Trekking - Trailing the Sumatran Orangutan

📍 Transfer from Medan Airport to Bukit Lawang (108 km): 4 hours Trekking distance: 1 hour 30 minutes Difficulty : Easy

Arrive at Medan Kuala Namu International Airport on an early morning flight and meet with the local English-speaking guide and driver outside the arrivals area for a private transfer to Bukit Lawang.

Recommended flights:
(Not included and quoted separately– Tariffs and schedule subject to change without prior notice)
International: By Silk Air from Singapore with MI234 arriving Medan at 07:55 (daily)
International: By Malaysia Airlines from Kuala Lumpur with MH840 arriving Medan at 06:15 (daily) or with MH860 arriving Medan at 08:50 (daily)
Domestic: By Garuda Indonesia from Jakarta with GA180 arriving Medan at 08:00 (daily) or with GA142 arriving Medan at 08:55

After clearing immigration (Passports must be valid for 6-months following final departure from Indonesia), luggage is collected and customs is cleared.

A local English-speaking guide along with a private vehicle and driver will be waiting outside the arrival area of the airport.

After departing Kuala Namu Airport, proceed to Bukit Lawang, part of Gunung Leuser National Park. The journey will take approximately 2.5 hrs from Medan and will pass through via Binjai town. 

Lunch will be served at local restaurant en-route (by personal expenses).

Bukit Lawang is located 86km from Medan, the largest city in Indonesia's northern island of Sumatra - at the entrance to the Gunung Leuser National Park - the last sanctuary of the Sumatran orangutan. Arrive in Bukit Lawang at noon.

The afternoon brings with it a short walking excursion along the river bank before crossing to the other side in a traditional canoe. The hike continues to traverse thick exterior jungle which eventually emerges at wooden platforms hidden away inside the rich, verdant flora. 

From here the tour delves further into the jungle to witness the orangutans enjoying their food, a special moment that can be savored for some time. Afterwards return to the hotel in Bukit Lawang.

Dinner at hotel.

Overnight in Bukit Lawang
 

Inclusions:

🍗 Dinner

📍 Trekking distance: 6 hours Difficulty : Medium

This morning, wake to a chorus of wildlife such as the shy gibbons or massive hornbills as they scramble around in search of fruit. The sheer array of sounds is utterly astounding.

Leaving comforts behind, the days trekking through the mountainous National Park begins with a steep incline, rewarded with spectacular views and breaks as required.
 
Venture deeper into the jungle, quietly, in the hope of glimpsing some of the endemic wildlife, such as the magnificent Orangutan. With any luck, less commonly sighted species such as the Sumatran Striped Rabbit and a vast variety of birds and butterflies may also be seen.

Today’s terrain is steady, traversing lush jungles and towering trees and ferns.

Discover how to set up camp in the Sumatran jungle arriving at the first nights campsite and assist with building a fire in order to cook a delicious dinner. The local guide is well versed in ‘camp cooking’ - dine under the stars surrounded by the sounds of the jungle.

There’s a fair opportunity of sighting a wild or at least semi-wild orangutan during these days – be mindful to never approach, or touch an orangutan, and pay attention to the expert directions of the guide.

Get a good night’s sleep after the tough day.

Lunch en route and dinner at the camp

Overnight local camp/shelter
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Trekking distance: 4 hours Tubing: 1 hour Difficulty : Medium

Rise early for a hearty breakfast and pack up camp before embarking on what is perhaps the most challenging day of the adventure. The terrain is very steep and the guide will assess everyone’s abilities to ensure the safety of the group. Subject to the conditions the routing on this day can be adjusted to maximize the enjoyment and wellbeing of the group. 

The guide will keep an eye out for tell-tail signs of Orangutans while trekking through the dense jungle. Aside from Orangutans the plethora of birds and smaller jungle animals may be visible through the mottled backdrop of the jungle. Arrive at Aras Pinang at noon, and prepare tubes for a relaxing river journey back to Bukit Lawang.

Lunch en route in the jungle.

Reminisce on the experiences of the last few day’s with a well-earned farewell BBQ dinner together with the local guide team.

Overnight in Eco-Lodge in Bukit Lawang 
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Transfer from Bukit Lawang to Medan City Center (72 km): 3 hours Transfer rom Medan City Center to Medan Airport (33 km): 1 hours

This morning, check out of the lodge and return to Medan.

Flight schedule permitting, take a short city tour of Medan including a visit to Maimoon, the Sultan’s Deli Palace built in 1888. In former times the Palace was considered as the center of the town administrative before the city of Medan developed.

The tour continues to the Great Mosque (built in 1906 by the first sultan and still considered as one the most beautiful mosques in the country), before finally visiting a beautiful Chinese temple to close off the day’s sightseeing exploration.

Recommended flights:
(Not included and quoted separately– Tariffs and schedule subject to change without prior notice)
International: By Silk Air to Singapore with with MI237 departing from Medan at 20:05 and arriving in Singapore at 22:20 (daily).
International: By Malaysia Airlines to Kuala Lumpur with MH865 departing from Medan at 15:45 and arriving in Kuala Lumpur at 17:45 (daily)
Domestic: Garuda Indonesia late afternoon flight to Jakarta (no possible connection in Jakarta)
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast