In this Gili Islands & Lombok itinerary, join me as I explore the most relaxing and beautiful white-sandy beaches of Kuta, snorkel with sea turtles in the Gili Islands, and chase hidden waterfalls near Mount Rinjani. A trip to Lombok and the Gili Islands is a match made in heaven! This 2-week Gili Islands and Lombok itinerary includes how to get from Bali to Lombok and from Lombok to the Gili Islands, along with the best tips and useful information for visiting these stunning destinations in Indonesia.
Tip: If you have more time, definitely add Bali or Flores to your itinerary!
2 weeks Gili Islands & Lombok itinerary: an overview of my travel route
START Gili Trawangan | END Kuta
DURATION 14 days
METHOD OF TRANSPORT Bus + boat
BEST TIME OF YEAR June-September
WHEN DID I GO July-August
HIGHLIGHTS Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, Mount Rinjani, Sembalun, Kuta & the Secret Gili Islands
Gili Islands & Lombok in Indonesia: Booking your flights
From Bali to Gili Trawangan: Best way to get there
Gili Islands
After my Bali trip, I took a speedboat to the Gili Islands, starting with a few nights on Gili Trawangan. Gili Trawangan, the busiest of the three Gili Islands, has a lot to offer. Despite its lively nightlife, it maintains a charming and relaxed vibe. I love the Gili Islands for their fantastic dive centers, lovely hotels, and amazing restaurants.
Next, I took a short 20-minute boat ride to Gili Meno, the perfect spot for some serious relaxation with beaches almost to yourself. No matter which Gili Island you choose, you can look forward to the bluest waters, white beaches, cozy bean bags, and incredible sunsets… the perfect way to start or end your trip!
Read also: The best hotels in the Gili Islands
Recommended stay
- 3 – 5 days
Where to stay on the Gili Islands
- Voodoo Gili on Gili Trawangan
- Meno Charm on Gili Meno
Things to do on the Gili Islands
- Rent a bicycle and cycle around the islands – around IDR 45.000 ($3) for a full day
- Go snorkeling and swim with sea turtles or at the underwater sculptures of Gili Meno – IDR 600.000 ($40) for a private boat which you can share with others, 3-4 hours
- Complete a dive course – fixed prices on all the Gili islands starts from IDR 5.900.000 ($397) per person for a 3-day PADI Open Water Course (my favorite dive center is Trawangan Dive Resort where I completed the PADI Advanced Course)
- Watch the sunset in a cozy beanbag and order a cocktail
- Get a relaxing massage on the beach – prices start around IDR 150.000 ($10) per hour
- Watch a movie on the beach – check at Le Pirate & Villa Ombak on Gili Trawangan for the open-air movie nights
- Visit Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, or Gili Air on a day trip – public boats are going 2 times a day, IDR 35.000 ($2) per person
Where to eat
- Fat Cats part of Trawangan Dive (favorite dinner spot, cozy setting with tables on the beach, try the poke bowl, vegan burger, or superfood salad)
- The Banyan Tree (favorite breakfast and lunch spot, fresh & healthy food with many plant-based options and the best juices, try the mixed berry bowl, chocolate peanut bowl, purple wrap… so good!)
- Scallywags (best place for a delicious BBQ on the beach, unlimited vegetable/pasta buffet)
- Diversia (great lunch spot or if you need to wait for the boats, yummy veggie platter with tempeh and lots of great juices)
- Sunset Kiss Beach Club from PinkCoco Resort (favorite sunset bar/restaurant with lots of yummy cocktails)
How to get from Bali to Lombok & Lombok to Gili Islands
- From Bali to Lombok, by fast boat, 1-2 hours, prices are around IDR 290.000 per person. (we highly recommend Eka Jaya Fast Boats as a company) as they offer packages that go from Bali to Lombok and from Lombok to Gili Trawangan.
Senaru – Mount Rinjani
The highlight of this 2-week Gili Islands & Lombok itinerary is definitely the hike to Mount Rinjani in Lombok. Whether you want to trek up to the crater rim of the active volcano or just explore the stunning nature and waterfalls in the north, Senaru is the perfect place to stay. It’s a small local village with a few hotels, ideal for hikers since it’s at the base of Mount Rinjani.
Recommended stay
- 1-3 days
Where to stay in Senaru
Things to do in Senaru
- Hike Mount Rinjani and spend a night on the crater rim.
- Visit the stunning Tiu Kelep Waterfall – IDR 10.000 ($0,6) per person entrance fee
- Visit the Sendang Gile waterfall – IDR 10.000 ($0,6) per person entrance fee
- Get up early and watch the sunrise over the ricefields of Senaru
- Hike up the viewpoint of Bukit Selong Hill Ricefields (update: the famous star deck is broken because of the last earthquake) – entrance is IDR 10.000 ($0,6) per person
Where to eat
- Rudy Trekker (cheap and good local food)
How to get in Senaru
- From the Gili Islands, first by speedboat to Bangsal in Lombok – IDR 220.000 per person ($15, 30 minutes) Then take a private minivan to Senaru – 1h 30 min drive, transfer was included in our Mount Rinjani Trek with Rudy Trekker
- From Lombok International Airport, by private minivan – 2h 40 min drive, transfer was included in our Mount Rinjani Trek with Rudy Trekker
Kuta
Kuta was my favorite spot in Lombok because of its super relaxed atmosphere and laid-back surfer vibe. During my Lombok itinerary, I spent 5 days in Kuta and didn’t want to leave. The town itself is small, but it’s packed with cozy bars and great vegan restaurants. Just a short bike ride away, you’ll find some of the most beautiful white sandy beaches in all of Indonesia. If you love the vibes of Canggu in Bali, you’ll definitely love Kuta in Lombok too!
Recommended stay
- 3 – 5 days
Where to stay in Kuta
Things to do in Kuta
- Rent a scooter to visit the nearby beaches – IDR 50.000 ($3,4) for a full day
- Visit the secluded Mawun Beach
- Take a day trip to the Secret Gili’s: Gili Kedis, Gili Nanggu & Gili Gede – around IDR 800.000 per person for a day trip incl pick-up and snorkeling gear
- Relax on the beautiful beach of Tanjung Aan
- Walk around in the lovely town of Kuta and hop in one of the cozy bars and restaurants
- Enjoy a happy-hour at the lounge and swimming pool of Bamba Capsule Hotel
Where to eat in Kuta
- Kenza Cafe (our favorite restaurant in Lombok! Healthy food, lots of vegan options, an Instagrammable interior and a cozy atmosphere. Try the vegan green wrap, trio of hummus and the vegan chocolate cake, so yummy!)
- El Bazar (a lovely Moroccon restaurant with a beautiful interior. Our fav picks: the green cauliflower, the vegetarian mezze platter, and the veggy kebab)
- Krnk (spot with incredible good food and a trendy atmosphere, best burgers in town vegan proof! Try the vegan pizza & the gypsy burger, amazing!)
- Bamba Capsule Hotel (lovely restaurant, bar and lounge with lots of healthy options and great asian food)
- Milk Espresso (lovely place to enjoy a coffee or some cocktails & tapas on their rooftop deck, has a great menu with vegan friendly food)
How to get in Kuta
- From Senaru, by private mini van – 3h drive, transfer was included in our Mount Rinjani Trek with Rudy Trekker
- From the Gili Islands, first by speedboat to Bangsal in Lombok – IDR 220.000 per person ($15, 30 minutes) Then take the bus or private minivan to Kuta – by bus: IDR 190.000 per person ($13, 3 -hour drive) or by minivan IDR 500.000 ($35, 1h 40min drive)
- From Lombok International Airport, by bus – IDR 130.000 ($9) per person, 1h 30 min drive)
Use my travel resources for your Gili Islands & Lombok itinerary
As you know, I love to share all my best tips and favourite places with all of you. That’s why I created all these online travel guides, which are completely free. If you found this article (or anything I do) useful, I’d be so grateful if you buy something through one of the affiliate links in this article. I’ll get a small commission at no extra cost to you, which helps me keeping this travel blog alive.
Thank you so much for your support! x Valerie
- Kiwi.com – to search, find and book cheap flights
- Booking.com – for big savings on homes, hotels, flights, car rentals, taxis, and attractions
- Agoda.com – to book the best deals on any kind of accommodation or flights
- Go City, Get Your Guide or Viator – to enjoy the best attractions, tours and unique experiences across the world
- Rental Cars or Discover Cars – to find the right car in over 60,000 locations across 160 countries
- Hostelworld – the #1 booking platform for hostels worldwide
- Hotellook – to find and compare prices for hotels around the world provided by leading search engines such as Agoda, Booking.com, Expedia and many more
- 12Go – to book public transport across Asia
- Trip.com – to find flights, hotels, trains, car rentals, airport transfers, tours and attraction tickets
- Compensair – to help you receive compensation for flight delays, cancellations or denied boarding
1 comment
as anative of lombok, i am very enthusiastic to say thank you very much because lombok is visited and always brings an unforgettable memory.