Eco-Friendly Bukit Lawang Jungle Treks for a Local Price
Trek in Gunung Leuser National Park, see orangutans and learn about the flora’s medicinal properties. We’re experienced Bukit Lawang guides and we offer eco-friendly jungle treks for a local price. Join us in our mission to support local businesses and protect the rainforest.
Bukit Lawang Orangutan Jungle Trekking
The itineraries are flexible and can be adjusted to your wishes and flight schedule.
Bukit Lawang is a small village in Sumatra and the base for the Bukit Lawang jungle trekking in the rainforest of Gunung Leuser National Park: The best place in the world to see Sumatran orangutans in the wild.
We sleep in our own private jungle camps from Local Guides. All our jungle camps are located at scenic places in the jungle of Gunung Leuser National Park:
- Next to the exotic Landak jungle river
- Next to the picturesque Bidadari (“Princess”) Waterfall
- Next to the lush Bohorok jungle river
2D1N Jungle Trekking Sleep in the jungle!
The must-do activity around Bukit Lawang is the orangutan trekking in Gunung Leuser National Park. As it is truly magical to sleep under the trees in the jungle, you should do at least a 2-day Bukit Lawang Jungle Trek.
3D2N Jungle Trekking The favourite choice!
This is the favourite choice of visitors as it includes an entire day in the jungle from getting up in the jungle in the morning until sleeping in the jungle in the evening.
4D3N Day Jungle Trekking Deep into the jungle!
For the adventurous hikers and nature lovers, we also offer the 4 day jungle trek during which we get deep into the jungle. By doing so, we increase the chances of seeing a Sumatran elephant!
We also offer longer jungle treks up to 20 days, which is necessary to get in the area where Sumatran rhinos and tigers live. Contact us for more information.
Sumatra Tours: Bukit Lawang, Mount Sibayak & Lake Toba
In case you arrive and depart from Medan airport it is great value for money to combine the jungle trek with climbing mount Sibayak – a volcano near Berastagi – to see the most amazing sunrise, and to relax at Lake Toba.
The favourite traveller choices are the 7D6N & 8D7N North Sumatra tours, which include a Bukit Lawang jungle trek, Volcano trek and a visit to Samosir island in Lake Toba. You can also stretch or shorten the tour as we offer 5D4N up to 9D8N North Sumatra tours.
Experienced Guides from Bukit Lawang
We are born and raised around Bukit Lawang, Gunung Leuser National Park is our backyard and the orangutans our friends. We know the orangutans by their names (read our post about the Bukit Lawang orangutans) and we are taught by our parents about the medicinal properties of the local flora.
We let you reconnect with nature, and make sure that your fun comes with no environmental damage: No feeding and touching of any wildlife. We only leave our footsteps in the rainforest and only bring rubbish left by others on the trails.
We accommodate the tour to your wishes and abilities. Whether you’re here for the orangutans or for the jungle treks or whether you are a fit hiker, a family with children or a photographer: You will find yourself in great company with us.
Besides the guides, the local chefs and helpers are also part of the Local Guides family. Even if their English is weak, they are fun companions in the jungle!
How to Prepare for your Bukit Lawang jungle trek?
Go through the FAQ below, read the Ultimate Guide to Bukit Lawang Jungle Trekking, or just drop us an email with your question.
How to get to Bukit Lawang from Medan?
Fly to Medan. The gateway to Bukit Lawang is the Medan, Sumatra. Fly to Kuala Namu International Airport in Medan. From Medan it is ±3/4 hours driving to Bukit Lawang.
By Local Bus (budget travellers). Most local buses to Bukit Lawang leave from a terminal at Kampung Lalang, on the outskirts of Medan. Local buses can get you here for around 6,000 Rupiah, but you may need to learn a bit of Bahasa Indonesia to survive! From Kampung Lalang, a minibus to Bukit Lawang will cost ±30,000 Rupiah per person, and the journey will take 4-5 hours. Be prepared for a lot of Indonesian music being played by the driver! Last bus to Bukit Lawang leaves at 17.30hrs.
By Luxury Bus. A more luxury option is to take a tourist bus to Bukit Lawang. These depart from near the Grand Mosque in Medan and they are relatively good quality buses (by Sumatran standards) that don’t break down as often as the minibuses. The price for a bus ticket is ±100,000 Rupiah.
Private Transfer (Recommended Option). The most comfortable and fastest way to get from Medan to Bukit Lawang is by taxi. You won't have any hassle of finding the bus terminal and are not restricted to the timetable. If you do a Bukit Lawang Jungle Trekking with us, you can book the private transfer directly with us for 750.000 IDR for up to 5 people. You can be picked up at your hotel or airport in Medan.
Note: All shown prices are indicative; they were valid at the time of writing in 2020, but are subject to change
Do you offer taxi service to/from Medan Airport?
Yes. For our longer tours, an airport pick-up and drop off service is included as you see in the corresponding itineraries. For our shorter but popular orangutan jungle treks, you can simply book the airport transfer service when submitting your booking request
Can we fly out on the day the Bukit Lawang Jungle Trekking ends?
The short answer is that we advice you to fly out from Medan Airport the day after your jungle trekking ends, and spend a night in Bukit Lawang. In that case you can enjoy a long day of jungle trekking also on your last day.
However, we will accommodate it if you wish to fly out from Medan airport on the same day your jungle trek ends. In that case we will wake up early in the morning in our jungle camp, have a breakfast, tube back to Bukit Lawang and then drive to Medan Airport. The earliest we can get to Medan airport on the day your tour ends is around 2 pm.
In case you wish to fly out on the same day your orangutan tour ends, we kindly ask you to mention this in the booking form.
What is the best period for the Bukit Lawang Jungle Trekking?
Orangutans can be seen all year round as part of a jungle trek from Bukit Lawang.
From a weather point of view, the best period to visit Bukit Lawang is in dry season in the period April - September. The busiest period is July - August.
The wettest period is December - January: There are still mostly periods with sunshine but also frequent heavy rain falls typically at the end of the afternoon.
The shoulder periods October-November and February-March are quite good periods to visit Bukit Lawang as well. While there are rain falls in this period, these last just for a few minutes. Also there are very little tourists in this period, so it will feel as if you have the village and the Gunung Leuser National Park all for yourself!
Where to Stay in Bukit Lawang?
A recommended accommodation in Bukit Lawang is Ecolodge . It is a beautiful facility and it also donates parts of the proceeds to the Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme.
Another recommended accommodation is Sam's Bungalow .
Will I see orangutans with the Bukit Lawang Jungle Trekking?
Although the jungle is rich with wildlife and orangutans, there is no guarantee that you will see orangutans or any other wildlife. Our guides will do their best to ensure you see as much as possible.
It is very rare for a group to not see orangutans. The longer the tour you choose, the higher the chance of meeting orangutans.
It has never happened to us that for a 2 Day tour or longer, we have not seen a single orangutan, but we can obviously not guarantee this for the future.
Can we feed the orangutans in Gunung Leuser National Park?
Absolutely NO! We treat orangutans respectfully, keep our distance, do not touch them, and do not feed them. The orangutans here are wild, and should be treated accordingly. You will see however that we can nevertheless get quite close to orangutans because they are so peaceful in their nature.
Feeding orangutans may at first sight seem innocent or even a kind gesture, but it will make them aggressive towards humans, lazy to find their own food, or even sick.
We believe it is our responsibility to respect nature and educate our clients about the fragility of it. And we know that travelers will treat our jungle with the same respect once they understand the environmental consequences of our behavior.
How is the sleeping comfort in the jungle camp?
With our the jungle trekking tours, you will be staying overnight in jungle camps. You'll be sleeping in a tent with a mosquito net. But beware that the tour is quite a back-to-basic experience, including the sleeping. Specifically, the mattrasses in the jungle camps are very thin. You can consider to bring your own pillow and manage your expectations:-)
Are there toilets in the jungle camps in Gunung Leuser National Park?
Yes, there are simple squat toilets at the jungle camp sites.
Is the Bukit Lawang jungle trekking suitable for children?
Yes. Children really love this jungle trek. For groups with children (but older than 5 years), we prepare extra equipment and guiding and take a less challenging route, and most importantly: We make many stops to just play.
Is there an ATM in Bukit Lawang?
There is only an ATM on the MasterCard network. Visa/Plus cards will not work! We advice you to bring cash with you to Bukit Lawang and not count on the ATMs. The nearest ATM outside of Bukit Lawang is in Bahorok, which is 15 minutes by becak (tuk tuk).
Orangutan tours in Sumatra vs Borneo?
Among the best places in the world to see orangutans, are Gunung Leuser National Park (Sumatra) and Tanjung Puting National Park (Kalimantan). We offer tours in both places with certified, local guides.
Both are quite well accessible by air from Jakarta. Which of the two is better, depends on your personal interests and on your budget.
Generally speaking, orangutan tours in Bukit Lawang are suitable for adventurous travelers that like relatively long treks, are in shape and/or have a low/mid budget. The transportation is by foot and the accommodation is typically in basic jungle camps.
In contrast, the orangutan tours in Tanjung Puting are by boat as you cruise through the river, and the occassional treks are very easy and short, and the accommodation is typically on the boat. Although this cruise is still relatively cheap for Western standards, it is 2 to 3 times more expensive than the jungle treks in Bukit Lawang.
We also offer Orangutan Tours in Tanjung Puting, click here for more information
Where can we leave our big luggage during tour?
All accommations in Bukit Lawang offer a free storage service for your luggage while you do your jungle trekking.
In case you do not have an accommodation or there is any other reason this option does not work, then we will store your luggage in Bukit Lawang during the trek.
How much should I tip the guide and cook?
Tipping is common in Indonesia, and the staff will be extremely happy and flattered if you decide to do so.
Eventually, the tip of course depends on how satisfied you are with the service and on your budget. The official advice from the Bukit Lawang Tourism is to tip 70.000 IDR per person per day.
Please notice that these are pre-Covid advices. Covid has completely devestated the economy in Bukit lawang and pushed many - including the guides that you will meet - into poverty. Read more here.
So please take notice that your tips will have more meaning than they have ever had. It is not only a gesture of appreciation, it will make a real and big difference to the lives of your guides and their families.
Thank you very much for supporting local businesses and helping locals!
HELP DENA GET TO COLLEGE
Our current donation program is for Dena, who has just finished secondary school and dreams of continuing his education and become a police officer.
Deda lives in Sumatra in the small village Bukit Lawang. Because of the modest local salaries, his family is not able to pay the significant college enrollment fee of ± € 8000.
Would you like to help Dena? With the booking form below, you also get the option to make a donation. The entire amount will be spent on the cause.
Bukit Lawang Orangutan Jungle Trekking – Itineraries
Day 1: Orangutan Jungle Trekking
Included: Guide, cook, lunch, diner, fruits, accommodation in jungle camp
We start around 8-9 a.m. after breakfast at your hotel. We walk for around 6-7 hours into the Gunung-Leuser National Park and will along the way see a lot of wildlife, such gibbons, leaf monkeys, longtail and pigtail macaques, flying squirrels, Sumatran peacocks, hornbills and of course orangutans.
As we walk through the jungle, your guide will show you the medicinal plants and how to use them in practice.
After a nice lunch in the afternoon, we continue towards our camp site where we will rest, get a hot drink, take a refreshing bath in the clean stream and then we will end our day at dark with a well-deserved diner at camp fire. Overnight in the jungle camp.
Day 2: Orangutan Jungle Trekking
Included: Guide, cook, breakfast, lunch, fruits, tubing
Waking up in the middle of the jungle is a magical feeling. You hear the morning sounds of the birds and the excitement of the gibbons in the distance, as breath the fresh air.
After enjoying a refreshing breakfast, we start the trek around 9 am and walk for around 4-5 hours into the jungle. Along the way, we try to spot orangutans and other wildlife, try all sorts of 'jungle-food' and we'll explain how to recognize them.
We have lunch back at camp, and then we prepare for an exciting trip back to Bukit Lawang on a rubber tube-raft in the river - or in case you wish or for safety reasons - by foot through the jungle.
Day 1
We start around 8-9 a.m. after breakfast at your hotel. We walk for around 6-7 hours into the Gunung-Leuser National Park and will along the way see a lot of wildlife, such gibbons, leaf monkeys, longtail and pigtail macaques, flying squirrels, Sumatran peacocks, hornbills and of course orangutans.
Our guide will show some natural medicinal plants and explain how to use them in practice. After a nice lunch in the afternoon, we continue towards our campsite where we will rest, get a hot drink and take a refreshing jungle bath in the clean stream.
We will end our day at dark with a well-deserved diner at the camp fire!
Day 2
Waking up in the middle of the jungle is a magical feeling. You hear the morning sounds of the birds and the excitement of the gibbons in the distance as you breath the fresh air.
After a good breakfast, we get ready to leave the camp and walk for 5 to 6 hours in the jungle towards another camp site (usually "Aras Pinang"). Along the way, we enjoy the nature and wildlife, try all sorts of 'jungle-food' and how to recognize them and use them. We have lunch in the jungle somewhere half-way.
At the camp we can relax and swim in a clean jungle river. We end the day with dinner at campfire.
Day 3
The following morning you can choose to either do a short jungle trek or to simply relax at the campsite.
After lunch we head back to Bukit Lawang with a exciting tube raft on the river through the jungle! Alternatively, we can return by foot (depending on your personal wish or for safety reasons)!
Day 1
We start around 8-9 a.m. after breakfast at your hotel. We walk for around 6-7 hours into the Gunung-Leuser National Park and will along the way see a lot of wildlife, such gibbons, leaf monkeys, longtail and pigtail macaques, flying squirrels, Sumatran peacocks, hornbills and of course orangutans.
Our guide will show some natural medicinal plants and explain how to use them in practice. After a nice lunch in the afternoon, we continue towards our campsite (usually "Tenda Black") where we will rest, get a hot drink and take a refreshing jungle bath in the clean stream. We will end our day at dark with a well-deserved mouthwatering diner at the camp fire!
Day 2
Waking up in the middle of the jungle is a magical feeling. You hear the morning sounds of the birds and the excitement of the gibbons in the distance as you breath the fresh air.
After a good breakfast, we get ready to leave the camp and walk for 5 to 6 hours in the jungle towards another camp site (usually "Aras Pinang"). Along the way, we enjoy the nature and wildlife, try all sorts of 'jungle-food' and how to recognize them and use them. We have lunch in the jungle somewhere half-way.
At the camp we can relax and swim in a clean jungle river. We end the day with another delicious dinner at campfire.
Day 3
After breakfast, we start our trek to the next campsite (usually "Batu Lintang") for about 5-6 hours and continue our search for wildlife.
If we are really very luck, but since there are very few still alive it is improbable, we may even see a Sumatran tiger or a Sumatran Rhino!
Upon arrival at the campsite, we get a hot drink and take a shower in small stream near the waterfall! We end the day with diner at camp fire.
Day 4
After breakfast we do a jungle trek of 4-5 hours into the jungle to discover even more exotic animals than what we have seen so far. We have lunch back at the same camp. Start trek after breakfast around 9 a.m., walk around 4-5 hours into the jungle looking for orangutans and other animals. After lunch we head back to Bukit Lawang either by foot or by adventurously tube-rafting down the river!
Sumatra Tours – Itineraries
Day 1: Pick-up Medan - Bukit Lawang
Included: transfer service, hotel
Private transfer at any time from Medan airport (4-5 hours) or Medan city (3-4 hours) to your hotel in Bukit Lawang.
Day 2: Orangutan Jungle Trekking (B L D)
Included: guide, cook, jungle camp, meals as mentioned
We start after breakfast at your hotel and walk for around 6-7 hours in the Gunung-Leuser National Park.
Along the way we look for wildlife, such as of course orangutans, but also gibbons, leaf monkeys, longtail and pigtail macaques, flying squirrels, Sumatran peacocks, hornbills, etc.
Your guide will show you the medicinal plants and how to use them. After lunch, we continue to our camp site where we'll rest or swim, and enjoy a candle-light diner.
Day 3: Orangutan Jungle Trekking - Berastagi (B L)
Included: guide, cook, tube raft, car service, hotel, meals as mentioned
Waking up in the middle of the jungle is a magical feeling. You hear the morning sounds of the birds and the excitement of the gibbons in the distance, as you breath the fresh air.
After breakfast, we do a short trek until lunch. Then we prepare for an exciting trip back to Bukit Lawang on a rubber tube-raft in the river!
In Bukit Lawang we pack everything and continue the journey by car to Berastagi, where we check-in to our hotel in the late afternoon.
Day 4: Volcano trek - Hot Spring - Lingga Village (B L)
Included: guide, car service, entrance fees, hotel, meals as mentioned
Pick-up after breakfast and after a short drive you will be dropped off at the starting point of the trek on mount Sibayak.
The hike to the volcano takes almost 2 hours. At the top your guide explains the volcano's history and geology. Then we drive for lunch to Debuk Debuk hot springs and enjoy the beautiful view of mount Sibayak.
We continue to the old village "Lingga" with an authentic architecture and history. We get back to your hotel in Berastagi late in the afternoon.
Day 5: Berastagi - Medan Airport (B)
Included: car service, meals as mentioned
Private transfer from your hotel to Kuala Namu International Airport in Medan.
Day 1: Pick-up Medan - Bukit Lawang
Included: transfer service, hotel
Private transfer at any time from Medan airport (4-5 hours) or Medan city (3-4 hours) to your hotel in Bukit Lawang.
Day 2: Orangutan Jungle Trekking - Berastagi (B L)
Included: guide, cook, tube raft, car service, hotel, meals as mentioned
We start after breakfast at your hotel and walk for around 4-5 hours in the Gunung-Leuser National Park.
Along the way we look for wildlife, such as of course orangutans, but also gibbons, leaf monkeys, longtail and pigtail macaques, flying squirrels, Sumatran peacocks, hornbills, etc.
Your guide will show you the medicinal plants and how to use them. We continue to the jungle camp where we'll rest or swim before we take an exciting trip back to Bukit Lawang on a rubber tube-raft in the river!
In Bukit Lawang we pack everything and continue the journey by car to Berastagi, where we check-in to our hotel in the late afternoon.
Day 3: Fruit Market - Sipiso Piso - Lake Toba (B L)
Included: guide, car service, entrance fees, hotel, meals as mentioned
After breakfast, we check-out and visit the famous fruit market in Berastagi.
Then we depart to Lake Toba. Along the way we have lunch at the beautiful Sipiso-Piso waterfall. The next stop is in Simarjunjung at the top of the mountain with a scenic panorama.
We continue to Parapat, where we take the ferry to get to Samosir island and check-in to our hotel in the late afternoon.
Day 4: Lake Toba (B)
Included: car service, hotel, meals as mentioned
There's a lot to do here, so you decide for yourself. Enjoy the beautiful scenery, swim, attend a traditional Batak dance, or visit Ambarita, Simanindo, Tomok or the Batak Museum, etc.
Although the activity itself is not included, a car and driver will be at your disposal to bring you anywhere on this free day.
Day 5: Lake Toba - Medan (B L)
Included: car service, ferry, hotel, meals as mentioned
Free time in the morning. You can either relax on the beach, rent a motorbike to explore the island or play with the happy, Batak children.
After lunch we go by ferry back to Perapat and continue by car to Medan. Check-in at hotel in the evening.
Day 6: Medan Airport (B)
Included: car service, meals as mentioned
Private transfer from your hotel in Medan to Kuala Namu International Airport in Medan.
Day 1: Pick-up Medan - Bukit Lawang
Included: transfer service, hotel
Private transfer at any time from Medan airport (4-5 hours) or Medan city (3-4 hours) to your hotel in Bukit Lawang.
Day 2: Orangutan Jungle Trekking (B L D)
Included: guide, cook, jungle camp, meals as mentioned
We start after breakfast at your hotel and walk for around 6-7 hours in the Gunung-Leuser National Park.
Along the way we look for wildlife, such as of course orangutans, but also gibbons, leaf monkeys, longtail and pigtail macaques, flying squirrels, Sumatran peacocks, hornbills, etc.
Your guide will show you the medicinal plants and how to use them. After lunch, we continue to our camp site where we'll rest or swim, and enjoy a candle-light diner.
Day 3: Orangutan Jungle Trekking - Berastagi (B L)
Included: guide, cook, tube raft, car service, hotel, meals as mentioned
Waking up in the middle of the jungle is a magical feeling. You hear the morning sounds of the birds and the excitement of the gibbons in the distance, as you breath the fresh air.
After breakfast, we do a short trek until lunch. Then we prepare for an exciting trip back to Bukit Lawang on a rubber tube-raft in the river!
In Bukit Lawang we pack everything and continue the journey by car to Berastagi, where we check-in to our hotel in the late afternoon.
Day 4: Volcano trek - Sipiso Piso - Lake Toba (B L)
Included: guide, car service, entrance fees, hotel, meals as mentioned
After a short drive to mount Sibayak, we trek for almost 2 hours to the volcano where your guide explains the volcano's history and geology.
Then we depart to Lake Toba. Along the way we have lunch at the beautiful Sipiso-Piso waterfall. The next stop is in Simarjunjung at the top of the mountain with a scenic panorama.
We continue to Parapat, where we take the ferry to get to Samosir island and check-in to our hotel in the late afternoon.
Day 5: Lake Toba (B)
Included: car service, hotel, meals as mentioned
There's a lot to do here, so you decide for yourself. Enjoy the beautiful scenery, swim, attend a traditional Batak dance, or visit Ambarita, Simanindo, Tomok or the Batak Museum, etc.
Although the activity itself is not included, a car and driver will be at your disposal to bring you anywhere on this free day.
Day 6: Lake Toba - Medan (B L)
Included: car service, ferry, hotel, meals as mentioned
Free time in the morning. You can either relax on the beach, rent a motorbike to explore the island or play with the happy, Batak children.
After lunch we go by ferry back to Perapat and continue by car to Medan. Check-in at hotel in the evening.
Day 7: Medan Airport (B)
Included: car service, meals as mentioned
Private transfer from your hotel in Medan to Kuala Namu International Airport in Medan.
Day 1: Pick-up Medan - Bukit Lawang
Included: transfer service, hotel
Private transfer at any time from Medan airport (4-5 hours) or Medan city (3-4 hours) to your hotel in Bukit Lawang.
Day 2: Orangutan Jungle Trekking (B L D)
Included: guide, cook, jungle camp, meals as mentioned
We start after breakfast at your hotel and walk for around 6-7 hours in the Gunung-Leuser National Park.
Along the way we look for wildlife, such as of course orangutans, but also gibbons, leaf monkeys, longtail and pigtail macaques, flying squirrels, Sumatran peacocks, hornbills, etc.
Your guide will show you the medicinal plants and how to use them. After lunch, we continue to our camp site where we'll rest or swim, and enjoy a candle-light diner.
Day 3: Orangutan Jungle Trekking - Berastagi (B L)
Included: guide, cook, tube raft, car service, hotel, meals as mentioned
Waking up in the middle of the jungle is a magical feeling. You hear the morning sounds of the birds and the excitement of the gibbons in the distance, as you breath the fresh air.
After breakfast, we do a short trek until lunch. Then we prepare for an exciting trip back to Bukit Lawang on a rubber tube-raft in the river!
In Bukit Lawang we pack everything and continue the journey by car to Berastagi, where we check-in to our hotel in the late afternoon.
Day 4: Volcano trek - Hot Spring - Lingga Village (B L)
Included: guide, car service, entrance fees, hotel, meals as mentioned
Pick-up after breakfast and after a short drive you will be dropped off at the starting point of the trek on mount Sibayak.
The hike to the volcano takes almost 2 hours. At the top your guide explains the volcano's history and geology. Then we drive for lunch to Debuk Debuk hot springs and enjoy the beautiful view of mount Sibayak.
We continue to the old village "Lingga" with an authentic architecture and history. We get back to your hotel in Berastagi late in the afternoon.
Day 5: Berastagi - Lake Toba (B L)
Included: car service, ferry, entrance fees, hotel, meals as mentioned
After breakfast we depart by car to Lake Toba. Along the way we make at the traditional village Dokan, as well as at the waterfall Sipiso-Piso and enjoy the spectacular view of Lake Toba.
Lunch will be served in Simarjunjung at the top of the mountain with a beautiful panorama.
We continue to Parapat, where we take the ferry to get to Samosir island and check-in to our hotel in the late afternoon.
Day 6: Lake Toba (B)
Included: car service, hotel, meals as mentioned
There's a lot to do here, so you decide for yourself. Enjoy the beautiful scenery, swim, attend a traditional Batak dance, or visit Ambarita, Simanindo, Tomok or the Batak Museum, etc.
Although the activity itself is not included, a car and driver will be at your disposal to bring you anywhere on this free day.
Day 7: Lake Toba - Medan (B L)
Included: car service, ferry, hotel, meals as mentioned
Free time in the morning. You can either relax on the beach, rent a motorbike to explore the island or play with the happy, Batak children.
After lunch we go by ferry back to Perapat and continue by car to Medan. Check-in at hotel in the evening.
Day 8: Medan Airport (B)
Included: car service, meals as mentioned
Private transfer from your hotel in Medan to Kuala Namu International Airport in Medan.
Day 1: Pick-up Medan - Bukit Lawang
Included: transfer service, hotel
Private transfer at any time from Medan airport (4-5 hours) or Medan city (3-4 hours) to your hotel in Bukit Lawang.
Day 2: Orangutan Jungle Trekking (B L D)
Included: guide, cook, jungle camp, meals as mentioned
We start after breakfast at your hotel and walk for around 6-7 hours in the Gunung-Leuser National Park.
Along the way we look for wildlife, such as of course orangutans, but also gibbons, leaf monkeys, longtail and pigtail macaques, flying squirrels, Sumatran peacocks, hornbills, etc.
Your guide will show you the medicinal plants and how to use them. After lunch, we continue to our camp site where we'll rest or swim, and enjoy a candle-light diner.
Day 3: Orangutan Jungle Trekking (B L)
Included: guide, cook, tube raft, hotel, meals as mentioned
Waking up in the middle of the jungle is a magical feeling. You hear the morning sounds of the birds and the excitement of the gibbons in the distance, as you breath the fresh air.
We do a short trek until lunch. Then we prepare for an exciting trip back to Bukit Lawang on a rubber tube-raft in the river!
Day 4: Bukit Lawang - Berastagi (B L)
Included: car transfer, hotel, meals as mentioned
After breakfast, we drive 4-5 hours to Berastagi. We visit the famous Berastagi fruit market before check-in at your hotel.
Day 5: Volcano trek - Hot Spring - Lingga Village (B L)
Included: guide, car service, entrance fees, hotel, meals as mentioned
Pick-up after breakfast and after a short drive you will be dropped off at the starting point of the trek on mount Sibayak.
The hike to the volcano takes almost 2 hours. At the top your guide explains the volcano's history and geology. Then we drive for lunch to Debuk Debuk hot springs and enjoy the beautiful view of mount Sibayak.
We continue to the old village "Lingga" with an authentic architecture and history. We get back to your hotel in Berastagi late in the afternoon.
Day 6: Berastagi - Lake Toba (B L)
Included: car service, ferry, entrance fees, hotel, meals as mentioned
After breakfast we depart by car to Lake Toba. Along the way we make at the traditional village Dokan, as well as at the waterfall Sipiso-Piso and enjoy the spectacular view of Lake Toba.
Lunch will be served in Simarjunjung at the top of the mountain with a beautiful panorama.
We continue to Parapat, where we take the ferry to get to Samosir island and check-in to our hotel in the late afternoon.
Day 7: Lake Toba (B)
Included: car service, hotel, meals as mentioned
There's a lot to do here, so you decide for yourself. Enjoy the beautiful scenery, swim, attend a traditional Batak dance, or visit Ambarita, Simanindo, Tomok or the Batak Museum, etc.
Although the activity itself is not included, a car and driver will be at your disposal to bring you anywhere on this free day.
Day 8: Lake Toba - Medan (B L)
Included: car service, ferry, hotel, meals as mentioned
Free time in the morning. You can either relax on the beach, rent a motorbike to explore the island or play with the happy, Batak children.
After lunch we go by ferry back to Perapat and continue by car to Medan. Check-in at hotel in the evening.
Day 9: Medan Airport (B)
Included: car service, meals as mentioned
Private transfer from your hotel in Medan to Kuala Namu International Airport in Medan.
What to bring?
Hiking shoes, sandals or flip-flops for walking in the river, insect repellent, light trousers and shirts with long sleeves, flashlight, towel, small backpack
Accommodations
For the Bukit Lawang Jungle Trekking tours, the accommodation in Bukit Lawang is not included. A recommended accommodation is Ecolodge Bukit Lawang .
With the North Sumatra Tours, all accommodations are included:
| Bukit Lawang | Ecolodge Bukit Lawang or alike |
| Berastagi | Sinabung Hills Resort or alike |
| Lake Toba | Caroline Hotel |
| Medan | Horison Sky Kualanamu or alike for airport transfer or Hotel Danau Toba Int or alike for city tour |
How to Prepare for your Bukit Lawang Jungle Trekking?
Go through our frequently asked questions below or read the Ultimate Guide to Bukit Lawang for a good preparation. If you have any questions, just drop us an email.
How to get to Bukit Lawang from Medan?
Fly to Medan. The gateway to Bukit Lawang is the Medan, Sumatra. Fly to Kuala Namu International Airport in Medan. From Medan it is ±3/4 hours driving to Bukit Lawang.
By Local Bus (budget travellers). Most local buses to Bukit Lawang leave from a terminal at Kampung Lalang, on the outskirts of Medan. Local buses can get you here for around 6,000 Rupiah, but you may need to learn a bit of Bahasa Indonesia to survive! From Kampung Lalang, a minibus to Bukit Lawang will cost ±30,000 Rupiah per person, and the journey will take 4-5 hours. Be prepared for a lot of Indonesian music being played by the driver! Last bus to Bukit Lawang leaves at 17.30hrs.
By Luxury Bus. A more luxury option is to take a tourist bus to Bukit Lawang. These depart from near the Grand Mosque in Medan and they are relatively good quality buses (by Sumatran standards) that don’t break down as often as the minibuses. The price for a bus ticket is ±100,000 Rupiah.
Private Transfer (Recommended Option). The most comfortable and fastest way to get from Medan to Bukit Lawang is by taxi. You won't have any hassle of finding the bus terminal and are not restricted to the timetable. If you do a Bukit Lawang Jungle Trekking with us, you can book the private transfer directly with us for 750.000 IDR for up to 5 people. You can be picked up at your hotel or airport in Medan.
Note: All shown prices are indicative; they were valid at the time of writing in 2020, but are subject to change
Do you offer taxi service to/from Medan Airport?
Yes. For our longer tours, an airport pick-up and drop off service is included as you see in the corresponding itineraries. For our shorter but popular orangutan jungle treks, you can simply book the airport transfer service when submitting your booking request
Can we fly out on the day the Bukit Lawang Jungle Trekking ends?
The short answer is that we advice you to fly out from Medan Airport the day after your jungle trekking ends, and spend a night in Bukit Lawang. In that case you can enjoy a long day of jungle trekking also on your last day.
However, we will accommodate it if you wish to fly out from Medan airport on the same day your jungle trek ends. In that case we will wake up early in the morning in our jungle camp, have a breakfast, tube back to Bukit Lawang and then drive to Medan Airport. The earliest we can get to Medan airport on the day your tour ends is around 2 pm.
In case you wish to fly out on the same day your orangutan tour ends, we kindly ask you to mention this in the booking form.
What is the best period for the Bukit Lawang Jungle Trekking?
Orangutans can be seen all year round as part of a jungle trek from Bukit Lawang.
From a weather point of view, the best period to visit Bukit Lawang is in dry season in the period April - September. The busiest period is July - August.
The wettest period is December - January: There are still mostly periods with sunshine but also frequent heavy rain falls typically at the end of the afternoon.
The shoulder periods October-November and February-March are quite good periods to visit Bukit Lawang as well. While there are rain falls in this period, these last just for a few minutes. Also there are very little tourists in this period, so it will feel as if you have the village and the Gunung Leuser National Park all for yourself!
Where to Stay in Bukit Lawang?
A recommended accommodation in Bukit Lawang is Ecolodge . It is a beautiful facility and it also donates parts of the proceeds to the Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme.
Another recommended accommodation is Sam's Bungalow .
Will I see orangutans with the Bukit Lawang Jungle Trekking?
Although the jungle is rich with wildlife and orangutans, there is no guarantee that you will see orangutans or any other wildlife. Our guides will do their best to ensure you see as much as possible.
It is very rare for a group to not see orangutans. The longer the tour you choose, the higher the chance of meeting orangutans.
It has never happened to us that for a 2 Day tour or longer, we have not seen a single orangutan, but we can obviously not guarantee this for the future.
Can we feed the orangutans in Gunung Leuser National Park?
Absolutely NO! We treat orangutans respectfully, keep our distance, do not touch them, and do not feed them. The orangutans here are wild, and should be treated accordingly. You will see however that we can nevertheless get quite close to orangutans because they are so peaceful in their nature.
Feeding orangutans may at first sight seem innocent or even a kind gesture, but it will make them aggressive towards humans, lazy to find their own food, or even sick.
We believe it is our responsibility to respect nature and educate our clients about the fragility of it. And we know that travelers will treat our jungle with the same respect once they understand the environmental consequences of our behavior.
How is the sleeping comfort in the jungle camp?
With our the jungle trekking tours, you will be staying overnight in jungle camps. You'll be sleeping in a tent with a mosquito net. But beware that the tour is quite a back-to-basic experience, including the sleeping. Specifically, the mattrasses in the jungle camps are very thin. You can consider to bring your own pillow and manage your expectations:-)
Are there toilets in the jungle camps in Gunung Leuser National Park?
Yes, there are simple squat toilets at the jungle camp sites.
Is the Bukit Lawang jungle trekking suitable for children?
Yes. Children really love this jungle trek. For groups with children (but older than 5 years), we prepare extra equipment and guiding and take a less challenging route, and most importantly: We make many stops to just play.
Is there an ATM in Bukit Lawang?
There is only an ATM on the MasterCard network. Visa/Plus cards will not work! We advice you to bring cash with you to Bukit Lawang and not count on the ATMs. The nearest ATM outside of Bukit Lawang is in Bahorok, which is 15 minutes by becak (tuk tuk).
Orangutan tours in Sumatra vs Borneo?
Among the best places in the world to see orangutans, are Gunung Leuser National Park (Sumatra) and Tanjung Puting National Park (Kalimantan). We offer tours in both places with certified, local guides.
Both are quite well accessible by air from Jakarta. Which of the two is better, depends on your personal interests and on your budget.
Generally speaking, orangutan tours in Bukit Lawang are suitable for adventurous travelers that like relatively long treks, are in shape and/or have a low/mid budget. The transportation is by foot and the accommodation is typically in basic jungle camps.
In contrast, the orangutan tours in Tanjung Puting are by boat as you cruise through the river, and the occassional treks are very easy and short, and the accommodation is typically on the boat. Although this cruise is still relatively cheap for Western standards, it is 2 to 3 times more expensive than the jungle treks in Bukit Lawang.
We also offer Orangutan Tours in Tanjung Puting, click here for more information
Where can we leave our big luggage during tour?
All accommations in Bukit Lawang offer a free storage service for your luggage while you do your jungle trekking.
In case you do not have an accommodation or there is any other reason this option does not work, then we will store your luggage in Bukit Lawang during the trek.
How much should I tip the guide and cook?
Tipping is common in Indonesia, and the staff will be extremely happy and flattered if you decide to do so.
Eventually, the tip of course depends on how satisfied you are with the service and on your budget. The official advice from the Bukit Lawang Tourism is to tip 70.000 IDR per person per day.
Please notice that these are pre-Covid advices. Covid has completely devestated the economy in Bukit lawang and pushed many - including the guides that you will meet - into poverty. Read more here.
So please take notice that your tips will have more meaning than they have ever had. It is not only a gesture of appreciation, it will make a real and big difference to the lives of your guides and their families.
Thank you very much for supporting local businesses and helping locals!
