This unforgettable journey will take you deep in the jungle of Sumatra - one of the richest and most diverse tropical forests in the world. We offer you the possibility to really experience what is like to live in the jungle, which is why we don’t leave it for 5 straight days, spending each night in a tent camp. There will be some amazing food cooked on fire and our shower will be the river. All this is sandwiched between playing with orangutans in the beginning and bathing some elephants, towards the end of your journey.
We will visit Bukit Lawang, which is an orangutan rehabilitation center, where formerly captive apes are re-introduced into the wild. The village looks like the free living community Mougly (from the Jungle Book) sees when nearing the humans, after spending all of his life in the jungle. It is on a river, it is surrounded by life and its ecologically mindful.
Another place we will visit is Tangkahan which is the hidden paradise of Sumatra, with its clean rivers, waterfalls, amazing flora, weaving around the rope bridges. There, we will help the locals wash and feed an elephant. Tangkahan is another great example on how community based ecotourism can stop illegal logging, improve livelihood, and develop a sense of pride amongst the locals. In the end we get to contribute and plant a few trees.
Day 1: Medan
Upon arrival at the airport in Medan, you will be met by your local guide and transferred to the hotel. You will have some time to freshen up, before joining the group for a trip briefing. We will then enjoy a delicious welcome dinner, introducing you to Indonesian cuisine and the Orangutan Adventure Trekking team. (D)
Day 2: Bukit Lawang
After breakfast we head to Bukit Lawang. On the way we will visit a traditional Sumatran village at Kuala. After a short rest we start with a light jungle tracking to search for orangutans. Finding them is usually easy, but we will also look for Thomas leaf monkeys, long tail macaque and different breeds of gibbon. After couple of hours we will head back to Bukit Lawang. For the rest of the day you can explore the jungle village, its big river nearby, making face paint by extracting pigments from the colored river rocks (ask your guide about it) or play with the local monkeys. (B)
Day 3: Landak river
After an early breakfast we start our jungle expedition from Bukit Lawang to Tangkahan. Deep in the jungle we may see an incredible variety of birds, but also monkeys, wild pigs, rare flowers, and of course wild orchids. Today’s trek will be a nice 6 hours walk in hot and humid weather. In the evening we will arrive at the Landak River where our guides will prepare the tent for the night and cook a delicious campfire dinner. We spend the night under the sounds of the night jungle creatures. (B, L, D)
Day 4: Aras pinang
After enjoying camp breakfast prepared by our guide, we press on deeper into the jungle, crossing several small rivers. Today is another rewarding trek, taking us through incredible scenery of the North Sumatran jungle. In the afternoon we arrive at Aras Pinang and set up camp on the bank of the river. (B, L, D)
Day 5: Kerapu river
Today’s trek will take us climb and descend several hills inhabited by more wild monkeys, different speaces of tropical birds (Sumatra’s great variety is only second in the world to New Guinea) and if we are lucky, we might see a wild Orangutan. We arrive at Kerapu River and spend the night in a tent or temporary shelter. (B, L, D)
Day 6: Musam river
Today we enter deep in the heart of the jungle, until we arrive at our temporary camp built near Musam River. (B, L, D)
Day 7: Tangkahan
Today is the final push towards Tangkahan. At some point we will emerge from the jungle and pass through several plantations and villages. We will be picked by a jeep and driven to Tangkahan. On arrival, we will check into our hotel for a much earned shower and rest. In the evening we will join our local trekking crew for a farewell dinner with special traditional. (B)
Day 8: Exploring Tangkahan
After spending the past 5 days exploring the incredible debts of Sumatra, today we will experience how the wildlife and local villagers live side by side. We will join the locals on the river, while washing and feeding the elephant. While there, why not jump in a tube for a tubing trip down the river! In the afternoon we will pass by the local school and meet the kids. (B)
Day 9: Visit rainforest rescue rehabilitation project
Today is an early start, so we can travel to Gunung Leuser National Park Rainforest Rehabilitation project, who is rescuing orangutans and fighting against the deforestation of the jungle, work that was supported recently by Leonardo Dicaprio. Today is not only about looking, so we will roll up our sleeves and plant a tree, so we can personally contribute to the regeneration of Sumatra’s rainforest and the Orangutan’s natural habitat. In the afternoon we transfer to Medan for an information session on the project you have just visited. Being our last night in Sumatra, tonight we will enjoy a celebratory farewell dinner. (B, L, D)
Day 10: Departure
Today you will have a free morning to spend a few final hours exploring Medan before transferring to Medan International Airport for your afternoon flight home. (B)
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