2025 Bukit Lawang Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in March)

Aloha Big Island Hawaii! The Nomadic oath; Travel everywhere, but backwards. Take nothing, but pictures. Leave nothing, but footprints. Kill nothing, but time. Bukit Lawang is a village in Northern Sumatra 96km northwest of Medan. The village is situated on the banks of the Bohorok River surrounded by the Gunning Leuser National Park. The village is a great place to visit to be surrounded by nature and absorb the scenery. Bukit Lawang used to be home to a rehabilitation centre that cared for and released captive orang-utans to the wild. The centre has been closed for some time but many semi wild females remain in the jungle near Bukit Lawang often nursing young. The tribes of Ethiopia, the cliffs and waterfall the Big Island in Hawaii, incredible sunrise in Siem Reap Cambodia, koala bears in Australia, wildlife in the Galapagos islands, magnificent mountains of Alaska and the island monkeys of Thailand. Inspired to go everywhere and inspire others. #Thailand #Galapagos #wanderlust #travelling #traveller #travelphotography#indonesia #malaysia ##hawaii #ethiopia #adventure #journey #travelgram #travellifestyle #traveling #traveladdicted #travelgoals #traveljournal #igtravel #traveladdict #travelpics #travelphotos #traveler #tourist #travelblog #tourism #hiking#indonesia #bali #australia

As only one of two places in the entire world to see wild orangutangs in their natural habitat, jungle trekking in Sumatra is a must for those interested in adventure travel. Offering a range of services including airport pickup and transfer, accommodation on offer to suit all budgets, white water rafting, as well as 1 to 30 day jungle tours, the guys at Bukit Lawang Jungle have you covered. They are incredibly knowledgable having grown up in amongst the orangutangs, monkeys and various bird wildlife so you are almost guaranteed to find what you are looking for. Within 2 minutes on entering the national park I was greeted by orangutangs who have got used to tourists coming and going out of the park so you get a lot closer than you will imagine. Kind, helpful and accommodating people who I would thoroughly recommend. Thoroughly recommend the adventure with these guys! #urbanexplorer #happylaborday #maydaytrip #nationalpark

Bukit Lawang, a charming village nestled on the edge of Gunung Leuser National Park in North Sumatra, Indonesia, is a haven for nature enthusiasts and wildlife adventurers. Known for its eco-tourism initiatives, #bukit lawang offers visitors the unique opportunity to witness orangutans in their natural habitat. This UNESCO World Heritage Site boasts over 7,900 square kilometers of lush rainforest, making it a dream destination for those seeking adventure and wildlife encounters. Beyond orangutan sightings, Bukit Lawang provides a range of activities, including jungle treks, river tubing, and relaxation by the Bohorok River, which gracefully meanders through the heart of the village. Whether you're an avid nature lover or an adventure seeker, Bukit Lawang promises an unforgettable experience amidst the wonders of the Sumatran rainforest.

We were picked up easily at our hotel and brought us to the rainforest. There we met a local guide who spoke amazing English. He led us through the trees and called out to the animals. We saw lots of birds and monkeys but we the highlight was we saw a pregnant orangutang and 2 male orangutangs, we also could see a baby orangutang in the distance. We couldn’t believe our luck! Such an incredible experience and well worth the mosquito bites! I would add extra spray before you enter the forest and wear long pants if possible. #nature #wow #wanderlust #mustvisit

These animals are absolutely incredible to see in the wild! My trip started before sunrise, the driver collected me from Medan city and drove to the jungle. The driver is well versed with google translate and is a very helpful, thoughtful and friendly person! Arriving at the meeting point, I waited 10minutes for other people to arrive and join the trek. We were given a lot of information about what to expect. My guides were Darabi and Haikal. These two gentlemen are funny, entertaining and very knowledgeable! They prepared lunch and we ate in the middle of the jungle, fried rice with egg and a lot of fruit. We saw about 7 orangutans and a few monkeys. An absolute have to visit location for anyone interested in wildlife. 🕰Business Hours: Collection at the hotel 7am, Arrival at the meeting point 10am, return to the meeting point 4pm, arrival back in Medan 8pm 🏖BAmbiance/Facilities: The guides prepare lunch and raincoats 📍Address: Bukit Lawang, North Sumatra, Indonesia 💰Average Price per Person: 2’000’000 IDR per person for the one day trek 💞Reasons to Recommend: Beautiful photos can be taken and to see these animals in the wild is a bucket list experience 🗓Itinerary Scheduling: Book your trip at least one day in advance 🏎 Getting there from Medan city is easy with a private driver arranged by the tour company #indonesia #sumatra #orangutan #jungle #bali #familytrip #trip #bucketlistadventure #rainforest #2025해외여행이벤트 #运动

#rafting #100waysoftravel This time rafting we used a crew from Sumatra Savages, this is an experienced crew, so even though the route is extreme, we still feel safe. There was a funny moment when one of the team members fell into the water and had to be pulled back into the boat, everyone laughed afterwards, considering this was part of an unforgettable experience. It's not just about the rapids, but also the togetherness with the team that makes it special. After rafting, there is usually a group meal session, enjoying local Sumatran dishes while sharing stories about experiences on the river. Everything is exciting, full of laughter, and will definitely make you want to do it again. Address: Dusun VI, Bukit Lawang, Kec. Bohorok, Kabupaten Langkat, Sumatera Utara 20774

Setting out from Bukit Lawang, I did a two-day trek in Gunung Leuser National Park. The Indonesian jungle being home to the largest orangutan community in the world, I was able to observe a dozen or so in the course of my stay: mothers with their young, dominant males. It is fascinating to stay and observe their behaviour for minutes on end, all the while knowing that these animals, whose name means "men of the forest" in Malay, are one of our closest cousins! The trek took about 6 hours a day and at night, I slept in my sleeping bag practically on the ground itself, on a ground sheet spread on the earth, with for all shelter, a linen cloth stretched over stakes. My guide set up a makeshift camp, and I was able to enjoy a hot meal in the evening. Bukit Lawang and its surroundings were an unforgettable experience for me . For one of the first times in my life, I really felt thrust into the very depths of nature. I recommend it to trekking enthusiasts and others! Travelogist suggestion: Make sure you have good walking shoes if you plan to trek for more than a day!