Life
Tempasan, Lombok
Today is all about immersing yourself in local Lombok life. Set out on foot through the rice terraces — the paths are walkable independently and well-known to locals who'll point you in the right direction. Visit the Tempasan rice fields in the morning and stop to chat with local farmers. In the afternoon, seek out a traditional Sasak weaving demonstration — many local women's cooperatives welcome visitors and offer informal sessions for a small donation or purchase. Opt to join a local cooking class (bookable via GetYourGuide or directly with guesthouses, ~£12–18), rent a bicycle for the afternoon (~£3/day), or join a yoga class if offered nearby. In the evening, gather with other travellers for a campfire on the guesthouse grounds — grab some snacks and Bintang from the local warung.
🚌Walking and optional bicycle hire (~£3)
🛏Local homestay or guesthouse in Tempasan (~£10–15/night)
- →Self-guided rice terrace walk through Tempasan village
- →Visit local farmers and learn about Lombok agriculture
- →Traditional Sasak weaving demonstration at a local women's cooperative
- →Optional: cooking class (~£12–18, bookable via GetYourGuide or guesthouse)
- →Optional: bicycle hire for the afternoon (~£3/day)
- →Optional: yoga class if available locally
- →Evening campfire with fellow travellers
Mount Rinjani Trek Begins — Into the Jungle
Mount Rinjani, Lombok
Today you tackle Lombok's crown jewel: Mount Rinjani, an active volcano standing at 3,726m. Book a 2-day/1-night Rinjani trek directly with a licensed local trekking operator in Senaru or Sembalun — rates typically include a guide, porter, meals, and camping gear (~£55–80/person for a 2D1N package). The trek departs early morning from the Senaru or Sembalun gate. Expect dense jungle trails, dramatic crater rim views, and the company of fellow hikers. Spend the night camping on the crater rim at approximately 2,600m — a truly unforgettable experience under the stars.
🚌Arranged transport to Senaru/Sembalun trailhead via guesthouse or trek operator (~£5–8)
🛏Camping on Rinjani crater rim (included in trek package, ~£55–80 total for 2D1N)
- →Begin 2-day/1-night Mount Rinjani crater rim trek
- →Trek through dense jungle and savannah terrain
- →Reach the crater rim (~2,639m) for sweeping views of Segara Anak lake
- →Overnight camping on the crater rim (included in trek package)
Rinjani Descent & Travel to Gili Trawangan
Mount Rinjani to Gili Trawangan
Descend from the crater rim in the morning, enjoying the views one last time. After returning to your base in Senaru or Sembalun, freshen up and arrange transport to Bangsal Harbour — the main departure point for the Gili Islands. Take a shared cidomo (horse cart) or ojek (motorbike taxi) to Bangsal, then purchase a public fast boat ticket to Gili Trawangan (~£8–12). Boats run regularly throughout the day. Check into your beach bungalow or hostel dorm on Gili T, rest up, and celebrate the summit with sunset cocktails on the beach.
🚌Shared transport to Bangsal Harbour (~£3–5) + public fast boat to Gili T (~£8–12)
🛏Budget beach bungalow or hostel dorm on Gili Trawangan — e.g. Gili Castle, Sama Sama Bungalows, or similar (~£12–20/night)
- →Descend Mount Rinjani and complete the trek
- →Transfer to Bangsal Harbour via shared transport
- →Take a public fast boat to Gili Trawangan (~£8–12)
- →Check into beach bungalow or hostel on Gili T
- →Sunset cocktails on the beach — you earned it
Snorkel the Three Gili Islands
Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno & Gili Air
Today's highlight: a snorkel island-hopping trip around all three Gilis. Book this directly at any of the many dive and snorkel shops on Gili Trawangan's main strip — prices are standardised and very affordable (~£12–18 including equipment, boat transfers, and a guide). Depart from Gili T and snorkel Turtle Point, one of the best spots to encounter sea turtles. Continue by boat to peaceful Gili Meno for crystal-clear, calm-water snorkelling, then finish at Gili Air's vibrant coral reefs before returning to Gili T. Spend the afternoon lounging on the beach or hiring a bicycle to circumnavigate Gili T (~£3). The island has no motorised vehicles — bliss.
🚌Boat transfers included in snorkel trip; bicycle hire on the island (~£3)
🛏Budget beach bungalow or hostel dorm on Gili Trawangan (~£12–20/night)
- →Island-hopping snorkel trip: Gili T → Gili Meno → Gili Air (~£12–18, bookable at local dive shops)
- →Snorkel Turtle Point on Gili Trawangan
- →Snorkel the tranquil waters of Gili Meno
- →Snorkel coral reefs at Gili Air
- →Afternoon: rent a bicycle and circle Gili Trawangan (~£3)
- →Sunset from the swing bars on the west beach
Free Day on Gili Trawangan — Beach, Dive or Chill
Gili Trawangan
A free day to do as much or as little as you like. Gili T has no shortage of ways to fill the day: take a PADI discover scuba dive with one of the many reputable dive centres (~£35–50), join a sunrise yoga session on the beach, explore the island's interior on foot or by bike, or simply hammock-hop between beachside cafés. In the evening, Gili T comes alive — head to the famous beach bars for a bonfire night, live music, and fire-show entertainment. Grab fresh grilled seafood from the night market stalls.
🚌Bicycle hire (~£3)
🛏Budget beach bungalow or hostel dorm on Gili Trawangan (~£12–20/night)
- →Optional: PADI discover scuba dive (~£35–50, bookable directly at local dive centres)
- →Optional: sunrise yoga on the beach
- →Explore the island interior by bicycle (~£3/day)
- →Relax at beachside cafés and hammock spots
- →Evening bonfire, fire show, and live music at beach bars
- →Fresh grilled seafood from the Gili T night market
Farewell Gili T — Depart or Continue to Bali
Gili Trawangan to Bali (or depart from Lombok)
Your final morning on Gili T. Grab a last breakfast by the beach and watch the boats come in. If heading to Bali, take a direct fast boat from Gili Trawangan to Padang Bai or Sanur in Bali — tickets are available from any boat agent on the island (~£20–28, roughly 1.5–2.5 hours). This is a great value alternative to the operator's 'Bali Express' add-on. Alternatively, take a public boat back to Bangsal and catch a transfer to Lombok Airport for onward flights. Book fast boat tickets in advance during peak season.
🚌Direct public fast boat from Gili T to Bali Sanur/Padang Bai (~£20–28), or public boat to Bangsal + taxi to Lombok Airport
🛏N/A — departure day
- →Final breakfast by the beach on Gili T
- →Pack up and head to the boat dock
- →Take a direct public fast boat to Bali (Padang Bai or Sanur) (~£20–28)
- →Alternatively, return to Bangsal and transfer to Lombok Airport for onward flights
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£340 | £375 |
| Duration | 7 days | 7 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £35 per person (9%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£340
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Lombok & Gili Self-Launched: Culture, Peaks & Paradise cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £340 per person for 7 days in Lombok & Gili Islands, Indonesia. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with G Adventures?+
Yes — G Adventures charges around £375 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £340 — a saving of roughly £35 (9%) per person.
How long is the Lombok & Gili Islands, Indonesia trip?+
This itinerary runs 7 days, covering 7 day-by-day stops through Lombok & Gili Islands, Indonesia.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, beaches, hiking trip through Lombok & Gili Islands, Indonesia, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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