3-day Bukit Lawang jungle rafting and trekking with guide

Trek deep into the jungle, then raft back down the river

A 3-day guided jungle trek in Bukit Lawang, Sumatra, with two nights at a riverside campsite. You hike for 5–7 hours each day through rainforest where orangutans, gibbons and macaques live, eat meals cooked at camp, and on the final day choose between a short morning walk or rest before rafting back to town on the river.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Jungle trek and campsite arrival

• Pick up at Bukit Lawang accommodation
• Hike in jungle for 5-6 hours
• Lunch stop and snacks
• Arrive at riverside campsite
• Swim and relax at campsite
• Dinner and evening activities

Day 2: Full day jungle exploration

• Breakfast by the river
• Hike in jungle for 6-7 hours
• Lunch with fried noodles and soup
• Continue jungle exploration
• Arrive at next riverside campsite
• Dinner with traditional Indonesian food

Day 3: Short trek and rafting return

• Breakfast at campsite
• Choose short jungle trek or relax
• Lunch at campsite
• Return to Bukit Lawang by walk or rafting

The experience

The trek starts with a 9am pickup at your accommodation in Bukit Lawang. Your guide, certified by the Indonesia Tourist Guides Association, leads you into the National Park rainforest for around 5–6 hours on day one, stopping for lunch and explaining the plants and animals you encounter. If conditions are right, you'll spot Sumatran orangutans, macaques, gibbons, Thomas leaf monkeys and hornbills. Late afternoon brings you to the campsite by the river, where you can swim and rest before dinner and an evening together at camp.

Day two follows a similar rhythm: breakfast by the river, then 6–7 hours of hiking through the jungle to search for more wildlife. Lunch is included. You'll arrive at the next campsite in the afternoon with time to relax. On day three, after breakfast you can either take a short trek into the jungle or stay at camp. After lunch, you choose your return: walk back to Bukit Lawang on foot, or tube-raft down the river. The guides are English-speaking and born and raised in the area, so they know the rainforest intimately.

What’s included

• Pickup at your Bukit Lawang accommodation at 9am.
• English-speaking certified guide.
• two nights at riverside jungle campsites.
• all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks).
• hiking through the National Park rainforest on days one and two.
• choice of short morning trek or rest on day three.
• swimming and free time at camp.
• return to Bukit Lawang by foot or tube-raft on day three.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 08:30, the last at 11:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (20 to 60 years) · Under 20: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 9

Live guideEnglish

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 10 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 9 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Bukit Lawang-Tour

Is this one for you?You hike and explore the rainforest yourself with a guide leading the way and explaining what you see, so this suits anyone who wants to move through the jungle rather than watch from a distance. The pace is steady over three days with 5–7 hours of walking each day, which works for people comfortable with sustained hiking in heat and humidity. It's not recommended for those with poor cardiovascular health, and the minimum age is 20.

Traveler reviews

4.96★★★★★★★★★★

47 verified traveler reviews

5 ★45

4 ★2

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

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.

What animals might I see on a 3-day trek in Bukit Lawang?

Sumatran orangutans, gibbons, macaques, Thomas leaf monkeys and hornbills live in the National Park rainforest. Your guide will point out the plants and animals you encounter during the hikes, though wildlife sightings depend on conditions and luck.

Where do I sleep on the 3-day trek?

You stay at jungle campsites located by the river on both nights. The camps have basic facilities and you'll eat meals prepared there, including breakfast, lunch and dinner each day.

Can I choose how to return to Bukit Lawang on day three?

Yes. On the final morning after breakfast, you can either take a short trek into the jungle or rest at the campsite. After lunch, you can walk back to Bukit Lawang or tube-raft down the river instead.

What's the daily hiking time on this trek?

Day one is around 5–6 hours of hiking. Day two is 6–7 hours. Day three includes only a short optional trek in the morning if you choose it, or you can skip it and rest at camp.

Is the guide included, and what language do they speak?

Yes, your guide is included and speaks English. All guides are certified by the Indonesia Tourist Guides Association and are from the local area, so they have deep knowledge of the rainforest and its wildlife.

What meals and drinks are provided?

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included each day at the campsites. Snacks and tea or coffee are also provided. You'll eat together at camp in the evenings.