Half day trek in Bukit Lawang

Typical Itinerary

Checking out the rubber trees bordering the national park.

After a relaxing night at your guest house or homestay and an early morning breakfast, your guide will collect you at 8am and take you into the Gunung Leuser National Park to begin your adventure. This trek will begin in the village leading you to the park boundary where rubber and durian plantations and community forests border the park.

Here the terrain consists of gentle sloping foothills. Depending on the time of year you may encounter wild orangutans and other primates such as long-tailed macaques, pig-tailed macaques and silver langurs in this area, as they come out to raid the fruit of these plantations.

While your guide will happily discuss the human-wildlife conflicts that happen in these areas, we encourage you to move through these areas swiftly as this is where a large majority of tourists are taken to see orangutans and often becomes crowded.

As you enter the National Park itself your guides will point out fauna and flora of interest, including tracks and signs of wildlife and stories passed down over the generations of our family. Although only 3 hours long, you will still get a sense of the majesty of the forest with large dipterocarp trees, swinging lianas and plenty of wildlife to see. You will want to stop frequently to watch wildlife but please remember we enforce strict rules on maintaining a safe distance and time in close proximity to the orangutans (read the wildlife watching guidelines here).

You have the option at the time of booking to walk back to your accommodation or float back down the river on a rubber tube raft steered by your expert guides.

This short trek is most suitable for people of limited fitness, those short on time or those not excited by the prospect of sleeping out in the jungle
We can adjust the challenge of the trek according to your wishes but remember this is a hill forest and all treks include some challenging ascents and descents to differing degrees, which are often muddy at times of rain. Sturdy footwear and a good level of fitness is a must.

Wild infant orangutan in Bukit Lawang

Long-tailed macaques are a common site in the jungle.

What’s included?

Entrance fee permit to the National Park, expert guides, camera tax (payable to the National Park).
1.5l mineral water.
Seasonal fruit snack.
Rubber tube rafting (optional).
Not suitable for guests with reduced mobility.
Please bring sun block, a good insect repellent, camera with waterproof bag.
Minimum of 3 people up to a maximum of 8.
Single supplements apply so we may recommend joining with other solo travellers.