The village of Bukit Lawang.
Seeing Orangutans in the wild has always been a dream of mine, This year I made it a reality. After doing some research I found that the best jungle trekking guide that aligned with my values was Sumatra Eco Travel https://www.sumatra-ecotravel.com/ and I am so glad that I booked with them!
But I could never have imagined how much I fell in love with the small village that is Bukit Lawang, I felt so safe and had the best time getting to know the locals. This trip was more than I could have ever imagined it to be and I recommend this tour to anyone who loves an adventure.
Getting There
To get to Bukit Lawang, You must first fly into Medan international airport and then from there you can arrange transportation which can take from 3 hours - 4.5 hours depending on traffic, I would arrange with your hotel or tour company for your transportation. On the way there the scenery changes so much and it an experience in itself, I wouldn’t recommend driving yourself as the roads aren’t that great and traffic is pretty confusing.
Once you arrive in Bukit Lawang, you will most likely have a local with a bike to carry your bags to your hotel as most of the accommodation is situated on the side of the river and there are no cars that reach them.
Where To Eat
Bukit Lawang as no ATM's, you must have Indonesian rupiah to cover the cost of your stay, but lucky for you the cost here is quite cheap. Most meals with a drink would come to a total of $7aud and almost all the accommodation offer free breakfast with your stay. My favourite places to eat were Garden Inn restaurant & Waterstone. The staff at Garden Inn were kind enough to walk me back to my hotel with an umbrella when I was caught in a storm, The locals here are very friendly and so nice.
What To Pack
When visiting this river side village make sure you pack for all seasons in one day, This is a tropical climate with hot and humid days that can lead to rainy afternoons or mornings.
A rain jacket, long pants, closed in shoes & bug spray are a must. This community is a Muslim community and appropriate clothing is necessary, make sure you are wearing tops with sleeves, pants/ dresses that go to the knee and when swimming it is recommended to wear a shirt and shorts over your swimmers.
My favourite rain jacket is https://www.kathmandu.com.au/womens/jackets-and-vests/womens-rain-jackets/andulo-wmns-rain-jacket-v3.html?colour=14434&scroll=instant
My go to hiking boots https://www.merrellaustralia.com.au/products/vego-mid-lth-wp-dark-earth-brittany-blue
Where To Stay
I stayed at EcoTravel Cottages and I loved every minute of my stay here, it was so relaxing the staff were so helpful and friendly. At night staying on the river you fall asleep to the sound of the river and wake up to the sounds of the birds & monkeys, it doesn't get much nicer than this. Breakfast is included in your stay and wifi is surprising really good. You can book your stay here - https://www.booking.com/hotel/id/ecotravel-cottages-bukit-lawang
Another great place to stay is Garden Inn, Very similar to EcoTravel Cottages but not so close to river and up in the jungle a little bit further. Jungle Inn have their own restaurant if you prefer to stay in and not have to venture out. you can book Garden Inn via this link - https://www.booking.com/hotel/id/rambai-tree-jungle-lodges
What to see in Bukit Lawang
In such a small town there are a few tours and activities to choose from, I have listed below the ones that interested me the most
Local Village Tour - This is a half day tour that takes you out of the main village and into the smaller or cultural villages around the area. Enjoy getting to know the locals, how they live and eat what the locals eat. This is roughly $35 AUD pp.
Tangkahan Adventure - This full day tour is a must if you would like to meet Sumatran Elephants, Throughout the tour you will get to swim and visit natural hot springs, visit a local village, enjoy a delicious Indonesian meal. You can choose if you would like to help bath and feed the elephants or would like to admire them from a distance. This is roughly $60 AUD pp
Jungle View Hike - If you aren’t interested in a Muti-day hike, then this is the hike for you. A total of 4 hours immersed in the surrounding rainforest you may get to experience Orangutans and other animals in the wild. This is roughly $50 AUD pp
White Water Rafting - If thrill seeking is your thing then this is the tour for you, This adventure runs through the Gunung Leuser NP Wampu River. This is a full day tour and is roughly $40 AUD pp
There are plenty more activities to see and experience inn Bukit Lawang, This place offers more than what you think it might and it is truly beautiful. I highly recommend visiting Bukit Lawang if you are wanting a different kind of adventure, it’s super safe for all including solo travellers and families.
