any recommended tours of Lombok?

Hello Lombok Lovers
What a great site and such helpful people you are! I am have learned so much already.
I am planning to be based in Mangsit for a week in mid October and would like to do some day tours or possibly overnight tour to the mountains and villages to get a taste of village life, culture and diverse landscape. I am not really interested in Gillis and snorkling as I live beside the Great Barrier Reef in Nth Queensland, so don't need to see coral.

I have got some information about Perama tours of Lombok that take in a lot of villages for reasonable prices and I wonder if anyone has had experience with them? Or are there any other local tour operators that you can recommend?
http://www.peramatour.com/lombok.php

I would really appreciate any suggestions of beautiful / interesting / cultural things to see.
Many thanks
Robbie

Hi Robbie

Perama are a good option or you might prefer to rent a car and driver, which is what most people do. It gives you a bit more freedom about where you go and how long you spend.

One day trip as you suggested would be up to Senaru. One of the starting points for treks up Rinjani. There are a couple of options for walks in the area, taking in Sendang Gile waterfall as well as one or two more, depending on how far you want to go. Pondok Senaru is a nice spot for lunch, overlooking the waterfall.

If you are interested in the craft villages you can combine a day tour to them with the beaches in south Lombok.

Sukarara is more a case of visiting large workshops and show rooms rather than a traditional village but if you are interested in seeing traditional weaving then it is worth a stop. Further on past Praya is Penujak - famous for its pottery. Ask your driver/guide park on the main road but walk up a dirt track.Next stop about 5km from Kuta you have the traditional villages of Sade & Rembitan.

On then to Kuta and its surrounding beaches. Doing this as a day trip I would suggest heading west from Kuta, towards Mawun beach (my personal favourite) you can stop enroute at Ashtari cafe (Closed Mondays) They have home made bread and cakes as well as lots of vegetarian dishes. And a stunning view over Kuta bay.

Mawun beach for a swim and a cool down and then back to Kuta if you have time for a coffee or a beer before heading back to Mangsit.

Hope thats a start anyway for ideas for you

Hi Gemma
Thank you so much for your reply. Its very helpful to have your recommendations.
Cheers
Robbie