Where do people go to the bathroom on Mt. Rinjani?

On Rinjani, bathroom practices divide between using the basic long-drop toilets at designated campsites and digging catholes in the wilderness when nature calls during the actual hiking day. Both methods are standard, and your guide from Lombok-Indonesia.org will explain the proper approach during the pre-trek briefing.

At the main campsites along the crater rim and near Segara Anak lake, you’ll find simple toilet structures that serve the essential function but offer minimal comfort, privacy, or hygiene. These facilities represent the only sanctioned bathroom locations on the mountain, and while they’re rudimentary, using them keeps waste properly contained and away from water sources, which is genuinely important for environmental protection.

During the day between camps, there are no facilities whatsoever. You’ll need to find a reasonably private spot well off the main trail, dig a small hole at least six inches deep, and cover it completely afterward. Guides can advise on appropriate locations that are away from trails, camps, and water sources. Bring toilet paper and hand sanitizer because neither is provided in the backcountry. It’s not glamorous, but it’s standard backcountry practice that keeps the mountain clean for everyone.