Highlights
- Discover the hidden paradise of Gunung Leuser National Park and its lush forests
- Go on a jungle trek with camera in hand as you search for the elusive orangutan
- Take a 4WD road trip along rugged terrain through palm oil plantations and jungle
- Meet the elephants of Tangkahan and walk beside them as you discover their world
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Jakarta | Jakarta |
| Day 2 | Transfer to Bohorok | Bohorok |
| Day 3 | Meet the Orangutans | Bohorok |
| Day 4 | Explore the Sumatra Jungle by 4WD, Transfer to Tangkahan | Tangkahan, North Sumatra |
| Day 5 | Meet the Tangkahan Elephants | Tangkahan, North Sumatra |
| Day 6 | Transfer to Medan & Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Jakarta
Day 2:Transfer to Bohorok
This morning, you'll take a hotel shuttle bus to Jakarta airport and catch a two-hour flight to Medan. Upon arrival at the airport, you'll receive a warm welcome from your local guide and hit the road. Head northwest for about five hours to reach Bohorok, where an orangutan center houses semi-wild orangutans inside the Gunung Leuser National Park. On your way, you will stroll through small villages and traditional markets to admire beautiful landscapes overlooking the island plantations.
Stop en route to visit a palm oil plantation, where your guide will explain this controversial plant and how hard work has been implemented to balance the impact on the environment and economy. If it's in season, you can stop to try the local rambutan, a sweet juicy fruit native to the region. You'll also visit a local cacao garden. Arrive at Bukit Lawang village at Bohorok, and check in at your lodge at the edge of Gunung Leuser National Park.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 3: Meet the Orangutans
Gunung Leuser National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most biodiverse conservation areas in the world. The park stretches over 3,060 square miles (7,930 sq km) and is home to 10,000 plant species and 750 species of animals, including endangered tigers, elephants, and rhinos. It's also a great place to spot the elusive orangutan in its natural habitat.
Get plenty to eat at breakfast before leaving with your local ranger, who will take you for a three-hour trek through the Sumatran rainforest. Keep your cameras handy and your eyes peeled, as you may have the chance to encounter several species of endemic flora and fauna, including the famous orangutans. Revel in fantastic trekking through the lush jungle and damp tropical air, and enjoy the rainforest's energy with its steep slopes, dense vegetation, and all the sounds the wilderness offers.
Day 4: Explore the Sumatra Jungle by 4WD, Transfer to Tangkahan
Wake up to the sounds of the jungle as you soak up your surroundings in the wilderness before leaving for Tangkahan. You'll take a rocky and dusty track passing through palm oil plantations and local villages by 4WD, lasting about two and a half hours. You'll arrive in Tangkahan, a remote outpost at the edge of Gunung Leuser National Park. Following a fantastic journey through remote areas, you'll check into your lodge. In the evening, enjoy the peaceful surroundings of the jungle and unwind to the sounds of exotic bird calls.
Day 5: Meet the Tangkahan Elephants
It's an early start as you'll walk for about 15 minutes to the Elephant Center. Local and foreign NGOs have created the Tangkahan outpost to protect the national park often neglected by the authorities. They also patrol the jungle against illegal loggers and poachers. As you walk alongside the elephants, you'll explore their jungle with them, allowing you to get up close to these extraordinary beasts. Afterward, help the mahouts (a person who tends to elephants) wash the elephants in the stunning Batang River. You can relax and observe the elephants as they wander and graze in their natural habitat.
The rest of the day is free to explore more of Tangakahan. The Batang Serangan River is excellent for swimming and other water activities. Relax after your hike with some tubing, which offers an entirely different perspective of the jungle as you drift down the river in an inflatable tube. Discover hidden waterfalls and nearby hot springs to soothe those tired muscles before returning to your hotel.Day 6: Transfer to Medan & Depart
It's time to bid farewell to the jungle. Early morning, you'll check out of your hotel and leave for the five-hour ride to the airport in Medan. As you drive through plantation roads, you'll go over bumpy roads passing the Batang River, small towns with views of plantations and rural landscapes. Once you arrive, your flight back to Jakarta will be approximately two hours before continuing to your final destination. Safe travels!
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