Lombok 3-day itinerary

Begin your Lombok adventure at Tanjung Aan, arriving before the heat builds. The twin bays of white sand are framed by grassy headlands and turquoise water so clear you can see the sandy bottom from the clifftop. Hike up Merese Hill on the eastern side of the bay — a 15-minute climb through dry grassland to a plateau with 360-degree coastal views. On a clear morning you can see Sumbawa Island to the east and the Gili Islands to the northwest. The hill is sacred to local Sasak people and is used for traditional ceremonies.

Drive west to Selong Belanak, the long crescent bay that consistently appears on lists of Indonesia's best beaches. The sand is powder-fine and the water shallow enough to wade out 50 metres. Rent a surfboard or take a lesson — the gentle waves are ideal for beginners and the instructors are friendly and affordable. After surfing, walk to the quieter eastern end of the beach where the crowd thins dramatically. Local warungs serve ayam bakar (grilled chicken) and fresh fruit smoothies for under $3.

Visit Sade, a traditional Sasak village where around 150 families live in the same style of thatched lumbung houses their ancestors built centuries ago. A village guide will walk you through the compound, explain the social structure, and demonstrate traditional weaving on backstrap looms. The handwoven songket and ikat fabrics are among the finest in Indonesia. Return to Kuta for sunset — the beach faces south-southwest so the golden hour light is exceptional. Dinner at the night market or beachfront seafood BBQ.

Drive north through Lombok's interior to Senaru village on the slopes of Mount Rinjani. From the village entrance, a well-maintained trail descends through lush tropical forest to Sendang Gile waterfall — a 31-metre cascade that thunders into a misty pool surrounded by moss-covered rocks and ferns. Continue another 30 minutes upstream on a rocky, sometimes slippery trail to Tiu Kelep, a more powerful 42-metre waterfall that crashes into a deep swimming pool. The spray creates a permanent rainbow in the morning light and the swimming is exhilarating.

After the waterfalls, explore Senaru village itself — the main staging point for Mount Rinjani treks and a traditional Sasak farming community. Walk through the terraced rice paddies that cascade down the mountainside with Rinjani's peak visible above when the clouds clear. The village has a small traditional Sasak hamlet with original architecture and a viewpoint over the northern coastline. Have lunch at one of the simple local warungs — nasi goreng or mie goreng with a fried egg, served with views of the volcano.

Drive west along the north coast road to Malimbu Hill, one of Lombok's most spectacular sunset viewpoints. The elevated overlook faces directly west across the strait towards the three Gili Islands — Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air — with Mount Agung on Bali rising behind them on clear evenings. The silhouette of the Gilis against the orange and purple sky is one of the most photographed views in all of Indonesia. Small vendors sell coconuts and corn on the cob at the viewpoint.

Hire a boat from Tanjung Luar or arrange transport to Tangsi Beach, known as Pink Beach for the coral fragments that mix with the white sand to give it a distinctive pink hue — one of only a handful of pink beaches in the world. The beach is remote and undeveloped, reachable only by a rough dirt road or boat. Snorkel directly off the beach in crystal-clear water over healthy coral gardens teeming with tropical fish, sea turtles, and occasionally reef sharks. The lack of development means the reef is in excellent condition.

Explore the Ekas Peninsula on Lombok's southeast coast, a region that sees almost no tourism despite having some of the island's best coastline. Ekas Bay is a massive sheltered lagoon popular with kitesurfers, while the outer coast hides small coves accessible only by boat or scramble trails. The surf breaks here — particularly Inside Ekas and Outside Ekas — are uncrowded and powerful. Even non-surfers will enjoy the dramatic cliff scenery and the feeling of genuine discovery. Lunch at a small warung in Ekas village.

Return to Kuta for your final evening in Lombok. Walk the main strip and browse the small surf shops and boutiques that have sprung up in recent years — the town is developing but still retains its village character. For dinner, try Warung Bule or El Bazar for a mix of Indonesian and international cuisine, or head to the beach for a final seafood BBQ. The night sky in southern Lombok is remarkably dark — walk to the eastern end of Kuta beach after dinner for stargazing over the Indian Ocean.