Our most popular trek, the two-day trek is for for many people the perfect sampling of jungle life - a day's trek in the Sumatran rainforest (a World Heritage Site), an encounter with orangutans and other wildlife, a night in the jungle, and then back to civilization the next afternoon returning either by jungle raft on the Bohorok river, or by walk, as you prefer.
Our expert guides will guide you in a group of no more than six people (unless your own group is larger than this size) to maximise the quality of your wildlife encounter. They will point out some of the many species of animal, bird and medicinal plants that you will see in the forest. They will cook your meals while you are in the jungle, and hold your hand if you are finding it tough going on the slippery hill trails that make up the lowland rainforest (reaching up to 1000 metres above sea level) at Bukit Lawang. Their motto is to 'keep smiling, because orangutans don't like sad faces'. Maybe this is true, or maybe not, but either way they will ensure your trip is a memorable experience of a lifetime.
The trek takes place in the jungle to the south and west of the Bohorok river. From the starting point at the Ecolodge (see map, marked with an X), we head into the jungle where there are various trails running roughly west, to the south of the Bohorok river. Depending on the capabilities of the group, we will camp at one of different camps, either on the Bohorok river, the Landak river, or the Jambur Batu stream.
On the Jambur Batu stream, we have Jambur Batu Atas (Upper Jambur Batu), and Jambur Batu Bawah (Lower Jambur Batu), and also Adi Black. These are close to each other, near a waterfall on the Jambur Batu. Upper Jambur Batu is the more secluded site. From these camps, the second day's journey is north, to the Bohorok river, where will tube down stream.
On the Bohorok river, we have Ariko (the closest to Bukit Lawang), followed by Jambur Monel, Aris Pinang, Batu Lintang, and then Ekor Rantau Panjang.
Finally on the Landak river, we have Batu Gajah. If we camp on the Landak, then we must return on foot, because tubing is not possible on the Landak river.
Our second day is not as long as the first, and we will be back Bukit Lawang by late afternoon, having returned either by 'jungle raft' or walk, at your choice.
Some major species commonly seen:
- Sumatran orangutan
- Thomas's langur (Thomas leaf monkey) - unique to northern Sumatra
- Wreathed hornbill
- Crab-eating macaque (long-tailed macaque)
- Southern pig-tailed macaque
- Water monitor
- Reticulated python
- Wagler's pit viper
- Asiatic softshell turtle
- Malayan giant squirrel
Less common:
- Great argus (Sumatran peacock)
- Dhole (wild dog)
- Silvery lutung (silver leaf monkey)
- Sumatran lar gibbon (white-handed gibbon)
- Siamang (black gibbon)
- Wild boar (banded pig)
- Lesser mouse-deer
- Red giant flying squirrel
- Deer
Other species present, but rare to see:
- Sunda slow loris
- Sumatran tiger
- Sumatran rhinoceros
- Sumatran elephant
- Malayan sun bear
- Clouded leopard
Note: itinerary is indicative only, variations are possible due to weather conditions (in the rainy season we will try to reach camp earlier, as it normally rains in later afternoon) and the characteristics of the group (e.g., we can make the trek longer or shorter according to your physical condition).
Day 1:
9am: Your guide will meet you at your guesthouse, and you will join with the other guests joining the trek (if applicable, and there won't be more than six people in your group).
9:15am (approximate): Walk to the entrance to the national park, near the Ecolodge guesthouse.
9:30am (approximate): Enter into the national park, trek through the jungle, keeping an eye out for wildlife including of course orangutans.
Noon: break for lunch. Typically fried rice, which we bring from the village, plus a variety of tropical fruit (depending on the season), such as pineapple, passion fruit, bananas, rambutan and tangerines.
1pm: trek to our overnight camp, keeping an eye out for wildlife along the way.
4-5pm: arrive at the camp. Our guides will prepare a fire, and cook your dinner of curry, rice, and other local foods, with tea, coffee, and fresh water. After dinner you can relax, chat, join a camp fire singalong, or play games such as cards or dominoes.
Bedtime: sleep under our 'jungle tent', a large wooden frame covered with a plastic sheet.
Day 2:
9am: We eat breakfast together
10am: trek from the campsite towards the river. Maybe we will see some different wildlife today.
Noon: lunch - fruit, noodles
2pm: Board the jungle raft down the Bohorok river back to the village - around 1 hour (option: walk back instead). We exit the river next to Wisma Sibayak guesthouse.
3pm (approximate, depends on weather, the group, and other factors, an earlier finish may be possible if you require): end of trek
What to bring
You need to bring a small backpack containing a change of clothes for day 2, swimsuit, mosquito repellent, sun block, and camera.
You also need to bring at least one large (1.5l) bottle of water, for each person, this you can buy locally for around $0.50.
Jungle clothing choices are flexible. You can wear either long or short clothing, longer clothing will keep the sun and mosquitoes away, but it needs to be lightweight as the weather is hot (around 30C) and humidity is near 100%. At night the temperatures will go down to around 22C, so it's neither hot nor cold for sleeping.
Footwear is quite important - never wear new shoes on a trip, please 'break them in', by wearing them first for a week or two, so that they don't cause blisters. You can be sure that your shoes will get wet in the jungle. For this reason avoid 'Gore-Tex' waterproof shoes, as these are designed to keep water out, which means that once they get wet (which they will), they will never dry get dry. Lightweight walking shoes or walking sandals (not flip-flops) are a good choice. Boots might be too hot for our conditions. If you are wearing sandals, please ensure that they are not slippery between your feet and the shoe when wet, as you can expect to walk through streams, etc., in them and they will get wet, and if they are slippery it makes it impossible to walk up any hill.
Orangutans and other wildlife are susceptible to human illnesses. Please do not feed them, or touch them.
Restrictions
The trip requires an above average level of fitness. Paths can be steep and/or slippery. Our assistants will try to help you if you need a hand, but you are responsible for your own personal safety.
Children of any age are permitted, but please consider if your own child will be able to walk for several hours in the jungle (age 5 is normally possible, but it depends on the child, and they will be very tired). For a family of four or larger we will provide a private group to help tailor the trip to your children's needs.
Extras
You have a choice for your return down the river to go by our jungle raft, or by walking.
Included
National Park admission fee/all permits
Day 1: Packed lunch, fresh-cooked dinner inclusive of drinking water (please specify if you have special dietary requirements), everything you need to sleep in the jungle - mat, sleeping bag and tent
Day 2: Breakfast, lunch. Jungle inner tube raft with river captain, and your life jackets, plastic dry bag to keep your equipment dry.
Throughout: Expert guide and assistants
Excluded
Day 1: Breakfast, your initial drinking water supply (you can refill at dinner time, around 4pm)
Day 2: Dinner