FAQ

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.

Please see: How to get to Sumatra

Yes of course. We can recommend many guesthouses and hotels around Bukit Lawang suiting every budget. Read also: Accommodation 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.

Read also: Traveling by rental car through Sumatra – Yes or No?

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.

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.

Please see our terms.

That depends. We always try to cater your needs. However, the closer to the original date, the harder it may get to be able to change the dates. Please let us know as far in advance as possible. Please keep in mind, that a change of dates may result in higher prices due to possible holidays or season changes.

Please let us know immediately. We try to do our best and chage your trip. However, the closer to the original date, the harder it may get to be able to change the dates. Please let us know as far in advance as possible. Please keep in mind, that a change of dates may result in higher prices due to possible holidays or season changes.

Basically, we are just as spontaneous as you are. Therefore, we will do our best to coordinate your changes of plans. Please note, however, that hotels and tours that have already been booked might charge cancellation fees. However, we will inform you in any case and coordinate everything with you.

Je nach Region gibt es immer wieder Ausbrüche von verschiedenen Erregern. Deshalb sollten Sie sich immer informieren, welche Impfungen vom Auswärtigen Amt oder Tropeninstitut gerade empfohlen werden.

There is no destination without problems. Therefore, it is advisable to keep an open eye on the road in Sumatra. Flight delays and cancellations due to volcanic eruptions can be a problem, but are rare. If you take basic precautions and use common sense when travelling, all should be well.

Credit cards are not very common in Sumatra. At most, larger hotels in Medan and other major cities accept credit cards. Otherwise, cash is preferred. However, you can also withdraw cash at several ATMs. You should do this especially on the way to Bukit Lawang, because there is no ATM there.

Tipping is not very common in Sumatra. You may get a confused look from the waiter if you give more than you have to. Nevertheless, the locals are always happy to receive tips. 10% at meals is ok. For tips to drivers and guides, it can be more if you were satisfied.

In Indonesia, there are type F sockets (Schuko socket). Type C and E also fit.

No, please book your flight yourself. Your tour with us starts whenever you wish and is not bound to a flight ticket. However, we will be happy to give you non-binding tips for cheap and quality airlines and offers.

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.

We gathered some information on how to get to Bukit Lawang.

Yes of course. We can recommend many guesthouses and hotels around Bukit Lawang suiting every budget. Read also: Accommodation 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, accommodation (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 accommodation in Bukit Lawang.

You can leave your luggage and everything you don’t want to take on the trek in your accommodation. Also if you go on multiple day treks. All accommodations 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.

The 3h- and 1-day-trips take place from 1 person, the 2-day-trip from 2 persons and the 3-day-trip from 3 persons. Maximum 5 persons. With this group size we can hike freely in the jungle and support everyone equally. However, if you travel in a larger group, please contact us. We can organize more guides or divide the groups. If you are travelling alone and you want to do a 2 or 3 day trek, please contact us. Thanks to our network of guides and tour operators we will find a tour for you.

• We provide you with food throughout the day.
• Bedding per person (if you stay overnight)
• First aid if necessary
• Pickup from your accommodation
• 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 and vegan options are always available. 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!

Deposit
We always take a deposit of 50€, payable to an European bank account.

Booking confirmation and outstanding payment
The rest must be paid in cash in IDR on site.

Please see our terms.

Please see our terms.