Indonesia is an adventure-lovers paradise, with its incredibly diverse landscapes and unspoiled nature.
With EXO’s Sumatra Trekking Challenge, our adventure team shines a light on one of Southeast Asia’s most spectacular wilderness areas with an intense but highly rewarding trek.
Indonesia Adventure Manager, Eka Putri, picks this as her favourite adrenaline-pumping adventure.
‘In Sumatra, any traveller can see orangutans within a one day trek. But with this Sumatra Trekking Challenge we invite true adrenaline junkies to go deeper into the dense jungle to discover not just orangutans, but other wildlife they have never seen before’, Eka explains.
The journey kicks off with a 3-4 hour drive from Medan, the capital of North Sumatra, to the charming village of Bukit Lawang, the gateway to Gunung Leuser National Park. A short, easy, ‘warm up’ trek gives guests their first glimpse of the jungle before returning to town for the evening.
On day two, with the comforts of the eco-lodge left behind, the true jungle experience begins. Over the next four days, the trekking route journeys deeper and deeper into the heart of the rainforest- a full immersion into nature.
‘The trip was way more than expected, beautiful surroundings, challenging walks and climbs up and down topped off with amazing food and people’
-Sumatra Trekking Challenge traveller testimonial
Each day guests will trek alongside an expert guide who will share their knowledge of the endemic flora and fauna.
If lucky, trekkers will spot some of these species, including the Sumatran Striped Rabbit and Sumatran Orangutans, as well as a vast variety of butterflies and birds.
At night, guests will camp under the stars amid the symphony of jungle sounds.
‘Personally, my golden moment in Sumatra Jungle is just before I fall asleep. Listening to all of nature’s music, all of the animal sounds and bug noises- it’s a special moment,’ Eka remarks.
‘Absolutely incredible challenge! Surpassed all of my expectations, tough at times but beyond rewarding, definitely my favourite challenge’
– Sumatra Trekking Challenge traveller feedback
As the last day of trekking wraps up, guests are rewarded with an exhilarating change of pace: a white-water rafting adventure on the Wampu River.
This is the perfect way to end this Sumatra Trekking Challenge, with one last adrenaline-pumping activity before returning to the lodge in Bukit Lawang for a farewell barbeque dinner.
‘We call this trip a ‘Challenge’ but it’s not only challenging our body. We also challenge ourselves to learn from nature and other people,’ Eka explains.
‘With EXO’s guide and support team, travellers will learn jungle survival skills, they will learn about the culture of Sumatra and about how to preserve nature while trekking. But it’s not only a learning experience for the tourists,’ Eka continues.
‘My goal is for travellers to also make an impact on our local people, sharing their own ideas and experience through the conversations along the way’.
‘This experience has changed my life. I was so dubious about it before I left. I would say to others. Believe in yourself and go for it. You will definitely not regret a second of the whole experience and be so incredibly proud of your achievements at the end and look forward to doing many more’.
-Sumatra Trekking Challenge traveller testimonial
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