About Us – Darwin Efendi & Rinjani Eye
From the Trails of Senaru to Leading Rinjani Adventures
My name is Darwin Efendi, born on September 14, 1998, in Senaru Village, one of the official gateways to Mount Rinjani. I grew up here, and so did my love for the mountains and nature. My formal education ended at junior high school, which might seem very limited, but I never let that stop me from pursuing meaningful work and building my skills.
From a young age, I worked as a porter on Mount Rinjani, carrying camping equipment and supplies for trekkers. At only 14, I carried 25 kg on my back and earned around 150,000 IDR per day (~10 USD). For nearly three years, I honed my strength, endurance, and understanding of the mountain, doing treks of 2–3 days four times a month.
As I gained experience and confidence communicating with international visitors, I became a trekking guide on Rinjani, leading groups and ensuring safe and enjoyable journeys. Around the same time, I got married, and my responsibilities grew.
There were challenges—economically, life was not easy, and I even tried applying for a cruise ship job, but I didn’t pass the interview. During this uncertain period, I reflected on my next steps and came up with the idea to create Rinjani Eye.
Together with friends, we committed to building a company that provides high-quality trekking experiences on Mount Rinjani, inspired by other local guides and companies like Green Rinjani, Adi Trekker, Rinjani Master, and Rudy Trekker. Starting from scratch and competing with established operators was not easy.
Over time, we also began collaborating with friends on tours across Lombok and Komodo, expanding our reach beyond Rinjani. Today, I may not have all the answers about the future, but I am fully committed to providing the best service and care to every guest. I firmly believe that by giving our very best in every effort, the results will follow.
Our Promise at Rinjani Eye
To provide safe, memorable, and personalized trekking experiences.
To share the beauty of Mount Rinjani and Lombok with respect and care.
To grow together with our team, our community, and our guests.
Every trek, every interaction, every journey is guided by heart, dedication, and the lessons I learned from years on the trails.
📩 Join us and experience Rinjani and Komodo like never before.