Hiking Quotas Introduced To Help Manage Tourist Numbers On Indonesia’s Famous Volcanoes 

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Leaders in Bali’s neighboring province of Lombok have just announced new hiking quotas for the island’s most famous volcano, Mount Rinjani.

The active volcano has been named among Lonely Planet’s Top Picks for treks in 2025, but leaders want to prioritize environmental protection. 

Tourists planning treks and adventure holidays in Bali and Lombok need to be aware that new quotas and restrictions are in place on Lombok’s Mount Rinjani. The Indonesian Minister of Forestry, Raja Juli Antoni, told reporters “Mount Rinjani plays an important role as a conservation economic area. Therefore, it must prioritise sustainability and ecological balance.”

Minister Antoni confirmed that the new policy not only applies to the Mount Rinjani National Park area but also to other national parks throughout Indonesia.

He told reporters that the restricted number of visitors allowed into the parks and onto the peaks will not diminish the desire of travelers to explore these areas, but rather encourage more high-quality tourism.

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He explained, “We’ve limited it to maintain the existing ecosystem and ecology so that the natural beauty of Rinjani remains well-maintained and becomes well maintained and becomes more beautiful so that more and more people come here.”

Last month, the Senaru Tour Operators Association visited the Forestry Office in Mataram to request an increase in the number of climbers permitted on the Senaru Trekking Route on Mount Rinjani. They requested that the quote be increased from 150 climbers to help accommodate the surging demand for treks on the peak.

The Association initially requested that the quota be raised to ‘unlimited’ for certain parts of the year, but the Forestry Department has said that it will be increased to 700 people per day across all routes. 

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The Senaru Route is permitted to take 100 trekkers, the Torean Route a further 100, and the Sembalun Route a further 100. The less popular routes of Timbanahu, Tete Batu, and Aiq Beriq are each permitted 100 people per day. 

While quotas are in effect on Lombok’s Mount Rinjani, no changes are in effect on Bali’s most popular treks and volcanic peaks. In June 2023, Bali Governor Wayan Koster announced plans to ban all tourist activities on Bali’s twenty-two mountains and volcanoes, including Mount Batur, Mount Agung, Mount Abang, and Mount Batukaru. 

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However, the plans were quickly disbanded after a massive backlash from the tourism industry. Figures show that on average, Mount Batur sees 200-300 tourists reach the summit every day, in addition to those who explore the slopes by jeep. In the height of the high season and some weekends, the peak can see upwards of 500 people at sunrise.

While Bali’s peaks are increasingly busy, tourists must be aware that policies are in place to help keep the environment and hikers safe.

Climbing, trekking, or hiking on any of Bali’s volcanoes or mountains without a licensed local guide is illegal.

Despite urban legends that have been circulating in Bali since the arrival of tourism on the island, suggesting that it is possible to hike alone, this is simply not the case.

It is both illegal and ill-advised to attempt to hike Bali’s peaks alone, especially Mount Agung and Mount Batur.

Bali’s leaders are clear in their zero-tolerance approach to tourists disrespecting these laws. They have quickly deported all those who have been caught hiking without a guide. 

Periodically, Mount Agung is closed to the public so that the island’s spiritual leaders can conduct cleansing ceremonies.

All hiking routes on Mount Agung were closed from 6th April 2025 to 3rd May 2025, though the volcano is now open again for tourists to enjoy guided treks through the foothills and all the way to the summit.