3-day orangutans adventure in Gunung Leuser: Jungle trek

Three days tracking orangutans through the Gunung Leuser jungle

A 3-day jungle trek through Gunung Leuser National Park where you track orangutans in their natural habitat, sleep in riverside camps, and return by tube. The guide picks you up at your homestay, leads you through the forest on foot, stops frequently to observe wildlife from a safe distance, and provides all meals and camping shelter along the way.

The experience

The trek starts with pickup at your homestay and a walk into Gunung Leuser, one of the few places on earth where orangutans live wild. You move through the forest at a steady pace, stopping often to drink, eat fruit and watch for orangutans, Thomas leaf monkeys, gibbons and macaques from a respectful distance. The guide knows where to look and how to move without disturbing them. By afternoon you reach the first campsite by the river, where you can swim and cool off before dinner and an evening by the campfire.

The second day continues deeper into the jungle, following the river to another camp where you sleep in a half-open shelter with the sounds of water and forest around you. The cook prepares Indonesian dinner and breakfast each morning. On the final day, after breakfast and a swim, the route depends on where you are: you either continue trekking or head to a waterfall for a last swim before lunch. Then you tube back downriver to Bukit Lawang, floating past the landscape you've walked through.

Bottled water, all meals, and camping gear are included. You bring clothes for three days of walking and swimming. The pace is moderate and steady, not a sprint, but real jungle trekking over uneven ground. A guide who speaks English leads the whole group, so you're never navigating alone.

What’s included

• Pickup at your homestay.
• English-speaking guide for all three days.
• all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
• bottled water.
• riverside camp shelter.
• tubing gear and the float back to Bukit Lawang.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to12h before

GroupPrivate

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 8 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Fery’s jungletrack

Is this one for you?Pickup from your homestay means you don't need a car or arrange separate transport to the trailhead. The guide collects you and leads the whole group from there. If you're staying in a guesthouse in Bukit Lawang or nearby, this removes the logistics of finding the jungle entrance on your own.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

2 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can I actually see orangutans on this trek?

Gunung Leuser is one of the only places where wild orangutans live, and the guide knows the forest and where to look. Sightings are not guaranteed (they are wild animals), but the trek is built around the chance to find them and watch from a safe distance.

What's the campsite like and where do I sleep?

You sleep in a half-open shelter by the river, surrounded by jungle sounds. There are no walls, so you're close to the forest and the water. The cook prepares meals at camp, and you have a campfire in the evening.

How hard is the walking and what's my fitness level need to be?

The trek is moderate: you walk at a steady pace with frequent stops, but the ground is uneven and you're carrying a pack. You should be comfortable walking for several hours a day. The operator recommends at least moderate fitness. It's not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy, or poor cardiovascular health.

What meals and water are provided?

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included each day, prepared by the camp cook. Bottled water is provided throughout. You'll also eat fresh fruit during the trek and have coffee or tea at camp.

How do I get back to Bukit Lawang at the end?

On the final day after lunch, you tube back downriver to Bukit Lawang. The tubing gear is included, and it's a relaxed float through the landscape after three days on foot.

Where does the guide pick me up and what if I'm staying outside Bukit Lawang?

The guide picks you up at your homestay in the area. If you're staying in Medan or elsewhere, you'll need to arrange your own transport to Bukit Lawang or a homestay nearby before the trek starts.