Orangutan Trekking Tour: 2 Days Wildlife Exploration in Sumatran Jungle with EcoTravel Bukit Lawang
5.0
115 Ratings
Embark on a 2-day wildlife exploration in the Sumatran jungle with EcoTravel Bukit Lawang. Discover orangutans and other wildlife up-close in their natural habitat. Award-winning sustainable tours.
Duration:
2 days
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
- Sumatra EcoTravel Bukit Lawang - Tours & Treks - EcoTravel’s popular Orangutan Trek in Gunung Leuser National Park is an unforgettable and authentic tour to experience the real Sumatran rainforest. We recommend this 2-day trek for sportive travellers who want to hike in fantastic tropical nature and experience the nocturnal life of the jungle.
This adventurous 2-day trek starts from our EcoTravel office at 8:30 am. During this jungle trek you will hike in a small group of up to a maximum of 7 EcoTravel guests while having a big chance to see wild animals in their natural habitat - especially the last Sumatran Orangutans. Around 15:00 pm you will reach our campsite along a river bank where you will spend the night. The next morning you will have the opportunity to visit a beautiful waterfall before a “jungle taxi” will take you back to Bukit Lawang by traditional tube-rafting down the Bohorok River. Return to Bukit Lawang by 14:30 pm.
We provide double tents, mattress, pillows and sleeping bags for a comfortable overnight stay in the jungle. With an innovative water filter we increase our guests’ health and wellbeing. And our delicious, freshly prepared meals are memorable add ons to kick your energy for walking in the wild.
What's Included
- Rafting skipper and tube-rafting equipment (tubes, safety jackets, helmets for children)
- Campsite team, double tent, mattress, sleeping bag, pillows, chairs, water filter
- Certified English speaking guide and assistant
- Cook, 2x lunch, 1x dinner, 1x breakfast, fruits, snacks, tea, coffee and drinking water
What's Not Included
- Permit to enter the national park/camera tax (150.000 IDR / person / payable before trekking start)
- Accommodation in Bukit Lawang (the night before trekking start & after back from jungle trekking)
- Transportation from/to Medan (hotel/airport - 4 hours), bookable directly at your accommodation
Additional Information
EcoTravel’s Orangutan trek is the most popular option to discover the Sumatran jungle. On a 2-day jungle trek you will have the big chance of seeing Sumatran orangutans and other wildlife up-close in their natural habitat. In the evening enjoy a delicious “jungle dinner“ on your campsite, then dream away to the melodies of the rainforest and wake up in the morning to the sounds of birds and monkeys. After your jungle trek your “jungle taxi“ will take you back to your accommodation in Bukit Lawang by traditional tube-rafting down Bohorok River.
Unlike other providers in Bukit Lawang, our sustainable jungle treks and selected Sumatra tours focus on quality and safety rather than quantity. This is why our team has been awarded several times over the past few years e.g. “Eco Friendly Tour Operator of the Year 2018”, “Travel & Hospitality Award Winner” and received the “Hall Of Fame Status” (2019) and “Travellers Choice” (2020/2021) on TripAdvisor.
- There is a MEETING WITH YOUR GUIDE TEAM ONE DAY BEFORE TOUR START at our EcoTravel Tour Office between 16:00 pm – 19:00 pm, where you will be given essential information and an introduction to your jungle trek starting the next morning. Please make sure to be in Bukit Lawang in time! Please just remember that from Medan Airport the transfer to the jungle takes about 4,5 hrs, so the later you arrive the later you will get to Bukit Lawang. We recommend that you choose your accommodation at our EcoTravel Cottages, at The Hangout@ EcoTravel or at an other accommodation near our EcoTravel Office for this night. Your EcoTravel jungle trek starts from our base in Bukit Lawang at 08:30 am. You will explore the jungle in a small group of up to 8 persons. Your tour is limited in size and number due to environmental issues.
- In Bukit Lawang there are no ATM machines! Please make sure you have enough cash with you! As an exclusive service to our guests we also change Euros and offer credit card payment (Mastercard and Visa / 3% charge) in our EcoTravel office.
- We are happy to provide vegetarian, vegan or non-allergic meals on jungle treks, if required. Please just inform our team a the latest 1 day before trekking start about your preferred diet.
- Not suitable for small children younger than 6 years and travelers with high blood pressure, allergies, pregnancy, operations, fear of special insects, heights or darkness.
- Travel Insurance lies within the responsibility of each traveller and should cover accidents, injury or loss of personal property!
- You need to be fit enough for strong exercise if you plan to do treks over a few days. A health check with your doctor is an absolute necessity before travelling to the Sumatran jungle and lies within the responsibility of each guest!
- What to bring: comfortable hiking shoes or good sports shoes, 25-30 liter backpack, long trousers & T-shirt in bright colors, long socks, one change of clothes, long sleeved sweater, flip flops or sandals, towel, torch, mosquito repellent, sun lotion, swim wear and toilet paper. If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact us.
- IMORTANT INFORMATION: At most times you will see orangutans on jungle treks but there is no guarantee! These animals live out in the wild and it’s hard to determine where they will be at any point of the day. But all EcoTravel guides have many years of experience and our team has a very good reputation in Bukit Lawang. We do not hire additional, external guides due safety reasons for our guests. Our handful of well-versed and enthuisiastic EcoTravel guides are locals from this region, speak English, have excellent knowledge of plants and animals - and are all certified by the local ITGA-HPI (Indonesia Tourist Guides Association – Himpunan Pramuwisata Indonesia).
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(115 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
152bettinal
Apr 28, 2024
Orang Utan hike - We had an amazing time with Anton and his team. They found a lot of Orang Utans, Makaks and Gobbins. The also showed us birds, plants and insects. It was really interesting. We got a lot of amazing fruits and freshly prepared food during the hike and at the campside. On the second day we relaxed at the river. Went for a swim and after lunch took the river taxi down the river back to the lodge.
Some of the best days of our Indonesia trip.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ashleeeeanne
Apr 6, 2024
An incredible tour! - This company is incredible! Not only do they think of everything you could need for the 4 days you are there, but they execute it perfectly, and with sustainability in mind. The amount of initiatives they have to reinvest in the community and preserve nature is amazing.
We got to see 8 orangutans, a bunch of black gibbons, thomas leaf monkeys, lizards, tons of birds, a pit viper, and more. The guides were amazing, (specifically Firman and Ryen), food was plentiful and camp was perfect for the night we were there. They also organized a shuttle for us from the airport which was really nice. We had such a great time on this tour and highly recommend it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
990kateh
Mar 25, 2024
Fantastic trek whilst supporting a truly eco friendly company! - Can’t recommend this eco company enough. We did the 2 day jungle hike in a small group (4) with 2 guides and a jungle cook. The guides were so friendly and knowlegeable and took it in turns to lead or scout, to ensure we saw as many animals as possible including orangutans. The camp was really well organised and the food was as good as in any of the local restaurants. This is the ONLY company to offer 2 man tents, so no need to worry about scorpions, etc. in the night. Also had a basic toilet rather than a hole on the ground. Neighbouring camp had lots of litter and beer and plastic bottles left behind and trekkers sleeping in makeshift open shelters, which seems to be the norm. What we liked about our guides was that they buried anything perishable so the animals were not attracted to it, and they brought all the rubbish we had created back to the hotel. Other companies were not so diligent and we even saw guides burning rubbish including plastic bottles. 🙁 Our trek started and finished with a night at the eco hotel, which is a beautiful place to stay on the river bank. We had an amazing time and want everyone to support EcoTravel to minimise the effect of tourism, keep the animals safe, and the jungle alive! 🙂
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Meganruth16
Mar 11, 2024
Incredible! - An incredible trek to do in the Gunung Leuser National Park! The guides are all so knowledgeable and speak great English (even if they say they don't). They changed the route to accommodate for those who couldn't do the hills so we walked along the river which was just as amazing. We still saw Orangutans, Thomas Leaf (or punky monkey), long and short tail Macaques, monitor lizards, centipedes, thousands of butterflies, etc etc. We were lead by Hendra who was a good laugh and joined by a few others who helped to point out various animals around the jungle and campsite, and get us safely across the river.
We did the Hello Jungle package which included transport to/from Medan and a night in the cottages before and after the trek. So worth every penny!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Anica
Feb 24, 2024
Awesome jungle trek with the best guides - We had an awesome experience with the trekking in the jungle. We actually had the 3D2N tour. Our guides Anton and Riyan were exceptional. They showed us the jungle treks in detail with good explanations, also took care of all details for our safety and provided us super tasty fruits and delicious food. The dining at the camps were especially delicious. We highly recommend the trek . If you can ask for Anton and Riyan as guides, they’re the best!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Josepp937
Feb 23, 2024
Best experience! - incredible experience. We have lived one of the most intense and beautiful experiences at the same time. pleasantly surprised with everything related to eco travel. Perfect organization of transportation from the airport, nice, clean and comfortable rooms. The trekking is spectacular and the organization is fantastic. We saw all kinds of animals and entered the jungle in all its dimensions. I would like to highlight above all that those responsible were aware of everything at all times, always willing to make this an unforgettable experience and to take care of us in the best way with abundant delicious food and great comfort despite sleeping in a tent at the end of the trek. . It has been an unforgettable experience. I especially want to highlight the leader of the expedition, Anton, an incredible and unique guy. eternally grateful!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
840jeaniem
Feb 17, 2024
So many adventures, people should stay longer! - In my one month Indonesia traveling, I stayed for 8 days in Bukit Lawang (and boy am I happy to have chosen this site to stay longer!). I booked quite some activities at Eco Travel: 2 days of cooking (I'm really into that!), walking with elephants, jungle Trek, go see the huge flower and learn about its incredible cycle (and unique existence), making my own bamboo lamp... Mostly the activities were half a day (mornings), so I had plenty of time to relax and refresh in the afternoon. All this made my experience of Indonesia complete, you actually get involved in certain aspects of life here, being guided and transported by Hery or Louise. They have a beautifull project, making village people benefit from tourism and bringing eco-consciousness to the local area (which was non existant and still is in a lot of places there). Sadly most people come here only for 2 or 3 days, just for the jungle trek, missing out on so many beautifull experiences (excursions that lead to hot water sources/waterfals/elephant walk/exceptionally big and unique flower/cooking workshop/wood carving...) AND real connections with people there. What makes it all more magnificent is knowing that your money is serving not only several local people but also the project of Hery and Louise who deserve our support for creating this opportunity and changing consciousness around them.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tour67945601015
Feb 7, 2024
Absolutely amazing - EcoTravel was everything I looked for. Easy booking easy pick-up from Medan airport. On arrival I was greeted with a fresh juice and popcorn. My luggage was brought to my room and the only thing i had to do was relax. I went on the 2 day 1 night trek and it was amazing. Anton and Ino did everything for us we got so extremely spoiled. I couldn't have hoped for a better guide. Their knowledge about the jungle was incredible. Always surprising us with more information. Saw many Orang oetans and plenty of other wild life. If you want to have an amazing experience book with them. I can't recommend it more. The camping was more like glamping with private tents mattresses pillows and sleeping bags (that the other tours did not supply) beautiful lunch in the jungle and a candle lit dinner. Everything was taken care of. Thank you EcoTravel foraki g this a trip I will never forget.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
El636
Jan 24, 2024
Amazing eco and ethical jungle trek - I chose this company because of their eco/ethical credentials and I'm so glad I went with Eco Travel. From my initial emails they were helpful and professional.
Stayed 1 night before the trek in one of their rooms which was a great size, clean and comfortable. The next morning I set off with a group led by Fireman and Gippee. I felt in such safe hands for the whole experience.
They had great knowledge of the area and all the wildlife, tracking the animals to find orangutans but also showing us other monkeys, insects and birds along the way. We kept respectful distances from the animals - it was amazing to get close but stayed at a responsible distance which was important to me. Unfortunately some other groups we crossed paths with were not always doing the same so I was really pleased to have chosen this company.
They also carried all the food and the most delicious fruit I've ever tasted! I was expecting basic camping style food but we were provided with proper cooked meals and they catered to my vegan diet and food allergies without any compromise on flavour.
The trekking was really fun, a little difficult in some areas as I hadn't done any training- steep uphills and some slightly slippy downhills but the guides matched your pace and were so helpful with guiding me along and supporting in the more tricky places.
Jungle camp was right by a beautiful river where we could swim, and tents were a good size and comfortable. I was really impressed with their commitment to keeping the area clean, collecting all our rubbish and other plastic we found along the way, disposing of it back in town. The 'jungle taxi' (rafting) was a fun ending to get back into Bukit Lawang.
After the trek we were given more information about the company's eco-credentials and local projects that they support. This made me even happier that I went with Eco travel.
Couldn't recommend this company enough and would definitely choose them again!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
G9566
Jan 15, 2024
Unforgettable Bucket-List Experience! - Our two day one night trip was simply the best tour experience I’ve ever done. We flew to Indonesia specifically to do this trip, as has been a bucket-list dream for years and we were absolutely blown away from start to finish. The lodges we arrived to were gorgeous, great amenities, beautiful views and a range of shops and restaurants a stones throw away. Our guide, Fireman, and his team were incredibly helpful, sitting with us on the first night to talk about the plan for the following day.
The trek itself was brilliant, very well organised with scouts going ahead to look for orangutans, monkeys, hornbills and more. The Sumatran jungle is incredibly impressive and there’s no end of plants and insects to take in.
As a 27yo female who is fairly fit but by no means sporty, I was actually very nervous on the build up to this trip that I wouldn’t be able to keep up, but I found the trek more than manageable- and just the right level of challenging! It builds up over the course of the day, with some steeper inclines near the end- knowing that camp is just around the corner! You quickly settle into pace, and I encourage those who are nervous as I was to take a chance and go for it- it was incredibly rewarding!
In our small group, we always felt in safe hands and our first day was broken up with pit-stops for water breaks, snacks, and a filling lunch. We were SO well looked after! Fireman was so knowledgeable and always happy to answer our many questions, creating a fun and relaxed atmosphere.
Camping was so fun and surreal: on the river with the iconic huge tree line overlooking us. Here we were treated to an amazing dinner by candle light before bed. Catching the river back to the lodge the following day was so fun and refreshing!
My partner was unfortunately struck down with illness the night before we were due to leave for our trek, and so could not join me- however the EcoTravels team went above and beyond for him, organising a spare room at the lodge for him to sleep it off and after a quick recovery, they took him on a private day tour the following day where he also got some amazing orangutan sightings - they saved the day!
Back at the lodge, we enjoyed drinks and a debrief where we could ask more questions and learn about how EcoTravels operates- it is a sustainable, ethical company that provides local employment, charity work, conservation work and more. A great company that we are so happy to support.
This was a faultless experience and we have never experienced anything like it. Not only would I heartily recommend EcoTravel’s tours to anyone in Bukit Lawang and Sumatra, but I’d also suggest that anyone on that side of the world divert their trip to go there (like we did) to experience this. We’ll be banging on about this for years to come!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
