A riverside jungle village on the edge of Gunung Leuser National Park, one of the last places to trek and see wild Sumatran orangutans. Days mix rainforest hikes with river tubing back to town.
3.56°N 98.14°E
The drier months from roughly May to September are best for trekking
2 nights
KNO
$12/night
Bukit Lawang is a small riverside village on the eastern edge of Gunung Leuser National Park in North Sumatra, and it exists mostly for one reason: this is one of the few places on earth where you can trek into the rainforest to look for wild Sumatran orangutans. The Bohorok River runs fast and brown through the middle of town, guesthouses cling to its banks, and the jungle starts right at the edge of the village.
This suits active travelers who want real rainforest, not a zoo. The orangutans here are wild, so sightings are likely but never guaranteed, and the trekking is hot, steep, and sweaty. It is also a place to relax: float down the river, eat by the water, and listen to the forest at night.
Guided treks into Gunung Leuser are the main event, ranging from a half day to multi-day overnight trips that camp in the forest. You are looking for genuinely wild orangutans, so sightings are common but not certain, and other primates like Thomas's leaf monkeys and gibbons are part of the show. Guides must be licensed, so book through a reputable guesthouse or operator rather than a tout on the street.
After a hot trek, many trips end by lashing inner tubes together and floating back down the river to the village. It is bumpy, splashy, and good fun on the rapids. Hold on tight through the faster sections, and do not bring anything that cannot get soaked.
Spending a night in the forest changes the experience completely: you hear the jungle wake up and wind down, and your chances of varied wildlife sightings improve. Guides set up basic camps near the river and cook surprisingly good meals over a fire. Bring a light sleeping layer, insect repellent, and a sense of humor about being damp.
A short trek from the village leads to a cave full of bats, a good half-day option if you want a taste of the area without a long jungle hike. It is dark, smelly, and atmospheric, so bring a headlamp and shoes you do not mind getting muddy. A local guide will show you the way and the safest footing.
Getting there
Fly into Medan's Kualanamu airport (KNO), the gateway for North Sumatra, with links from Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore. From there Bukit Lawang is roughly a 3 to 4 hour drive north, longer if Medan's traffic is heavy. Most travelers arrange a private car or a shared minibus directly through their guesthouse, which is the simplest option. Public buses exist and are cheap but slow and involve a change, so they suit only the patient.
Best time to visit
The drier months from roughly May to September are best for trekking, with firmer trails and a lower chance of leeches and downpours. Avoid the heaviest rains around November to December, when trails get slick and the river can run dangerously high.
Where to stay
Almost everyone stays at a riverside guesthouse in the village itself, ranging from very cheap basic rooms to comfortable mid-range lodges, many with a terrace over the water. Prices are low across the board, so even a nicer room with a river view is easy on the budget, and most places will also sort your trek.
No. These are wild animals in a national park, so sightings are likely but never certain, and ethical guides will not bait or chase them. Go in hoping to see one and treating it as a bonus rather than a sure thing.
Harder than many expect: it is hot, humid, and often steep and slippery, with plenty of scrambling over roots and mud. You do not need to be an athlete, but a reasonable level of fitness and decent grippy shoes make a big difference.
No, never feed them or move in close, both for your safety and theirs, since some individuals can be aggressive and human food and contact harm them. Keep the distance your guide sets and let the animals decide how near they come.
Build a route across Indonesia in minutes. We work out the travel time and cost between every stop, then a local turns it into a trip.
Build your tripPlenty of guesthouses have terraces and platforms right over the rushing Bohorok, which is a fine place to read, eat, and watch the water. The sound of the river is constant and oddly soothing. Many travelers build in a rest day here on either side of their trek.
Beyond the jungle, you can arrange a walk through nearby rubber and palm plantations to see how people here make a living. Guides explain tapping rubber and the everyday rhythm of village life. It is a grounding contrast to the wildlife focus of the trek.
The sights worth building a day around. Open any one for a full guide.
caveA short jungle walk to a dark limestone cave roosting thousands of bats.
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natureFloating down the Bohorok River through the jungle on a lashed-together inner tube.
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wildlifeGuided rainforest trekking in Gunung Leuser, home to wild Sumatran orangutans.
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waterfallA clear jungle river with a small waterfall and natural pools for swimming.
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