They Told Her Girls Can't Climb Mt Rinjani. She Did It Anyway.
Meet Katni, the first female guide in Lombok.
She was only 15 when she climbed Rinjani
Katni grew up in Lombok, Indonesia – home to one of Southeast Asia’s most epic volcanoes: Mt Rinjani.
In this deeply patriarchal society, climbing the mountain and being a tour guide is seen as a job that only men can do.
Meanwhile, women are expected to marry young, have kids and stay at home.
Tired of seeing all the men in her village get jobs as guides, Katni told her parents she was going to climb Mt Rinjani. She was only 15.
"My parents said, “you can’t do that, it’s too hard for a girl. You should stay at home, give birth and look after the kids”."
But Katni climbed Mt Rinjani anyway.
In a place where kidnap marriages still happen, what Katni did wasn’t just bold - it could have serious consequences.
"People started asking my parents why I was allowed to be a “naughty woman”. I was scared of what they might do to me."
She kept climbing regardless
Still, Katni kept climbing. And with every climb, she grew stronger and more determined.
Then, she did something no woman in Lombok had done before: She became the first female guide and founded the first female-led trekking company.
At first, the backlash continued.
"Men would question me, “Why are you encouraging women to be independent? You want to fight the men?”"
"But I wasn’t trying to fight men. I wanted to help families.
If something happens to the man and the woman can’t work to earn money, what will happen?"
Change, but at their own pace
Over time, Katni’s grit and successful tours earned her the respect of the community.
Now, even most men are cheering her on.
Since then, Katni has created jobs for over 70 women and is proudly one of Seek Sophie’s incredible Women-Led Wonders.
Thanks to these jobs, girls aren’t pushed into early marriages anymore.
Mothers who once had no choice but to leave their families to find work abroad, can now become guides and stay in Lombok.
"We're making changes slowly, because we want to respect our culture. It's not easy, but we're starting to live as free women."
Hike with Katni
When you go on a Seek Sophie trek with Katni's team of awesome female guides, you're contributing to a more equal society.
Ready to discover Rinjani's women guides? Book your Seek Sophie Rinjani Women Adventure here!
Mount Rinjani Experiences FAQs
Hi for the 2D2N mt Rinjani trek, what time do I need to be at the guesthouse? There will be a driver to pick me up? Also if i start on 20th April, that night I will stay at the guest house. On 21st April morning, I will trek up and camp at night. What time will it end on 22nd April?
What is Mount Rinjani?
Mount Rinjani the second highest volcano in Indonesia and one of the most beautiful mountain climbs in Southeast Asia! It is very challenging so you should definitely train up for the hike.
Mount Rinjani is an active volcano located on the island of Lombok, in Indonesia. With an elevation of 3,726 meters (12,224 feet), it is the second-highest volcano in Indonesia and a popular destination for trekking and hiking. The mountain is known for its stunning views, including the crater lake of Segara Anak, and its unique flora and fauna.
How can I climb Mount Rinjani?
Climbing Mount Rinjani requires a certain level of fitness and experience, but it is possible to do so with the help of a guide. The most popular route is the Senaru route, which takes approximately two to three days to complete. Along the way, climbers will encounter a variety of terrain, including steep inclines, rocky paths, and dense forests. It is recommended to hire a local guide or join a tour group, as the trail can be challenging to navigate and the weather can change quickly. Mount Rinjani may also be closed off for climbers at certain times of the year - for e.g. if certain trails need to be repaired, so you should definitely plan in advance to go and check with us on the route beforehand!
What can I expect to see on Mount Rinjani?
We've done most of the mountains in Southeast Asia and we think that Mount Rinjani is still one of the most beautiful treks there is. Besides being famous for how difficult it is, Rinjani has one of the most beautiful views to offer in Indonesia. Even if you just make it up to the crater rim and not the summit, the views there alone are so worth it.
The peak of Mount Rinjani offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape, including the Segara Anak crater lake, which is located at an altitude of 2,000 meters (6,562 feet). The lake is known for its turquoise-blue color and is believed to be sacred by the local Sasak people.
But even if you don't make it to the summit, there are actually several crater lakes across the mountain which makes it a really picturesque climb the entire way, not only just at the summit.
The mountain is also home to a unique ecosystem, with a variety of plant and animal species, including monkeys, deer, and birds.
Do I need to train to climb Mount Rinjani?
As the second highest volcano in Indonesia, Mt Rinjani is considered a tough trek even for experienced hikers. Don't make the same mistake we did, we hiked 3726m to the summit without any training at all, and our legs almost gave way. We couldn't walk properly for a week... 😂
The summit climb is the most brutal bit, because it's super steep and slippery. Oh and you'll be doing it in the dark, before sunrise. It's basically two steps forward, and one step back - in complete darkness! On the way down when your calves are aching, you get to run and slide down from the summit though!
If you're reasonably fit (2 hours of cardio regularly once a week), you may still be able to do the trek without training. But it's a lot more fun if you train for it and you're able to enjoy it rather than just focus on survival! So if you're up for training, we would recommend starting 3-6 weeks in advance -with cardio twice a week and strength training 2-3 times a week.
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