Lombok is Bali's quieter, wilder and less developed neighbour — a beautiful island that offers the extraordinary natural beauty of Indonesia without the crowds, the traffic and the commercialisation of Bali. For travellers who want to see what Bali was like 20 years ago, Lombok is the answer.

Mount Rinjani (3,726m) is the centrepiece of the island — one of the most extraordinary trekking experiences in Southeast Asia. The 2–4 day trek to the summit rewards with extraordinary views over the vast caldera lake, the inner cone of Gunung Baru and across to Bali and Sumbawa. The trek is challenging but achievable for fit walkers with a guide.

The Gili Islands — three tiny car-free islands just off the north-west coast of Lombok — are the most famous attraction. Gili Trawangan is the largest and most lively, with excellent snorkelling, diving and a lively bar scene. Gili Meno is the most peaceful and romantic. Gili Air is the best balance of the two. All three have extraordinary turtle sightings — almost guaranteed when snorkelling.

Kuta Lombok, on the south coast, is a small surf town with extraordinary beaches — Mawun, Selong Belanak and Tanjung Aan are among the most beautiful in Indonesia. The area is far less developed than anywhere in Bali and is excellent for surfers and travellers seeking unspoilt beaches.

The east coast has the extraordinary Tangsi Beach (Pink Beach) — one of only a handful of pink sand beaches in the world. The Sasak culture and traditional villages are fascinating and quite different from Balinese Hindu culture.

The best time to visit is May to October — the dry season. We search across Travelpack, Emirates Holidays and JTA Holidays for the best deals, with the FIBI discount applied automatically.