indonesia jungle tour

  • Bukit Lawang
  • 4 Nights/ 5 Days Bukit Bukit Lawang-Tangkahan-Berastagi
  • Special Jungle Trek Six Days
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7 Best Jungle Trek Places in Indonesia to See Fascinating Wildlife

Indonesia is widely considered as one of the best jungle trek destinations in the world. The country boasts an incredibly diverse landscape, with dense jungles, towering volcanoes, and beautiful beaches. Trekking through the jungles of Indonesia offers visitors the chance to experience the natural beauty of the country up close and personal. With over 17,000 islands, Indonesia has an incredible array of ecosystems and habitats, making it one of the best places in the world to experience the wonders of nature.

One of the main reasons why Indonesia is the best jungle trek place is its incredible biodiversity. The country is home to an estimated 10-15% of the world’s total plant and animal species. The jungles of Indonesia are home to an incredible array of wildlife, including tigers, orangutans, rhinoceros, and many other species. Trekking through these jungles offers visitors the chance to see these incredible creatures in their natural habitat and witness the delicate balance of nature firsthand.

Another reason why Indonesia is the best jungle trek place is the variety of trekking options available. There are treks for every skill level, from easy walks through the jungles of Komodo National Park, Flores to challenging treks up Lorentz National Park in Papua. Each trek offers visitors a unique experience, whether it’s the chance to see the Komodo dragons in Komodo National Park or to see the incredible Orangutans in the jungle of bukit Lawang.

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7 Best Jungle Trek Places in Indonesia to See Wildlife

indonesia jungle tour

Indonesia is a country blessed with abundant natural beauty, including an incredibly diverse range of wildlife. The jungles of Indonesia are home to some of the most fascinating animals on the planet, from the majestic Sumatran tiger to the playful orangutan. Trekking through these jungles offers visitors the chance to see these incredible creatures in their natural habitat, making it a truly unforgettable experience. In this article, we will explore seven of the best jungle trek places in Indonesia to see wildlife animals.

1. Gunung Leuser National Park, Sumatra

Bukit Lawang is a small village located on the edge of the Gunung Leuser National Park in Sumatra. The park is home to a large population of orangutans, making it the perfect place to see these fascinating primates in their natural habitat. Trekking through the park offers visitors the chance to see not only orangutans but also other wildlife such as gibbons, macaques, and hornbills.

Also Read : The Beauty Of Bukit Lawang: A Must-Visit Destinations for Wildlife Enthusiast

2. Komodo National Park, Flores

Komodo National Park is located in the Lesser Sunda Islands and is home to the world’s largest lizard, the Komodo dragon. Trekking through the park offers visitors the chance to see these fascinating creatures up close and personal, as well as other wildlife such as deer, water buffalo, and wild boar.

3. Way Kambas National Park, Lampung

Way Kambas National Park is located in the province of Lampung in Sumatra and is home to the critically endangered Sumatran elephant. Trekking through the park offers visitors the chance to see these magnificent animals in their natural habitat, as well as other wildlife such as tigers, tapirs, and deer.

4. Meru Betiri National Park, Java

Meru Betiri National Park is located in East Java and is home to a large population of Javanese wildlife such as the Javanese leopard, Javanese eagle, and Javanese deer. Trekking through the park offers visitors the chance to see these incredible creatures in their natural habitat, making it a unique and unforgettable experience.

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5. Tanjung Puting National Park, Kalimantan

Located in the province of Kalimantan on the island of Borneo, Tanjung Puting National Park is home to the largest population of orangutans in the world. Visitors can trek through the jungle and witness these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. The park is also home to other wildlife such as proboscis monkeys, crocodiles, and gibbons.

Also Read : Exploring the Wild Heart of Sumatra with Jungle Trek

6. West Bali National Park, Bali

West Bali National Park is located in the western part of Bali and covers an area of approximately 190 square kilometers. The park is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including the Bali starling, banteng, and various bird species. 

Wildlife in the park includes menjangan deer, macaques and the rare Balinese black monkey, wild boar, monitor lizards and 160 species of birds, including the endangered Bali starling and the colourful (and common) wild jungle fowl. Visitors can trek through the jungle and witness these incredible animals in their natural habitat.

7. Lorentz National Park, Papua

Lorentz National Park is located in the southwestern part of Papua and is the largest national park in Southeast Asia . The park covers an area of approximately 2.4 million hectares and is home to an incredible variety of wildlife, including birds of paradise, tree kangaroos, and various reptiles. The park is also home to the world’s largest flower, the Rafflesia Arnoldii.

Conclusion 

Indonesia offers visitors a unique and unforgettable experience to witness some of the most exotic and endangered animals on the planet. These 7 best jungle trek places in Indonesia to see wild animals up close and personal are just the tip of the iceberg. With its diverse ecosystem and incredible biodiversity, Indonesia is truly a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts.

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Muhammad Bing

Muhammad Bing Keulana is a prominent traveler and writer who spent a lifetime exploring the world and documenting his experiences. He is a true adventurer, always seeking out new and exciting experiences. His love for exploration is matched only by his passion for writing

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indonesia jungle tour

Welcome at Bukit Lawang - Jungle Trekking

Do you love animals,nature,adventure and wildlife?

Then you are at the right place.

Our jungle trekking tours offer you a unique rainforest experience into one of the world´s last remaining tropical   paradise...the magnificent Gunung Lesuer National Park, Sumatra!

We arrange   jungle trekking tours  through the rainforest of Gunung Leuser National Park ,

starting from the village Bukit Lawang ,located in northern Sumatra,Indonesia; all in a respectfull way as our team follows the official National Park rules!

The Gunung Leuser National Park is listed as a UNESO World Heritage site and one of the last places in the world where you can have the chance to observe the critically endangered Sumatran orangutan in its natural habitat. 

Not only that, but the park is also the home of a variety of other species of rare and exotic animals, flowers and plants.

Bukit Lawang - Jungle Trekking works together with the local community and experienced english speaking guides to ensure we arrange personalized tours that respect and protect the Gunung-Leuser National Park and the many rare and endangered animals that call the park home.

Please read more about our Ecotourism policies and  projects HERE .

And take your time to read through the activities around our community and garbage project CARE NOW  which is focused on  plastic trash prevention and recycling!!!

By booking with us, you will be assured by an experienced guide certified by the Indonesian Tourist Guide Association ( ITGA/ HPI- Himpunan Pramuwisata Indonesia ) at a competitive, standard local price.

Click here for more information about our jungle trekking tours.

And there are more things to do and to see in and around Bukit Lawang as well as on Sumatra.

Our aim is also to show you the amazing countryside of Sumatra such as volcanos, waterfalls, hot springs  and to make you familiar with the wonderful Indonesian culture by visiting local villages and markets and spend some time with the locals ( handicraft workshops, cooking courses,...).

We also offer:

  • Accommodiation
  • Airport Pick up and Transport Booking
  • Daily Tours to the Elephant Camp in Tangkahan
  • Local Village Tours
  • Activities around Bukit Lawang
  • Ecofriendly workshops
  • Local Cooking Classes
  • Tours and Transports to other destinations on Sumatra  

And a lot of other great activities...have a look at More Activities .

Whether you are a backpacker, group or family, we can arrange all kinds of tours and activities to suit your individual needs. 

Contact us here and we create your individual travel itinerary!

THANK YOU FOR VISITING OUR WEBSITE,

WE HOPE TO WELCOME YOU SOON AS OUR GUESTS! 

indonesia jungle tour

We are committed to an ecofriendly tourism and feel responsible for humans, animals and nature!

indonesia jungle tour

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ETHICAL TREKKING PIONEER IN BUKIT LAWANG

The Gunung Leuser National Park rainforest in North Sumatra, Indonesa

Let's shape together a better future for the rainforest, its WILdlife and the local communitY!

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Discover all the wilderness of the Sumatran jungle IN AN ETHICAL WAY

​at sumatra orangutan explore we organize unique and unforgettable ethical  j ungle  trekking striving to respect and preserve the unique ecosystem & biodiversity of the  gunung leuser national park . we are devoted since our beginnings to protect the endangered s umatran orangutans and other wildlife and raise awareness among the local community.  our eco-friendly day tours and activities aim to support local people & traditional handicrafts. our off-the-beaten-track expeditions aim to support local communities in more rural and remote areas by discovering untouched spots., our commitment is to preserve the rainforest and protect its amazing wildlife while benefiting positively to local communities. we are devoted to have a low impact on the rainforest but a great impact on the local community of bukit lawang and other remote areas (through education and awareness, support of local associations and initiatives, women empowerment, fair working conditions and higher remuneration level). learn more about our commitments and actions ..

O ur team of experienced English-speaking guides, certified by the Indonesia Tourist Guides Association (ITGA-HPI Himpunan Pramuwisata Indonesia) will be glad to share their knowledge with you. They strictly follow the Gunung Leuser National Park guidelines, our own ethical jungle rules and do their best to keep the jungle clean and the wildlife safe!

Choosing a trek or a tour with us is your way to PROTECT & PRESERVE our amazing but endangered rainforest, its AMAZING WILDLIFE and its inhabitants!

Sumatra Orangutan Explore

The small riverside village of Bukit Lawang is located at the entrance of the Gunung Leuser National Park, one of the richest

tropical rainforests in South East Asia ! Its unique location makes it the perfect place to stay to discover the amazing rainforest of North Sumatra and its unique wildlife. 

Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and placed on a list of world heritage sites in danger in 2011,

the Gunung Leuser National Park covers 1,095,000 ha in northern Sumatra and has amongst one of the most diverse

biodiversity in the world  by housing thousands species of indigenous animals, insects and plants. This amazing rainforest provides also a home for endangered and protected species like the Sumatran Tiger, Rhinoceros, Slow Loris, 

Elephant and of course the wonderful people of the forest, the Sumatran Orangutans ("orang" means people and "utan" forest) The Gunung Leuser National Park is one of the 2 only places in the world where you can observe Orangutans in the wild.    

Trekking through the Sumatran rainforest will take you into a breathtaking and unforgettable experience! 

So join us & let's begin your AMAZING & RESPECTFUL jungle adventure!

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OUR MISSION

Shaping a better future for our rainforest, its amazing wildlife and the local community of Bukit Lawang

1 CHARITY SUPPORTED WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

10% OF OUR BENEFITS donated (on treks & tours)

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An unforgettable experience awaits!

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Our ETHICAL Jungle Treks

Spotting orangutan in the wild, Sumatra

3 Hours Ethical Trek

This short half day trek is the perfect option for families with young children, people who don't feel like they're fit enough for a long trek or those who are on a tight schedule. This trek will take you at the entrance of the rainforest and gives you chances to spot semi-wild Orangutans and other wildlife if you're lucky. Watch them and their babies swinging in the trees. After some fresh tropical fruits, enjoy the way back by tubing down the river!

Thomas Leaf Monkey from Sumatra

1 Day Ethical Trek

If you don't have enough time ahead but feel like you wanna explore all the wilderness of the Sumatran jungle, this trek is made for you! Enjoy a 6 to 7 hours trek through the Gunung Leuser National Park and discover its amazing fauna and flora. Meet the amazing Orangutans but also all the other species that live amongst them. After a jungle lunch and a few more walking hours, enjoy a raft ride to go back to Bukit Lawang

Breakfast in the jungle during an ethical jungle trek with Sumatra Orangutan Explore

2 Days Ethical Trek

Experience a night in the rainforest and feel the jungle vibes with this 2 days trek! After an amazing first trekking day full of discoveries, relax on our campsite near the river or the waterfall. Refresh yourself and take a swim before having a homemade dinner. Then enjoy a entertaining evening chatting and playing games with your guides around a bonfire. Fall aseep with jungle sounds. The next morning, enjoy a yummy breakfast and go deeper in the jungle to see more wildlife before going back to Bukit Lawang by tubing! 

EXPLORE THE SUMATRAN RAINFOREST IN AN ETHICAL WAY, SPOT ORANGUTANS & AMAZING WILDLIFE, DISCOVER ALL THE SECRETS OF THE JUNGLE, ITS FAUNA & ITS FLORA WITH RESPECT!

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3 Days Ethical Trek

If you feel like you want to explore more the jungle and look for unique wildlife, the 3 days 2 nights suits you well!   Go deeper in the Gunung Leuser National Park and get more chance to discover the 8 species of primates living in here. Experience 2 nights in the jungle and enjoy two different campsites at the riverside and near a waterfall. On the last day, a three hours walk will take you to the river bank to enjoy a last jungle lunch before a raft ride down Bohorok River will bring you back to Bukit Lawang.

Waterfall in the middle of the jungle with Sumatra Orangutan Explore

4 Days Ethical Trek

Go into the wild with this 4 days 3 nights trek. Explore all the richness of the jungle, secrets about medicinal plants and get the chance to meet rare wildlife such as wild Peacocks, Hornbills, Giant Squirrels and traces of Sun Bears. Every night experience a new campsite or even a 2 or 3 hours night trek to observe nocturnal species. Every day you will enjoy a fresh and homemade breakfast, lunch and dinner made by your guides ! The last day relax on the way back to Bukit Lawang thanks to an amazing tubing ride!  

A Rhinoceros Hornbill in the jungle of Sumatra

5 Days Ethical Trek

Feel like a real jungle adventurer ? Opt for a stunning 5 days trek and discover all the secret places of the Gunung Leuser National Park: walk through rivers, explore caves, swim in waterfalls... You will even have the possibility to do night trekking to spot nocturnal species. Get the chance to spot wild Elephants & see foot prints of the Sumatran Tiger. You will also get all the jungle survival tips. End the trek with a relaxing raft ride down Bohorok River that will bring you back to Bukit Lawang. You will remember this unique experience your whole life!  

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Bat Caves Tour & BBQ at Landak River 

Explore the unique bat caves of Bukit Lawang. These huge caves hide many stalagtites and stalagmites but also amazing species of insects, snakes, bats and swallows. Then walk through the palm oil plantations to go to the amazing Landak River. Relax, chill out and take a swim in this beautiful river while your guide will prepare a chicken & fish barbecue. Veggie or vegan ? Just tell us and we will cook something yummy for you!

If you are lucky you can even see  Orangutans and other wildlife on the way! 

Our ECO-friendly Activities & day tours

In order to fulfill our mission all our daily tours focus on community-based tourism explore the surroundings of bukit lawang & the amazing spots they have to offer,  discover the everyday life in the village, meet local people & support local activities. all our activities can be combined if you wish to do 2 of them in one day.

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Bukit Lawang Eco Village Tour

This half day tour takes you into a cultural trip to discover traditional activities and to meet local people. Take a traditional becak and go through the wonderful rice fields. Have a look at the everyday village life and stop by to observe homemade production of tofu and brown sugar. Learn more about traditional crafting such as attap roof thatching made with palm leaves and bamboo walls (tepas). On Friday & Sunday you can also visit traditional markets! At the end of the tour enjoy a fresh drink or a freshly harvested coconut water ! 

Tubing tour on the river in Bukit Lawang, Sumatra, Indonesia

Refreshing Tubing Tour & BBQ

This refreshing activity is perfect for families or group of friends during sunny days! Float down the Bohorok River for 15 km while sitting in big rubber tubes. The river is perfect for a 3 hours tubing as there are a few fun white water parts where you bump over rocks and more nice and quieter parts where you can enjoy the amazing green surrounding scenery. During your trip stop on the river bank to relax, take a refreshing swim and enjoy a yummy barbecue! You will stop tubing in Bohorok where a local bus will pick you up! Enjoy the beautiful landscape on the way back to Bukit Lawang.

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indonesia jungle tour

Organic Soap Workshop in the rice fields

Looking for a fun & educational activity for the whole family? Immerse yourself in the Sumatran botanicals & delightful scents with this tour combining walk and workshop. Walk through the village for about 40 minutes with the lovely Aini (woman entrepreneur producing soaps) until reaching beautiful house in the rice fields. Stroll among her lush organic garden to pick the needed ingredients and learn more about plants, herbal properties & uses. Enjoy a fresh herbal drink from the garden before learning how to make natural soaps using natural oils and selected plants from her garden. For children a fun little toy will be included in the soap! At the end of the workshop enjoy a traditional meal all together in the rice fields!

Traditional Indonesian Cooking Class in the village of Bukit Lawang

Traditional Cooking Class

If you are a food lover then this activity is made for you! Taste the authentic and yummy Sumatran food by enrolling in a cooking class with locals! Go to the market in the morning and buy all the things you need to cook. Local women will then welcome you into their kitchen, share their cooking experience and teach you how to cook traditional Indonesian dishes. You will cook 2 starters and 2 main meals to choose between a large selection of local food (curry, rendang, sambal, sate, tempeh goreng...). Enjoy the meals you cooked all together! 

indonesia jungle tour

Botanical Dye & Ecoprint Workshop

Unlock the superpowers of the Sumatran botanical & discover all their secrets thanks to this unique workshop in the rice fields! Prepare your own piece of art, from nature to fabric. Learn all the techniques of natural dyeing and eco printing. Design your bandana and create your own pattern using leaves and flowers freshly picked in a beautiful organic garden. Thanks to the magic of nature each creation is unique! Enjoy a fresh herbal drink and some local snacks while preparing your eco print. This workshop supports our women empowerment policy as it is in close collaboration with APES Eco Print which is locally owned and operated by women from the village.

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Aerobics, Yoga or Running at Bukit Lawang Trust

Want to get jungle fit? Go to Bukit Lawang Trust in Gotong Royong and join one of their fitness classes on the rooftop offering a beautiful view on the Gunung Leuser mountains! Bukit Lawang Trust is a Charitable Trust working to enhance the education and employability of the local community here in Bukit Lawang, and it's one of the charity we are directly donating to! They are offering free fitness activities every week in exchange of a donation for the School and you can even get a visit of the School! Aerobics takes place on Monday and Wednesday, Yoga & Flexibility on Thursday and Running sessions are organized on Friday! Get in touch for the exact hours. 

indonesia jungle tour

Coconut Cutlery Carving Workshop

Want to travel in a sustainable way?Join our carving workshop to carve your own coconut cutlery! Our friend Bodong, owner of a local art gallery, will help you to design your own on-the-go cutlery! Why we have chosen cutlery instead of the traditional jewelry carving workshop? As a sustainable tour-operator we'd like our guests to get a useful and eco-conscious asset that you could take anywhere with you (while traveling or working)! Made with coconuts harvested in the village, it is the perfect eco-friendly duo to replace the plastic cutleries you might be given in take away restaurants! One more way to fight the overwhelming plastic pollution!

indonesia jungle tour

Eco-trails by Project Wings

Embark on one of the eco-trails organised by Project Wings, a german NGO which is currently building the world´s biggest recycling village  from 250 tons of plastic waste. Explore the different NGO departments and sustainable initiatives thanks to the different half day eco-trails. Each eco-trail is ending with a fun, creative and enriching workshop. If you have time opt for the full day tour to explore each department and learn how to become a real eco-warrior.  You can also opt for a personalized to compose on your own with your selection of 2 half-day eco-trails (lunch included). All benefits are going to the Project Wings association to support their great initiatives. 

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Canyoning, Natural Pools & Panoramic Camping 

This 2 days tour takes you into an refreshing adventure to discover secret places on the way to Berastagi. A 2 hours drive will lead you to 5 secret waterfall spots. Take a refreshing plunge in these natural swimming pools! Then you will head to Rumah Pohon Habitat. This amazing wooden structure in the trees will offer you a wonderful viewpoint while enjoying your drink. Then you will head to your panoramic camping site for the night. Perfect spot for sunset and sunsrise! The place also offers many selfie spots with stunning view on the Gunung Leuser and North Sumatra (until Medan!). The next morning wake up and enjoy your breakfast with the sounds of Siamangs. On the way back, take a break and relax at a swimming pool in the middle of the jungle. Enjoy the invigorating fresh water coming from the mountains!  

Where to see amorphophallus flower in the jungle of Sumatra

Rafflesia & Titan

Flower tour.

This daily tour takes you to Batu Katak, a small village along the Berkail River and about 40min from Bukit Lawang. This authentic and peaceful area, still preserved from tourism, is an undiscovered jewel waiting to be explored! The hidden and restful area is a unique place in the world! Indeed the jungle of Batu Katak hides the biggest  and the highest flowers of the world, the Rafflesia Flower and the Amorphophallus Titanum! Your local guide will explore the jungle with you and lead you to these amazing flowers which are very rare to see as they only bloom for 4-5 days after a gestation period of 9 months. Besides the flowers, you will have great chance to observe gibbons and siamangs while trekking. Enjoy a yummy lunch listening to the stunning gibbon songs and take a refreshing swim in the river!

DISCOVER UNSPOILT AREAS FAR FROM TOURISM & ENJOY A NEW WAY TO EXPLORE THE BEAUTY OF SUMATRA. OUR MISSION IS TO ENABLE SECLUDED AREAS & LOCAL PEOPLE TO BENEFIT FROM THE POSITIVE IMPACT OF  ECO-CONSCIOUS TOURISM. JOINING ONE OF THESE TOURS IS YOUR WAY TO SUPPORT LOCAL COMMUNITIES.

Our off the beaten path tours.

indonesia jungle tour

Caves, Hot Springs & Waterfalls at Simolap

If you are looking for unspoilt nature and downtime in the wild to revitalize, this tour is made for you! We offer several adventurous all inclusive tours to Simolap from 1 to 3 days, with different activities, according to your wishes! Simolap is part of the Gunung Leuser National Park and is located around 2 hours from Bukit Lawang. The unspoilt area is full of secret places which are yours to explore! It is especially famous for it's incredible hot springs facilities and its caves. Opt for a trek through the jungle to see wildlife, explore several caves,  secret waterfall spots and take a plunge in these natural swimming pools! End the tour with a relaxing and revitalizing swim in the hot springs! If you stay a few days you can experience a 2D/1N trek with camping in a cave. You can also spend another night at the guesthouse of our lovely friends. 

Discover waterfalls and jungle in Tangkahan with Sumatra Orangutan Explore

Tangkahan Discovery, Jungle & Waterfall

Discover the hidden paradise of Tangkahan! At only 2,5 hours from Bukit Lawang, Tangkahan is an eco-tourism destination famous for the CRU association which is fighting against illegal logging. But this area is also offering the possibility to explore its wonderful lush green surroundings. Start your day by exploring the jungle and chase wonderful waterfalls. Tube down the river in big tires before lunch. After a freshly cooked lunch at a local restaurant at the riverside take a refreshing swim in the Buluh river, enjoy the hot springs and relax at the riverbank! It's possible to  spend a night in this wonderful place if you'd like us to ! Contact us to organize your tailor-made adventure and know the fare!

Tour and things to do in Berastagi

Berastagi Discovery, Volcano, nature & culture 

Explore another must-see of North Sumatra! Located at around 3 hours from Bukit Lawang, Berastagi which means "rice store", is a town located in the Barisan mountains. It's cooler weather makes it the perfect place to harvest many things hence it's lush green surroundings!  During this overnight tour you'll explore Berastagi and it's highlights! You'll climb the volcano by sunrise and enjoy lunch with the panoramic view of Gundaling Hill! During the afternoon you'll discover Lumbini garden the famous boudhist temple, enjoy the hot springs and chase waterfall! Back in Berastagi you'll explore the famous fruits market and  assist to an amazing Karonese dance demonstration! This tour will take you into a culture trip to discover more about North Sumatra.  

We recommend to book at least 3 months in advance

indonesia jungle tour

WE HELP YOU TO ORGANIZE YOUR TRIP

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Where to stay

We'd be glad to welcome you in our ecolodge at the riverside and overlooking the amazing jungle!

holw to get to Bukit Lawang, Sumatra

How to get here

All the travel options and tips about your flight to Medan and the way to Bukit Lawang! 

What to bring for a jungle trek in Sumatra

What to bring

All the information you need! We give you all the tips to prepare well your trip!

Why visiting Sumatra in Indonesia

Our Packages

Spare time and make the most of your trip by choosing one of our eco-conscious tour packages.

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indonesia jungle tour

We are an Adventure Service in North Sumatra, Indonesia, With the Best Safety, Of Course Making A Holiday That Can Also Broaden your Knowladge is the Main Choice,l Because in The Adventure there are Many animals such as Forest People, Elephants and Others, Come Join Us Now.

We are On The Jl. Orang Utan, Bukit Lawang, bahorok, Langkat, North Sumatra, Indonesia. So Commond Enjoy the Adventure Peckage With Us and enjoy Experiences On Every Trip

Tambahan jungle treeking

Bukit Lawang Jungle Tour And Trekking,  Baharok

Layanan 1 Bukit LAWANG

  If you want to do private trekking, you are required to pay for 2 people. If you are a solo traveler or a couple and do not want, or are not able to pay the price for 2 people, we can arrange for you to join with other groups.

 Fruit snack, guide(s), National Park admission fee.

 Meals (eat before and/or after your trek), personal item.

Layanan 2 Bukit LAWANG

If you want to do private trekking, you are required to pay for 2 people. If you are a solo traveler or a couple and do not want, or are not able to pay the price for 2 people, we can arrange for you to join with other groups.

National Park admission fee/all permits

Day 1: Packed lunch, fresh-cooked dinner inclusive of drinking water (please specify if you have special dietary requirements), everything you need to sleep in the jungle – mat, sleeping bag and tent

Day 2: Breakfast, lunch. Jungle inner tube raft with river captain, and your life jackets, plastic dry bag to keep your equipment dry.

Throughout: Expert guide and assistants.

Day 1: Breakfast, your initial drinking water supply (you can refill at dinner time, around 4pm).

Day 2: Dinner.

Layanan 4 Bukit LAWANG

National Park admission fee/all permits.

Day 1: Packed lunch, fresh-cooked dinner inclusive of purified water (please specify if you have special dietary requirements), everything you need to sleep in the jungle – mat, sleeping bag and tent.

Day 2: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Day 3: Breakfast, lunch. Jungle inner tube raft with river captain, and your life jackets, plastic dry bag to keep your equipment dry.

Day 3: Dinner.

Note: itinerary is indicative only, variations are possible due to weather conditions (in the rainy season we will try to reach camp earlier, as it normally rains in later afternoon) and the characteristics of the group (e.g., we can make the trek longer or shorter according to your physical condition).

Day 1: 9am: Your guide will meet you at your guesthouse, and you will join with the other guests joining the trek (if applicable, and there won’t be more than six people in your group).

9:15am (approximate): Walk to the entrance to the national park, near the Ecolodge guesthouse.

9:30am (approximate): Enter into the national park, trek through the jungle, keeping an eye out for wildlife including of course orangutans.

Noon: break for lunch. Typically fried rice, which we bring from the village, plus a variety of tropical fruit (depending on the season), such as pineapple, passion fruit, bananas, rambutan and tangerines.

1pm: trek to our overnight camp, keeping an eye out for wildlife along the way.

4-5pm: arrive at the camp. Our guides will prepare a fire, and cook your dinner of curry, rice, and other local foods, with tea, coffee, and fresh water. After dinner you can relax, chat, join a camp fire singalong, or play games such as cards or dominoes.

Bedtime: sleep under our ‘jungle tent’, a large wooden frame covered with a plastic sheet.

Day 2: 9am: We eat breakfast together

10am: trek from the day 1 campsite towards our second camp

Noon: lunch – fruit, noodles

1pm: continue walking

4pm: reach our second camp. This will be beside a river so you have the opportunity to swim and relax while our guides prepare your meal.

Day 3: 9am: We eat breakfast together

10am: trek from the campsite towards the Bohorok river (assuming returning by tubing).

2pm: Board the jungle raft down the Bohorok river back to the village – around 1 hour (option: walk back instead). We exit the river next to Wisma Sibayak guesthouse.

3pm: end of trek

Layanan 5 Bukit LAWANG

be rafting €15 extra)

Day 1: Packed lunch, fresh-cooked dinner inclusive of purified water (please specify if you have special dietary requirements), everything you need to sleep in the jungle – mat, sleeping bag and tent

Day 3: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Day 4: Breakfast, lunch. Jungle inner tube raft with river captain, and your life jackets, plastic dry bag to keep your equipment dry.

Day 1: Breakfast, your initial drinking water supply (you can refill at dinner time, around 4pm)

Day 4: Dinner.

10am: Gather wild food in the jungle, ferns, fish, fruit.

1pm: Lunch – from the food you gathered

2pm: Walk upstream towards our final camp

4pm: Reach camp, prepare dinner

9am: We eat breakfast together

Layanan 6 Bukit LAWANG

Day 4: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Day 5: Breakfast, lunch. Jungle inner tube raft with river captain, and your life jackets, plastic dry bag to keep your equipment dry.

Day 5: Dinner.

4-5pm: arrive at the camp at Jamur Batu. Our guides will prepare a fire, and cook your dinner of curry, rice, and other local foods, with tea, coffee, and fresh water. After dinner you can relax, chat, join a camp fire singalong, or play games such as cards or dominoes.

10am: trek towards our second camp

4pm: reach our second camp, on Batu Gajah on the Landak river

10am: trek towards Mount Uning

1pm: continue our trek

4pm: Camp at Mount Uning. By night we might see nocturnal animals at this location, which is busy with many animals

Day 4: 9am: We eat breakfast together

10am: trek north, towards the Perak (silver) stream)

Noon: lunch – we will hunt for food in the jungle

4pm: Camp at Perak stream.

10am: trek north towards the Bohorok river

Noon: lunch

3pm: Reach our tubing point on the Bohorok river, we will tube all the way down stream until we reach the village – around 2 hours in total

Layanan 8 Bukit LAWANG

Spend A day or More  Rafting Down wampu River On a Rabber Boat Coast is 65 Euro/person Minimum Three(3) Person Floating along the Bahorok River, Which Is About 12 Km and will take 2 – 3 Hours On Inflated Tube. Thesa Can be Rented at Numoreus Location, Stop at The Bridge and Return To Bukit Lawang By local Transportation, Check the River Condition Before You Start To Rafting Down The River.

Layanan 9 Bukit LAWANG

This Cave In 2 Km South to Bukit Lawang or 25 Minutes Walk Through Rubber Plantation, There is Short Climbing Before The Enterence To The Cave Enterence Fee Rp.25.000/person Include Guide and Flash Light

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Welcome to Sumatra!

Bukit Lawang is a beautiful small village right at the edge of the Gunung Leuser National Park, which is settled in the Barisan Mountain range in the North Sumatra, one of the oldest rainforests in the world. Bukit Lawang is well-known to the jungle lovers because it is right in the edge of the national park. Visitors will get to see a wide-range of ecosystems and rare tropical animals included Sumatran sun bear, Thomas leaf monkey, and the jungle superstar Sumatran orangutan!

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Gunung Leuser National Park

Gunung Leuser National Park is a tropical rainforest heritage of Sumatra. It indeed shelters numerous endangered animals and plants such as the critically endangered Sumatran orangutans, the smallest member of the bear family, sun bear, and the world-largest flower rafflesia.

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Lake Toba & Berastagi

Lake Toba is the world largest volcanic lake located in North Sumatra. The extraordinary natural wonder is a divine place to get away from the city life, relax and enjoy the perfect natural scenery. 

Take a short trip to the lovely market town Berastagi. The famous fruit market selling a large diversity of exotic fruits is a must-see for the fruit gourmets. 

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Sibayak & Sinabung

Mount Sibayak & Mount Sinabung are two stratovolcanoes in the North of Sumatra Island.

Mount Sibayak, is one of Indonesia's most accessible volcanoes. Since its last eruption was more than a century ago, visitors are allowed to hike to the summit and have a glance of this massive active volcano.

Mount Sinabung had previously been dormant for 400 years, but erupted for a few times since 2010. Recently it is one of the most dangerous volcanoes in Indonesia.

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Bukit Lawang: The Ultimate Jungle Trekking Adventure Guide

  • Post last modified: Updated on April 2, 2024
  • by Post author: Chloe Smulian

jungle trekking in indonesia and seeing orangutans in bukit lawang

Jungle trekking in Bukit Lawang is the ultimate experience for those who love the outdoors, hiking and most importantly, animal lovers who want to help keep these beautiful creatures safe, yet free and wild in their natural habitat.

We often get asked what our most unforgettable adventure has been, and this experience tops our list! Jungle trekking in Bukit Lawang and coming face-to-face with orangutans in their wild habitat is an experience we will never forget.

It’s an absolute bucket list travel experience that everyone should do at least once in their lifetime.

Find out everything you need to know before travelling to Bukit Lawang.

We’ll cover everything from costs and budgeting, what to wear, hiking difficulty level, whether it is family-friendly and whether it is a truly ethical and sustainable travel experience.

If you’re not a reader, check out our short, cinematic trekking in Bukit Lawang video !

Where is the Gunung Leuser National Park

The Gunung Leuser National Park is located in northern Sumatra on the west side of Indonesia. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage site and it is one of two places in the world where you can see wild orangutans in their natural habitat.

The other place you can see orangutans in the wild is in Borneo, Malaysia.

google map of where you can see orangutans in bukit lawang indonesia

This national park is one of the last remaining sanctuaries for the critically endangered orangutan species. Besides wild orangutans, you will also find rehabilitated orangutans that have been rescued from the illegal pet trade, living in these rainforests.

Is there malaria in Bukit Lawang?

No, there isn’t. We bought malaria tablets with just in case. Only to realise that there is no malaria in Bukit Lawang. Of course, this doesn’t mean there aren’t mosquitoes, so bring mosquito repellant especially if you’re like me, and mosquitoes love to feast on you.

Where to book orangutan jungle trekking tour in Bukit Lawang

We booked the tour with our accommodation, Hotel Orangutan , where we stayed at for the 4 days. We could have probably bargained for lower prices with other vendors, but we decided to go with our hotel because of their mission and values.

Hotel Orangutan is an eco-friendly hotel that aims to raise awareness while protecting its environment, wildlife and local community. We whole-heartedly support their cause and also wanted to make sure we were going with guides that had the same respect for the environment.

Bukit Lawang Budget and Cost Guidelines

Accommodation and hotels in bukit lawang.

Accommodation is really affordable in Bukit Lawang. The cheapest we found was for less than €3/night. We decided to go a little more luxury as it was our honeymoon. Here are other  affordable accommodation options in Bukit Lawang .

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How much does jungle trekking in Bukit Lawang cost?

The jungle trekking prices vary on the number of individuals and how many days you plan to trek. For the two of us, it was €100 per person for the 2 day trek. To reduce the price per person to €90, you need to go as a group of 5-6 individuals. Check the  full orangutan trekking price list  here.

Although €100 per person seems steep, this price is inclusive of everything. We had 2 local guides just to ourselves and a third individual (the cook and tube ‘driver’) who went ahead to set up and prepare our meals at base camp.

That means that 3 individuals personally took care of us for 2 full days. The only thing we had to bring was water to drink during the hike, mosquito repellant, swim wear, flip flops and dry clothes.

What is included in the jungle trekking price?

All your meals are included and there is more than enough to eat. On the first day, it included a mid-morning snack which consisted of a delicious array of fresh fruit. There were mandarins, watermelons, granadillas and mangosteens, which we tasted for the first time.

a local guide jungle trekking in the forest of sumatra near bukit lawang preparing local fruits for tourists

Lunch was a once in a lifetime experience. We had lunch with orangutans!  Well, we had to actually eat our lunch with our backs facing the orangutans, so we don’t tempt them with our food.

This is really important as the only time an orangutan will come in close contact with humans is for food. For the safety of both yourselves and the orangutans, please do not tempt them with food.

There are pictures and videos online where you see orangutans holding onto people’s arm. This is caused by people purposely tempting them with food. Don’t do it and always keep all food you have concealed in your backpacks when you’re not eating.

seeing wild orangutans on the Sumatra Jungle Trekking Tour

For lunch, we had the most amazing nasi goreng (Indonesian egg fried rice with vegetables) with fried chicken. The meal was absolutely delicious and it was all ecologically wrapped in banana leaves. There is a vegetarian option as well but you should let them know beforehand when you book the trip.

We hiked for another 2 hours after lunch before arriving at base camp. Everything was set up for us and all we had to do was go relax by the Bohorok river. Our mid-afternoon snack included cookies and coffee/tea.

Your swim doubles as a shower/bath (you’re in the wild remember?) so it was both recreational and practical.

floating in the bohorok river in Sumatra Rain Forest in bukit lawang

Dinner is served a few hours later and it was lovely sharing the meal with our guides and getting to know them better. The meal was warm, freshly prepared and consisted of a variety of local Indonesian dishes.

How was the accommodation on the Sumatran Jungle Trekking tour?

A basic covered shelter is provided. Inside you can sleep up to four individuals and there is a thin mattress on a raised cement platform that you sleep on.

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As it was only the two of us, we had the entire enclosure to ourselves. The bed was obviously not as comfortable as our own bed, but we would consider this quite luxurious for camping terms. Hanging mosquito nets are also provided (YAY for not becoming mosquito buffet).

When we spoke to other travellers who were on cheaper packages with other vendors. It seemed they were really camping in tents and sleeping on the floor. They also didn’t have toilets and had to do their business in the bush. We had basic lavatory facilities being a long drop with a bucket of water on the side for flushing.

best eco tourism tour in indonesia

What other wildlife do you see besides orangutans?

Although the main attraction is seeing orangutans on the jungle trek, there are other wildlife that inhabit the rainforest. On our trek, we saw adorable black gibbons, huge monitor lizards, lemon ants and a variety of birds.

black gibbon monkeys climbing trees in sumatra forest

If you’re lucky and hike further into the forest, you may even see Asian rhinos, elephants or tigers. The guides mentioned that you usually have to trek more than 2 days to see the bigger mammals as they live deeper in the jungle.

a large monitor lizards in sumatra indonesia

Besides wildlife, another key feature is seeing the biggest flower in the world, the Rafflesia. We were unfortunately not in the right season to see it so if you want to see this, make sure to come when it’s in season (March/April).

What should you wear for the jungle trekking tour in Bukit Lawang?

You will be hiking for 4-5 hours depending on the weather and your speed, so it is important that you are dressed appropriately when jungle trekking in Bukit Lawang.

It can get quite hot and humid in the rainforest and therefore it is most practical to wear light, comfortable and breathable clothing. Michael wore shorts (mosquitoes only bite me…) but I wore long gym pants to reduce insect bites and scratches. If you wear gym clothes, you’re good to go.

footwear for jungle trekking in sumatra

For footwear, we wore our normal trainers, but you should wear hiking shoes if you have. Otherwise, the best alternative is to buy these cheap rubber shoes from the local market in Bukit Lawang (what the guide is wearing in the photo).

We would have bought these shoes if we had known prior to the hike as they are less slippery when trekking through muddy terrain. Another benefit is that they are really easy to clean with water. Our trainers were filthy after the trek and it was a mission to clean after.

How difficult was the jungle trekking tour in Bukit Lawang?

The difficulty level depends on the terrain and the weather, but the guides will usually adapt to your fitness level. As long as you are able to walk at a leisurely pace for a few hours, you should be fine. We saw some elderly individuals as well as children on the hike so it isn’t too strenuous if you have the correct footwear.

How many days should you jungle trek for?

Hotel Orangutan provides guided jungle trekking for up to 7 days, but we’ve heard that you can go for longer than that if you wish. You just need to arrange it with the tour operator. If you hike for longer and deeper in the forest, you will increase your chances of seeing the bigger mammals such as the Asian rhinos, elephants and tigers.

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Is it absolutely necessary to have guides for the jungle trek in Bukit Lawang? Can you trek alone?

The simple answer is no. It is absolutely essential that you have guides unless you know the jungle like the back of your hands. There are no painted footprints or flags in the forest so you will need professionals to guide you. Besides not finding your way, you may also struggle tracking down the orangutans.

Orangutans make new nests, sometimes several times a day so unless you’re an expert orangutan tracker, you won’t see any orangutans without a guide.

hiking bukit lawang unguided

We always try our best to save money where we can, but trust us when we say that having a guide is imperative. We’d even go as far as to say that the guides made our experience.

We were privileged enough to have Iruel and Balu guiding us. They both spoke fairly good English and were extremely knowledgeable about the forest. Besides showing us orangutans, they were knowledgeable about plants and fauna, and were great company to be around.

Madi (the best cook on the planet) worked hard behind the scenes trekking ahead of us so he could get to camp to prepare all our delicious meals. If you plan to lose weight on this trek, you probably won’t with all the amazing food you’re going to eat! His food is absolutely heavenly!

What other activities are there besides trekking?

On the last day of our jungle trekking expedition, our guides took us to a small waterfall to relax and get our faces painted. Face painting is optional but being the adventurers that we are, of course we wanted our faces painted!

The ‘paint’ used comes from grinding the different coloured clay stones on rock, creating a paste that is then used as paint on your face.

other things to do in bukit lawan like face painting with natural clay

It is completely organic, natural and good for your skin. We both have sensitive skin and we did not experience any negative reaction from the clay.

Ecotravel Day Tour from Bukit Lawang

Another popular activity to do when you’re in Bukit Lawang is washing elephants at the Tangkahan Elephant Sanctuary . We have mixed reviews on this one. You can read more on why we feel it wasn’t a 100% eco-friendly experience.

To find an ethical elephant sanctuary to visit in South East Asia (or anywhere in the world), make sure the read our comprehensive guide on 7 ways to tell whether it is an ethical elephant sanctuary before your visit.

Is tubing safe in Bukit Lawang?

Tubing back to Bukit Lawang was SOOOOO much fun and absolutely safe if you’re with experienced guides. Tubing is the fastest (and most fun) mode of transport to get back to the village without hiking back.

If you are not keen, you can choose to opt out and save €10 per person. Don’t worry about your things getting wet. The guides are very prepared and have waterproof bags for you to put your valuables in.

tubing in bukit lawang

Is the jungle trekking tour in Bukit Lawang family-friendly?

We don’t currently have children, but if we did, this is an experience we would take them on. It is safe and will teach them the importance of protecting wildlife and our environment.

We would recommend confirming with the tour operator of your choice whether they have an age restriction. We didn’t see any in the guidelines. But in our opinion if your children are older than 14 years and have the patience and discipline to hike with you, then it is an incredible experience to take them on.

Just be mindful to not let them wander into the Bohorok River unattended. The current is quite strong and can sweep an adult away if you are not careful.

How close can you get to the orangutans in Bukit Lawang?

With a bit of luck, you can get really close to the orangutans. We were really lucky and got within 3 meters of the alpha of the jungle. Always remember to listen to your guides’ instructions and do not tease and taunt the animals.

is it safe in bukit lawang

Another important issue we would like to address is please don’t touch the orangutans. We’ve seen videos and pictures of people touching the orangutans and it breaks our hearts.

As humans, we could unintentionally pass on our germs and illnesses to the orangutans via physical contact or by giving them our food. Admire and enjoy their presence, but please do not touch them under any circumstances.

Is the jungle trekking tour truly eco-friendly?

We can only comment on the tour we went on with Hotel Orangutan. Yes, we do believe it was a truly eco-friendly tour experience. We could tell from our interaction with the guides that they genuinely love and respect the rainforest beyond its monetary benefit.

They understand the importance of being ambassadors of the jungle and it was easy to see the pride they have for the home they share with the wildlife. We particularly loved the fact that no guns or knives were taken with us for the hike. Only a bunch of bananas in the unlikely event an orangutan grabs us by the arm.

alpha orangutan in sumatra

If you would like to read up more on ecotourism in Bukit Lawang and how you can help preserve and protect our beautiful wildlife, check out the  Sumatran Orangutan Society .

The Best Adventure Tour in Indonesia

If you’re looking for a once-in-a-lifetime, bucket list experience, jungle trekking and seeing orangutans in the wilderness of Bukit Lawang is definitely one for the books!

If you love adventurous experiences like these, you’ll also love hiking through a water cave in Thailand at Khao Sok National Park . Khao Sok has some of the most unique natural surroundings we’ve seen. It’s absolutely breathtaking and hiking (and swimming) through the water cave was an unforgettable adventure.

This is another absolute, must-do experience that you will remember forever.

eco travel in thailand khao sok

If you love hiking as much as we do, check out our other adventure travel hiking guides :

  • 5 Best Drakensberg Day Hikes by Difficulty Level (South Africa)
  • Family-friendly Drakensberg Hiking Guide (South Africa)
  • Krabi 3 Day Itinerary (Thailand)

Love animals above and below the ocean’s surface? Then make sure to embark on a  scuba diving liveaboard experience when you’re in South East Asia . We share our maiden liveaboard voyage scuba diving around the Similan and Surin Islands in Thailand and explain why it has ruined scuba diving for us forever.

Still need to get scuba diving certified? Find out how you can save money getting certified for scuba diving in our How To Get Your Scuba Diving Certification Guide .

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Overnight Jungle Adventure

Ecotravel’s popular orangutan trek (2-day trek).

The most popular way to experience the real Sumatran tropical rainforest is an adventurous overnight stay in the Gunung Leuser National Park . On a peaceful campsite along a river bank your sweet dreams will be accompanied by the natural melodies of the jungle. In the morning you will wake up to the sounds of monkeys, birds, insects and the Bohorok River. We recommend our overnight trek  for sportive travellers who want to hike 2 days in fantastic tropical nature and experience the nocturnal life of the jungle .

Duration: two days Intensity level: average/medium Tour price: 95 EUR per person Group size: minimum 2 people, maximum 8 people Start: at 08:30 am – Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays Touring packages:   Hello Jungle Trek , Orangutans & Elephants , Sumatra Highlights , The Jungle Book , Jungle Meets Beach , Sumatra Holiday XL

BUKIT LAWANG JUNGLE TREKKING FOR KIDS - SUMATRA HIGHLIGHT - SUMATRA ECO TOURS BY SUMATRA ECOTRAVEL

Tour description

DAY 1: In the morning at 8:30 am our English speaking guide will pick you up at your guesthouse to start an  adventurous overnight jungle trek . After a short walk you will cross the Bohorok River, then you go uphill and pass the old orangutan feeding area which is still highly popular with a lot of semi-wild orangutans. You will continue your trek through the rainforest to a small creek where you will rest by its clear waters. Then you will hike up again and walk for about an hour, passing unforgettable scenic viewpoints overlooking the whole valley of the Bohorok River. During this 2-days trek you will go deeper into the jungle and your guide will point out a variety of animals and plant species to you while giving lots of explanation about the rainforest and its biodiversity. If you are lucky many gibbons, Thomas leaf monkeys, pigtail macaques, flying squirrels, Sumatran peacocks, hornbills and even wild orangutans might cross your way.

By noon you will stop at an amazing hidden waterfall in the jungle, where you can swim in the fresh and clear water before you are enjoying your local lunch. In the afternoon you will trek for another hour and explore the magical rainforest uphill to a fantastic view point with a lot of wild orchids around. After a short break you continue trekking upstream to the Bohorok River while looking out for more wildlife, more species of plants and trees.  Around 3:30 pm you will arrive at the campsite near the river where you will stay overnight. There is time to relax with a cup of coffee or tea, to go for a swim and rest while your dinner is prepared. Over an open campfire our team will prepare an unforgettable “jungle buffet” with a wide range of local food. After dinner you have the opportunity of playing games, singing by the fire or just looking at the stars and reviewing the first day of your trek. Being in the jungle at night time is a completely different experience; there are different animals, different sounds and of course a mesmerizing sky full or stars. Double tents, mattress, pillows and sleeping bags will make your jungle sleep comfortable

DAY 2: The following morning you will wake up to the sounds of the jungle. You have a big chance to observe the Sumatran monitor lizards, tortoises and colourful river-butterflies around the campsite. After breakfast you have the opportunity to trek again for about 3 hours or just relax at an amazing waterfal l next to the campsite. After a light lunch it’s time for you to return to Bukit Lawang. And there is another hour full of fun, when your “jungle taxi” takes you back to Bukit Lawang by traditional tube-rafting down the Bohorok River .

Includes: certified English speaking guide, porter, fresh fruits, lunch 2x, dinner, breakfast, drinking water, double tent, mattress, sleeping bag, cook, rafting skipper, tubes, safety jackets, helmets for children Excludes: permit to enter the national park 150.000 IDR/ person/ weekdays & 225.000 IDR/ person/ Sundays What to bring: comfortable hiking shoes or good sports shoes, 25-30 litre backpack, long trousers & T-shirt in bright colours, long socks, one change of clothes, long sleeved sweater, raincoat, flip flops or sandals, towel, torch, mosquito repellent, sun lotion, swim wear and toilet paper.

Gallery: 2-Day Trek

SUMATRAN ORANGUTAN - JUNGLE TREKKING - BUKIT LAWANG - SUMATRA ECOTRAVEL

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What travelers are saying.

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Bukit Lawang Jungle Trekking, Sumatra Orangutan Tour: How to See Bukit Lawang Orangutans

Thinking of going to Bukit Lawang jungle trekking for the opportunity to do a Sumatra orangutan tour?

The first place everyone seems to think of when they mention wanting to see orangutans in the wild is Borneo Island. However, doing one of the Sumatran orangutan treks, rather than the Bornean one could be the better option of the two – Bukit Lawang requires quite a bit more effort to get to than the more commercialised options available in Borneo.

Bukit Lawang orangutan trekking and getting to see wild orangutans was one of the highlights of my trip to Indonesia. 

In this article, I’ll tell you everything about what jungle trekking in Sumatra is like and what to expect when you book an orangutan trek in Bukit Lawang and why we should all be less reliant on palm oil, for their sake. Let’s go!

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Bukit Lawang Jungle Trekking, Sumarta

Wildlife tourism can play a huge role in the protection of the orangutans. Unfortunately, palm oil production is a lucrative business, so for starters as consumers, we need to be using less of it. 

However, IF money through wildlife tourism can outweigh the need for deforestation then maybe that could help the orangutans’ plight – I can hope!

According to the WWF and IUCN – Sumatran orangutans are listed as critically endangered (there are less than 14,000 left in the wild!). Between 1985 and 2007 the orangutans here lost a whopping 60% of their forest habitat!

I was eager to see the orangutans in, what’s left of, their natural habitat as part of a Sumatra jungle trek. 

Booking onto an orangutan tour offers passive interaction and education. This will hopefully spread awareness to help this endangered species. 

If industries supporting the conservation of orangutans in Sumatra – like accommodation, restaurants, activities and shops and of course, orangutan trekking tours – wildlife tourism, and the tourist dollar that it brings may start to show more lucrative appeal than destroying the rainforest in favour of palm oil plantations. 

If tourism brings in enough money for people to earn a decent living, perhaps there will be more focus on the importance of protecting these vital habitats for future generations. I really hope so!

A big part in swaying this is for our developed nations to stop being so reliant on industries (not just palm oil) which destroy habitats like that. It’s going to be a combined effort on everyone’s part! But an effort that is so important.

Related Article: The World’s Best Wildlife Destinations

Where Is the Best Place to See Orangutans in Sumatra?

If you’re wondering where to see orangutans in Sumatra, then the best place to see orangutans in their most natural environment is in Bukit Lawang. 

The orangutans here are what’s classed as semi-wild. Since the 1970s, a rehabilitation programme has been run from here. Injured and orphaned orangutans were treated and then re-released. 

The Bukit Lawang orangutans are called semi-wild as some of them had a lot of human interaction during their rehabilitation. This means they come to the forest floor and show less fear of humans – true wild orangutans will stay in the trees to feed and spend their entire lives in the canopy. 

However, the success of the rehabilitation and release programme has meant that a new generation of wild orangutans has been established here. The success of this programme is a little glimmer of hope, and vital for the survival of these gentle giants.

You’ll be able to tell which are the offspring of the rehabilitated orangutans, as they won’t come to the ground – they spend their lives entirely in the trees.

A wild orangutan sits atop a tree, its vibrant orange fur contrasting against the lush green backdrop of the surrounding trees.

Rang-Tans Plight Against ‘Dirty Palm Oil’

In recent years there’s been so much press on palm oil and how detrimental it is to the orangutan. Back in 2018, Greenpeace produced an awareness video , which was then used by UK supermarket chain; Iceland

Iceland has been a pioneer in the UK supermarket sphere , and since 2018 has refused to use palm oil in any of its own products! Bravo Iceland!

If you somehow managed to miss this short animation doing the rounds a while back, in a nutshell, it was about the plight of ‘Rang-Tan’ the orangutan and her story about ‘dirty palm oil’. If you missed the advert, then take a look at the video here .

It’s heartbreaking that these creatures are being pushed to extinction.

The jungle near Bukit Lawang, Gunung Leuser National Park, is a protected area under UNESCO, but it’s evidently clear to see how much has been cleared for palm oil plantations. 

This is going to continue unless consumers change their attitudes towards products containing palm oil. Even though orangutans are a protected species in Indonesia, the government’s enforcement of these rules is minimal as palm oil brings in so much money to the country.

I know for sure, I was incredibly privileged to see wild orangutans. It would be a huge loss to the natural world if they were pushed to extinction.

Short History of the Bukit Lawang Orangutan Sanctuary

The was historically famous for The Bukit Lawang Rehabilitation Centre for Orangutans. 

The Rehabilitation Centre was founded in 1973 by two Swiss zoologists. The purpose of the centre was to take care of orangutans in the region who had been injured or orphaned as a result of deforestation. 

On your journey to Bukit Lawang, you will pass the massive palm oil plantations in the surrounding areas. This is a testament to how much of the local, once forested area, and the orangutan’s habitat has been commercialised. 

The Bukit Lawang Orangutan Centre still exists today, however, under different ownership however, it still plays an important role in the conservation and preservation of the Buiki Lawang orangutans and eco-system. 

Closeup look of the orangutan in Bukit Lawang, Sumatra

Sumatra Orang-Utan Facts

  • The Malay word orangutan means “person of the forest.”. It’s clear to see how they get this name, they are perfectly adapted with their long strong limbs for life in the trees. 
  • The orangutan is classified as critically endangered, with the biggest threat to the species being deforestation. Over the past 75 years, the total number of Sumatran orangutans has decreased by 80%
  • Orangutans are native to the rainforests of Indonesia – in either Borneo or Sumatra –  and Malaysia. There are three species of orang-utan; the Bornean, the Sumatran and the recently confirmed new species Tapanuli
  • An orangutan can live to be over 30 years old in the wild or captivity. They are omnivores and mostly eat a diet of fruit and plants, however, they also eat insects and bird eggs 

Why Go Bukit Lawang Jungle Trekking, Sumatra

One of the main reasons to go jungle trekking in Sumatra , in this particular region, is for the abundance of wildlife. The Gunung Leuser National Park is a protected area, and although it borders palm oil plantations, the National Park is protected from deforestation. 

Because of the amount of deforestation that has happened in this region, there’s a large concentration of wildlife in the National Park which call this forest home.

Aside from the orangutan of Bukit Lawang, you might also see:

  • Long-tailed macaques
  • Thomas leaf monkeys
  • Monitor lizards
  • Butterflies
  • Stunning flowers, fauna and trees, – like the banyan trees 

Among other creatures that live here, you might also spot the elusive Sumatran tiger, and native rhino and elephants!

Sumatra Orangutan Tour, Indonesia – Know Before You Go

If you’re planning your Sumatra orangutan tour, this section has some useful information to help you plan your Bukit Lawang travel.

Where Is the Bukit Lawang Jungle, Sumatra?

Bukit Lawang is a small town in northern Sumatra. The nearest city is Medan, which is 86km away.

Bukit Lawang is situated right on the Bahorok River and is a stone’s throw from UNESCO-listed Gunung Leuser National Park . It’s in this protected park where you’ll do your orangutan tour.

Aerial view of the town of Bukit Lawang on the Bahorok River with the Gunung Leuser National Park in the distance

Related Article: 36 Famous Landmarks of Indonesia You Need To Visit

Getting to Bukit Lawang

If you’re trying to search for the Bukit Lawang airport, you’re out of luck. There isn’t one. 

A big part of why the Bukit Lawang orangutan tour feels more authentic than the package holiday feel of some of the similar tours on Borneo is that it requires a bit of effort to get there.

The nearest international airport to Bukit Lawang is the city of Medan. Medan Airport (KNO) has direct flights from Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Singapore and Bangkok. Flights from these airports are reasonable and start from around $50.

The quickest way to get from Medan Airport to Bukit Lawang is a 4-hour taxi ride, and that’s on a good run! The day I travelled was a festival weekend and a national holiday. This meant it took 5 1/2 hours to get through the traffic. National holiday or not, just be prepared for a long journey.

Book Here: Private Transfer from Medan Airport to Bukit Lawang

Alternatively, you can catch the public bus. If you plan to go by bus to Bukit Lawang then make sure you arrive in Medan early in the morning. It will take you the best part of a day to do the journey. 

Catch the ALS (Antar Lintas Sumatera) bus from the Medan Airport bus terminal. Look for the one that says ‘Binjai’ on it. Binjai is a city just outside of Medan en route to Bukit Lawang. It will take a couple of hours. From here catch the onward bus to Bukit Lawang.

Whether you go by taxi transfer or bus, the roads start nice and smooth; don’t be deceived, this quickly changes as soon as you leave the main towns. During this long journey, you’d be hard-pressed to get any shut-eye.

Where to Stay In Bukit Lawang

Aside from the oil plantations, the next biggest industry in the area is tourism. There’s no shortage of accommodation, all catering to the needs of visitors coming here for orangutan trekking. Here are my top Buckit Lawang accommodation picks.

Boutique Accommodation – Green Travelodge Bukit Lawang

Green Travelodge in Bukit Lawang offers accommodation with balconies and free WiFi. The lodge provides a fully equipped private bathroom with shower and free toiletries. You can also enjoy an Asian or halal breakfast and have access to cycling and a garden.

Check Availability via Booking

Check Availability via Agoda

Bukit Lawang Jungle Trekking, Sumatra Orangutan Tour: How to See Bukit Lawang Orangutans 2

Budget Accommodation – Rainforest Guesthouse Bukit Lawang

Rainforest Guest House in Bukit Lawang offers locally-owned accommodation with free WiFi, a terrace, and a barbecue. Some rooms have a balcony or patio, and you can enjoy the on-site bar. The guest house provides water sports facilities, car hire, and activities like fishing and hiking.

Bukit Lawang Jungle Trekking, Sumatra Orangutan Tour: How to See Bukit Lawang Orangutans 3

How to Book Bukit Lawang Orangutan Trekking

You can book your Bukit Lawang jungle trekking experience once you’re in the town. You can do the orangutan trek for any number of days and nights. 

Most people book the 2-day-1-night excursion , but if you wanted to explore deeper in the jungle, this can also be arranged. 

The evening before you go on your orangutan Tour you’ll meet your guides – there are two guides per organised group –  and have a quick briefing, told the park rules, the morning schedule and what to take.

How Long Are the Bukit Lawang Jungle Treks?

Jungle tours in Bukit Lawang vary from a half-day to around a week. I did the two day orangutan trek which included camping overnight in the rainforest. 

The two-day orangutan trek was ample time. It allowed me to see a lot of wildlife, in addition to the orangutans and experience a night in the jungle. Waking up to the sound of the forest coming alive is something magical! 

Another reason for choosing a shorter trip is to make a conscious effort to lessen the impact of humans in the forest and to help preserve the delicate ecosystem – you don’t need to explore everywhere, sometimes places are better left to nature.

A woman captures a photo of a nearby monkey in Bukit Lawang, Sumatra.

How Much Do the Sumatra Orangutan Treks Cost?

The price of Sumatra orangutan trekking tours in Bukit Lawang may differ based on the duration of the trek and season. 

Typically, these are the prices.

  • 1 -day trek is approximately 55 USD per person
  • 2-day-trek is approximately 90 USD per person
  • 3-day-trek is approximately 120 USD per person
  • 4-day-trek is approximately 165 USD per person

If you prefer to book tours ahead of time, then you can book the 2 Days-1 Night Jungle Tour in Bukit Lawang in advance here.

What Do the Orangutan Tours in Bukit Lawang Inlcude?

Depending on which specific tour you book, this will vary slightly. But typically for a two-day guided orangutan trek in Bukit Lawang, the price includes: 

  • Luggage storage
  • Park permits
  • Two licenced guides
  • Meals, snacks and water
  • Overnight camping equipment
  • River rafting

What to Take on the Sumatra Orangutan Tour

For your Bukit Lawang orangutan trek, you’ll have to carry EVERYTHING with you.  I took my 20L day pack, which was ample. I recommend packing light for your jungle trek in Sumatra and only taking the essentials you’re going to need. 

Your accommodation will look after your luggage for you while you are on the orangutan trek.

  • When you go Sumatra jungle trekking, parts of the route go through rivers. Make sure you’re wearing breathable and comfortable walking shoes that you don’t mind getting wet. 
  • You’re in the jungle, so unless you want to be on the menu for every critter around, don’t forget to take DEET-free Insect and Mosquito Repellent.
  • The chances of rain in the jungle are high. If it’s been raining, it’s going to be slippery. A pair of lightweight antishock walking poles can really help you from falling over.
  • You can not drink the water straight from the taps in Bukit Lawang (or Indonesia in general), so make sure you pack your water purification bottle which means you can fill up from the taps without getting sick.
  • Take a portable power bank. You’re going to be in the middle of the jungle and if your electronics run out of power, there’s no way to change them until you get back to your accommodation.
  • Pack a quick-drying travel towel for when you go swimming in the river 
  • For your overnight bag, pack basic toiletries, swimwear and a clean set of clothes, plus any medication 

Sumatra Orangutan Trekking  – Rules

The Gunung Leuser National Park is a protected area. Like with many national parks around the world,  it means that there are certain rules to follow to help protect the area.

  • You are not allowed to enter the park without a licenced guide
  • You can not enter the park without a permit
  • You are not allowed to touch the animals
  • You can not be closer than 10 meters
  • You are not allowed to feed the animals
  • You have to carry your litter back out with you

Book Here 2 Days-1 Night Jungle Tour in Bukit Lawang

Bukit Lawang Orangutan Trekking – What to Expect

Your Sumatra orangutan trek starts early as you enter Gunung Leuser National Park. You start by meandering your way through muddy paths and shallow rivers. 

Be careful of some of the steeper slopes and slippery tree roots, this is where a pair of walking poles come in useful.

You’ll have frequent stops along the way with your guide pointing out different flowers, fauna, trees, bugs, fruits, nuts as well as footprints and markings left by various other animals. 

The frequent stops are also a nice break from hiking in the sticky and humid heat. I was torn between wanting to take off my long-sleeved top so I could cool down and not wanting to be eaten alive. Just make sure you have plenty of bug repellant with you.

During our mid-morning break, a welcome treat was the locally grown fresh fruit. It was a mini feast of bananas, passion fruit, oranges and melon – the sugar boost was such a welcome after trekking all morning in the humid heat.

A mid-morning break, enjoying the locally grown fresh fruits while on a Bukit Lawang Orangutan Trekking adventure.

Not for the Squeamish

If you’re squeamish, then watch out for the leeches! I picked up a few of the little suckers on my ankles when I was passing through the shallow streams. 

In fairness, they were small, about 2cm long, I didn’t notice them latching on until the guide flicked them off. 

If you freak out over things like leeches, then don’t look down. 

When I knew what to look for, I noticed that the ground around some of the streams were crawling with them! They seemed to make a beeline for anyone that stood still for more than a moment. 

Leeches don’t believe in exclusivity, a few people in our group ‘collected’ them on their ankles.

Our First Orangutan Encounter

Like all wildlife, you’re never guaranteed to see it in real life. However, we were blessed fairly early on with two orangutans; a mother and a baby. 

They were high up in a tree so our guide took us to a better vantage point to get a closer look. Down a ravine, precariously straddled and balanced on tree trunks, rocks and shrubs our group watched silently. 

The orangutans were relaxed and foraging for food. Naturally, they would have heard us scrambling about below. For a moment, they started to come closer, and down from the tree with much more grace and elegance than us lot perched in the ravine and clambering about on tree roots. 

They lost interest as soon as they realised we had nothing of interest to them. 

Our afternoon carried on, navigating through the jungle of Sumatra, with more regular stops to see trails animals had left. 

Mother and baby orangutan in the canopy at Bukit Lawang, Sumatra

Jungle Camp

In the late afternoon, we arrived at the jungle camp. 

Campsites in the jungle consist of a semi-permanent structure; a tarpaulin stretched over 4 wooden posts to form a kitchen, a river to wash in, and a hole in the ground to do your business. Certainly, no glamping here, but it was pure bliss.

Our group didn’t need much encouragement to ditch the backpacks, chuck on some bathing gear and head straight for the refreshingly cool river to wash off the day’s accumulation of sweat and mud. Reassuringly, there were no leeches here!

The cold river was so rejuvenating. After bathing, we sat relaxing on the riverbank, the late afternoon sun shining through the forest canopy whilst drinking warm cups of sweet tea. To describe the feeling in a word; blissful. 

So, it’s no secret why they are called rainforests, the answer is in the name but a quick jungle downpour temporarily put a dampener on things. For all of 5 minutes.

Basic yet blissful jungle camp with a glimpse of sunlight in Bukit Lawang, Sumatra

Camp Life & Carving

The pebbles in the area are soft, almost like smooth lumps of compacted clay. This means that they are easy to carve into with a pocket knife. 

Our guide showed us how to carve an orangutan face into a pebble and after a quick demo, left us to create our own. As a testament to his evident years of practice, he made it look easy. Our attempts were a different story altogether.

The evening meal was served, a hearty curry with rice, washed down with more sweet tea while sitting around the campfire. This was followed by several rounds of cards before heading off to bed.

Our guide taught us to carve an orangutan face in the soft rocks

Nosey Neighbours

On the morning of day two of our Bukit Lawang tour, we were greeted by the sun shining through the forest canopy which looked stunning coming through the smoke from the campfire. 

Our every movement was being watched by a local mob of macaques hoping to scavenge any scraps of food we may have dropped. They sat on the opposite side of the river bank waiting for their opportunity.

The overnight rain made the slopes even more slippery so hiking was a little tougher going than the previous day. I managed to stay clean for all of five minutes until I slipped in the mud!

The morning sun shining through the fire from our campfire and the jungle canopy

More Orangutans

It wasn’t long into the second morning of our orangutan tour until we saw another pair of orangutans high in the tree.

As I mentioned earlier in this article, there are two types of orangutans in Bukit Lawang; ones which had been rehabilitated and wild ones. 

Our guide had said that both of these orangutans had been born in the wild, so they would never come down from the trees. They don’t associate the jungle floor and humans with food. They carried on regardless and ignored our presence totally unlike the pair we saw yesterday.

Our Close Encounter

Later in the day, our guide spotted a solo orangutan in the distance walking on the jungle floor. Our guide recognised this orangutan, saying that she was an older female who had been rescued from the tourist trade and reintroduced to the wild.

Human interaction isn’t encouraged on the orangutan tour – in fact – it’s actively discouraged. However, this orangutan still associated humans with food so started to approach our group. 

Our guide stopped us about 15 metres from her, then told us to crouch down and keep totally still and silent until she lost interest. It was mindblowing to be this close to an orangutan – they are huge!

A sad throwback and realisation from her previous captive life meant that she kept trying to sit and pose for us. She hung about for a short while before realising we had nothing of interest and wandered back off into the jungle. But wow, just wow, what an experience!

A close-up look of the rehab orangutan at Bukit Lawang, Sumatra

Orangutans Don’t Like the Rain

Like clockwork, during the afternoon the rains came. This time a much larger downpour than yesterday.

Like humans, orangutans don’t like getting wet. Equally like us, they use umbrellas! It was almost comical to see a large adult, solitary orangutan pulling the big leaves from the surrounding trees over the top of its head to create shelter from the rain.

The rain also brought out some fairly large lizards. Monitor lizards are from the same family as the infamous Komodo dragons, although thankfully not as big and nor on a mission to bite us!

The big Monitor Lizards swimming at the water near to the camp

Watch Out for Thieves

Thoroughly soaked, we made it to the second camp. 

A cheeky and opportunistic Thomas leaf monkey decided to join us under our shelter. Not only wanting shelter from the rain, but it also had intentions to steal our lunch. 

After sitting a short while on the sidelines, planning its attack, the Thomas leaf monkey came right into our shelter and sat for a moment before grabbing a bag of rice. Promptly it was chased off dropping the bag as it went.

Looking back at us with a very disgruntled expression that not only had the monkey lost its bag of food but then had to sit out in the rain.

Close-up look of the cheeky Thomas leaf monkey at Sumatra

Taking the Tube Back to Bukit Lawang

Being from the UK, the term ‘taking the tube’ basically means that you’re going to catch the London Underground somewhere. In Bukit Lawang, it has a totally different meaning. 

We were near the end of our orangutan tour and time in the jungle, it was time to head back to camp via the river on inflated tyre inners – aka via Tube.

Five inner tyres lashed together with rope were ready to float us down the river and back to the town of Bukit Lawang. 

With our rucksacks put into watertight bags and fastened on, we all clambered onto our makeshift raft, side-by-side and off we went, down the rapids, past waterfalls, through the jungle and canyons back to base.

An exhilarating way to get home and a fantastic way to finish off the Bukit Lawang trek.

We arrived back at our accommodation, exhausted but ecstatic from our outstanding experience of seeing wild orangutans in Bukit Lawang. It was a phenomenal adventure on every level. If you want to see orangutans in Sumatra, I can 100% vouch for doing it here.

indonesia jungle tour

Other Things to Do in Bukit Lawang

Aside from doing a Bukit Lawang jungle trek, there are quite a few things to do in Bukit Lawang. I did a two day Sumatran orangutan tour and had a couple of days either side to do other activities in the area. 

Explore the Local Area

Depending on how far you want to walk, you’ll pass through plenty of forests including rubber plantations. Here you’ll see trees that still bear scars from where the bark was removed to get the latex – some still have channels dribbling the white sticky liquid out into a collection pot at the base of the trunk.

If you walk far enough you’ll reach the edges of the palm oil plantations where the jungle once stood. 

When you’re out walking be careful of the gangs of cheeky and overconfident macaques occasionally blocking the path near some of the guesthouses. Generally, they’ll keep their distance however if they can see or smell food, they will steal it from you.

A network of rickety bridges connects the town on each side of the river

Visit the Orphanage

You’ll pass a very cute little cluster of colourful buildings surrounded by well-cared-for gardens. 

Unfortunately, it was closed when I walked past – it was the holiday season –  but I was told by a local that you could visit the children here as well as make donations.

The colourful little orphanage in Bukit Lawang surrounded by garden with plants, trees and flowers

Go Into the Bat Cave

Look out the for the sign that says ‘Bat Cave’ made out of old bottle tops wedged in the ground. 

The cave is up a bit of a slope, so it might be a muddy slope up to the entrance. There is a little hut outside where you’ll pay a small fee (it was equivalent to about $5 when I visited). 

One of the local boys to take you inside the cave to show you the rock formations and the bats.

I recommend taking a torch with you.

Blue Bottle top sign near the Bat cave entrance

People Watch

This is one of my favourite things to do – just sitting and watching how the rest of the world lives.

If you happen to be in Bukit Lawang at the weekend, there will be a hive of activity down by the river. 

Find yourself a vantage point and watch what locals get up to at the weekend. The river is the hub for everything in Bukit Lawang and there will usually be dozens of children playing in the river. Tubing seems to be the most popular pass time with parents chilling on the river bank. It’s lovely to just be in the moment and watch how the locals spend their spare time.

A cute alien-faced kitten with a yellow color eyes in Bukit Lawang, Sumatra

Sumatra Orangutan Treks – FAQs

I’ve given you a ton of information about what to expect when you go to Bukit Lawang orangutan trekking.

This experience was one of the best jungle treks I’ve done, and although challenging in places, and getting leeches on my ankles, it was worth every minute of it. This section has answers to any other questions you might have about doing an orangutan tour.

Where Is the Best Place to See Orangutans in Indonesia?

If you’re wondering where to see orangutans in Indonesia, there are only a handful of places where you can see Orangutans in the wild. If you want to book one of the orangutan tours in Indonesia, the islands of Borneo and Sumatra both offer an authentic orangutan experience. 

When Is the Best Time to See Orangutans in Sumatra?

The best time to see orangutans in Sumatra is during the dry season, which typically occurs from June to September. During this time, the weather is more predictable, and orangutans are more active and visible in the rainforests, making it an ideal time for wildlife viewing.

Is Bukit Lawang Worth Visiting?

Yes! Bukit Lawang is definitely worth visiting if you want to do an orangutan tour in Indonesia. It provides some of the best opportunities to see orangutans in their natural habitat. The experience of wildlife exploration and trekking in Sumatra’s lush rainforest makes it a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts and wildlife lovers.

How Do I Get To Bukit Lawang?

To reach Bukit Lawang, fly to Kualanamu International Airport in Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia. Then, take a 4-5 hour drive by hiring a private car, using a shared taxi, or arranging a transfer with a tour operator or guesthouse, you can also go by public bus, but you’ll need to make a few connections. The journey, despite its length, offers scenic views of the region’s landscape.

How Far Is Medan From Bukit Lawang?

Medan is approximately 86 kilometres (about 53 miles) away from Bukit Lawang. However, despite the relatively short distance, the journey from Medan to Bukit Lawang takes around 4-5 hours depending on traffic conditions and the mode of transportation chosen, such as a private car, shared taxi, or public bus.

How Long to Spend in Bukit Lawang?

I recommend spending at least three days in Bukit Lawang to fully enjoy the experience. This allows for a two-day trek to see the orangutans in the rainforest and another day to explore the area and relax before and after the trek.

Is It Easy to Book Sumatra Orangutan Treks in Bukit Lawang?

Yes, it is relatively easy to book Sumatra orangutan treks in Bukit Lawang. There are several tour operators and guesthouses in the area that offer trekking packages. It’s advisable to book in advance, especially during peak seasons, to secure your preferred dates.

Is There Malaria in Bukit Lawang?

Bukit Lawang is not considered a malarial area, but there are many mosquitoes, especially during dusk and at night, which can transmit diseases like dengue fever. Take precautions such as using mosquito repellents and wearing protective clothing.

Are There Tigers in Bukit Lawang?

Yes, the Gunung Leuser National Park in Bukit Lawang is home to the endangered Sumatran Tiger, Sumatran Orangutan, Sumatran Elephant, and many other species, making it a vital conservation area with a diverse range of wildlife.

Is the Sumatra Orangutan Tour in Bukit Lawang Worth It?

A massive yes, yes, yes! The Bukit Lawang orangutan trekking experience is a definite must-do if you are travelling to Indonesia. 

It’s devastating to think these animals are so close to extinction. I knew the link between palm oil and deforestation after the high-profile campaigns, but it wasn’t until I saw the amount of deforestation happening in the region that it really hit home.

Bukit Lanwang and the Gunung Leuser National Park are a haven for so much Sumatran wildlife including the orangutans. I hope that one day, the palm plantation owners curb their greed and realise the importance of saving this habitat for future generations to enjoy.

True, Bukit Lawang, is a bit of a challenge to get to, but opting to do a Sumatra orangutan tour is 100% worth the effort. It also brings vital money into the local area, which in turn will help in establishing more ethical ways for the residents to make a living.

Jungle trekking in Sumatra was one of the most memorable things I experienced during my entire Indonesia trip, with memories that will stay with me for a lifetime. I certainly urge anyone to experience this for themselves one day.

Looking for more ideas to add to your Indonesia bucket list, here are some other great articles to help plan your trip.

  • The Most Epic Wildlife Encounters in the World
  • Hiking Mount Batur, Indonesia
  • The Ultimate Bali Bucket List
  • Read more about South-East Asia here

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Bukit Lawang Jungle Trekking, Sumatra Orangutan Tour: How to See Bukit Lawang Orangutans 4

Hey, I'm Becki......and I'm a self-confessed travel addict and experience connoisseur!

In other words, I’m a bucket-list traveller, on a mission to experience the best things our fabulous little planet has to offer with the least environmental impact.

When I'm not climbing mountains, scuba diving, spotting wildlife or exploring ruins, you'll probably find me sipping coffee, or with a glass of wine in hand planning my next adventure.

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Hiking & Trekking Tours & Trips in Indonesia

Take a hiking and trekking adventure through Indonesia (not far from Borneo and Malaysia ) and discover an exotic nation made up from thousands of volcanic islands, jungles and encompassing a multitude of cultures. Indonesia is the ultimate backpacking adventure!

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19 hiking & trekking tour packages in indonesia with 42 reviews.

Explore Paradise: 7-Day Bali Tour Discover Nusa Penida, Mt. Batur, Temple And Waterfall Tour

  • Hiking & Trekking
  • Christmas & New Year

Explore Paradise: 7-Day Bali Tour Discover Nusa Penida, Mt. Batur, Temple And Waterfall

Sumatra Adventure Tour

  • Mountain Hikes
  • In-depth Cultural

Sumatra Adventure

The tour was very interesting and instructiv. The guide was great.

Bali, Rinjani Climb & Gili Islands Tour

Bali, Rinjani Climb & Gili Islands

Volcano Adventure: A Trek to Mount Ijen & Mount Bromo (Private & All-inclusive) Tour

Volcano Adventure: A Trek to Mount Ijen & Mount Bromo (Private & All-inclusive)

Komodo & Flores Adventure Tour

Komodo & Flores Adventure

There is a lot of travelling between destinations in the mini-van but trust me, it is worth it to see or experience the things that other travellers will simply never ever get a chance to see.

Explore Bali and Komodo Island Tour

Explore Bali and Komodo Island

Mount Batur Sunrise Trekking Tour

Mount Batur Sunrise Trekking

3D2N Sailing Komodo Flores, Indonesia Tour

3D2N Sailing Komodo Flores, Indonesia

don't hesitate to book this tour, I highly recommend this tour

Bali 10 Days : Hidden Hills, Waterfalls, Temple and Rice Terrace Tour Tour

Bali 10 Days : Hidden Hills, Waterfalls, Temple and Rice Terrace Tour

Sunrises & Summits in Bali Tour

Sunrises & Summits in Bali

Tree House Tribes & Baliem Valley Tour

  • Local Living

Tree House Tribes & Baliem Valley

Treasures of the Archipelago Tour

  • Intl. Flights Included

Treasures of the Archipelago

  • Flights included

Between Sentani Lake, Highland Hiking, Birds of Paradise and the Unique Dani Pig Festival Tour

Between Sentani Lake, Highland Hiking, Birds of Paradise and the Unique Dani Pig Festival

Walk Indonesia - Java and Bali Tour

  • Walking Adventure
  • Jungle Trekking

Walk Indonesia - Java and Bali

  • 10% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Mount Batur Sunrise Jeep Private Tour & Natural Hot Spring Tour

Mount Batur Sunrise Jeep Private Tour & Natural Hot Spring

What people love about hiking & trekking tours in indonesia.

Really good experience !!! Not everything was perfect and some things should be improve .... Definitely bit too expensive. I paid about £280 while my friend ( we were both at the same boat) paid 150 euros (less than £150). How come??? She booked it online 2 months after me. Same boat, same trip, different price... Overall: highly recommended but should cost no more than £170. Lovely views, the amazing sunrise at Padar island, crystal clear water and Komodo dragon...!!!! :))))

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indonesia jungle tour

The Jungle Guide

Join our unforgettable trekking adventures in north sumatra.

Whether it’s an individual jungle trek , a completely pre-planned trip through North Sumatra or a specialised  photo tour for photographers and filmmakers – we make your holiday a magical experience – completely according to your ideas. We have a team of highly experienced guides who are looking forward to showing you their tropical home. Have a look!

Come with us into one of the world´s last remaining jungle paradises

Indonesia is home to one of the most important forests and biodiversity in the world. Matchless, the Leuser Ecosystem stretches at the core of the vast rainforest of Indonesians island Sumatra. Up to 10.000 feet tall the forest-covered mountains safeguard its inhabitants like a fortress.

The rainforest of Gunung Leuser National Park shelters some of the most endangered species on Earth. With countless plants and animals it remains the last stronghold of four of the planets most threatened species: The elusive Sumatran tiger, the world’s smallest rhinos, forest elephants and one of the smartest great apes in the world – the orangutans.

In Indonesian, “orangutan” means “person of the forest”.  Apart from Borneo, Sumatra is the last remaining habitat for orangutans anywhere on Earth. An idyllic place called Bukit Lawang is the gateway to that tropical paradise. Thanks to ecotourism, a significant part of this Indonesian rainforest is being preserved.

Have you always wanted to explore the rainforest and see Orangutans in the wild? Then join us on our trekking adventures in this most unique of wild spaces!

Jungle trekking, activities around bukit lawang, tours in north sumatra.

Find an overview of our treks & activities and their prices  here . 

Follow your Jungle Guide into your unforgettable jungle adventure!

With our offer we would like to give you a unique experience of the real tropical life of Indonesia! All our tours are sustainable,   variable and customisable to your personal wishes. 

No matter if you are a family with small children who needs an easy way through the jungle or a photographer who wants to find more secret places far from any other human being. All our guides grew up around Bukit Lawang and know the jungle like the back of their hand. No matter what you wish to experience, our team will bring your there safely.

We arrange your personal tailor-made travel!

You would like to know more about Gunung Leuser National Park and our offering?

Have a look at our  FAQ & feel free to contact us any time!

Your Jungle Guide Team

indonesia jungle tour

We, Anto & Senta, are an Indonesian ∼ German couple who loves nature, adventure, animals and traveling through the wilderness. Both of us couldn’t survive without any green around us, so Bukit Lawang is the perfect place for us to be. 

Our team of locals and we believe that community-based, ecological tourism is the only chance to preserve and protect the last remaining places of the wonderful Indonesian rainforest with its unique ecosystem and huge biodiversity. Only in Gunung Leuser National Park endangered animals like Sumatran orangutans, rhinos, Sumatran tiger, hornbills and elephants coexist together and find protection.

With our jungle treks and our incredible lovely team we would like to abduct you into that incomparable piece of nature to pass on knowledge about the importance of our rainforest and to share magical moments with you…

Individual & Variable

We arrange individual treks to satisfy your personal needs and wishes. All of our standard treks are variable, depending on your condition and requests. Our guides will do their best to make your personal jungle experience unforgettable.

Professional Local Experts

Our guides grew up in the area around Bukit Lawang and know every part of their jungle like the back of one's hand. All of them are licensed from the Indonesian Tourist Guide Association (HPI) and english speaking trekking guides.

Environmental Responsibility

Love of nature, respect and sustainability are our most important values. We do our best to keep the jungle clean and the wildlife safe to preserve the natural ecosystem of our rainforest.

Safety Comes First

Besides the endangered wildlife that we protect, of course we ensure your safety as our guests as well! All our guides are very experienced in the jungle and take no risks or rashness. For your safety our team will always consist of one guide and one assistant guide.

RELIABLE & QUALITY SERVICE

We offer top quality treks to pass on knowledge and experience about the rainforest. Our manager Sandi will always be on-site in Bukit Lawang to organise all your plannings and wishes. As well you can always call or contact us online.

SMALL GROUPS

In respect to the jungle and its wildlife and in respect to your individual wishes, our trekking groups consist of maximal 6 guests. Of course you can book private treks as well or join other groups if you are traveling alone.

Why Travel With Us

Travel with peace of mind, popular treks, individual treks, how to get there, where to stay, first time in indonesia, travel informationen.

The island kingdom of Indonesia houses a tropical mountain rainforest, active volcanoes amid spectacular mountain landscapes, fantastic beaches and one of the most diverse animal and plant worlds. Especially the island of Sumatra is a dream destination for nature-loving vacationers as well as for those who are interested in the traditional culture of Indonesia. Sumatra is one of the most diverse islands in Southeast Asia. You could spend years of discovering all its secrets…

Find the answers to all your questions

The mountainous National Park stretches in the north of Indonesian’s island Sumatra. Besides Borneo, it’s the last remaining place on earth where you can find Orangutans and Sumatran Tigers living in the wild . With thousands of species and plants, it is one of the most biodiverse rainforests in the world .

Rhinos, Tigers, Forest Elephants and Orangutans were once found together throughout Southeast Asia. But deforestation and poaching mean that Gunung Leuser National Park is now the only place in the world where they still coexist. Main reason for this is the  problematic cultivation of oil palms .

Will we make something so precious disappear forever, or take our last chance and protect it for our children and grandchildren?  Help us to have a positive impact on our most important ecosystem ∼ the rainforest ∼ and take part in our ecological tourism! 

Explore our jungle treks here .

Yes there are! 

Besides Borneo (Kalimantan), Sumatra is the last remaining habitat of our close relatives . There are different species of the compelling apes, like the Borneo Orangutan who found its habitat on the ground as there are no tigers left anymore on the island, or the Sumatran Orangutan who can be found swinging in the trees of Gunung Leuser National Park, behind Bukit Lawang.

Until 2015 there was a feeding platform at the entrance of the National Park to help orangutans, who lived in captivity, finding back into their natural habitat. These Orangutans are now the famous Semiwilds of Bukit Lawang . As they are used to humans, you might find them on nearly every jungle trek and watch their human likeness at close range. Some of these special semiwild orangutans have even had offspring since they were released into the wild. 

You are more interested in seeing  wild orangutans ? The chances to spot wild exemplars are quite good on our longer treks (two to four days) , as they use to live in the deeper forest. Sometimes they even come close to the borders of the national park, so if you’re lucky you can even see them on a one-day trek. But anyways they will keep their distance with us as they are more bashful than the semiwilds. 

If you would like to know more about the Sumatran Orangutans, Bukit Lawang and the rainforest of Southeast Asia, read more here or come to visit us in  the Indonesian rainforest!

All our jungle treks will lead into the mountains of Gunung Leuser National Park. Therefore, you need some basic fitness condition and healthy knees on all our treks. Our day tours are quite easy to walk, but for our 2-days trek (or more days) you should be in a good health condition and used to some exercises.

Don’t worry – your Jungle Guide will always be aware of your fitness & health condition and can choose a different trekking route through the National Park depending on your wishes.

Our youngest guest was just one year old, while our oldest guest past the 80s – all of them came back in full health and enjoyed their time in the jungle 😉

Are you confused what to bring on your jungle trek? Check out our packing list and trekking shoe recommendation ! Almost anything else that you might need is available in Bukit Lawang or the surrounding villages. 

We recommend staying at least 4 to 5 days in Bukit Lawang. Like that you will have enough time to join one of our unforgettable overnight jungle treks and to do some more activities in the beautiful surrounding of Bukit Lawang, like exploring waterfalls and the world’s biggest flowers. However, it’s always worth to stay longer!

If you are on a tight schedule, we would recommend you one of our day tours into the Gunung Leuser National Park and short trips around Bukit Lawang, like exploring the mystery Bat Cave or visiting the traditional Friday Market.

Do you plan your next stop in Tangkahan, Berastagi or Lake Toba? We are happy to arrange your transportation, maybe even in combination with one of our memorable activities like staying in the wooden treehouses of Rumah Pohon?

Directly in Bukit Lawang there is no ATM. Also, paying by card is not very commen and mostly not possible. So you will need some cash money in Bukit Lawang, especially if you didn’t book any tours in advance.

But don’t worry: The nearest ATM is a 20-minute walk or 5-minute tuk-tuk ride away from the centre of Bukit Lawang – in the Indomaret of Gotong Royong. Just ask the next local person who you meet on your way and he or she will be happy to show you the way.

If you travel in high season, we definitely recommend you to book your jungle trek or other activities in advance as many tourists will be in Bukit Lawang.

Anyways, for us it’s always helpful to plan the schedules of our jungle guides. You are not yet sure about your travel dates? We can always handle your booking flexibly – just let us know your rough plan.

If you want to come to Bukit Lawang without any booking, that is possible of course. There will be plenty of “guides” waiting for you at the bus station. Just be careful that you don’t join the first who comes along as some of them are no experienced or licensed guides.

If your travel plans in Indonesia contain a maximum of 30 days, you will automatically get a FREE tourist visa upon arrival at the airport! In any other case you will need a visa.

Check out Indonesians entrance and visa rules here .

We recommend vaccination against rabies. However, this is not mandatory! If you are bitten by an animal (regardless of whether you have a vaccination or not), you can get a rabies shot directly at the Bukit Lawang infirmary.

We recommend you to procure a travel and health insurance for your entire trip in case something happens. Hospital and doctor bills can be very high in Indonesia…

There is a small medical station and a pharmacy nearby Bukit Lawang. Anyways, in some cases it could be better to visit a hospital in Medan. So better be safe with an insurance!

Travel insurance is within the personal responsibility of each traveller and should cover injuries, accidents and the loss of personal belongings.

The Jungle Guide

Feel free to ask us anything you want to know!

25 Best Hikes In Indonesia: Volcanoes, Jungles, & Waterfalls

The best hikes in Indonesia feature smoking volcano craters, giant waterfalls, magnificent jungles, and exotic wildlife that can’t be found anywhere else on Earth.

This island nation is home to 400 volcanoes, more than any other country in the world, and most of these are open to tourists for hiking. Even though the most popular Indonesia volcano hike is probably Mount Batur in Bali, there are actually even better volcanoes to climb in places like Java , Maluku, Sulawesi , and Sumatra .

Indonesia has almost 20 percent of the world’s animal species, so there’s also a lot of endemic wildlife you can see here if you go trekking in the jungle, including the gentle orangutans and the beastly Komodo dragons!

I’ll never forget my first trip to Sulawesi, when I realized how many amazing hiking trails are waiting to be discovered in Indonesia if you just go off the beaten path and start exploring new islands.

Now that Indonesia is my second home (and my wife’s actual home!), I plan to keep this guide updated as we find more of the best hikes in Indonesia. If one of your favorite Indonesia hikes is missing from this list, you’re also welcome to recommend it in the comments at the bottom of this travel blog post!

Table of Contents show Best Hikes In Indonesia 1. Mount Bromo (East Java) 2. Kawah Ijen (East Java) 3. Tumpak Sewu Waterfall (East Java) 4. Kabut Pelangi Waterfall (East Java) 5. Sikunir Hill (Central Java) 6. Stone Garden Citatah (West Java) 7. Curug Cikanteh Waterfall (West Java) 8. Mount Dukono (North Maluku) 9. Kelimutu Lakes (Flores) 10. Komodo Island (Komodo) 11. Padar Island (Komodo) 12. Bukit Holbung (North Sumatra) 13. Bukit Lawang (North Sumatra) 14. Sipiso Piso Waterfall (North Sumatra) 15. Batu Baginda (Belitung) 16. Balancing Rock (Belitung) 17. Mount Karangetang (Siau) 18. Tangkoko National Park (North Sulawesi) 19. Mount Lokon (North Sulawesi) 20. Rammang Rammang Village (South Sulawesi) 21. Mount Batur (Bali) 22. Mount Agung (Bali) 23. Sekumpul Waterfall (Bali) 24. Kelingking Beach (Bali) 25. Mount Rinjani (Lombok) More Of The Best Hikes In Indonesia When Is The Best Time To Visit?  

Best Hikes In Indonesia

1. mount bromo (east java).

Mount Bromo is an epic Indonesia volcano hike in East Java, with stunning views of an entire cluster of volcanoes, as well as an active crater you can climb for close up views.

The easiest way to visit Bromo is to fly to Malang or Surabaya, and then book a day tour to Bromo from there.

A full day tour is enough time to see all the highlights of the park — the sunrise, jeep ride in the sea of sand, and hike to the volcano crater — and then you can even add the Madakaripura waterfall as a bonus to the itinerary.

Best Hikes In Indonesia Volcano Hike Trail Mount Bromo East Java

Mount Bromo in East Java

No hiking is required to see the classic main viewpoint at Mount Bromo, but if you want to get up close and peek inside of the smoking crater then you need to do a bit of hiking.

The full hike to the top of the Mount Bromo crater (starting from the sea of sand) takes about 1 hour, although you can speed it up if you ride a horse partway.

The last part of the hike has to be done on foot, and it’s a short but steep climb up a concrete stairway to the top of the crater.

Once at the top of the crater, you get to look directly into a smoking volcano, complete with the nasty sulfur smell!

Difficulty: Easy / Moderate

Read More: Mount Bromo Sunrise

Best Hikes In Indonesia Volcano Hike Trail Mount Bromo Crater East Java

The smoking Bromo crater is a quintessential Indonesia volcano hike.

2. Kawah Ijen (East Java)

The volcanic crater lake at Kawah Ijen is the world’s biggest acid lake, and it’s also famous for a crazy ‘blue fire’ phenomenon where you can see hot blue flame burning like lava in the dark.

Since Mount Ijen is located at the far east end of Java, it’s pretty easy to visit from Bali and other parts of Indonesia. Most people either visit Mount Ijen on an overnight tour from Bali, or do it as a road trip combined with Mount Bromo and other epic sights in East Java.

The hike to the Kawah Ijen volcano is all dirt and fairly steep, but the path is well defined and safe. You will definitely work up a sweat because of the incline, so for people who don’t do much hiking I’d rate it as moderate.

Best Hikes In Indonesia Volcano Hike Trail Kawah Ijen Crater Mount East Java

Kawah Ijen crater lake in East Java. One of the best hikes in Indonesia!

In total, the hike to see the lake takes about 1.5 hours depending on your pace. If you walk quickly I’m sure you could do it in 1 hour, and even slow hikers won’t take more than 2 hours to reach the lake.

A tour guide is not required for the hike, although it can be helpful to have one if you want to see the Kawah Ijen blue fire, which requires a midnight start, a gas mask, and some extra hiking time to go down inside of the crater.

For those of you who plan to skip the blue fire (like we usually do), you don’t need to start at midnight, although I would still recommend you start early and try to reach the Kawah Ijen crater lake for sunrise if you want the best views and pictures.

All in all, Mount Ijen is easily one of the best hikes in Indonesia!

Difficulty: Moderate

Read More: Kawah Ijen Crater

Kawah Ijen Gas Mask Volcano Toxic

Masked up at the Kawah Ijen crater lake in East Java.

3. Tumpak Sewu Waterfall (East Java)

The Tumpak Sewu waterfall in East Java is becoming famous as one of the most amazing waterfalls in Indonesia, or anywhere in Southeast Asia for that matter.

This thing is called a waterfall, but it’s more like a thousand waterfalls put together, which is why the name loosely translated from the local Java language means ‘many waterfalls.’

These falls thunder down into a horseshoe shaped jungle ravine that looks like something right out of Jurassic Park. The end result is an unmissable natural wonder!

Best Hikes In Indonesia Trail Tumpak Sewu Waterfall East Java

Tumpak Sewu Waterfall in East Java

After you get done admiring the falls from above, there’s a hiking path to go down and see the waterfall up close.

Head down the path for about 20 minutes to reach the bottom of the ravine. The path is mostly bamboo steps with bamboo railings, and it’s a little sketchy in spots, but nothing too terrible. Just proceed carefully.

Once you reach the bottom of the ravine, you’re only a 5-10 minute walk away from the main event at Tumpak Sewu waterfall. The towering walls on either side of the ravine let you know how tiny you are, and how epic things are about to get!

Read More: Tumpak Sewu Waterfall

Tumpak Sewu Waterfall Up Close East Java

Below the Tumpak Sewu waterfall

4. Kabut Pelangi Waterfall (East Java)

The hills and mountains in Java are full of amazing waterfalls, but one of the best is Kabut Pelangi waterfall in East Java.

This one is not quite as well known as Tumpak Sewu, but it’s at least as spectacular in my opinion, and many people visit it in conjunction with Tumpak Sewu on a day trip from Malang.

The hike to Kabut Pelangi takes about 45 minutes one way, and going back takes a bit longer because it’s a steep hillside. It’s not a very difficult track to the main waterfall, but the path can be hard to see sometimes, especially if you go during or soon after the rainy season.

We went in May and things were a little overgrown in places, and there were several stream crossings that required getting your feet wet. The path should improve as this spot becomes more popular.

In any case, Kabut Pelangi is well worth the trek. If you like waterfalls, then this is definitely one of the best hikes in Indonesia!

Read More: Kabut Pelangi Waterfall

Best Hikes In Indonesia Trail Kabut Pelangi Waterfall East Java

The impressive Kabut Pelangi Waterfall in East Java

5. Sikunir Hill (Central Java)

The Dieng Plateau is a natural wonder tucked in the highlands of central Java, Indonesia, not too far from the city of Yogyakarta.

This former caldera complex has everything from active volcanoes to ancient Hindu temples, smoking sulfuric springs, multicolored lakes, fresh mountain air, sunrise views, and endless terraces covering the hills in every direction.

Dieng means ‘Abode of the Gods,’ and that name seems about right for the incredible scale and mystery of this place!

Best Hikes In Indonesia Volcano Hike Trail Dieng Plateau Java Terraces

Dieng Plateau in central Java

One of the main attractions of Dieng Plateau is watching the sunrise over Mount Sundoro, one of Java’s active volcanoes.

The popular spot to do this is on Sikunir Hill, at the eastern edge of the plateau. Your driver can help you find the trailhead, and the path itself is pretty easy to follow.

From the car park, it’s a steep but short hike to the top of the hill, and only takes about 30-45 minutes. Even on a foggy day, the sunrise was beautiful!

Read More: Dieng Plateau

Sunrise Sikunir Hill Dieng Plateau Java

Sikunir sunrise in Java, with the Sundoro volcano in the background.

6. Stone Garden Citatah (West Java)

The Stone Garden Citatah is a popular tourist attraction in West Java where you can see a nice ‘garden’ of limestone rocks and peaks. The park can be reached in about 1 hour of driving from Bandung city.

Sadly this area is being overtaken by chalk mining factories, so it really needs better conservation. The air is even smoky and dark from the chalk factories.

There are a number of short and easy walking paths in the Stone Garden, including a bat cave called Gua Pawon, which has wild monkeys and interesting prehistoric artifacts inside.

Stone Garden Citatah West Java Bandung

Stone Garden Citatah in West Java

If you really want the best views of the whole area then you have to climb Tebing Masigit, the main peak in the park. The path starts near a little shack at the entrance of the rock park.

It’s steep and very overgrown, with weeds slapping you in the face, but you can reach the top in about 30 minutes. At the very end, you’re crawling on exposed limestone karsts, so it’s dangerous.

Proceed at your own risk! This peak is so small only one or two people can sit on it at a time. The views are amazing.

Best Hikes In Indonesia Trail Stone Garden Citatah West Java Drone

Drone selfie at the top of the Bandung Stone Garden. See me?

7. Curug Cikanteh Waterfall (West Java)

Curug Cikanteh is one of the biggest waterfalls at the Ciletuh Geopark in West Java, and it’s truly a giant.

This is part of a UNESCO-designated geopark loaded with nice waterfalls in Indonesia. It’s reachable by driving a half day from Jakarta, and there are some nice places to stay near the waterfalls.

The geopark takes a bit of effort to reach since it’s a 4-6 hour drive from Jakarta or Bandung, but once you get to there, you can reach this waterfall with 15 minutes of driving and then 15 minutes of hiking.

There’s also a steep mini path to climb to the base of the falls and see them up close, which takes an extra 5-10 minutes of hiking. If you go here in the late afternoon, you can even stand under a big rainbow!

Difficulty: Easy

Best Hikes In Indonesia Trail Curug Cikanteh Waterfall Ciletuh Geopark West Java Drone

Drone pic of Cikanteh waterfall in West Java

Curug Cikanteh Waterfall West Java

8. Mount Dukono (North Maluku)

Mount Dukono is a spectacular active volcano on the island of Halmahera, in North Maluku. It’s been erupting non-stop since 1933!

You can visit Dukono with a very long and strenuous day hike, but it’s more popular to spend a couple days camping on the mountain since it’s tough to reach and the views are incredible.

A local guide is essential for navigation and safety at Dukono.

Best Hikes In Indonesia Volcano Hike Trail Mount Dukono Gunung Drone North Maluku Halmahera

Drone pic of the erupting Dukono volcano in North Maluku. One of the best hikes in Indonesia!

In total, me and my guide spent about 12 hours hiking at Dukono, which was mostly an uphill trudge on rough volcanic terrain and slippery mud paths in the jungle. Along the way, we saw a python, monitor lizard, rare birds, and some giant centipedes.

Of course, we also got to crawl up to the edge of the Dukono crater and look inside while it was blowing out smoke and some red hot molten lava.

For your own safety though, don’t go near the crater if it’s shooting out lava rocks. Dukono occasionally spits out lava rocks, which land like bombs on the slopes of the crater, and a hit from one of these could be fatal.

As you may have guessed, the overall safety of this trek is questionable (to say the least), but there is no doubt it’s one of the best hikes in Indonesia! If you want to be extra safe, you can just view the volcano from a distance and not climb to the top of the crater.

The remote and difficult access to Dukono has made it less popular than Mount Bromo in Java, but on the plus side there are no crowds, so you’ll have the volcano all to yourself!

Difficulty: Hard

Read More: Mount Dukono Volcano Hike

Mount Dukono Volcano Hike Halmahera Maluku Indonesia

Apocalyptic views at the Dukono volcano

9. Kelimutu Lakes (Flores)

The Kelimutu National Park and its trio of multicolored crater lakes has to be one of the coolest sights on the island of Flores, Indonesia.

These are three volcanic lakes that are known to regularly change colors (to blue, green, pink, or brown!) because of changes in the underlying gases and elements. The Kelimutu lake colors change up to 6 times per year.

Most people visit these lakes by flying to Ende, driving to Kelimutu National Park, and then hiking the remaining 15-30 minutes to the lakes. The path is easy and good for all ages. Voilà, you’ve reached the lakes of Mount Kelimutu!

Read More: Kelimutu National Park

Best Hikes In Indonesia Volcano Hike Trail Kelimutu Lakes Drone Flores National Park

Kelimutu National Park is one of the most spectacular sights on Flores island

Best Hikes In Indonesia Volcano Hike Trail Kelimutu Twin Lakes Flores National Park

Up close with the Kelimutu Lakes

10. Komodo Island (Komodo)

The Komodo National Park in Indonesia is famous for being home to the beastly Komodo dragons, the world’s biggest lizard. It’s the only place in the world where you can see these animals.

You’ll go ashore at one of the two main islands where the dragons live in Indonesia (Rinca or Komodo island) and do a short trek looking for dragons while accompanied by a park ranger.

The trekking path is flat and suitable for all fitness levels.

Komodo Dragon Wildlife

You’re almost guaranteed to see at least a few dragons (after all, it’s Komodo island), and with the guide’s help you can even take pictures with them!

It’s an amazing experience getting to see these animals up close in the wild.

Read More: Komodo National Park

Komodo Dragon Wildlife Trek Best Hikes In Indonesia Trail

A wild dragon on Komodo island

11. Padar Island (Komodo)

Even though Padar is one of the smallest islands in the Komodo National Park, this scenic viewpoint has become a famous natural landmark of Indonesia, even being featured on the 50,000 Rupiah cash note.

This place looks just like dinosaur country, with rocky hills and giant bays and beaches that stretch out in all directions. The island looks like it has a giant X shape, with three bays where you can see a white beach, black beach, and pink beach.

Each of those sand colors is pretty special in itself, but to see all of them in one place is crazy. This is probably the only place in the world where you can witness that!

Best Hikes In Indonesia Trail Padar Island Viewpoint Komodo Labuan Bajo

The famous Padar Island viewpoint in Komodo National Park

The hike to the top of Padar Island is easily one of the best hikes in Indonesia, and it only takes about 20-40 minutes depending on your pace.

There’s a cobblestone path all the way to the top now, but it’s still a pretty steep and exhausting climb. Along the way, there are some viewpoints where you can stop to rest as you work your way to the top for the best view.

A tour of the Komodo islands wouldn’t be complete without doing this trek! You can visit Padar Island on a day tour, or you can spend a few days on a liveaboard boat seeing lots of islands.

The north side of Padar Island even has a pink beach with unique reddish sand that’s become another famous sight for tours in the Komodo National Park.

Read More: Padar Island Hike

Padar Path Komodo Labuan Bajo

The hiking path at Padar

12. Bukit Holbung (North Sumatra)

Bukit Holbung is a beautiful grassy green hill in North Sumatra where you can get panoramic views of Lake Toba from above.

A little known fact about Indonesia is that Toba is actually the biggest volcanic lake in the world, and Bukit Holbung has to be one of the best viewpoints along the outer edge of the lake!

The road to Bukit Holbung is very rough, so it’s not motorbike friendly. Better to come in a car. There’s a small entrance fee and then you’re free to roam.

Even a short 15 minute walk at Holbung gives you wonderful views without too much work, or if you’re a fit hiker you can reach the top of the hill in about 1 hour.

I love this hike. The scenery is like something from a fantasy movie — perfect green hills in all directions!

Bukit Holbung Hill Lake Toba North Sumatra Indonesia

The bright green hills of Bukit Holbung

Bukit Holbung Hill Lake Toba North Sumatra Indonesia

Is this Switzerland or Indonesia?!

13. Bukit Lawang (North Sumatra)

The sleepy little village of Bukit Lawang sits on the edge of the Gunung Leuser National Park, a big rainforest where you can go trekking and see all kinds of wonderful animals.

In two treks at Bukit Lawang we saw orangutans, gibbons, thomas leaf monkeys, long tailed macaques, monitor lizards, giant ants, a spectacular banyan tree, and other jungle sights.

Bukit Lawang is a great place to see orangutans in the wild, and even though you need to hire a local guide, it’s still pretty budget friendly.

If you want to see wildlife, a trek at Bukit Lawang is hands down one of the best hikes in Indonesia.

Best Hikes In Indonesia Trail Bukit Lawang Jungle Trekking Drone Sumatra Gunung Leuser National Park

Drone pic of Gunung Leuser National Park

The jungle trekking difficulty at Bukit Lawang is not too bad, but it’s harder than I expected. This isn’t like Tangkoko National Park where you can walk on flat ground all the way and burn minimal calories while enjoying the wildlife.

There are some steep hill sections at Lawang where your legs will get a big workout, and the ground can be muddy and nasty sometimes with thorns and leeches. The daytime humidity can also be crazy.

Don’t let this scare you away! It all adds to the experience. If you don’t think your fitness level is there, I’d recommend doing the 1 day trek instead of 2 days. You’ll still most likely see orangutans!

Read More: Bukit Lawang Trekking

Sumatran Orangutan Wildlife Trek Bukit Lawang Indonesia Sumatra Gunung Leuser National Park

You can see orangutans while trekking at Bukit Lawang

14. Sipiso Piso Waterfall (North Sumatra)

The Sipiso Piso waterfall is a 120 meter (400 foot) giant that flows into the famous Lake Toba in North Sumatra, surrounded by farms and highland scenery.

It definitely belongs on any road trip itinerary for Lake Toba or Sumatra, and you can even visit it on a day trip from Medan city.

You get nice panoramic views from the parking lot, but the hike down to the bottom of the falls is also worthwhile if you have time.

Best Hikes In Indonesia Trail Sipiso Piso Waterfall Berastagi North Sumatra Toba

Drone view of Sipiso Piso Waterfall

Hiking to Sipiso Piso waterfall only takes about 30-40 minutes each way, and you can get some even better pictures at the bottom. The path is pretty worn, but still mostly paved.

There are a bunch of scenic viewpoints along the way to Sipiso, but the most amazing thing is to see the waterfall up close.

You can walk directly to the edge of the falls, where there’s a huge amount of wind and spray!

Read More: Sipiso Piso Waterfall Hike

Sipiso Piso Waterfall Berastagi North Sumatra

Sipiso Piso Waterfall in North Sumatra

15. Batu Baginda (Belitung)

The Batu Baginda hike may be one of the shortest trails I’ve done in Sumatra, but it’s still one of the best hikes in Indonesia.

The views are so extraordinary. This hike on Belitung island takes you to the top of an incredibly massive granite boulder overlooking the jungle.

The views from the top are nice, but if you have a drone that’s even better, because you can take some aerial selfies to see how tiny you look on top of the boulders!

Best Hikes In Indonesia Trail Batu Baginda Belitung Boulder

Drone selfie atop Batu Baginda

The hike to the top of the Baginda rock is short, but steep. If you keep a good pace, it only takes about 15 minutes or so.

Once you reach the rock, there’s a ladder and rope to climb. It looks scary at first, but it’s actually not hard to manage.

At the top, there’s a nice breeze and you have views of the mountains to the north, the Java Sea to the south, lots of jungles and palm oil plantations below, and another giant rock in the distance!

Read More: Batu Baginda Hike

Best Hikes In Indonesia Trail Batu Baginda Belitung Boulder

The giant granite boulders of Batu Baginda in Belitung

16. Balancing Rock (Belitung)

This is another short and easy hike in Belitung island where you can see some giant granite boulders.

The balancing rock is not too far from Belitung’s popular Tanjung Tinggi Beach, so it’s easy to combine with other sights on the island.

From the road, it’s just a short 10 minute hike to reach the rock, and at the top you get nice views of the surrounding countryside too.

This boulder is massive, and great for pictures from pretty much any angle!

Read More: Belitung Island

Balancing Rock Belitung

The balancing rock is one of the most peculiar sights in Belitung Island

Balancing Rock Belitung

Another angle of the Belitung balancing rock. Balinese woman power.

17. Mount Karangetang (Siau)

Gunung Karangetang is a beautiful Jurassic Park-looking volcano that dominates the island of Siau in North Sulawesi, Indonesia.

You can’t go anywhere on tiny Siau island without seeing this majestic volcano and its twin smoking craters. If you’re lucky, you may even get to see it spouting molten lava and rock bombs at night, which it does pretty often.

Karangetang is a highly active volcano — probably one of the most active volcanoes in the world. The local guides are knowledgeable and any seismic activity is monitored by the Indonesian government, but there is still plenty of risk involved in climbing this mountain.

Best Hikes In Indonesia Volcano Hike Trail Pulau Siau Island Mount Karangetang Gunung North Sulawesi

Smoking twin craters on Mount Karangetang in Siau island

You can climb to the top of Karangetang if you’re feeling extra crazy, but to be safe most people only hike partway up the mountain and peep at the smoking craters from a distance (and even that’s a bit risky).

Climbing any volcano in Indonesia carries some danger obviously, but this one is unusually active, so proceed at your own risk.

Guide Climbing Mount Karangetang Gunung Siau

Climbing the volcano

When I hiked Karangetang in 2021, no one had done the climb recently because of the lack of tourists during the pandemic, so the jungle was extremely overgrown and the guides had to hack through it with machetes.

We started our hike in the early morning and it took about 2.5 hours going up. For safety reasons we didn’t go to the top of the summit, but instead stopped at a vantage point below it where I could fly my drone up and look at the summit safely.

The sunrise on Karangetang was amazing, and so were the drone pictures! It was one of my favorite experiences in Sulawesi, and that’s why I rate it as one of the best hikes in Indonesia.

Difficulty: Moderate / Hard

Read More: Siau Island

Best Hikes In Indonesia Volcano Hike Trail Pulau Siau Island Mount Karangetang Gunung North Sulawesi

Smoking twin craters at Gunung Karangetang

18. Tangkoko National Park (North Sulawesi)

The Tangkoko National Park is a big nature reserve on the northeast tip of Sulawesi island in Indonesia, not too far from Manado city.

This park covers more than 8,700 hectares (21,000 acres) of fantastic jungle, and there are hundreds of unique animal species living in the area. It’s a great place for jungle trekking in Indonesia.

The best part about the Tangkoko Nature Reserve is that it’s super easy to visit on a budget, and wildlife sightings are practically guaranteed. This park is a 1 hour drive from Manado.

Best Hikes In Indonesia Trail Tangkoko National Park Nature Reserve Jungle Trek North Sulawesi Manado

Tangkoko National Park in North Sulawesi

The only way to explore Tangkoko park is on a guided walking tour that lasts about 4 hours. Hiring a guide is required for this, but any hotel or lodge at Tangkoko can easily arrange a guide for you.

The jungle walk is pretty straightforward and not strenuous at all. It follows a flat path through the jungle that is mostly paved at first, and then at times cuts through the trees on a dirt path.

I spent two days exploring the park, and in total I saw at least 50 black Sulawesi macaques, rare birds (kingfishers, owls, and hornbills), lizards, snakes, cicadas, tarsiers, and more!

Read More: Tangkoko National Park

Monkey Macaque Tangkoko National Park Nature Reserve North Sulawesi Indonesia

You can see monkeys and lots of other wildlife while trekking at Tangkoko National Park

19. Mount Lokon (North Sulawesi)

Mount Lokon is an active volcano crater in Tomohon, about 1 hour of driving from the main city of Manado in North Sulawesi.

You can reach the crater at the top of the mountain after about 60-90 minutes of uphill hiking, so it’s not too difficult, although a guide can still be helpful for navigation.

For most of the hike, you’ll be walking through an old lava flow that looks pretty neat but can be slick when it’s wet. We’ve gotten rained on every time we’ve climbed Lokon.

Overall, it’s a great hike to do in North Sulawesi, and it’s one of the easier volcano hikes in Indonesia!

Mount Lokon Tomohon North Sulawesi

Mount Lokon as seen from a hill near Tomohon in North Sulawesi

Mount Lokon Tomohon North Sulawesi

The Lokon crater

20. Rammang Rammang Village (South Sulawesi)

Rammang Rammang Maros is a special village in the karst mountains of South Sulawesi, Indonesia.

The scenery at this place is really mind blowing. Watch out for dinosaurs. You never know what you might see here.

This is one of the biggest karst areas in the world, right behind the Tsingy area in Madagascar and Shilin in China.

Best Hikes In Indonesia Trail Rammang Rammang Maros South Sulawesi Makassar

Rammang Rammang Maros in South Sulawesi

The best way to explore Rammang is on foot and by traditional boat. There are walking paths that you can use to reach all of the main objects of interest, and the trails are pretty flat. The only challenge is the midday heat, which can be pretty intense.

You can see many of the highlights of the Rammang area in one full day trip from Makassar city, but if you want to see everything you’ll need a couple days.

It’s a spectacular area where you can see karst mountains, prehistoric cave art, a green lake, and a sparkling limestone cave. This village trek is one of the best hikes in Indonesia.

Read More: Rammang Rammang

Goa Leang Surukang Cave Sulawesi Rammang Rammang

Leang Surukang cave — one of many caves you can see while trekking at Rammang Rammang

21. Mount Batur (Bali)

Mount Batur in Bali is probably the most popular hike in Indonesia, at least for international tourists. The views honestly aren’t near as amazing as some of the other volcano hikes in Indonesia, but it’s still a very nice trek.

One of the great things about the Batur volcano hike is that it’s not very hard and you don’t need to be super fit to do it. The entire hike takes about 2 to 4 hours roundtrip, depending on your pace.

At the top of the volcano, you can see lots of cheeky monkeys and even cook eggs for breakfast by using heat vents from the active volcano.

Best Hikes In Indonesia Volcano Hike Trail Mount Batur Bali Drone

Drone picture of Mount Batur in Bali

Lots of tour packages for Mount Batur are available that include hotel pickup and dropoff, plus a guide for the trip.

The locals in Kintamani actually force you to hire a guide for this hike, even though it’s not really necessary at all. There are ways you can do it without a guide if you’re feeling sneaky and know the right route.

Sunrise trekking is especially popular at Batur because you can catch amazing views of the sunrise from the top of the mountain, usually in a sea of orange clouds.

All in all, Batur is a great introduction to volcano hiking before you start doing some of the bigger volcanoes of Indonesia!

Read More: Mount Batur Hike

Kintamani Monkey Mount Batur Bali

Even monkeys love the view at Mount Batur !

22. Mount Agung (Bali)

Mount Agung is the biggest and baddest volcano on the island of Bali, Indonesia, and the hike to the top is no joke.

This mountain is the highest point in Bali, and at 3,142 meters it’s also one of the top 100 prominent peaks on Earth. No matter where you start, this is a very strenuous hike with at least 1,500 meters of elevation gain. Your legs will be jello.

At the top, you get to stand on the edge of the crater rim and look straight down into a huge smoking 900-meter-wide active volcano crater.

Best Hikes In Indonesia Volcano Hike Trail Mount Agung Crater Drone Bali

Drone view of the Mount Agung volcano in Bali

Sunrise tours at Agung start with a very early pickup (maybe 11 PM-ish) so your guide can drive you to the trailhead for a hike to the top of the volcano in time for sunrise.

This means you’ll be operating on very light sleep (if any at all), compounding the difficulty of the whole trek. Ever tried staying up all night while hiking for 8-12 hours on an extremely steep, rocky volcano in the dark? Chances are, probably not.

The last part of the hike involves scrambling up on all fours. This is the hardest part, and some spots are steep enough to be dangerous if you’re not careful, especially since you’re hiking in the dark. A good headlight and guide are essential here.

I’ll never forget the first time I climbed Agung: I was clinging to the side of a steep volcano alone in the dark, half asleep and beat to pieces, when the sky turned orange and I realized I was high above the clouds. It was a really special moment.

This is definitely my favorite hike in Bali, and it’s also one of the best hikes in Indonesia.

Read More: Mount Agung Hike

Mount Agung Crater Bali

Looking into the crater of the Mount Agung volcano. What a hike.

23. Sekumpul Waterfall (Bali)

Sekumpul waterfall is a big twin waterfall in north Bali, with two 80 meter tall (260 foot) streams pouring out of the jungle treetops.

If you’re looking for the biggest and best waterfall in Bali, this is probably it! To top it off, you get to see some of the most scenic jungles and rice terraces on the island as you hike to the falls.

The locals in this village will try to make you hire an expensive guide to go see the falls, but it’s not necessary at all unless you just want someone to take pictures for you (they’re happy to do that if so).

Sekumpul Waterfall Bali

Sekumpul Waterfall in Bali

I wrote a dedicated blog post for Sekumpul waterfall that explains how to do the hike without hiring a local guide.

The hike to Sekumpul waterfall is pretty straightforward, although the steep path up and down is a big workout. It takes about 30-60 minutes to get there, depending on where you start.

Before you even start the hike, you’ll be taking dozens of pictures. The views in north Bali are incredible — steep green mountains and rice terraces in all directions!

There are no less than 7 waterfalls to see in the Sekumpul area, so it’s one of the best hikes in Indonesia if you like waterfalls!

Read More: Sekumpul Waterfall Hike

Sekumpul Waterfall Bali

Up close with the Sekumpul falls

24. Kelingking Beach (Bali)

The Kelingking Cliff in Nusa Penida island is easily one of the most famous views anywhere in Bali. If you’re staying in Bali, you should definitely go see it!

It’s possible to visit Kelingking on a day trip from Bali, or you can spend several days seeing all of the other amazing sights in Nusa Penida island , which is located near Bali.

After you’re done staring in awe at the Kelingking Cliff, there’s also a sketchy path with stairs to hike down to the pristine white sand beach at the bottom.

The Kelingking beach hike is a major workout and takes at least 2 hours roundtrip. The stairs are very steep and the drop-offs are a legit safety risk if you aren’t careful. Be safe and have fun!

Read More: Kelingking Beach Hike

Kelingking Beach Cliff Point Nusa Penida Bali

The famous Kelingking Cliff in Nusa Penida , Bali

25. Mount Rinjani (Lombok)

Of course I can’t make a list of the best hikes in Indonesia without mentioning Mount Rinjani in Lombok!

This is an epic Indonesia volcano hike with a bunch of different trekking routes. There’s lots of elevation gain and it’s a very strenuous hike, no matter how you slice it.

A local guide is required, and they can also help carry your gear up the mountain for you. Trekking packages can be as short as 2 days, or as long as 5 days. The sweet spot is probably a 3 day trek, which allows you to see and do plenty.

On this trek, you usually get to climb to the summit of the Rinjani volcano, and then camp at the quiet lake inside of the crater!

Book Now: Mount Rinjani 2-Day Trek

More Of The Best Hikes In Indonesia

Thanks for looking! I hope you enjoyed this list of some of the best hikes in Indonesia!

I’ve barely scratched the surface here, and the list is always growing as we experience more of the volcanoes, waterfalls, jungles, and other hikes in this amazing country.

In the meantime, don’t forget to check out my complete Indonesia Travel Guide for more tips, photos, and blog updates about Indonesia!  

When Is The Best Time To Visit?

The best time to visit Indonesia depends on what you’re looking for:

☁ Rainy season runs from November to April. The weather during the day can be hot and humid, at 32 to 35 °C (90 to 95 °F), but it’s less crowded during this time, and the rain is mostly at night. Waterfalls come alive, and the landscapes are bright green.

☀ Dry season runs from May to August. The temperatures are milder and cooler, and it’s more breezy and sunny. This is the nicest weather, and it’s perfect for an Indonesia volcano hike or island hopping. It’s also the high season, so it’s generally more crowded with tourists.

Happy travels! Regardless of when you decide to visit Wonderful Indonesia, you’re sure to see some spectacular sights.  

  • Most Beautiful Indonesian Islands – Best Places To Visit In Indonesia
  • Best Things To Do In Indonesia – What To Do In The Islands
  • Indonesia Waterfall Guide – Best Waterfalls In Indonesia
  • Indonesia Beach Guide – Best Beaches In Indonesia
  • Indonesia Travel Guide – Tips, Info, & Photos

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Hi 🙂, I really like your articles very informative for travel enthusiasts like me, thanks and keep sharing such articles.

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This is exactly what I was looking for thanks!

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Great! Welcome!

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I just came back from climbing Gunung Latimojong in Sulawesi. It is lower than Rinjani at 3478m asl. We climbed from Desa Angin Angin and came down via Desa Karangan. The views were stunning especially when traversing the mountain ridge. You have to be fairly fit to undertake this trek.

Thanks for sharing! I bet that was a great hike.

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