5-Day, 4-Night Jungle Trekking in Bukit Lawang – The Ultimate Sumatra Rainforest Adventure
Location: Bukit Lawang, Gunung Leuser National Park, North Sumatra, Indonesia
Duration: 5 Days / 4 Nights
Trek Type: Deep jungle exploration, wild camping, wildlife watching
Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging (daily hikes 4–6 hrs, uneven terrain)
Focus: Wildlife encounters, jungle survival, deep rainforest immersion
Tour Description
Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed but are highly likely, especially for orangutans.
There are many mosquitos in the jungle. Make sure put on some mosquito spray or repellent. We can obtain the local mosquito repellent in any shop in Bukit lawang. The DEED max only 13%. If you need higher deed or stronger mosquito repellent, you need to obtain it yourself.
There will be some leeches on this area as well.
Day 1: Welcome to the Jungle – Entering Gunung Leuser
Morning:
-
Meet your guide at your Bukit Lawang guesthouse after breakfast.
-
Receive a safety briefing, jungle trekking guidelines, and get your national park permit.
-
Start your trek into the park around 9:00 AM.
Trekking Highlights:
-
Gradual ascent into the primary rainforest.
-
Look for semi-wild orangutans, macaques, and Thomas leaf monkeys.
-
Stop at scenic viewpoints overlooking the jungle canopy.
Lunch:
-
Enjoy a jungle-style lunch of nasi goreng (fried rice), tropical fruits, and snacks.
Afternoon:
-
Continue deeper into the jungle, observing wildlife, learning about native medicinal plants, and listening to the sounds of the rainforest.
Evening:
-
Arrive at your first jungle camp—usually near a small river or waterfall.
-
Swim or wash in the stream while the cook prepares a hearty dinner.
-
Sleep in a jungle shelter (tent/tarp), under the forest canopy.
Total trekking: ~5–6 hours
Overnight: Camp 1 (near river)
Wildlife focus: Orangutans, macaques, hornbills
Day 2: Gibbon Calls & Deeper Jungle Exploration
Morning:
-
Wake up to the calls of gibbons echoing through the forest.
-
Jungle breakfast: toast, eggs, or banana pancakes with tea or coffee.
-
Begin a full day trek further into the heart of the park, away from common tourist routes.
Trekking Highlights:
-
Steeper trails and thicker jungle.
-
Greater chance of seeing white-handed gibbons, monitor lizards, and possibly wild boars.
-
Learn jungle survival skills: how to use vines for water, make natural rope, build shelter.
Lunch:
-
Jungle lunch at a rest point under towering fig trees.
Afternoon:
-
Continue to a remote campsite, often near a jungle pool or hidden waterfall.
-
Cool off with a swim or rest in the shade.
Evening:
-
Cook dinner over a fire.
-
Night walk possible for spotting insects, frogs, or civet cats (if not too tired).
Total trekking: ~6–7 hours
Overnight: Camp 2 (deep jungle)
Wildlife focus: Gibbons, snakes, giant ants, flying squirrels (if lucky)
Day 3: Wildlife Tracking & Rain forest Immersion
Morning:
-
Early start with another fresh breakfast.
-
Today is focused on tracking animal movements, following trails, and deepening your connection with the jungle.
Trekking Highlights:
-
High chance of seeing more orangutans in the wild, especially mothers with babies.
-
Follow trails used by forest elephants (very rare, but signs like dung may be visible).
-
Spot birdlife like rhinoceros hornbills, eagles, and forest kingfishers.
Lunch:
-
Enjoy fried noodles or jungle-style curry and fruits.
Afternoon:
-
Set up camp near a river for an extended rest.
-
Free time to journal, swim, or chat with your guide about the ecosystem.
Evening:
-
Candle-lit dinner and optional storytelling or night jungle observation.
Total trekking: ~4–5 hours
Overnight: Camp 3 (near river or pool)
Wildlife focus: Wild orangutans, birds, jungle insects, maybe porcupine tracks
Day 4: Return Route Through New Trails + Jungle Campfire
Morning:
-
Trek on a different route heading gradually back toward the outskirts of the jungle.
-
Your guide will help identify species you may have missed: termites, pitcher plants, rare fungi.
Lunch:
-
Jungle lunch in a scenic spot near a giant tree or natural clearing.
Afternoon:
-
Arrive at your final camp, not far from Bukit Lawang.
-
You’ll notice the jungle slowly transitioning as you approach the edge of the park.
Evening:
-
Special campfire dinner to celebrate your last night in the jungle.
-
Share stories, reflect, and enjoy your last evening surrounded by wild sounds.
Total trekking: ~5 hours
Overnight: Camp 4 (near Bohorok River)
Wildlife focus: Lesser-seen plants, rare birds, insects
Day 5: Tubing Adventure & Return to Bukit Lawang
Morning:
-
Final jungle breakfast with pancakes, coffee, and fruit.
-
Pack up camp and prepare for your exit.
Tubing Adventure:
-
Instead of hiking back, float down the Bohorok River on large inner tubes, guided by your porters.
-
Pass jungle cliffs, local kids swimming, and hear birds above as you gently drift back to Bukit Lawang.
Arrival:
-
Return to your guesthouse by midday or early afternoon.
-
Enjoy a hot shower, lunch, and a well-earned rest.
Optional: Receive a trekking certificate and photo with your guide team.
Trekking: ~2–3 hours (optional short hike)
Tubing: 45 minutes – 1 hour
Final Notes:
Physical fitness is required for this trek. While not extreme, the humid jungle conditions, uneven terrain, and long days require stamina.
Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but Gunung Leuser has some of the best chances in Asia to see orangutans in the wild.
This is a low-impact, eco-conscious trek. Please carry out all non-biodegradable waste and respect wildlife distance rules.
What kind of animal you might see?
-
Sumatran Orangutans (semi-wild and wild)
-
Thomas Leaf Monkeys
-
Long-tailed and Pig-tailed Macaques
-
Monitor Lizards
-
Gibbons
-
Hornbills and other exotic birds
-
Wild boars and forest insects
THINGS YOU NEED TO BRING
- Camera
- Walking Shoes
- Toilet Papers
- Large Bottlewater
- Mosquito Repellent
- Sunscreen
- Extra Dried change Clothes
- Swimming Clothing
Stayed with our partner accommodation in Bukit Lawang and Berastagi. Very Comfortable and affordable.
Lets us organize it for you..
SEMPURNA GUEST HOUSE- BUKIT LAWANG: 350.000 IDR / Night | 2px with breakfast : Stay on our partner accommodation is very easy and affordable. Surrounded by the green jungle of sumatra on the river bank across the Gunung Leuser National Park. The sounds of the river will accompany you trough your stay. Nice breeze from the rainforest and seeing the wild animals comes down to the river to drink some water can seen occasionally
ECO LODGE BUKIT LAWANG: 500.000 IDR| 2px with Breakfast: Stay on our partner accommodation is very easy and affordable. Surrounded by the green jungle of sumatra on the river bank across the Gunung Leuser National Park. The sounds of the river will accompany you trough your stay. Nice breeze from the rain forest with lots of monkey coming to the jungle look garden
NACHELLE HOMESTAY- BERASTAGI : 350.000 IDR| 2px with Breakfast: Stay on our partner accommodation is very easy and affordable. Situated at very quite Housing complex. Little further away from the main Berastagi activities but still have a really good access to many different shops and food vendors. The homestay provide meal as well. Very spacious clean and Mount Sibayak and Mount Sinabung views
Add extra to your travel arrangements will give you discounted prices with hassle free. Lets us organize it for you..
- Pick up and Transfer back to the Airport : 750.000 IDR | fit 4 px with luggage| one way
-
Village Day Tour : 350.000/ person | go around the village by tuk tuk to interact and observe the daily life of the locals. visit the Tofu and tempeh home production, palm leaf and bamboo weaving, try out some the durian fruit or young coconut, observing the palm sugar home production
-
Batcave and Landak River: 300.000| person. It is one hour walking distance from Bukit lawang. A dark cave with very beautiful shape of stalactite and stalagmite rocks. it takes 2 hours to complete the cave tour
- Sumatra Elephant Sanctuary: Get along and participate in one of the Sumatran Elephant activity at the border of the national park Tangkahan. Walk with the elephant to the river trough the Sumatra jungle, then bath the elephant in the river. This activity is 8.30 am and 3.30 pm. For the walking and bathing the elephant, the CRU will charge for 1.000.000 IDR, 600.000 IDR for only bathing the elephant. We will organized the transport to go and back to Bukit lawang village for 1.200.000, IDR. The car fit 4px max. Lunch will be provided
- Volcano Hike Mount Sibayak – BERASTAGI: 500.000 IDR| 2px Min. You need to be in Beratagi to do this Tour. Climb a magnificent active volcano in Berastagi Region- Mount Sibayak. Suitable almost for everyone. The summit is only 2200 meter. You could do it early in the morning for the sunrise or at anytime during the day. Volcano views with many Fume Holes all over the crater. Take a dip into the Thermal bath pond at the bottom of the mountain on your way down.
What Wildlife Might You See?
-
Sumatran Orangutans (semi-wild and wild)
-
Thomas Leaf Monkeys
THINGS YOU NEED TO BRING
- Camera
THINGS YOU NEED TO BRING
- Camera