7 days / 6 nights
Full immersion7-day crossing of Gunung Leuser National Park
A full crossing of Gunung Leuser on foot in 7 days (up to 10 on request): 72km from Bukit Lawang to Kutacane, Aceh, climbing to 2,100m through moss forest.
Booking and cancellation terms
Day by day
The route
Bukit Lawang to Mount Uning
A morning walk through cocoa and rubber plantations into orangutan territory, with gibbons, hornbills and monitor lizards along the way. Camp by the Landak river at the foot of Mount Uning (around 310m), with a swim before dinner.
Wild elephant territory
A trek along the Bohorok river toward the Kuala Buluh junction, through forest known to be wild elephant habitat. Camp near the river at around 470m, with a swim before dinner.
Into the mid-Bohorok
Continuing upriver through untouched lowland forest, with the option of a short night walk to look for nocturnal wildlife. Camp beside the Bohorok river at around 615m, with a swim before dinner.
The climb begins
The hardest day of the expedition: a steady ascent into higher terrain, through dense jungle and hidden valleys. Camp in remote wilderness at around 1,150m, with a swim before dinner where the terrain allows.
Terkicong Lake
A trek to Terkicong Lake, a pristine highland lake at around 1,550m that very few travellers ever see, as the route crosses toward Aceh province. Camp near the lake.
Moss forest on Mount Perkison
The high point of the trek: reaching around 2,100m on Mount Perkison, through moss forest with rare orchids, right on the border between North Sumatra and Aceh. The descent begins, with camp near the provincial boundary.
Descent to Kutacane
A steep final descent through dense jungle and river valleys, down into Kutacane. A car transfer takes you from the trailhead to the agreed meeting point.
Good to know: a one-way crossing: you finish in Kutacane (Aceh), with a car transfer included on day 7. The €700 price covers 7 days; a version of up to 10 days is possible on request, with the price adjusted.
The details
What's included
Included
- Your HPI-certified, English-speaking guide and camp crew
- A jungle cook and all meals throughout the expedition
- All camp accommodation, 6 nights
- Drinking water at every camp
- Car transfer from Kutacane on day 7
Not included
- National park entry fee (IDR 150,000, about €7.80, paid on the day)
- Accommodation before and after the trek
- Transport to and from Medan
- Travel insurance, strongly recommended
Make it easier
A few extras, if you need them
Porter
Walk lighter: a porter from the village can join for an extra fee.
Accommodation before & after
We can book your guesthouse for the nights around the trek. You pay the guesthouse directly for your room.
Transport
From Medan airport, or onward to Berastagi and Lake Toba: just ask.
Dietary needs
Vegetarian, vegan, halal, or any other dietary or religious requirement can be catered for.
A glimpse
From this trek
Before you book
Questions about this trek
Can I do this trek solo?
Yes. Our standard treks need a minimum of two people, but a solo traveller can still join for a supplement of IDR 1,450,000 (about €90), which covers the missing spot. A private trek (your group only) is also 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. On a standard trek, other travellers may join your group on the same dates.
Will I really see orangutans?
Our guides know the forest and how to read it: a movement in the leaves, a distant call, tracks on the ground. Seven days deep in Gunung Leuser gives them the time and remote ground to track well beyond where shorter routes reach.
What if it rains during the trek?
The trek goes ahead as planned, rain or shine. This is a rainforest. Rain often means a quieter trail and a more active jungle.
Is this trek only for experienced trekkers?
It's our most demanding route: 72km over 7 days with significant elevation gain up to 2,100m, and some days involve up to 7 hours of walking. A good level of fitness and previous multi-day trekking experience matter here. If you're new to jungle trekking, we'd recommend starting with a shorter route first. Please be honest with us about your experience before booking.
Where does this trek finish?
In Kutacane, Aceh province. This is a one-way crossing of Gunung Leuser, not a loop back to Bukit Lawang. A car transfer from Kutacane to the agreed meeting point is included on day 7.
Any chance of seeing wild elephants?
Day 2 passes through forest known to be wild elephant habitat, near the Kuala Buluh river junction. Our guides know where to look for signs of them: this is one of the more promising areas of the park for it.
Looking for a different length?
From a single day to a full week: see every route.
