The Jungle of Sumatra

Deep within the jungles of North Sumatra lies Bukit Lawang, a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. This remote village is famed for its orangutan treks, offering a chance to witness these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. Despite the journey's challenges, the experience is truly rewarding. Surrounded by lush greenery, the village provides a tranquil escape, where the soothing sounds of the Bohorok River and playful monkeys create a serene atmosphere. Bukit Lawang promises an unforgettable adventure for nature lovers and explorers alike.

How to get there?
Things to Do
How to Get from Bukit Lawang to Yogyakarta

How to get there?

After spending a night at the Jakarta airport, we caught an early morning flight to Medan on the island of Sumatra. The flight lasted approximately 2.5 hours. Upon arrival in Medan, we immediately took a taxi to the village of Bukit Lawang. The journey takes about 3 to 4 hours and costs around 50 euros. Alternatively, you can take a bus to Bukit Lawang, departing from Kampung Lalang (about 8 km from Medan).

If you're planning to do a jungle trek, many organizations offer an all-inclusive package that includes pick-up by taxi. This was the case for us.

Things to do

Explore the village

Bukit Lawang is a small yet charming village that invites leisurely strolls. It's delightful to wander around, with quaint shops and cozy bars tucked away at every corner. You'll often find a mix of locals and fellow backpackers, making it easy to strike up a conversation. During your walks, you can traverse a hanging bridge over the river and immerse yourself in the tropical surroundings, where a diverse array of wildlife and plants await.

In the evenings, Bukit Lawang truly comes alive. There are various bars with live music where you can enjoy a drink or even dance into the early hours. We spent our last evening in Bukit Lawang dancing away at a jungle party, adding an unforgettable finale to our stay.

Embark on a jungle adventure

Venture into the jungle with a small group or a private guide and come face to face with orangutans. You can dedicate three hours or several days to this experience. The farther and longer you explore, the more you'll immerse yourself in the jungle and increase your chances of encountering unique wildlife. Prior to your trek, ensure your guide is ecologically responsible and adheres to orangutan interaction guidelines. Eco Travel Sumatra or Local Guides are reputable options known for their dedication to nature conservation and the well-being of both locals and animals. While the best time for a jungle trek is typically June through August, we visited in October and still enjoyed splendid weather, though jungle conditions can be unpredictable.

Various trekking options are available, ranging from one to multiple days.

We chose Local Guides for our trek and were accompanied by Adhi as our guide — an absolute highlight of our trip. Opting for a 2-day, 1-night trek, we paid approximately 80 euros per person. This package included ample water and food, as well as overnight accommodation in a covered hut, offering shelter from potential rain. During the trek, it was just us and the guide, although encounters with other groups were common. We were fortunate to spot numerous primates, including the rare orangutans, and were provided with plenty of fruit, water, and a delicious lunch of fried rice with chicken during the trek.

In the evening, we dined with locals in our hut, enjoying a freshly prepared Indonesian meal. The following day, we trekked back to the river and floated downstream on tubes—an incredibly enjoyable experience.

Here are some tips for the trek:

Wear long pants to protect against insects, ticks, and branches you may encounter along the way.
Wear comfortable hiking shoes.
Bring plenty of insect repellent and sunscreen.
Bring swimwear, as there is time to relax in the river upon arrival in the evening.
Bring spare dry clothes in case of unexpected rain.
Bring extra slippers for after the hike.
Guides often do not carry toilet paper, so consider bringing your own along with a small bag for waste disposal to carry back to the hotel.
A flashlight may come in handy for nighttime activities, such as visiting the toilet.

Tubing

You can also opt for tubing on the river. When you choose a trekking adventure, tubing is often included in your trek package. This involves floating down the river on an inflated inner tube, carried along by the river's current until you return to Bukit Lawang.

How to Get from Bukit Lawang to Yogyakarta

After our two-day trek, we stayed one more night at Garden Inn before departing early the next morning by taxi to Medan Airport. From there, we caught a domestic flight to Jakarta, where we arrived late in the evening. We opted to spend one night at a very inexpensive hostel (Wisma Talenta Mitra RedDoorz ) as close to the train station as possible, as we were taking a train to Yogyakarta the next morning at 6 am. This might have been a less efficient option, as there are also domestic flights available from Medan to Yogyakarta.

We always booked our trains through 12GO. We used it to book the train from Jakarta to Yogyakarta as well. The train journey takes approximately 6 hours, but you can also opt to take an overnight train, allowing you to sleep onboard until you reach your destination.