Segara Anak Lake, Rinjani Mount

Lombok is dominated by Mount Rinjani, the Indonesia's second highest volcano (after Mt. Kerinci in Sumatra). Located in the province of Nusa Tenggara Barat (West Nusa Tenggara), it's dense primary rainforest still covers the steep slopes of the mountain complex.
Lombok is home to many natural attractions, including the world famous volcano, Gunung Rinjani, located on the north of the island. Visitors from all around the world come to Lombok every year to climb Gunung Rinjani, either to its awe-inspiring crater lake or to the demanding summit with panoramic views across the waters to Gunung Agung, Bali's famous sister volcano. “Gunung” is Bahasa Indonesia for mountain.

Historically and culturally, Gunung Rinjani has important significance to both Sasak and Balinese, Muslim and Hindu alike, and is considered a “Home of the Gods”. Pilgrimages are made to the mountain, offerings placed, and many people visit the volcano to pray and bathe in the pools and hot springs, which are said to have healing powers. Each year, around the full moon in October or November, a sacred pilgrimage called “Pekelem” takes place, when gold and other gifts are thrown into the lake near the summit as offerings to the Gods.

Rinjani soars 3726m above sea level and is the second highest volcano in Indonesia, attracting thousands of trekkers and climbers annually. The huge caldera near the top is around 4 kms wide and is almost filled by a beautiful crescent-shaped lake, Danau Segara Anak (Child of the Sea). The lake is around 230m deep and contains plentiful fish, as well as being home to birds and other wildlife. A smaller volcanic cone, Gunung Baru Jari, was formed a couple of hundred years ago and juts from the crater's interior at the edge of the lake. It's been estimated that the force needed to create the new cone and the lake would have been equal to around 300 Hiroshima-type atomic bombs. There are a number of caves, small waterfalls and hot springs located around the volcano, most importantly Aik Kalak on the northeast of the crater, where the volcanically heated waters are said to cure illnesses, particularly skin diseases.

The route to Segara Anak throught the southwest slope of Rinjani Mountaints has been used by local people since long time ago. Besides their traditional purposes, some people are eager to track this 8 hours route for fishing. The lake is endeed like a paradise for fshers. And now this traditional route has just been opened for tourists. It offers beauty, uniqueness and a lot of things of Rinjani that unrevealed yet.

Ref: www.dispariwisata.lomboktengahkab.go.id