7-Day North Sumatra Tour: Orangutans, Volcanoes & Lake Toba

Seven days tracking orangutans through rainforest, climbing active volcanoes, and crossing a massive crater lake

A 7-day guided tour from Medan that moves through three distinct regions of North Sumatra: Bukit Lawang's rainforest home to critically endangered Sumatran orangutans, the highland town of Berastagi at 1,300 meters with Mount Sibayak hiking, and Lake Toba on Samosir Island. Your certified local guide speaks English or Malay. Hotel pickup in Medan is included, and 10% of tour profits fund village schools and community conservation projects.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Medan to Bukit Lawang transfer

• Pick up from Medan hotel or airport
• Transfer to Bukit Lawang by private car

Day 2: Jungle trekking and river tubing

• Start trek at 9:00 AM to see orangutans
• Observe orangutans in natural habitat
• Snack on fruits during trek
• Enjoy river tubing back to town

Day 3: Travel to Berastagi and sightseeing

• Drive to Berastagi
• Visit Fruit Market
• Sightseeing around Berastagi town

Day 4: Mount Sibayak hiking and relaxation

• Hike Mount Sibayak in morning
• Relax in natural soda water springs

Day 5: Berastagi to Lake Toba with waterfall stop

• Drive to Lake Toba
• Stop at 120-meter high waterfall

Day 6: Samosir Island cultural tour

• Tour around Samosir Island
• Visit Simanindo Village and Stone Chair
• Watch Batak dance performance
• See Batak people making Ulos

Day 7: Return to Medan or airport

• Transfer back to Medan hotel or airport

The experience

The route starts with a private car transfer from your Medan hotel or airport to Bukit Lawang, a gateway to Gunung Leuser National Park. The next morning you trek into the jungle at 9 AM to watch Sumatran orangutans in their natural habitat: only around 7,000 remain in the wild. You'll hike high into the canopy to observe them moving through branches, caring for their young and feeding on fruit. The trek includes a snack break and a river tubing ride back to town.

From Bukit Lawang you drive south to Berastagi, stopping at the fruit market and exploring the town before settling into your accommodation. Berastagi sits 1,300 meters above sea level in the Barisan Mountains, where temperatures drop to 12–16°C at night during the rainy season. The next day you choose between an 8:30 AM hike up Mount Sibayak to see the Karo Highlands or a 4:30 AM sunrise climb to the summit. Afterward you soak in the natural soda water pools at the mountain's base.

The drive to Lake Toba includes a stop at a 120-meter waterfall. Once you reach the lake, you spend a full day on Samosir Island touring the Simanindo Village, watching traditional Batak dance performances, and seeing how local artisans weave Ulos cloth. Your final day is the return transfer to Medan or the airport. Lunch is included throughout. Your guide is ITGA-HPI certified and shares deep knowledge of the region's nature and culture.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup from Medan or the airport.
• private car transfers between all three regions.
• jungle trek with certified guide to observe Sumatran orangutans in Gunung Leuser National Park.
• Mount Sibayak hike with a choice of sunrise or morning departure.
• natural soda water pools at Mount Sibayak's base.
• full-day Samosir Island tour including Simanindo Village, Batak dance performance, and Ulos weaving demonstration.
• lunch each day.
• all accommodations for six nights.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (6 to 70 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupUp to 6

Live guideEnglish and Malay

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 22 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 16 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Sumatra Orang Utan Treks

Is this one for you?Seven days is the span that lets you move through three distinct ecosystems (rainforest, highland, and crater lake) without rushing any of them. If your Sumatra trip is shorter, a 5-day version covers fewer stops. If you have more time, a 9-day option adds depth to each region.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Malay.

How many orangutans will I see on the jungle trek in Bukit Lawang?

The trek does not guarantee a specific number of sightings. You're observing the orangutans in their natural habitat, so encounters depend on where they are foraging that day. The hike goes high into the jungle starting at 9 AM to maximize your chances of spotting them moving through the canopy and feeding on fruit.

What is the physical demand of the Mount Sibayak hike?

Mount Sibayak requires at least a moderate level of physical fitness. You can choose between an 8:30 AM hike to see the highlands or a 4:30 AM sunrise climb to the summit. Both are strenuous. The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or pregnant travelers.

Do I need to arrange my own transport from Medan, or is it included?

Hotel pickup in Medan or from the airport is included in the tour. A private car transfers you to Bukit Lawang on day one and returns you to Medan or the airport on the final day.

Where do the profits from this tour go?

Ten percent of tour profits are donated directly to village schools and community projects in the region, supporting local education, conservation efforts and sustainable employment.

What should I pack for the temperature changes between Bukit Lawang and Berastagi?

Bukit Lawang is warm and humid in the rainforest, while Berastagi at 1,300 meters can drop to 12–16°C at night, especially during the rainy season. Bring layers, a light jacket, and rain gear. Daytime temperatures in Berastagi rise above 25°C but fog often rolls in at dusk.