The 3 Volcano Challenge in Indonesia

Your host will meet you on arrival at Denpasar Airport in Bali and transfer you to your hotel in Kuta. If you arrive in good time settle into Indonesian life with a stroll along the beach, before meeting up with your fellow adventurers for dinner (at your own expense) and to chat about the adventure ahead.

Breakfast will be at around 05:00 so you'll waste no time as you set out to tackle your first volcano summit of the trip: Mount Batukaru, Bali's second highest peak at 2276m. This lesser-visited trail is one of the most unique mountain treks in Bali. The volcano is extinct, which has allowed a dense verdant rainforest to take hold on the slopes. The route heads through the lush forest until you reach around 2000m, where the vegetation becomes thinner and the views of the surrounding valley open up. Upon reaching the summit, if conditions are clear you'll have a 360-degree vista over the island Bali before descending via a different route, completing the circular hike at the temple of Batukaru. From here you'll hit the road to Ubud, the artsy centre of Bali. Head out to enjoy a well-earned dinner before bed.

Today is a lighter day, after your first summit effort yesterday and with a big one coming up tomorrow. Discover the Tampaksiring area with short walks, meandering from local markets to herbal plant gardens and rice terraces. Visit the 11th-century Gunung Kawi temple where you'll be treated to Indonesian coffee, local herbal drinks and traditional Balinese cake. Hike on through rice fields to another ancient temple, Bukit Gundul, before having lunch. Get back to the hotel in the mid-afternoon and chill before grabbing an early dinner and bedding down in good time as you'll be waking up extremely early tomorrow.

So, extremely early means around 01:00 am – but it will be more than worth it to watch the sunrise from the roof of Bali. You'll be dropped off on the flanks of the still-active Mount Agung volcano at the Pasar Agung temple (1490m), one of the oldest, holiest and largest temples on the island. This tough trail passes through the forest at first, changing to sparse shrubs and rocky terrain as you gain elevation. You'll push on to the summit through a lunar-like landscape requiring careful footing to negotiate the rugged volcanic rocks and a final steep ascent over loose volcanic scree. At the top you'll have breakfast and watch the sunrise over the endless panorama, looking down on the islands near Nusa Lembongan. The sacred second summit at 2880mm is believed by Balinese people to be home to the gods, including Lord Shiva. Descend back down the volcano and hop in the van for a ride to the village of Taman Ujung for some well-earned downtime this afternoon and evening.

(Mount Agung is periodically closed (with little forewarning) to hikers for religious ceremonies, in which case you'll climb an alternative peak or volcano).

Time to tick off another Indonesian island as you hop on a speedboat for a beautiful two-hour journey to Lombok. Reaching Lombok, head to Senaru for a hike to the Sendang Gile Waterfall which cascades through verdant forest. Settle into your lodge in Senaru village and have a relaxed evening fuelling yourself up on Indonesian food ahead of the big adventure on Mount Rinjani, starting tomorrow.

Time to start the big one. Check in at the Rinjani National Park office, grab breakfast and meet up with your specialist guide and crew for your three days on Mount Rinjani. The trek starts from Sembalun village with a gentle ascent walking through open grassland. Tuck into lunch at 1500m above sea level, with a good 650m of elevation already under your belt. Tackle a steep trail through a pine forest in the afternoon before reaching Pelawangan Camp at 2639m. Enjoy a spectacular sunset over the enormous crater rim while your crew prepare dinner. Settle in for your first night camping on an active volcano beneath the Milky Way.

Rise early again (around 02:00) for a big sunrise summit attempt. Roll out of your tent in the dark with the stars twinkling above and set off on a three-hour climb to reach the pinnacle of Mount Rinjani at 3726m. You'll be rewarded with that fuzzy summit feeling and amazing sunrise views while looking out all the way back to Bali (and the familiar silhouette of your old friend, Mount Agung). Take your time on the peak, soaking up the scene before descending back down the ridge to camp for a much-deserved breakfast. Pack down camp and start your gradual descent to Segara Anak Lake with its healing hot springs, where you can swim and soak your tired limbs following your volcanic exploits. Enjoy a lakeside lunch with views of the active volcano Mount Baru before it's time to start heading up again, with an ascent to the next camp site at Senaru crater rim in time for sunset.

You know the old saying: what goes up... must embark on a six-hour, 2000m ramble all the way back down the active volcano. Tuck into breakfast first at your camping spot before packing down and hitting the trail all the way to Senaru village. The route today completes an epic circular around the Mount Rinjani complex – something very few other trekkers do; most go up and down via the same route. Hop in the van at Senaru for a drive to the plush Living Asia Resort and Spa on the Lombok coast for some proper R&R (and perhaps a shower) after your wild camping escapades.

With the big hikes of the trip well and truly under your belt, you'll tone things down today with time to recuperate at your beachside hotel.

Soak up the last of your delightful accommodation on the Lombok coast this morning, tuck into breakfast and grab a dip in the pool or the sea. Your host will then drive you back across Lombok to the harbour where you'll take the two-hour speedboat journey back to Bali. Check back into your hotel in Kuta, where it all started 10 days ago. Get ready for one last dinner together with your fellow adventurers and new-found friends as you toast the end of an epic adventure.

Your adventure comes to an end today, as you enjoy breakfast and some free time in the Kuta area (depending on your flight time). Your host will transfer you back to the airport in time for your onward flight.