West Nusa Tenggara can be explored through its diverse landscapes and cultural themes: Mount Rinjani on Lombok, the beaches of the Mandalika tourism region, and the varied ecosystems of the Saleh-Moyo-Tambora Biosphere Reserve. There is also Sasak culture, weaving, pottery and regional specialties. Volcanoes, coast, crafts and natural environments offer different ways to explore the region, without any one experience representing all its facets.
Volcanoes and Hiking Views
Mount Rinjani is a 3,726-meter-high volcano on Lombok and Indonesia’s second-highest volcano. Its height and ranking make it a prominent landmark for getting to know the region through its landscapes. Since September 1, 2026, nature tourism in Gunung Rinjani National Park has been open with restrictions; its status may change depending on assessments of fire risk. So check the latest status before making specific hiking plans.
On June 15, 2026, the national park administration reported maintenance and improvement work on the infrastructure of several hiking trails, to make hikes safer and more comfortable. Merese Hill offers another reason to hike: a walk there opens up views of spectacular sunsets. While restricted nature tourism in Gunung Rinjani National Park is important for planning, the views are the main draw at Merese Hill.
Beaches, Rituals and Motorsport in Mandalika
The Mandalika tourism region has white-sand beaches with clear blue water, including Kuta Mandalika Beach and Tanjung Aan Beach. These beaches are suitable for surfing. The coast is therefore not just a landscape attraction, but also offers a specific focus on sports.
The annual Bau Nyale festival adds a ritual to the picture: people search for sea worms. The Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit is another event-related attraction and hosts MotoGP and World Superbike events. Mandalika’s attractions therefore range from beaches and surfing to a recurring ritual and motorsport. No event dates are specified here.
Sasak Culture and Crafts
Sade Village offers insights into traditional Sasak culture and ways of life. Two places also represent different craft traditions: Sukarara in Central Lombok is one of the centers of Sasak weaving. In Banyumulek in West Lombok, Lombok’s pottery tradition is widespread; items made there from ceramic include jugs, cooking pots, vessels and household utensils.
These themes offer different perspectives: Sade provides insights into culture and ways of life, while Sukarara and Banyumulek represent weaving and pottery, respectively. Those interested in Sasak culture can explore it not only through a village, but also through specific craft destinations. The specific objects made in Banyumulek also make the pottery tradition more tangible.
Natural Environments and Activities
The Saleh-Moyo-Tambora Biosphere Reserve (SAMOTA) covers 724,631.52 hectares and includes five major ecosystems: small islands, mangrove coastlines, other coastal areas, lowland and montane forests, and savannas. The list ranges from islands and coastal landscapes to forests and savannas. It shows that the reserve is characterized by a broad range of different ecosystems.
Gili Trawangan offers a different focus: the island is known for snorkeling and diving, with Turtle Point, Coral Garden and Shark Point among the well-known spots. At the same time, cars and motorcycles are not used as modes of transport on Gili Trawangan. For a clearer picture, it is worth considering these two aspects separately: the named spots offer pointers for snorkeling and diving, while the modes of transport are a distinctive feature of the island. By comparison, Mandalika’s beaches are suitable for surfing.
Regional Cuisine
The cuisine also offers specific connections to different parts of the region. Ayam Taliwang is a spicy grilled chicken specialty from Lombok. Seaweed Dodol is a snack from Sumbawa. A grilled chicken dish and a snack thus offer two different culinary points of interest. Together with the landscapes, cultural themes and activities, they create a varied picture of West Nusa Tenggara that can accommodate different interests when planning a trip.
Discover more destinations: Mataram, East Lombok, Sumbawa Besar, Bima, Bayan, East Lombok, Batu Layar, Pemenang, West Sakra, Tanjung, Lembar, West Lombok Regency, Pujut, Sekongkang, Selong Belanak, Terara, Jonggat, Taliwang, Sakra, Masbagik, Hu'u, Dompu, Central Sekotong.
For the overall travel guide: Indonesia.
