At the end of every trek, whether it's a one-day trek or a five-day one, there's a moment everyone looks forward to without quite knowing what to expect: the return to Bukit Lawang, tube rafting down the river. The guides call it the jungle taxi. It's not written in any tourist guidebook: it's a name they gave themselves, a bit of an in-joke, and it stuck.
How it works
The idea is simple. Several inner tubes are tied together to form a little convoy. The captain, one of the guides, sits at the front to steer the descent, with another guide at the back. The route starts right at camp and follows the river all the way to Bukit Lawang. Depending on the stretch, we move fast or drift along slowly, giving everyone time to catch their breath after the trek.
One last crossing through the jungle
It's part of the trek in its own right. From the river, you see the jungle from a different angle, and little by little the scenery shifts as you pass through the village. There's a lot of laughing on this descent, and we often sing with the group while the captain steers the convoy, everyone just enjoying the ride.
Safety first
Every participant wears a life jacket from start to finish. If the idea of going down a river worries you, know that it's entirely possible to walk back down instead. The best time to mention it is at booking, when we're putting the trek together with you. Feel free to ask any questions; we'll adapt.
- The jungle taxi is included in every trek, except the 7-day-plus trek, which departs from Aceh.
- Your belongings (bag, devices, clothes) are packed into sealed plastic bags to stay dry during the descent.
- If you want to film it, bring a waterproof camera or a waterproof pouch for your phone.
One last thing before you go: the jungle taxi is often one of our travellers' favourite memories.