2-Day Orangutan Trekking & River Tubing: Gunung Leuser

You trek the rainforest twice daily to find orangutans, then float back downriver on a tube.

A 2-day orangutan trekking tour in Gunung Leuser National Park, a UNESCO-listed rainforest where you search for wild orangutans with certified local guides, camp overnight by the river, and end with tubing down the Bohorok. Meals and camping gear are included. The tour finishes by early afternoon on day two, so evening flights work. Airport transfer from Kualanamu International Airport is available as an add-on with the Trek+ option.

The experience

You arrive in Bukit Lawang and head into Gunung Leuser National Park with an English-speaking guide to search for wild orangutans in their natural habitat. The trek happens twice (morning and afternoon on day one), so you cover more ground and raise your chances of spotting them. Along the way you watch for Thomas Leaf Monkeys, Hornbills, Monitor Lizards and other rainforest wildlife. The guides are certified and passionate about the forest. They know where to look and what the sounds mean.

Night falls at a riverside campsite where you sleep in a tent with a mattress, blanket and mosquito net. Freshly prepared Indonesian meals arrive throughout the tour: breakfast, two lunches and dinner. You wake to the rainforest at dawn and trek again before the heat builds. By early afternoon on day two, the trekking ends and you move to the river.

The Bohorok River tubing is how you leave: you float back to Bukit Lawang on a tube, drifting through jungle scenery without walking. Before you go, there's a guided DIY crafting session using river stones: a small moment to slow down and make something. All national park permits and conservation fees are covered in the price. The tour supports local communities and promotes ethical wildlife encounters, so the money stays in the forest.

What’s included

• Complete camping gear with tent, mattress, blanket and mosquito net.
• all meals during the tour (breakfast, two lunches and dinner).
• all national park permits and official conservation fees.
• licensed English-speaking local guides.
• a guided DIY crafting session with river stones.
• and the Bohorok River tubing float back to Bukit Lawang.

Options for this experience

2 options

Two-day orangutan trek and river tubing in SumatraGuide in English or Chinese · 08:00, 08:30 and 09:00

Trek+ Airport transportationGuide in English or Chinese · 08:30 and 09:00Shared car, pickup is included

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00, 08:30 and 09:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (16 to 80 years) · Youth (10 to 15 years) · Child (4 to 9 years) · Infant (1 to 3 years)

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish and Chinese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 18 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by SumatraStoneStories

Is this one for you?The twice-daily trekking schedule is what packs two full days of rainforest searching into one overnight stay, so you maximize time with wild orangutans without adding extra nights. If you're arriving at Medan airport, the Trek+ option bundles the airport transfer in, so you move straight from landing to the forest without arranging separate transport.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Chinese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (10 to 15 years); Child (4 to 9 years); Infant (1 to 3 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I arrange a pickup from Medan airport to Bukit Lawang?

Yes, the Trek+ option includes a free airport transfer from Kualanamu International Airport (KNO) to Bukit Lawang. Without that option, public transportation is available nearby.

What do I need to bring for camping in the rainforest?

The tour provides complete camping gear: tent, mattress, clean blanket and mosquito net. Bring lightweight clothes, sturdy walking shoes, insect repellent, sunscreen and a headlamp or flashlight for the campsite.

How many times do we trek for orangutans each day?

You trek twice on day one (morning and afternoon) to maximize your chances of finding wild orangutans. Day two includes one final morning trek before the trekking finishes by early afternoon.

What meals are included during the 2 days?

All meals are included: one breakfast, two lunches and one dinner, all freshly prepared with Indonesian recipes. Drinking water is provided throughout the tour.

What is the physical fitness level needed for this tour?

You should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness. The tour involves trekking through rainforest terrain, so comfortable walking shoes and reasonable stamina are important. The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health or pregnancy.

When does the tour finish on day two?

The trekking experience typically finishes between 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM on the second day. Evening flights or next-day departures are recommended for a more relaxed journey home.