Beyond Bukit Lawang
Tailor-made
Laura designs custom Sumatra itineraries with a network of partners across the island. There's a lot more to see than the jungle.
How it works
A trip that starts with a conversation
Everything here is à la carte, built around your wishes, your needs, and your budget. Tell us what you're drawn to: volcanoes, a lake born from a supervolcano, diving off Sumatra's northern tip, an island almost no one visits. Laura will then design an itinerary with trusted partners on the ground, often alongside a jungle trek in Bukit Lawang.
Where we can take you
A few places to start from
This isn't a fixed list: it's where our partners are. If somewhere else in Sumatra catches your eye, ask us.
Berastagi
A cooler hill town in the Karo highlands, a few hours from Bukit Lawang. Climb Mount Sibayak for sunrise and soak in its natural hot springs afterwards, wander the fruit and vegetable market, or visit traditional Karo villages nearby.
Lake Toba
The world's largest volcanic lake, formed by one of the biggest eruptions in Earth's history. Samosir Island rises from its centre, home to the Batak Toba people and their traditional saddle-roofed houses. It's a place to swim, wander old villages, and slow right down.
Pulau Weh
Easier to reach than Pulau Banyak (see below), and still refreshingly uncrowded. A guide in Banda Aceh shows you the city before you head on to the island, at Sumatra's very northern tip. On the island: snorkelling, diving, fishing, dolphin-watching trips, fine beaches, and real comfort if you just want to slow down in a hammock facing the sea.
Pulau Banyak
A remote, little-visited archipelago on the west coast. It takes time to get there, but it's worth it. Swamp forest walks to see wild orangutans, turtle-nesting islands, surf breaks, spearfishing, kayaking: combined however you like, staying on the islands or in Singkil. For the more adventurous, we can also arrange a stripped-back, survival-style stay.
Start to finish
How we build it together
Tell us what you're dreaming of
Dates, pace, who's coming, what draws you: volcanoes, water, culture, somewhere quiet. There's no template to fill in, just tell us.
Laura designs the route
Working with trusted partners in each location, she puts together an itinerary and connects you directly with each one, with no fixed packages and no guesswork.
Add a jungle trek, if you like
Many guests start or end their trip with a trek in Bukit Lawang. It's easy to fold in, but never required.
Everything's mapped out before you land
Transport, accommodation and activities are all arranged in advance, so you're not the one contacting each provider. You simply pay each one directly, on the ground, at their price.
Before you ask
Questions about tailor-made trips
Is there a fixed price?
The planning itself is quoted individually, based on how many destinations and how much research is involved: we'll always agree a price with you before starting. Everything on the ground (transport, accommodation, activities) is arranged for you in advance. You simply pay each provider directly, at their own price.
Can this be combined with a jungle trek?
Yes, very easily. It's one of the most common ways guests use this service. Start with a trek in Bukit Lawang, then move on to the rest of Sumatra with us.
How far in advance should I plan?
The more remote the destination, Pulau Banyak especially, the more advance notice helps. A few weeks is usually enough for the others, but earlier gives us more room to work with.
Do you come with us, or is it just local partners?
It depends on the trip. Laura is often personally involved in planning and stays in touch throughout, while trusted local partners handle each destination on the ground: people she knows and has worked with directly. If you'd feel more comfortable with a French or Italian speaker rather than English, Laura can also join you in person while she's in Indonesia, on request.
Do you book things for us?
Yes, mostly. Laura arranges and confirms your accommodation, activities, and ground transport (car, bus), so you don't need to contact each provider yourself. Flights, internal or international, are the one exception: those you'll book yourself. Laura doesn't collect payment on their behalf: you pay each provider directly, on the ground, unless you'd rather arrange something yourself.