Sumatra
Deep within the lush rainforests of northern Sumatra lies one of Southeast Asia's greatest wildlife experiences—trekking in search of wild orangutans. Far from the beaches and bustling cities of Indonesia, this ancient jungle is home to one of the last remaining populations of these endangered great apes, offering a rare opportunity to observe them in their natural habitat.
To experience the rainforest as responsibly as possible, we chose the 2D1N Ethical Jungle Trek with Sumatra Orangutan Explore. We arrived a day before our trek and spent the night at their cosy guesthouse in Bukit Lawang, giving us time to settle in before heading into the jungle the next morning.
Nothing quite prepares you for the moment you see your first wild orangutan.
Our guides would quietly scan the treetops, listening for movement before pointing towards flashes of orange hidden amongst the dense canopy. Within moments, we found ourselves watching a female orangutan slowly making her way through the towering trees, effortlessly swinging from branch to branch. There was no performance, no feeding, and no guarantee of a sighting—that's what made every encounter feel so special. We were simply lucky enough to witness these incredible animals going about their daily lives in the wild.
Throughout the trek, we were fortunate to encounter several orangutans, each with its own unique personality. Some curiously observed us from the trees, while others continued feeding on fruit, seemingly unbothered by our presence. Along the way, we also spotted Thomas's leaf monkeys, long-tailed macaques, hornbills, colourful butterflies, and countless tropical plants, making every hour in the jungle feel like a nature documentary.
After approximately six hours of trekking through the rainforest from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., we finally arrived at our riverside campsite, tired but incredibly fulfilled. The journey had taken us across muddy jungle trails, river crossings, and steep terrain, with countless wildlife encounters along the way.
Camping in the jungle is a true back-to-basics experience. The campsite offers simple facilities, including a basic sit-down toilet with water for flushing, plastic mattresses, and no hot showers. Instead, we washed off the day's sweat and mud in the cool river beside the campsite—a refreshing ritual that quickly became one of the highlights of the experience. As evening fell, our guides prepared a delicious home-cooked campfire dinner, and we spent the night sharing stories beneath the jungle canopy before drifting off to the soothing sounds of the flowing river, insects, and the rainforest all around us.
The following morning, after one last trek through the forest, we climbed aboard inflatable rafts and floated down the river back to the village. Equal parts scenic and exhilarating, it was the perfect ending to an unforgettable rainforest adventure.
Field Notes:
Bring your own water. They do have water at the campsite but i am unsure of its origin
Insect repellant and log sleeved tops and pants are a must to protect you from mosquitoes and leeches
Power bank to charge your electronics
Trek difficulty :Moderately challenging, with steep ascents, muddy trails, tangled tree roots and several river crossings. Good hiking shoes with grip are essential, especially if it has rained, as some sections can become slippery. The tropical climate is hot and humid year-round, so lightweight clothing, plenty of water and insect repellent are must-haves.
Fly into Medan and opt for airport pick up straight to Bukit Lawang ( arrange with Sumatra Orangutan Explore) > 3-4 hrs drive, highway toll fees apply
Costs:
Guesthouse : Family Room USD 27/night
Trekking ( Full Board) : USD 130 per person
Sumatra Orangutan Explore Contact :
