4-daagse jungletrekking

WHAT TO EXPECT

North Sumatra, a province on the island of Sumatra, is home to vast rainforests inhabited by exotic wildlife, framed by towering volcanoes and scenic waterfalls gushing down into verdant valleys. Dubbed as the Paris of Sumatra, Dutch colonial architecture has been preserved in Medan the capital.

It’s a perfect site for adventurous animal lovers who are keen to explore the rainforest of Gunung Leuser National Park – a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the northern Sumatera, which retains its natural beauty and possesses a very diverse flora and fauna including the most famously the Sumatran orangutan. Located alongside the banks of Bohorok river, Bukit Lawang offers a relaxed atmosphere with endless jungle trails promising adventure and wildlife encounters.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Observing the legacies of Deli Sultanate
  • Remains of Dutch reign
  • Tropical Rain Forest
  • Trek in the jungle to observe endangered Orangutans and other wildlife in their natural habitat

WHAT TO DO

04 Days / 03 Nights

BUKIT LAWANG’s GUNUNG LEUSER CAMP

Day 01: MEDAN’s AIRPORT – BUKIT LAWANG

KNO – MEDAN : ± 36 KM or ± 1:15 hour
Medan – Bukit Lawang : ± 92 KM or ± 3:30 hour
Enroute stop : ± 2:45 hour
  Total Hour : 7:30 hour

 

Upon arrival at the airport of KNO, greet and proceed northeastwardly on highway heading through the suburban area to Medan; the provincial capital of North Sumatera for having a short sightseeing of the city visiting to the Great Mosque, which is the largest and most beautiful mosque in Northern Sumatera. Thence, one block to the west across the single-track railway is the Sultan’s Palace, which is also known as “Maimoon Palace” being the ceremonial palace of the Sultans of Deli with a Karo Batak Style called balai or open pavilion built to house the Meriam Buntung – the stub of an ancient iron.

Shortly afterwards, driving to Bukit Lawang known for being a site reposing in relaxed ambience on blissful and tranquil gaze as well as one of the main access points to the incredible rainforest of Gunung Leuser, which retains its natural beauty and possesses a very diverse flora and fauna including the last known refuge for the critically endangered; ORANGUTAN. 

Enroute stops at the plantation. Upon arrival in Bukit Lawang, either walking to the river’s side hotel or crossing the river on a hanging cable plank bridge to the opposite hotel for accommodation.

NOTE:

  • ARRIVAL
    The arrival should not be later than 10.30 A.M.
  • ATTENTION
    1. GRAND MOSQUE
      1. Pax should dress neatly and conservatively, which cover arms & legs (no shorts or sleeveless T – shirts, please) for visiting.
      2. Entering Medan’s Grand Mosque:
        1. It is not allowed during the praying time, which is at 12.10 – 12.40 and 15.30 – 16.00
        2. Shoes off when entering the Mosque
    2. SULTAN PALACE
      1. Pax should dress neatly and conservatively, which cover arms & legs
      2. Entering Sultan Palace:
        1. Shoes off when entering the Palace
        2. Traditional customs for hire are available at own cost, which are at ± US$. 1.75/pax (subject to change)
  • ROAD SURFACE 
    The road surface of the latter half of the journey, which is from Salapian; a plantation market district to Bukit Lawang is not in good condition. They are gravel bases road surface with potholes spanning the region traversing the tight plantation line. Flooded roads are common, and the poor quality of the roads is further worsened by the strain on the surface caused by the transit of heavily loaded trucks of oil palms owned by plantation.

  • BUKIT LAWANG:

    Bukit Lawang is a small tourist village at the bank of Bahorok River known for the largest animal sanctuary of Sumatran Orangutan and also the main access point to the Gunung Leuser National Park from the east side.
    According to the currently accepted guidelines for the quarantine and reintroduction of great apes, such as the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Guidelines for the Reintroduction of Great Apes and an Indonesian Governmental Ministerial Decree from 1995, confiscated orangutans should all pass a mandatory quarantine period in specialist facilities, meaning there can be no contact between the orangutans and tourists or other visitors. These regulations and guidelines are extremely important to avoid the risk of reintroduced orangutans competing for resources with and possibly spreading diseases to, an already Critically Endangered resident wild orangutan population.
    In 1995, however, the Bukit Lawang Orangutan Rehabilitation Center was effectively closed as it no longer met the needs of international guidelines or Indonesian legislation covering orangutan reintroduction. The Orangutan site at Bukit Lawang is now called ORANGUTAN CARE CENTER as it stands for readjusting Orangutan to life in the wild, monitoring of wild orangutan populations and preserving the decreasing number of orangutan population.
    Again, please be well notified that there is no change at point of interest visiting Bukit Lawang. The change is made only to name of “REHABILITATION” to “CARE or SANCTUARY” due to the above reason.

    FYI – ORANGUTAN:
    Orangutans are opportunistic foragers, and their diets vary markedly from month to month. However, they are also browser and feed on wild fruit; wild mangoes & figs and consume many kinds of different wild food items that include young leaves, shoots, bark, insects, bird eggs and honey. Fruit makes up 65–90% of the orangutan diet and those with sugary or fatty pulp are favored. If they have had enough food in the jungle, they would not go to the feeding platform. Therefore, taking a TREKKING to the National Park for those who have enough time staying in Bukit Lawang is recommended and worth trying as Orangutans live a more solitary lifestyle and the sight of one of Orangutan swinging through the trees is unforgettable.
    Again, one should not expect the drive up and snap ecotourism of East Africa. Good sightings of animals are the result of patience, a considerable investment of time and of course fortune.

Day 02: BUKIT LAWANG – CAMPING (BLD)

TREKKING : ± 5:00 – 7:00 Hrs 

The sounds of a jungle symphony awaken which is amazed by melodious bird chirps.
The sight of one of Orangutan swinging through the trees is a lucky charm and unforgettable. Emphasis on early morning departure, made with a local guide who has intimate knowledge of the surrounding rainforest, is very appropriate and most recommended for good light, diminished crowds and maximizes the chances of spotting the ‘men of the forest’ away from the former feeding station and other park’s primates in their natural jungle habitat.

After breakfast, leaving on foot walking uphill through the shade of immense rubber plantation into the entrance of The National Park passing the shade canopy of pristine rainforest involving stages corresponding to ridges traversed transferring from one ridge to another often involves steep descents/ascents, which affords rewarding views and hospitable landscape against a backdrop of a primary forest, which is more likely to see and observe the wild Orangutan in their natural habitat and other wildlife, which may encounter include the endemic graceful dark grey & cream Thomas’ leaf monkey and the more prosaic long tailed macaque, flying squirrels, fowls and the vegetation or various tropical plants with its floral life including a tangle of enormous trees, twisting lianas, palms, ferns, forest moss and gigantic fig trees through the thick jungle with well-trodden paths to follow for a truly enthusiastic that tease the imagination where there is an awe-inspiring sensation in walking under the tropical rainforest to BLACK ADI CAMP; a camping site. Accommodation & dinner are provided at the Camp Site. Picnic lunch is served enroute.

NOTE: JUNGLE TREKKING & CAMPING:

  • WHAT TO BRING FOR JUNGLE TREKKING:

    1. Camera.
      There will be extra fee charged by the forestry dept for bringing A mini camcorder (video camera recorder) or handy cam, which is at Rp. 150.000 per mini camcorder/handy cam and at Rp. 50.000 per camera up to the feeding flat form or to the forest due to be regarded as promotion materials.
      These fees are to be collected & paid direct to Gunung Leuser National Park officials on the spot and they are not refundable for any reason. These fees are subject to alteration due to change of policy.
    2. Light clothes (including long trousers & long-sleeved shirt), sun hat or visor with a chin strap, secure head straps for sunglasses or eyeglasses (if worn), comfortable sturdy walking shoes, leach socks and rain poncho.
    3. Sun block cream to be used on exposed skin and insect repellent for those who are particularly sensitive to bug bites.

    4. Zip Lock Bag
      With small supply of any personal medication and 2-3 small trash bags in which to dispose of any trash and for dirty or wet clothes.

    5. An unbreakable water bottle or a canteen which leaves both your hands free for trekking.
      Note:
      Climate is always very humid, and a pack of drinking water is strongly recommended.

    6. A photocopy of your passport including the visa page.
  • ADDITIONAL ITEMS BROUGHT FOR CAMPING:
    1. Small kit of basic toiletry items (toothbrush & toothpaste, soap, shampoo & conditioner, comb & brush, small towel for bathing, deodorant, anti-bacterial liquid, etc).
    2. Sleeping bag and/or blankets for warmth + Sleeping pad for cushioning from stones and twigs as well as for insulation from the ground.
    3. Flashlight with extra batteries and a paper-back book for reading.
  • REMARKS:
    Duration and path of trek are negotiable with the local ranger due to conditions of pax. Local ranger would surely find a moderate path, which is doable for kids for those who have kids offering views back across the National Park and hospitable landscape, which is also more likely to see and observe to wild Orangutan or more other primates & fowls and floral life. Pax, of course, could not avoid some hilly paths, which are at 15° – 30°.

Day 03: CAMPING – BUKIT LAWANG (BL)

TREKKING : ± 5:00 – 7:00 Hrs 

Dawn gives way to a new day as the sounds of a jungle symphony awakens.
Breakfast at the campsite.
Then, proceed venturing out the fascinating track and an awe-inspiring view passing through untouched jungles festooned with lianas along the gloomy dirt path to go further inside the National Park exhibiting high levels of biodiversity, the preservation of wildlife and dense vegetation, which is more likely to see and observe more primates and the vegetation or various tropical plants with its floral life, which are few of the most favorite attractions around the area.
Thence, following network of trails along the path, which leads down to a river side to conclude the trekking taking a “jungle taxi” being a refreshing whitewater safari riding on donut-shaped inner tube, which allows the rider to sit comfortably on their back across the top of the tube with buttocks in the center floating along the edge of a crystal clear mountain stream where the tubes are tethered and conveyed by the current of the waterway for around half an hour downriver to the stopping point, which is then continued to return on foot to the hotel to freshen up with possibility to organize a massage. Accommodation is at the hotel. Picnic lunch is served enroute.

NOTE:
ADDITIONAL ITEMS BROUGHT FOR TUBE RAFTING:

  • Swimsuit or T-shirt and shorts (it should be lightweight and fast drying material)
    Please avoid wearing cotton which when wet does not provide insulation and in cool or cold weather it will make us colder.
  • Protective footwear
    Tennis shoes which lace tight or wetsuit booties or rugged, protective sandals which securely strap on. Bare feet or thongs are NOT SAFE on the river.
  • Zip Lock Bag
    As mentioned above.

Day 04: BUKIT LAWANG – AIRPORT (B)

Bukit Lawang – Medan : ± 92 KM or ± 3:00 hour
Medan – KNIA : ± 36 KM or ± 1:15 hour
En route stops : ± 0:45 hour
  Total Hour : 05:00 hour

Morning is awakened by jingle tuning in a realm melody and roosters crowing. Breakfast at the hotel.
At the appropriate time, the journey today takes us from the lush green jungles of Bukit Lawang through tidy, suburban hamlets with a neatly kept green lawn before it starts to give way with the road snaking upwards southwardly passing by the same vast rubber and oil palm plantation to Binjai, which is then proceeded driving on the Toll Road back to Medan to proceed heading east to another section of Toll road to exit at Kuala Namu Airport to catch the flight of onward destination.

NOTE:

DEPARTURE:
The departure should be later than 14.00 PM.

Tour Ends

PRICE/PAX:

  • PACKAGE:

    Validity: Nov ’23 – Oct ’24
    PAX RATE/PAX
    2 Rp. 5.900.000.00
    3 – 5 Rp. 5.540.000.00
    6 – 9 Rp. 4.820.000.00
    10 – Up Rp. 4.425.000.00
    SGL SUPL Rp. 450.000.00
  • NOTE:

    Please do apply the additional cost of high season surcharge at ± 20% from the cost for those who are staying on “CONSECUTIVE HOLIDAYS, ONE WEEK BEFORE AND AFTER IED FITR, 25th Dec – 27th Dec and 30th Dec – 02nd Jan”.

ACCOMMODATION PROVIDED:

Bukit Lawang:

  • Eco Lodge Bukit Lawang Cottage (Non*, SIAMANG or ORANGUTAN ROOM) or Rindu Alam Hotel (Non*, STD)
    1. Eco Lodge Bukit Lawang Cottage and Rindu Alam Hotel are two of the most recommended non-starred hotels as they’re easily accessible, prioritize agent-based relationship and owning numbers of room offered. They are being fine fanned standard rooms with basic facilities & private bath without hot water. The bathrooms have western toilet, although still require flushing with pails of water.
    2. They’re all located in the bank of the secondary forest, which look on to the river and surrounded with dense vegetation and close to the border of a part of Gunung Leuser National Park. Although there is a healthy fear of man, some animals (macaques, insects and others are all around) can be a nuisance.
    3. Power failures are common, and voltage can fluctuate considerably as sometimes, it is run with generator, which is normally last for only 6 hours starting at 18.00 & finishes at 24.00.

  • Camping in Bukit Lawang’s rain forest of Gunung Leuser National Park would be at Tent
    FYI:
    It is more likely an improvised tented shelter using tarp, which has gently sloping roofs, vertical walls, platform/floor & drape as door and can sleep to max. 8 people per tent. Sleeping will be on the platform/floor of the covered tent.
    Note:

    1. Dome tent is avoided since dome tent require spacious camping site especially for a group of 10 pax – up, which need 5 dome tents. However, if paxs are eagerly bringing their small dome tent, which is for max. 2 pax each, our ranger would possibly cut through the small trees & undergrowth for a suitable site and for cushioning from stones and twigs.
    2. Remarks:
      1. Bathrooms would normally be in the river or in the tented well with a natural squat toilet and a mandi – a tub of cold water & a bucket to douse with.
      2. Sleeping is lulled by the rushing water and a chorus of crickets.

INCLUDED:

  • Nightly accommodation is based on twin sharing at designated category of room with daily breakfast

    NB:

    1. Neither triple nor quadruple share rooms are available due to size matter. However, if there is a request for triple room, hotel would like to provide 1 TWB + 1 Extra Bed and for quadruple room, hotel would prepare 1 TWB + 2 Extra Beds

    2. The extra bed, which is an additional single simple spring bed or mattress, would usually be placed on the floor as no other options of space.

  • Transfer and sightseeing tour by ac–private vehicle with Dutch speaking guide
    NB:

    1. Confirmation of French, Spanish including Italian speaking guide in North Sumatra is subject to availability at a very early advance booking due to limited number.
  • Assistance at the airport
  • Specified lunch (picnic lunch) and dinner on specified days
  • Tent as specified above with sleeping bag at the normal size of Indonesian
  • Permit & local ranger for designated activities in Bukit Lawang
  • Any available admission/entrance fees to sites of interest stated
  • Refreshment during sightseeing (2 bottles (medium size) of mineral water per person)
  • And others as disclosed in the tour program.

EXCLUDED:

  • Flight tickets & airport taxes
  • Other lunch and other dinner, except “on the specified days”
  • Donations
  • Gratuities/tips
  • Personal expenses
  • Peak season surcharge (if available)
  • And others not mentioned above.

CHILD POLICY (02 – 12 YEARS OLD & TRAVELLING TOGETHER WITH PARENTS):

  • Child under 02 years of age is free of charge, except for activities
  • Child in Twin Sharing: 10% discount from adult price
  • Child with Extra Bed: 25% discount from adult price
  • Child with no Bed: 50% discount from adult price

REMARKS:

  • Photos
    1. They are used for illustrative purposes only.
    2. Share and Reuse under a free and open license as confirmed by the rightful.
  • DRIVING TIME:

    Driving time is subject to change due to traffic or road conditions and duration of stay at one object visited.