Bukit Lawang Orangutan Trek
- 4 Days
Easy-Moderate
Bukit Lawang Orangutan Trek is the place if you would like to see the wildlife and birding in Sumatra. It is part of Gunung Leuser National Park in north Sumatra. Here you can see some wildlife.
Bukit Lawang Orangutan Sanctuary
The Bukit Lawang Orangutan Sanctuary is the main attraction of the village. The sanctuary was established in 1973 to protect the orangutans from extinction due to illegal hunting and deforestation. The sanctuary has since then become a haven for these endangered animals. Here, visitors can witness the orangutans in their natural habitat.
Moreover, one of the highlights of the Bukit Lawang Orangutan trek is the easiest place to see the Thomas Leaf Monkey in the wild. These are beautifully marked monkeys, with contrasting black, grey, and white bodies and faces. “Leaf-eating monkeys” are usually pretty shy and stick to the canopy as they eat leaves. They rarely come down to the ground or get used to humans, (as do the more omnivorous Macaques). But in Bukit Lawang, especially around the rubber plantation just outside the rainforest, you can encounter when you go on a jungle walk.
Orangutan Trek Difficulty
The orangutan trek in Bukit Lawang offers an exhilarating journey through the dense rainforest of Sumatra. With varying levels of difficulty, ranging from gentle walks to strenuous hikes. Visitors can choose the path that best suits their fitness level. There are shorter and easier treks available that still offer sightings of orangutans. These treks also cater to families with young children or elderly travelers who may not be able to undertake more challenging hikes.
Birding
Birds are generally easier to see in rubber plantations on the way to the rainforest. Birds include Drongo, Starlings, and Bulbuls around the main lodge and ranger station. We suggest doing a 4-5 day trip here with 1 – 2 nights overnight in the jungle. if you are a bird-watching enthusiast we advise you to also visit Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park.
In addition to trekking, Bukit Lawang also offers other activities such as tubing down the Bohorok River, visiting nearby waterfalls, and exploring local villages.
After breakfast then driving about more or less 3 hours or about 85 km way in some bumpy road plantation area passing rubber and palm oil plantation. Upon your arrival in Bukitlawang, check in at the lodge and preparing for lunch as well as continue for afternoon trek to the jungle after lunch. It’s time looking for orangutan, Thomas Leaf Monkey, Siamang Gibbon and many others. Back to the lodge for overnight. Notes: Please sorting out your stuffs you need during trekking and stay overnight at the jungle and the rest stuffs you do not need during the trek please store in the lodge and you can pick them up again after several day trek back to the lodge Accommodation Plan : Bukit Lawang Eco Lodge
After breakfast, we start trekking. After a short walk, you will enter the national park and pass the old orangutan feeding area which is still highly popular with semi-wild orangutans. You will continue your trek through the rainforest going deeper into the jungle while having a bigger chance to see wildlife there. While hiking up and down the hills heading towards the west side of the national park your guide will point out different jungle habitats and plant species for you while giving lots of explanations about the rainforest and its biodiversity. During trekking please keep your eyes for spotting beautiful creatures you may encounter. Lunch was prepared by our guide team in the jungle. In the afternoon you will arrive at the camping site. You will spend the night in a tent made of bamboo and plastic sheets. Falling asleep and waking up to the sounds of monkeys, birds, and insects is an incredible experience.
Day three in the morning you will wake up again to the sounds of the jungle. If you are lucky you can observe the Sumatran monitor lizards, tortoises and colourful river butterflies around the campsite . After a good breakfast you have the opportunity to trek again for 2 hours or just relax and swim in the river next to the campsite (when going back by tube). After a light lunch its time for you to return to Bukit Lawang. And that is around 1 hour full of fun! Because your “jungle taxi” with your personal captain will bring you back to your guesthouse by traditional tube-rafting down the Bohorok River, and you will stay overnight AT THE LODGE IN Bukit Lawang.
Morning free where you can explore the surroundings for birding. After lunch you will be transferred to the airport for your late afternoon flight back to Jakarta or Bali.
