5-Day Bukit Lawang Orangutan and Elephant Tour via Tangkahan

5 Days Duration

Experiences

About This Tour

Embark on a 5-day Bukit Lawang adventure into the heart of Sumatra's wildlife. Witness orangutans in their natural habitat, tube down jungle rivers, engage with...

Duration: 5 Days · Tour type: Private · Activity level: Easy · Accommodation: Included · Budget · Transport: Included · Cities: Medan, Bukit Lawang, Tangkahan, Gunung Leuser National Park · Languages: English

About Bukit Lawang

Indonesia

Bukit Lawang

Now one of the favoured base points for exploring the Orangutan sanctuaries of Gunung Leuser, Bukit Lawang is awash with local local guides eager to help reveal the Sumatran wilds.

Explore Bukit Lawang Indonesia All destinations

What's Included

Hotel/homestay and breakfast
Transport and fuel
Driver-guide
Jeep from Bukit Lawang to Tangkahan (round trip)
Entrance fees and parking
Jungle trek in Bukit Lawang

Not Included

Flight ticket
Meals (lunch and dinner)
Ngangon elephants (Tangkahan)
Optional tours
Personal expenses
Tips for the driver-guide

Itinerary

1

Day 01

Arrival in Medan and Transfer to Bukit Lawang

Today, you arrive at Medan Kualanamu Airport. Then, continue driving for about an hour to Medan city for a city tour, depending on your arrival time. You will visit Maimun Palace, which was built in 1888 in Malay and European style and is owned by the Sultan of Deli, Sultan Mahmun Al Rasyid Perkasa Alamsyah. Then, walk to the Almashun Grand Mosque, which was built in the same period as Maimun Palace, and visit the Chinese temple of the Eastern Mountain Monastery. After that, continue from Medan city for about 3 hours to Bukit Lawang. Bukit Lawang is a small tourist village located on the edge of Gunung Leuser National Park. It is also the most accessible place to see orangutans in Leuser Park. This park is one of the largest national parks in the world, with more than 800,000 hectares of forest, and is home to many mammal species such as tigers, orangutans, gibbons, elephants, and rhinos. On the way, stop at an oil palm plantation and a local market. Upon arrival in Bukit Lawang, enjoy free time to relax and rest.
2

Day 02

Jungle Trek and River Tubing in Bukit Lawang

Firstly, we bring you to the orangutans, and you will follow a forest trail for 2-3 hours to explore more tropical flora and fauna. This is not a flat road, but involves some ups and downs. It is a bit difficult, but in return, you will have a very pleasant experience and a great opportunity to see gibbons, leaf monkeys, longtail and pigtail macaques, flying squirrels, Sumatra peacocks, and hornbills. Wild orangutans may cross your path, but we cannot guarantee that you will see all of them - it depends on your luck. The jungle walk ends at the riverside, where you start your tubing experience. You will float on the river with a car-tire float for about 20 minutes back to the hotel. It is a fun rafting activity and a relaxing way to enjoy the scenery.
3

Day 03

Off-Road Journey to Tangkahan

Continue the journey to Tangkahan by local off-road jeep. Travelling from Lawang Hill to Tangkahan takes about 3 hours through oil palm plantations and rural areas. The drive is a little bumpy, but a lot of fun. Tangkahan is a beautiful secluded forest settlement located on the other side of Gunung Leuser National Park. It was established as an ecotourism destination in 2000. Previously, the area was used for illegal logging and illegal hunting. The local people have transformed the area into a tourist destination and stopped the illegal exploitation of the forest. The community also agreed to form a forest ranger group and patrol the area to guard against illegal activities. Seven elephants were brought to the area to be used for smooth forest patrols to detect illegal loggers and poachers. You also have the opportunity to join the elephants and bathe them. Upon arrival in Tangkahan, transfer to the jungle hut and enjoy a free program before spending the night at the inn in Tangkahan.
4

Day 04

Elephant Experience and Return to Medan

It's time for you to be with the world's largest mammal. You will follow an elephant ride for an hour through jungle trails. Then, join in and help the handler bathe the elephant in the river. It is a very nice experience, and you get up close to the elephants. You are allowed to scrub and wash them. Once they are done, then it's your turn - the elephant will spray you with water with its trunk. You will also have the opportunity to feed the elephants. After the elephant experience, relax before boarding the car to continue the journey back to Medan for about 4 hours. The first two hours of the journey involve driving over bumpy plantation trails, and then a tarmac road will take you the rest of the way to your hotel. Upon arrival, enjoy a free program.
5

Day 05

Transfer to Kualanamu Airport

You will be transferred back to Kualanamu Airport, and the tour ends.