Before you go
Practical info
Everything you need to plan the trip properly: how to get here, what to bring, and what to expect once you're in the jungle.
Getting here
From Medan to Bukit Lawang
All routes start at Kualanamu International Airport (KNO) in Medan. Three ways to make the journey, from most comfortable to most economical.
Private transfer
The most direct and comfortable option. Can be booked together with your trek, just ask when you enquire.
From the airport: €40 per vehicle (€35 from a Medan hotel).
Shared shuttle
A 6-seat vehicle shared with other travellers. Pickups from KNO run 1–3pm; expect a short wait if others are arriving.
From the airport: about €10 per person (210K IDR). From a Medan hotel: about €8 (165K IDR).
Public transport
Taxi or Grab to Pinang Baris bus terminal, then a local bus to Gotong Royong, then a local bus or becak to Bukit Lawang.
From the airport: about €4.50 (90K IDR). From a Medan hotel: about €2.50 (50K IDR), plus the taxi to the station.
Full guide with all routes and prices (indicative 2026 rates, one way) →
Arriving at Bukit Lawang: guesthouses sit along the river and aren't reachable by car. Our guides meet you where your transport drops you off and take you the rest of the way by motorbike or on foot, carrying your bags.
The way back: we can organise your return trip too, not just to Medan, but onward to Berastagi, Lake Toba, or wherever you're headed next. Just ask when you enquire.
Health and safety
Staying well in the jungle
Insurance
Strongly recommended, not required. Medical costs in Medan can be high, and evacuation from the park is not cheap either.
Vaccinations
Speak to a travel doctor before your trip. Requirements vary by where you're travelling from.
Water and food
Drink bottled or filtered water. Meals on trek are prepared fresh at camp.
If something goes wrong
Tell your guide immediately if you feel unwell. Don't push through it. They know the terrain well and the fastest way back if needed.
When to come
Seasons in Bukit Lawang
| Period | Months | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| High season | June – September | Busier trails; book 2–3 months ahead if you can. |
| Rainy season | October – April | Treks run as usual, and the jungle is often more alive. |
Before you leave
What to pack
A short list. Most of the heavy gear (tents, cooking equipment) is carried by us.
On the trail
- Quick-dry clothing you don't mind getting muddy
- Broken-in trekking shoes or sturdy trainers
- Long trousers and socks (the trail has leeches)
- A small roll of toilet paper or tissues
- A light rain jacket, even in dry season
- Insect repellent and a small first aid kit
- A reusable water bottle
- A dry bag for your phone and camera
- A power bank, since there are no sockets on the trail
Good to know
- Sleeping mats and mosquito nets are provided at camp
- You can leave a bag at your guesthouse during the trek
- Modest clothing off-trail is appreciated, as the region is largely Muslim
- Cash is still king; card machines are rare in Bukit Lawang
- Phone signal is patchy to non-existent in the park
Trekking with care
A few things we ask of every guest
Gunung Leuser is a living ecosystem. These habits help protect it.
Keep your distance from wildlife
Never approach, touch, or feed animals, orangutans included. Keep at least 10 metres from orangutans. Wild animals should stay wild: feeding them changes their behaviour and puts them at risk.
Leave nothing behind
Everything you bring in (wrappers, bottles, personal waste) comes back out with you. We carry it out too. Nothing is left in the forest.
Stay on the trail
Straying off-path can damage fragile ground cover and disturb animals your guide hasn't spotted yet. Follow their lead.
Keep it quiet
Low voices and no flash photography. Half of what makes a trek memorable is what you hear, not just what you see.
Respect the village
Ask before photographing people, and dress modestly outside the trek itself. You're visiting someone's home village, and a little consideration goes a long way.
Leave natural things where they belong
A pretty stone or plant looks best staying part of the forest, not in a suitcase.
On site
In Bukit Lawang
Where to sleep
We can book accommodation for you the night before and after your trek; you pay the guesthouse directly. Just tell us your preferences when you enquire.
Money
Withdraw cash at the airport or in Bahorok before you arrive. There are ATMs in Bukit Lawang, but withdrawal fees are higher. Bring enough cash for tips, the park fee and small extras.
Beyond the trek
Bukit Lawang has more to offer than the trailhead: riverside cafés, the old rehabilitation centre viewpoint, and a slower pace worth a day of its own.
Electricity
Standard Indonesian sockets (type C/F). Power can be unreliable in the village, so charge devices when you can.
Booking with us
Prices, deposits, and what's included
Why our prices are fixed
Our trekking prices are officially set by the HPI-ITGA Indonesian Guide Association. We work only with licensed guides and pay them properly. We won't lower our prices at the expense of their wages.
What's included
Your guide, an assistant guide, meals and water during the trek, camping equipment, and the tube rafting return to Bukit Lawang.
What's not included
The national park entry fee (see below), flights, travel insurance, and drinks or extras beyond what's provided on trek.
Park entry fee
A national park entry fee of 150,000 IDR per person (about €7.80) applies on top of the trek price, payable on the day.
Deposit and cancellation
A deposit is required to confirm your booking. It is refunded in full if you cancel 30 days or more before departure, refunded at 50% if you cancel 14 to 29 days before, and not refundable within 14 days of departure.
Payment
50% deposit by bank transfer. Balance on site, in cash or by a second transfer. Wise and Revolut are also accepted.
When to book
2–3 months ahead in high season; we can often accommodate last-minute requests too.
A few more questions
Wildlife and the trek itself
What other animals might we see?
Beyond orangutans: Thomas's langurs, pig-tailed macaques, gibbons (often heard before seen), hornbills, and the great argus pheasant if you're lucky. Never guaranteed: this is the wild.
Are the guides certified?
Yes. Every guide is registered and licensed by HPI, the Indonesian Tourist Guide Association, and trained in jungle safety.
Do guides speak English?
Yes, every trek runs in English. French or Italian support is available for a supplement: Laura joins your guide and translates. This is not always possible, so please ask when you book.
What does the trek price include?
Your guide, an assistant guide, meals and water during the trek, camping equipment, and the tube rafting return. The park entry fee is separate, paid on the day.
I don't have a backpack. Can I get one?
Yes, we can rent you a trekking backpack, including child-carrier hiking backpacks for younger trekkers. Just ask us when you enquire and we'll sort out the details.
Can I trek solo, or do we need a minimum group size?
Our standard treks need a minimum of two people. Travelling alone? You can still join for a supplement of IDR 1,450,000 (about €90), which covers the missing second spot. Prefer a private trek just for you or your group? That's possible: you pay the price of four people if you are fewer than four, and the price for your actual number if you are four or more.
Can you accommodate dietary restrictions?
Yes. Vegetarian, vegan, halal, or any other dietary or religious requirement can be catered for. Just let us know when you book.
Can we bring children?
Yes, with a trek adapted to their age and pace. Tell us the ages when you enquire and we'll suggest the right trek.
Is the trek physically difficult?
The pace is set by the group, not a fixed schedule, and most treks suit a reasonable level of fitness. Only the 7-day route is demanding.
Can someone carry my bag for me?
Yes, a porter can join for an extra fee, and it means an extra person from the village earning a day's work.
What about toilets and washing in the jungle?
Basic. Expect a simple squat toilet at camp and washing in the river. Not luxury, but it works, and every trekker manages just fine.
What if conditions become unsafe?
Your guide's call always comes first. If conditions on the day make a route unsafe, they will adjust or shorten it on the spot for your safety. This is different from ordinary rain, which doesn't stop a trek.
What about phone signal and charging my devices?
Signal is weak to non-existent once you're inside the park, and camps have no power sockets. Bring a fully charged power bank if you want to use your phone or camera during a multi-day trek. Signal returns once you're back in Bukit Lawang.