First of all, let me say that we are a fit couple in our mid-twenties who go to the gym every other day. I have even run a marathon. Nonetheless, hiking to the summit of Mount Rinjani was one of the hardest, if not THE hardest, physical challenge I have ever overcome. The last three hours of the summit hike were so challenging that reaching the top seemed nearly impossible as the upward slope of volcano ash made climbing very difficult. However, reaching the summit brought a sense of accomplishment I seldom experience. It was astonishing.

We could never have done it without our guide Lim, who was always so patient and considerate, and our porters Udin and Sep. They were always smiling and doing their everything to make us feel comfortable, setting out chairs as soon as we stopped. We also had so much food. The meals they were able to make on the mountain blew us away! Every meal was followed by an overflowing fruit platter. We had opted for the deluxe package to make our hike as comfortable as possible, and it was definitely worth it. All the equipment, especially the tents and mattresses, were of very good quality.

All in all hiking up Mount Rinjani was very tough, but Green Rinjani did everything to make the experience as enjoyable as possible. The administrative side is a bit messy, but during the hike everything went perfectly. One tip: it is very cold at the top, so bring warm clothes. Also remember to bring something to change into for the evening, as everything tends to get wet. Other than that, we can both genuinely recommend Green Rinjani.

Our ascent (3 days/ 2 nights) of Rinjani was a fantastic challenge, made incredibly smooth by the Green Rinjani team. We were lucky to be guided by the charming Katot and a fantastic team of 3 porters who were seemingly always the first to the camps, cooking up impressive meals in no time. We went for the deluxe option (private group with a dedicated guide) which was fully worth it to walk at our preferred pace and enjoy comfort and plenty of food after the arduous walking. The view from the summit is what dreams are made of - do not miss it!

We chose Green Rinjani after much research on here and various websites as was our first trek and is quite expensive. We chose the 2d1n treck to the summit.

Firstly contact with Mr Ariee was made via email. Responses were a little vague and sometimes took a while for replies. We got picked up by a driver who suggested we ate at a "traditional" restaurant on the way. We went along with his suggestion and would not return to the same restaurant as was poor food. Especially as you receive a decent meal when you arrive at the Green Rinjani office area which the drive would of known?..

After food we met our guide who went through the itinerary well.

Accommodation for first night before trek provided by Green Rinjani in a nearby 'hotel' was very basic. No AC, toilet paper or towels.

Next morning had banana pancakes and was driven with others to the beginning point. Walked about 30 minutes and then stopped for a rest and for the Porters to have breakfast. Stopped again about an hour later and then around 30 minutes later for lunch. This was at 9.30am. Our guide asked if we were hungry and we said no. His reply was that it would be very busy further up the mountain so we went along. Fyi the the place we stopped was one of the most littered areas on the mountain and the mountain is generally quite heavily littered. Also this area has lots of human waste just off the track. Not sure what the logic is in stopping in this area.

Over the next few hours we had a few stops for snacks and the terrain got much harder. We arrived at Basecamp at around 2.30pm.

Unfortunately we got to Basecamp before the porters so had to stand about for about and hour in the clouds/mist/rain before they arrived and then set up the tent.

Our guide then told us we would be ascending with a different guide who also had other people as then our could look after our tent with our belongings in . . . .

The following morning our guide also started ascending with us with the other guide was sick.
Both guides told us we could not ascend and would need to turn around if it started raining . . .

There was 4 sections to the summit both guides made it to section 2 with our guide seldom napping along the way. At the top of section two the sick guide went back and our guide did get to the summit.

After a few pics we decended to Basecamp, rested for and hour then decended with the sick guide so he could go the docs. Our guide stayed with a different group. We arrived at pickup point at 12.20pm.

To summaries:
1st day 9 hours walking with the last half very tiring but great scenery.

2nd day is 3 hours to summit which is like walking up a huge sand dune with a few big rocks. Very tiring but def worth it.

I would recommend training a bit for this climb. We did two 20k flat walks for this and I felt we should of prepared much more.

Food is plentiful and quite good.

I don't think planting a tree is the best way to give back to the National Park as they usually burn with the annual fires. Picking up litter may be a better use of spare resources . .

Overall an amazing experience but I dont think the price we paid justified the service we received. If I were to do this again I would try a different company.