Mataram and Cakranegara
Mataram is the capital of the province, which has in the past decades joined with Ampenan, the port, and Cakranegara to become the province’s biggest urban complex. At te beginning of the 18th century, Mataram was the residence of the crown prince of Karang Asem, a kingdom in southern Bali. The ruler had his seat in Cakranegara. The royal palace no longer exists, but many of the old temples and pleasure gardens are still there.

Lombok’s biggest Balinese temple is the Pura Meru in Cakranegara, it was build in 1720 by Anak Agung Made Karang. Dedicated to the Hindu trinity of Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu, it has three courtyards. Three pagode-like palces of worship stand in a line from north to south in the inner-most courtyard. The one of the north is dedicated to Vishnu and has a roof with 9 tiers. The central one is dedicated to Shiva with 11 tiers on its roof, and the southernmost one is for Brahma with a roof of 7 tiers.

Nearby is Taman Mayura. Once part of the royal palace, it has an artificial lake set in the middle of a park. A raised path leads from the side of the pond to pavilion built in the middle of the lake. In former days justice was meted out and religious rituals were performed in this open-sided pavilion.

Tepas, Sumbawa
A charming village on the slopes of the mountain Batu Lante, 60 km south of Sumbawa Besar. The houses built in the local traditional style, and a visit here is return to an earlier simpler way of life.

Pura Meru Another relic of Karang Asam Kingdom is the Meru Temple at Cakranegara, close to Mataram, The temple was built in 1720 as a symbol of Hindu unity on Lombok island. Several engaging structures are found in this complex.

Kuta Beach Also known as Putri Nyale Beach, on the south coast of central Lombok, is one of the most scenic and unspoilt beaches in this part of Indonesia. From Kuta to Tanjung Aan, 5 km away, stretches a unbroken expanse of clean white sand lapped by waves of the Indian Ocean. Kuta is safe for bathing and swimming. Further to the west are the surfer’s and windsurfer’s beaches. Each year, on the 19th day of the tent month of the Sasak lunar calendar, Kuta Beach is the site of great festivities. Fisherman sail out to sea while young men and woman gather along the bach to join in the merrymaking, tease each other and perhaps meet to build a amore lasting relationship.

Sukarara This is a village of traditional weavers south of Cakranegara. Lombok is know for its brightly patterned songket cloth. The techniques, patterns and motifs have been handed down through the generations.

Mount Rinjani (Mountain Tour) At height of 3,726 meters above sea level, Mount Rinjani is the second highest mountain in Indonesia. It is situated approximately 78 km east of Mataram. Some islanders consider the mountain’s summit a sacred places and home to the mythical palace of Hindu goddess Anjani. Towering above Lake Segara Anak is Rinjani’s Mount Barujari famous for its sulphurous hot springs. To go to the top of Mountain Rinjani, vehicles can only go as far as Senaru Village (northern route) or Sembalun Village (eastern route).

Gili Air, Gili Meno, Gili Trawangan Located just off the coast of Lombok Barat, these three islands are ideal for snorkeling, scuba diving, and fishing. Gili Meno and Gili Trawangan are famous for their blue coral. All three islands have pristine, white sandy beaches and can be easily reached by sea from the harbor of Bangsal Pemenang on Lombok. The trip to Gili Air takes 20 minutes while journeys to Gili Meno and Gili Trawangan tke 30 minutes and 45 minutes, respectively. Accommodation is simple and in keeping with the natural surrounding. Local transport is equally simple, but nevertheless the Cidomo (cikar-dokar-motor) – a horse-drawn, two wheeled, wooden cart – is a unique way to tour these islands.

Wane Beach 60 km from Bima, this is another Sumbawa’s surfing beaches with good-sized waves and an ideallic tropical setting.

Mount Tambora The mountain last erupted in 1815 leaving behind a legacy or rich fertile soil along its slopes where beautiful forest now grows. It is also a popular hunting ground for the locals with a tremendous view of the island’s surrounding sea. Located approximately 100 km west of Dompu, it can be easily reached by using public transport.

Bima, Sumbawa The former palace in the town of Bima has been turned into a museum devoted to the ancient kingdom of Bima. Dara, a village two kilometers from town, is believed to have been the seat of this once-powerful empire.