Indonesia’s largest island, Sumatra, is ruggedly beautiful. It’s a land of dense forests, incredible wildlife, raging rivers, smouldering volcanoes, pounding surf and welcoming people. To experience the best nature, wildlife and jungles of Sumatra, head out to the small jungle town of Bukit Lawang on the edge of Gunung Leuser National Park. A Bukit Lawang jungle trek will take you into virgin rainforest and bring you face-to-face with orangutans in their natural habitat.
Orangutans are one of the five great apes and, as our distant relatives, share 97% of our DNA. Observing our red-haired cousins is a fascinating experience. Their facial expressions and mannerisms are so humanlike that they are, understandably, called Man of the Forest in Malay and Indonesian language – Orang (man) hutan (forest).
While seeing the Sumatran orangutans is the highlight of jungle trekking in Bukit Lawang, it offers visitors so much more. You’re likely to spot other primates, such as macaques and Thomas Leaf monkeys, learn about the plants in the forest and how the locals use them, catch glimpses of exotic birds and jungle critters, and enjoy the majestic jungle scenery.
Jungles, apes and critters aside, a Bukit Lawang jungle trek is also about meeting the people of Bukit Lawang. Your local guides will share their knowledge about the jungle and their lives in this jungle town with you the deeper you go into the forest.
Most people living in Bukit Lawang are involved in the tourism industry. They value the jungle and know that the jungle is their livelihood. They know we tourists come to see nature, so they must protect it. When you go jungle trekking in Bukit Lawang, you also support local community tourism and conservation of the Sumatran jungle.
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Quick Guide to Bukit Lawang & Jungle Trek
When did I go? February
Where to stay in Bukit Lawang ? Garden Inn
How long to spend in Bukit Lawang? Two to three days
Getting to Bukit Lawang: I got a kijang from Parapat (Lake Toba), which took eight hours. A kijang to Medan Airport takes about 4 hours. Ask your hotel to help arrange transport the day before.
What’s Bukit Lawang famous for? Orangutan trekking and jungle experiences
Tip: Unless you’re in a hurry, find a jungle guide in Bukit Lawang rather than booking online. Otherwise look at this one-day jungle trek.
Where to Stay in Bukit Lawang
I stayed at the Garden Inn and loved it. It has a fantastic setting right on the bank of the Bohorok River overlooking the jungle in the national park. Falling asleep to the rumbling river and jungle sounds is a true jungle experience without compromising comfort.
The Superior Double room has a large, comfy bed, ensuite bathroom and, best of all, a hammock on the balcony. Swinging in your hammock, listening to the jungle noises and watching the monkeys coming to check you out is what that balcony was made for.
Don’t leave any food or valuables on the balcony, as these cheeky monkeys will run off with them. Also, keep the windows and doors closed at all times.
The room has mesh screens to keep the bugs and monkeys out while letting in air and jungle vibes. It truly is a great place to stay.
The restaurant serves tasty Indonesian food (try the pisang goreng or pineapple cake), and the staff is friendly and charming. At night, you can expect some guitar strumming and singing while exchanging Orangutan tales with your fellow travellers.
Jungle Trekking in Bukit Lawang Options
Orangutan and jungle trekking in Bukit Lawang can last from half a day, full day, overnight, to a few days, or even a week or longer.
Of course, the longer you spend in the jungle, the bigger your chance of seeing more wildlife. It also allows you to camp overnight in the wilderness, swim in the rivers and get to know your guides better.
I went on a half-day jungle trek, which I thoroughly enjoyed. If I had to do it again, I’d probably go on an overnight jungle trek for the wilderness experience more than seeing the orangutans. This ethical 3-day jungle trek looks amazing.
I visited Bukit Lawang in February, the height of the rainy season. Heavy tropical downpours were the norm every night, but the days were sunny and dry. I’m sure camping in the jungle is not much fun in these rainstorms.
Jungle treks must have three people minimum, so single travellers will be grouped with others to meet the minimum requirements. Before agreeing on a tour, ask how many people will be in the group.
My Orangutan Trekking Experience in Bukit Lawang
I was teamed with another couple, and we left Bukit Lawang in the morning, around 9 am, with our two guides, Irwan and Selamat. We crossed the swing bridge that connects the town to the national park across the Bohorok River.
Our first stop was a rubber plantation where we saw the gooey rubber slowly dripping from the cuttings made into the trunks of the trees.
Before we entered the real jungle, we came across our first primates: Thomas Leaf monkeys. Also known as Thomas’s langurs or Sumatran grizzly langurs, these monkeys are endemic to northern Sumatra and are easily recognized by their distinct mohawks. The babies are covered in fluffy white fur, unlike their grey parents.
Before visiting Bukit Lawang, I read that most orangutans here were reintroduced into nature and semi-wild. I somehow expected to stumble upon orangutans around every bend in the path.
I’m glad to say that this was not the case on my jungle trek. We had to walk for a few hours and saw three orangutans in total. It definitely didn’t feel like a zoo or a primate sanctuary. It felt like a real jungle experience and something I can recommend to any nature lover.
The jungle trek itself is not overly challenging, but there are a few uphill sections and shallow stream crossings. We only encountered a few leeches, not enough to warrant leech-proof gear and the like.
Irwan found a nice spot for lunch, where Selamat unpacked nasi goreng and drinks they had brought from town and peeled some fresh fruit. We spent our lunch chatting and joking until we were rested and ready to find some orangutans.
Until lunch, we only saw insects, birds, plants and the Thomas Leaf monkeys, so I was getting a little worried that I wouldn’t see the orangutans.
But soon after we started trekking again after lunch, we spotted a mother and juvenile up in the trees, and we were all happy jungle trekkers. Our guides kept a safe distance from the orangutans, and we spent quite some time observing these gentle primates swinging around the trees and doing what an orangutan does in its natural habitat.
After observing the mother and child for quite some time, we pushed on and were lucky enough to see another solitary male a little later before reaching the banks of the Bohorok River.
Tube Rafting on the Bohorok River
You can choose to float back to Bukit Lawang on the Bohorok River on inflated inner tubes after your jungle trek or walk back to town. Known locally as the jungle taxi, the tube raft is exciting and a refreshing end to your jungle experience. Don’t skip the tube raft.
Several inner tubes are tied together to make the raft stable. Each raft has waterproof bins for cameras or other devices that don’t play well in the water.
A guide at the front and at the back will steer the tube raft over the rapids using long poles and keep the witty jokes and songs coming as you float back to town.
Like Big Apes? Learn more about gorilla trekking in the Congo
Bukit Lawang Jungle Trek FAQ
How long is a jungle trek?
The one-day trek that I went on lasted about 5 hours. We left Bukit Lawang around 9 am and were back in town around 2 pm.
How much does a jungle trek cost?
A one-day jungle trek in Bukit Lawang starts at USD 50 plus an extra USD 10 for river rafting. Jungle treks include the services of qualified guides and park entrance fees. This jungle trek costs USD 78 and includes trekking, lunch, and tubing.
An overnight orangutang trek into Gunung Leuser National Park costs about USD 126.
How fit do I need to be for a jungle trek?
The jungle trek in Bukit Lawang is not overly strenuous. There was a short uphill section, but most of the walk was flat. Anyone with moderate fitness and who likes walking will enjoy this activity.
Can I explore the jungle by myself?
No, all Gunung Leuser National Park visitors must be accompanied by a guide certified by the Indonesian Tourist Guide Association.
What wildlife can I expect to see?
Remember that the animals in the jungle are wild (or semi-wild in the case of the orangutans), so seeing wildlife is never guaranteed. However, your guides will try their best to find the animals for you.
If you’re lucky, you can expect to see macaques, Thomas Leaf monkeys, orangutans, lizards, water monitor lizards, insects, reptiles and hornbills. Forget about seeing rhinos or tigers- while they are present in the park, they are so scarce that winning the lottery is more likely than spotting them.
Can I feed the orangutans?
No. Please don’t feed any animals. Also, tell your guides not to feed them if they want to lure the animals closer for better photos.
Things to do in Bukit Lawang
Bukit Lawang, with its towering forest, constantly rumbling river and friendly people, is unbelievably chilled – it’s one of my favourite places to relax in SE Asia.
While you can see the orangutans in one day, do yourself a favour and spend a few days chilling and wallowing in the fantastic natural surroundings.
There are several river beaches in Bukit Lawang where you can swim, relax, and order something to eat or drink. These beaches are dead during the week but quite popular on weekends with locals visiting from Medan.
You could also just walk down the riverbank until you find a spot you like and enjoy the river and jungle on your own. Be careful when swimming, as the currents can be strong and unpredictable.
A path following the Bohorok River goes from Bukit Lawang and continues north, hugging the riverbank. This path makes for a lovely stroll that takes you out of town and into the jungle in no time. You don’t need a guide, and the track is easy to follow.
How to Get to/from Bukit Lawang
Medan to Bukit Lawang: Kijang (shared taxi) to and from Kualanamu International Airport in Medan takes at least 4 hours. A seat in a shared taxi starts at 190,000IDR per person. These shared taxis are also called tourist bus, so don’t expect an actual bus when waiting for the tourist bus to Bukit Lawang. Private transfers are also available from the airport to Medan, costing about $75 for up to four passengers.
Medan is of no interest to the ordinary visitor, so it’s best to skip the city entirely. If you must stay in Medan, I can recommend Tong’s Inn near the airport.
Bukit Lawang to Lake Toba: It’s possible to get a Kijang to or from Parapat on Lake Toba in a gruelling 10 hours. Parapat is where you can get a ferry to the magical Samosir Island in the middle of Lake Toba.
Berestagi, home to two of Sumatra’s active volcanoes, Mt. Sibayak and Mt. Sinabung, is 5 hours away from Bukit Lawang. Active travellers and hikers want to break up their journey here in the Karo Highlands before continuing to Lake Toba.
Cars to Lake Toba will transit through Medan and its traffic, but it’s still better than spending the night in Medan. A seat goes for 230,000IDR per person. Ask your guesthouse the day before for help arranging this.
Read More: 3 Week Sumatra Itinerary
Is Bukit Lawang Worth Visiting?
The UNESCO-listed Gunung Leuser National Park is a jungle-book paradise that is absolutely worth a visit. The dense forest, the wildlife, and the way the community lives alongside it are things most of us city dwellers will enjoy immensely.
The national park is an incredible place to surround yourself with nature, and it is one of Indonesia’s most famous natural landmarks.
I had my doubts before going on my Bukit Lawang jungle trek, as I wanted to experience the real jungle. I was worried about being taken to a feeding platform where I would see tame orangutans eating bananas on jungle gyms. Somehow, I expected to see hundreds of orangutans around every bend in the path.
I’m glad to say this was not the case on my jungle trek.
If you have questions regarding Bukit Lawang or jungle trekking, drop us a question in the messages below, and we’ll try our best to help.
Hi, i really enjoy reading ur post. I’m planning to visit there around december or january, but scared the weather will be bad for trekking. Is it still recommended and why did you mention that it’s best to get the jungle guide on bukit lawang instead of booking online? and how can we contact and book the guides? Thank you so much 🙂
Hi Rina,
The weather is the weather… no one can predict what it will do. January might be a little drier than December. When I went in February, days were dry and sunny with heavy rains at night. I suggest staying 2-3 nights to make sure you’ll get to go see the orangutans- just in case it rains too much.
Guides will find you in Bukit Lawang. Either take one of the guides offering their service, or ask at your hotel for a guide. This way you can meet your guide and discuss your needs. When you book online your simply paying a middle man and you might end up with a guide you don’t like.
Hope you have a great trip to the jungle.
Is it cheaper to book a jungle tour once you’re in Buwit Lawang or is it similar prices when you book online (between $40-$60 for a 1 day trek)?
Hi Zofia,
The prices online and booking in Bukit Lawang are almost the same. In Bukit Lawang it might be a few dollars cheaper. If you have some time, I think it’s better to speak to guides in BL and see if you like them before signing up for a trip. If you’re short on time, then book online.