Bukit Lawang jungle trek from Medan: See orangutans

Trek into rainforest where orangutans move freely through the canopy

A 1-day jungle trek from Medan to Bukit Lawang in Gunung Leuser National Park, where you walk the rainforest border with an English-speaking guide, spotting orangutans, gibbons, Thomas leaf monkeys, macaques, flying squirrels and hornbills. The trek is slow-paced with frequent breaks, designed for walkers who are not very sporty. Pickup from your Medan hotel, park entry, lunch and guide are included. Minimum age is 12.

Step-by-step itinerary

Jungle trek to see orangutans

• Pickup from Medan hotel
• Drive 3 hours to Bukit Lawang
• Walk to Gunung Leuser National Park border
• Trek and observe wildlife
• Watch orangutans in natural habitat
• Have lunch
• Continue trekking 3 hours
• Return via jungle walk or jungle taxi

The experience

You're picked up from your Medan hotel and driven about 3 hours to Bukit Lawang, where the trek into Gunung Leuser National Park begins at the forest border. The walk is built around spotting wildlife in their natural habitat: your guide points out plant species and animals as you move through the rainforest, with the main goal of seeing orangutans play, swing between trees and go about their day. You'll also encounter gibbons, Thomas leaf monkeys, Sumatran Great Argus pheasants, pigtail macaques, flying squirrels and hornbills.

The pace is deliberately slow with many breaks built in, so you're not rushing between sightings. After lunch partway through, you trek for around 3 more hours before reaching the finish point. At that stage, you can walk back through the jungle or choose to return by jungle taxi or tube raft down the Bohorok River (the raft option costs extra and is paid on the spot). The whole day runs 10 to 11 hours from pickup to drop-off.

Bring comfortable trekking shoes, a hat, sunscreen and insect repellent. A camera is worth packing for the wildlife moments. You'll want a water bottle to stay hydrated throughout the walk. The trek is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnant travelers, or those with poor cardiovascular health. You should have a high level of physical fitness to complete it comfortably.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Medan.
• entrance fee to Gunung Leuser National Park.
• English-speaking guide throughout the trek.
• lunch during the day.
• multiple rest breaks on a slow-paced route designed for walkers of mixed fitness levels.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 05:00

AgesAdult (12 to 70 years) · Under 12: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 3 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 yesterday

Good to know

Demanding physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Indo Trip

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a guided group trek where a local expert handles wildlife identification and safety while you walk at a relaxed pace with frequent stops: ideal for seeing orangutans and other jungle animals without needing your own transport or park knowledge.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

1 verified traveler review

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 wildlife will I actually see on the trek to Bukit Lawang?

Orangutans are the main focus. Your guide will help you spot them moving through the canopy and going about their daily activities. You'll also see gibbons, Thomas leaf monkeys, pigtail macaques, flying squirrels, Sumatran Great Argus pheasants and hornbills, though sightings depend on the day and the forest's activity.

How much walking is involved, and can I take breaks?

The trek is slow-paced with multiple breaks built throughout the day, designed to be accessible for people who are not very sporty. You walk for roughly 6 hours total across the day, split into a morning section and an afternoon section after lunch, with rest stops in between.

What's included in the price, and what do I need to bring?

Pickup and drop-off from your Medan hotel, park entry, lunch, and an English-speaking guide are all included. Bring comfortable trekking shoes, a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, a water bottle and a camera. Swimwear and a towel are useful if you choose the optional tube raft return.

Can I return to the village by tube raft instead of walking back?

Yes, tube rafting down the Bohorok River is available as an optional return. You pay for it on the spot if you decide to do it. Otherwise, you walk back through the jungle or take a jungle taxi.

What time does the day start, and how long is the whole trip?

You're picked up from your hotel in Medan in the morning and driven 3 hours to Bukit Lawang. The full day from pickup to drop-off is 10 to 11 hours, so you'll return to Medan in the late afternoon or early evening.