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FAQ Jungle Trekking

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best season to visit Sumatra?
Sumatra can be enjoyed all year round, but our high season is from May through to September. November until February is considered the wet season and while we still trek during this time, there is a higher chance of rain.

Sumatra has mostly tropical climate – hot and humid. In North Sumatra the dry season lasts from April to September and comes with sunny days. The rainy season does’t mean it’s raining all day like in other palces in South East Asia. It is just more likely to rain, but mostly in the afternoon. Especially here in Bukit Lawang next to the rain forest rain is always possible. Temperatures are around 30 °C year round. In the jungle, especially after the rain, the temperature can drop to 20 °C at night. So when you visit Bukit Lawang be prepared for every occasion. See our list on what to bring.

We gathered some information on how to get to Bukit Lawang.
Yes of course. We can recommend many guesthouses and hotels around Bukit Lawang suiting every budget. Read also: Accommodation in Bukit Lawang
The prices can be found here.

The prices for jungle trekking are set by the guide association (HPI). With that they want to guarantee that all people involved (guides, porters, cooks, national park) get a decent salary. All prices include entrance fees, guides, food, accommodation (2/3 days), rafting back (except 3 hours).

Here’s a breakdown of the costs for 2 people for a 2 day trek (90 Euro/person):
Permit: 20 Euros
HPI fee: 4 Euros
Food: 16 Euros
Guide: 50 Euros
Assistant guide: 20 Euros
Cook/camp/rafting: 70 Euros

Here you see that there are many people involved and everybody gets a decent salary for Indonesian conditions. When you negotiate the price, you are not only agreeing to a bad payment, but you also reduce the quality and even safety of your experience. Everybody looses. So if a guide offers you a big discount, be cautious.

Our treks take place in the Gunung Leuser National Park and we start in the little village of Bukit Lawang and the edge of the National Park. We will pick you up from your accommodation in Bukit Lawang.

You can leave your luggage and everything you don’t want to take on the trek in your accommodation. Also if you go on multiple day treks. All accommodations offer luggage storage.

Orangutan Trekking Tours are suited to people of all ages, who are in reasonably good health. If you have a health condition that might inhibit your ability to do a trek with us, please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate you.

We are prepared for minor sicknesses and injuries (stomach pain, rashes, scratches, bee stings…). The next doctor is around 5 km outside of Bukit Lawang and can handle fevers and infections. for severe sicknesses or injuries you will need to go to the hospital in Medan. We highly recommend a travel health insurance which covers hospital fees.
No. We respect the orangutans and their habitat. Orangutans raised in the wild are typically shy and territorial, so we try to observe them without disturbing their natural way of life.
See our page “What to bring”.
Hiking boots are not essentially necessary, you can also use trainers with a good sole. If you want we can also provide you with the local shoes all the guides are wearing. Regarding the cloths comfyness is most important. Wear whatever you feel comfortable in. You don’t need to wear long clothes, as there are next to no leeches or dangerous plants.
Of course not! Sumatra’s jungles are a widely diverse blend of wildlife and plants, such as macaques, snakes, gibbons, peacocks or tucans.

The 3h- and 1-day-trips take place from 1 person, the 2-day-trip from 2 persons and the 3-day-trip from 3 persons. Maximum 5 persons. With this group size we can hike freely in the jungle and support everyone equally. However, if you travel in a larger group, please contact us. We can organize more guides or divide the groups. If you are travelling alone and you want to do a 2 or 3 day trek, please contact us. Thanks to our network of guides and tour operators we will find a tour for you.

  • We provide you with food throughout the day.
  • Bedding per person (if you stay overnight)
  • First aid if necessary
  • Pickup from your accommodation
  • The chance to see orangutans in the wild
  • Lots of laughs, learning and memories!
  • English speaking guide and own chef (the latte only when staying overnight)
  • Admission fee and park entrance permit.
  • Water, tea and coffee in the camp (if you stay overnight)

Our cooks will prepare delicious Indonesian food. Vegetarian and vegan options are always available. We can cater to your dietary requirements – just let us know in advance.

If you would like to book a trek, please fill out this form and we will be in touch shortly.

We recommend that you book at least two weeks in advance, so we can make sure everything is in place. However, we will try our best to book you in short notice as well, just ask!

Deposit
We always take a deposit of 50€, payable to an European bank account.

Booking confirmation and outstanding payment
The rest must be paid in cash in IDR on site.

Please see our terms.

Please see our terms.

For questions please contact us

email us

We started as a tour operator not only because we love the island and the nature, but also to connect and help the locals. We work with a selected bunch of locals for trekking, transport an guiding and also help local NGOs. More about us

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