Bukit Lawang
2-day orangutan trek
One night by the river. Our most booked trek and the best chance of orangutans for the time you have.
€120 per personDetails →
Treks & prices
Orangutan treks in Sumatra, and what they cost
Honest, fixed prices following the guiding association (HPI) rules. No hidden park fees, no surprise extras on the trail.
Every trek at a glance
Prices are per person, based on a minimum of two people. Groups are never bigger than six guests.
| Duration | Where | Highlights | Price p.p. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 hours | Bukit Lawang | Half-day walk to look for semi-wild orangutans | €55 | Details |
| 1 day | Bukit Lawang | Full day in the park with jungle lunch | €70 | Details |
| 2 days / 1 night | Bukit Lawang | One riverside camp, high orangutan chances, tubing back | €120 | Details |
| 3 days / 2 nights | Bukit Lawang | Two camps, quieter trails, jungle waterfall | €170 | Details |
| 4 days / 3 nights | Bukit Lawang | Deep primary forest, survival skills, hidden waterfall | €250 | Details |
| 5–12 days | Bukit Lawang | Remote expedition into the Leuser interior (5d €320 · 6d €400 · 7d €500) | from €320 | Details |
| 2 days / 1 night | Batu Katak | Wild orangutans, Berkail River camp, waterfalls | €120 | Details |
| 3 days / 2 nights | Batu Katak | Silent tracking, water cave, corpse flower in season | €170 | Details |
| 4 days / 3 nights | Batu Katak | Three camps, caves and a secret waterfall swim | €250 | Details |
| 5–10 days | Batu Katak | Custom expedition, Rafflesia hunting, remote caves | on request | Details |
| 4 days / 3 nights | Both | 2D Batu Katak + lodge night + 2D Bukit Lawang | €250 | Details |
| 5 days / 4 nights | Both, on foot | Wild-camping traverse from Batu Katak to Bukit Lawang | €350 | Details |
Travelling solo? We'll try to match you with another group on the same dates. If there isn't one, a solo supplement applies (€100 on 2–4 day treks, €90 on the combo).
Most popular orangutan treks
Bukit Lawang
3-day orangutan trek
Two jungle camps and a waterfall. More time to track quietly, further from other groups.
€170 per personDetails →
Batu Katak
2-day Batu Katak trek
The quiet side of Leuser. Fewer trekkers, wild orangutans, gibbons calling at dawn.
€120 per personDetails →
Batu Katak
3-day Batu Katak trek
Silent tracking, a hidden water cave and, in season, the giant corpse flower.
€170 per personDetails →
Both areas
4-day combo trek
One night in Batu Katak, one in Bukit Lawang. Two forests, two chances to find orangutans.
€250 per personDetails →
Expedition
5-day Batu Katak to Bukit Lawang
Walk all the way between the two villages with four nights of wild camping. For fit trekkers.
€350 per personDetails →
Both forests in one trip
4-day combo trek: Batu Katak & Bukit Lawang
The best way to see both sides of Gunung Leuser. You start in quiet Batu Katak, tube down the river back to Batu Katak village, ride a motorbike to Bukit Lawang for a night in a lodge, and then head back into the jungle for a second trek.
Day 1 · Batu Katak jungle
Trek with a local guide looking for wildlife and seasonal giant flowers. Visit the hidden water cave if the river allows. Camp in the jungle.
Day 2 · Tubing to Batu Katak, motorbike to Bukit Lawang
Breakfast at camp, then 40+ minutes of river tubing back to Batu Katak village. From there, a motorbike transfer to Bukit Lawang and a night in a lodge.
Day 3 · Bukit Lawang jungle
Trek the Gunung Leuser trails with your guide and tropical fruit stops. Camp beside the Landak River.
Day 4 · Back by raft
Breakfast at camp and a short river ride back into Bukit Lawang.
€250 per person (two people). Includes guides, permits, camping, meals, tubing, the motorbike transfer and the lodge night. Large luggage transfer IDR 200,000.
For real adventurers
5-day expedition: Batu Katak to Bukit Lawang on foot
No roads, no prepared campsites. You walk the whole way between the two villages with local guides and a porter team, and sleep four nights in wild camps.
Along the way you learn to read tracks, feeding signs and animal calls, build basic shelters and find what the forest offers. Orangutans, gibbons and macaques are all possible, though never guaranteed. The last stretch may finish with tubing into Bukit Lawang.
€350 per person. Includes guides, porters, chef, tent and bedding, all food and water, park fees and a contribution to conservation programmes. Good fitness and some trekking experience needed.
What our guests say
Escape To Sumatra is rated Excellent on Google (30 reviews) and Tripadvisor. A few words from recent guests:
★★★★★
“I liked the way they approach her, ethically, respecting every single rule.”
★★★★★
“Real jungle experience, plenty of wildlife (including orangutans!!)”
★★★★★
“Everything was done in an ethical way, with great respect for the jungle and wildlife.”
Prices, inclusions and payment
What is included in the price?
A licensed English-speaking guide, an assistant and a jungle chef; Gunung Leuser National Park permits and entrance fees; every meal on the trek with fruit snacks and drinking water; camping gear (canopy shelter, roll mat, pillow, blanket and mosquito net); and traditional river tubing at the end.
What is not included?
Transport to Bukit Lawang or Batu Katak, accommodation before or after the trek, travel insurance, extra or alcoholic drinks, and tips. We can arrange airport transfers and guesthouses for you if you'd like.
Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
Only if there is no other group on your dates. Then it's €100 on the 2, 3 and 4-day treks and €90 on the combo trek.
How do I pay?
Treks are paid in cash, in euros or Indonesian rupiah. There is no ATM in Bukit Lawang, so bring cash from Medan or withdraw it in Bahorok on the way.
Ready to meet the people of the forest?
Tell us your dates and how many of you are coming. Rama or one of the team will reply on WhatsApp, usually the same day, and help you pick the right trek.