The island of Lombok, which is located in West Nusa Tenggara, has a small paradise at the foot of Mount Rinjani. The paradise is Sembalun Village in Sembalun District, East Lombok Regency. It is about 110 km or 2 hours from Mataram City.
Sembalun hills become tourist destinations that are often intended to breathe the fresh air of Mount Rinjani. Because Mount Rinjani is a volcanic distribution area, it’s no wonder that from the top of the hill you can see views of forest plants and lush rice fields.
Several hills are a favorite of tourists because each hill has its beauty and different levels of difficulty. Among them is Bukit Pergasingan which has a characteristic full of steep tracks. In contrast to Bukit Nanggi, the track is initially pleasant but steep around the peak. Both hills can be climbed in less than 3 hours.
But not to worry, low hills and fun tracks are also available. Even specifically for Bukit Selong, there are many stairs to help visitors get to the top.
If you are not satisfied with seeing a natural beauty and fresh air of Sembalun Village, visitors can take off to play paragliding from the top of the Sembalun Hills. The right time is in the morning watching the sunrise and in the afternoon enjoying the sunset.
In addition to paragliding, there is also a sport called paramotor. Unlike paragliding, paramotor sports do not require visitors to climb the hills first. Because the paramotor uses an engine to be able to fly its crew.
After enjoying the freshness of the morning and evening air, visitors can set up a tent or camp at night on a hilltop accompanied by a bonfire. But remember, any activity on Sembalun Hill, needs to be accompanied by an instructor or residents. Considering the terrain in the Sembalun Hills is still very beautiful.
Not only can you enjoy the hills, but in Sembalun Village you can also enjoy fruit picking tours. 10 fruit products are a mainstay, ranging from strawberries, apples, corn, oranges, guava, papaya, onions, potatoes, carrots, and tomatoes. The strawberry garden is very easy to find because it is along a village road. But to enjoy the sweetness of plantation produce, of course, it must come in season. Special Sembalun Strawberry in July and August every year.
In addition to the freshness of the air and the sweetness of Sembalun’s fruits, in this village visitors can tour the culture and history of Sembalun Village. The traditional houses of this area are a tourist attraction that should not be missed. Similar to other traditional houses in Indonesia, the house in Sembalun Village has its characteristics, namely purely made from natural products. Some of them are hundreds of years old and became the object of the forerunner of the Sembalun Village community.
Usually, if there are special guests, they will be greeted with dances and special dishes. The people of Sembalun Village are also famous for their hospitality. So, there’s no need to be ashamed to ask questions about the culture and history of Sembalun Village to add insight.