ACTIVITIES
Jungle Trekking
Bukit Lawang is the ideal location for a jungle experience. We can provide a taste of the jungle from the comfort of our lodges, but to fully immerse oneself and maximise opportunities to spot some of the spectacular wildlife indigenous to GunungLeuser National Park include some jungle trekking in your itinerary.
We can arrange for a reputable and licensed local guide to meet you at our guesthouse when you arrive so you can discuss jungle trekking options. During peak season it would be worth pre-warning us that you might like to do this in case the guides become booked up. The local guide association has fixed rates for trekking to ensure that all local guides are fairly paid and guests are not overcharged.
The Guide Association rates:
Minimum of 2 people
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One day trek: 55 euro per person
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2 day / 1 night trek: 120 euro per person
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3 day / 2 night trek: 170 euro per person
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4 day / 3 night trek: 250 euro per person
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5 day /4 night trek: 320 euro per person
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6 day / 5 night trek: 400 euro per person
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7 day / 6 night trek: 500 euro per person
For an additional 10 euro per person you can river tube from the trek (River tubing is a raft of large inner tyres tied together and steered at the front and back by the guides)
These prices include licensed guides, park permits, all food and refreshments whilst trekking and communal camping equipment
Please get in touch if you would like us to provide you with a recommended kit list for the trekking
Orangutans and Other Wildlife
The last rehabilitated orangutans were received in Bukit Lawang in 2001. The ‘semi-wild’ orangutans and their off spring which had already been rehabilitated continued to be given banana and milk provisions at an orangutan feeding platform. This closed in 2015, but many of the ‘semi wild’ orangutans and their later off spring still reside in the jungle around Bukit Lawang.
There is a very good chance that you will spot a semi wild orangutan on a half day or one day trek in this area. As well as orangutans, Gunung Leuser National Park is host to a myriad of wildlife which includes gibbons, elephants, hornbills thomas leaf monkeys, clouded leopard, the Sumatra tiger and Sumatran rhino.
In general, the longer you trek for the higher your chances of spotting wildlife, but there can be no guarantees. After trekking many guests just feel enlivened and revitalized by the experience of being in the jungle and away from the distraction of modern technology and devices.
Spotting wildlife is the icing on the cake to spending time in this incredible ecosystem. Some of the trees in the rainforest are more than a 1,000 years old and deserve their own special mention. Not forgetting as well that trees are much easier to spot!
Eco Friendly Trekking and Responsible Tourism
We love this jungle and everything that lives in it. We are therefore very rigorous in supporting the National Park guidelines. In particular, it is not permitted to touch or feed orangutans or other wildlife and the guides should always try to maintain a distance of 10 meters between guests and wildlife.
The reason for this rule is to protect the wildlife from picking up germs and disease from humans. Orangutans, who share 98% of our DNA are very susceptible to human diseases. There is then a high chance of them passing illness to the wild population. A human illness such as a cold can be devastating to a primate and can decimate an already critically endangered population.
We really urge you to report any bad guiding practices to the TNGL office and/or the guide association office in Bukit Lawang and to inform any guide that you trek with that you want to follow all the rules
Families
Jungle trekking is a great bonding experience for families and multi-generational groups. Many of the guides are experienced in taking families into the jungle, keeping them safe, yet still affording them a long lasting memories and great fun.
It is usual for extra guides and porters to accompany groups with children and we can lend you a back pack carrier for smaller children that might need to be carried.
You don’t have to walk far to get to beautiful jungle locations around Bukit Lawang. Some families like to just spend the day having a barbeque picnic and some time to play in the river.
Other Activities
As well as trekking, Bukit Lawang and the surrounding area has much to offer. As well as it’s stunning scenery, it is home to a mix of Java, Malay and Batak cultures and is a great village to just spend time in.
Other experiences on offer include visiting the bat cave in Bukit Lawang, a becak (motorbike and sidecar) tour around the local villages, cycling tours, a visit to Tangkahan to see some elephants, white water rafting, cooking and painting classes.
Other Destinations
Sumatra is a large island. It is the 6th largest island in the world with a rich diversity of cultures, environment, flora and fauna. From Bukit Lawang a 5 hour car journey will take you to the cooler climes of the Berastagi volcanoes and the beautiful Lake Toba. A longer car journey or a short internal flight will take you to renowned surfing locations in Aceh and the Mentawai islands or take a trip to Bukit Tinggi and Padang to experience the Minang culture. There is so much to see and do in Sumatra.
We can help you to hire a car and driver to take you on a tour to some of these amazing destinations.
