MENU

FAQ

Package Holidays

Sumatra can be enjoyed all year round, but our high season is from May through to September. November until February is considered the wet season and while we still trek during this time, there is a higher chance of rain.
Sumatra has mostly tropical climate – hot and humid. In North Sumatra the dry season lasts from April to September and comes with sunny days. The rainy season doens't mean it's raining all day like in other palces in South East Asia. It is just more likely to rain, but mostly in the afternoon. Especially here in Bukit Lawang next to the rain forest rain is always possible. Temperatures are around 30 °C year round. In the jungle, especially after the rain, the temperature can drop to 20 °C at night. So when you visit Bukit Lawang be prepared for every occasion. See our list on what to bring.
Yes of course. We can recommend many guesthouses and hotels around Bukit Lawang suiting every budget. Read also: Accomodation in Bukit Lawang
If we organise a complete package tour through Sumatra for you, transport (private driver), accommodation and activities are included, depending on agreement. Please have a look at our detailled offer.

Of course. No matter what your wishes and requirements for your Sumatra tours are, let us know and we will organize it for you.

We strongly advise not to do so. The traffic is very chaotic and the roads are bad. It is very convenient on Sumatra to hire a private driver for certain routes or a number of days. Especially if you are travelling as a couple or in a group, the cost per person is very reasonable. We are happy to organize a private driver on Sumatra for you. Please do not hesitate to contact us.

If you would like to book round trips, accommodation, transport or activities on Sumatra, please fill out this form and we will be in touch shortly.

We recommend that you book at least one month in advance so that we can prepare everything. However, we do our best to accept enquiries at short notice. Simply contact us.

Deposit
A deposit of 30% of the total price is required to confirm the booking. We need this deposit as we have to pay hotels or services in advance in order to secure the booking. The deposit must be paid via bank transfer to a EU, GB or US bank account or Paypal (+5% surcharge). You will receive an invoice.

Booking confirmation and outstanding payment
Once the deposit has been received, we will send you a booking confirmation and the updated itinerary. For the final payment, unless stated otherwise, you will receive another invoice 4 weeks prior to travel.

Please see our terms.

We are prepared for minor sicknesses and injuries (stomach pain, rashes, scratches, bee stings…). The next doctor is around 5 km outside of Bukit Lawang and can handle fevers and infections. for severe sicknesses or injuries you will need to go to the hospital in Medan. We highly recommend a travel health insurance which covers hospital fees.
For cancellations up to 2 weeks prior to departure we will refund 50% of the deposit. In case of short-term cancellation there will be no refund.

Jungle Trekking

Sumatra can be enjoyed all year round, but our high season is from May through to September. November until February is considered the wet season and while we still trek during this time, there is a higher chance of rain.
We gathered some information on how to get to Bukit Lawang.
Sumatra has mostly tropical climate – hot and humid. In North Sumatra the dry season lasts from April to September and comes with sunny days. The rainy season doens't mean it's raining all day like in other palces in South East Asia. It is just more likely to rain, but mostly in the afternoon. Especially here in Bukit Lawang next to the rain forest rain is always possible. Temperatures are around 30 °C year round. In the jungle, especially after the rain, the temperature can drop to 20 °C at night. So when you visit Bukit Lawang be prepared for every occasion. See our list on what to bring.
Yes of course. We can recommend many guesthouses and hotels around Bukit Lawang suiting every budget. Read also: Accomodation in Bukit Lawang
The prices can be found here.
The prices for jungle trekking are set by the guide association (HPI). With that they want to guarantee that all people involved (guides, porters, cooks, national park) get a decent salary. All prices include entrance fees, guides, food, accomodation (2/3 days), rafting back (except 3 hours).

Here's a breakdown of the costs for 2 people for a 2 day trek (90 Euro/person):
Permit: 20 Euros
HPI fee: 4 Euros
Food: 16 Euros
Guide: 50 Euros
Assistant guide: 20 Euros
Cook/camp/rafting: 70 Euros

Here you see that there are many people involved and everybody gets a decent salary for Indonesian conditions. When you negotiate the price, you are not only agreeing to a bad payment, but you also reduce the quality and even safety of your experience. Everybody looses. So if a guide offers you a big discount, be cautious.
Our treks take place in the Gunung Leuser National Park and we start in the little village of Bukit Lawang and the edge of the National Park. We will pick you up from your accomodation in Bukit Lawang.
You can leave your luggage and everything you don't want to take on the trek in your accomodation. Also if you go on multiple day treks. All accomodations offer luggage storage.
Orangutan Trekking Tours are suited to people of all ages, who are in reasonably good health. If you have a health condition that might inhibit your ability to do a trek with us, please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate you.
We are prepared for minor sicknesses and injuries (stomach pain, rashes, scratches, bee stings…). The next doctor is around 5 km outside of Bukit Lawang and can handle fevers and infections. for severe sicknesses or injuries you will need to go to the hospital in Medan. We highly recommend a travel health insurance which covers hospital fees.
No. We respect the orangutans and their habitat. Orangutans raised in the wild are typically shy and territorial, so we try to observe them without disturbing their natural way of life.
See our page "What to bring".
Hiking boots are not essentially necessary, you can also use trainers with a good sole. If you want we can also provide you with the local shoes all the guides are wearing. Regarding the cloths comfyness is most important. Wear whatever you feel comfortable in. You don't need to wear long clothes, as there are next to no leeches or dangerous plants.
Of course not! Sumatra's jungles are a widely diverse blend of wildlife and plants, such as macaques, snakes, gibbons, peacocks or tucans.
We organise tours of at least 2 people, but with a maximum of 5. With this group size we are able to walk freely in the jungle and we can assist everybody equally. However, if you are traveling in a larger group, please contact us. We can arrange more guides or split the groups. Also if you are traveling solo, please also contact us. Thanks to our network of guides and tour operators, we will find a tour to join for you.
  • We provide you with food throughout the day.
  • Bedding per person (if you stay overnight)
  • First aid if necessary
  • Pickup from your accomodation
  • The chance to see orangutans in the wild
  • Lots of laughs, learning and memories!
  • English speaking guide and own chef (the latte only when staying overnight)
  • Admission fee and park entrance permit.
  • Water, tea and coffee in the camp (if you stay overnight)
Our cooks will prepare delicious Indonesian food. Vegetarian options are always included. We can cater to your dietary requirements – just let us know in advance.
If you would like to book a trek, please fill out this form and we will be in touch shortly.
We recommend that you book at least two weeks in advance, so we can make sure everything is in place. However, we will try our best to book you in short notice as well, just ask!

Contact us