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    Bukit Lawang
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    Bukit Lawang

    Bukit Lawang on the Bohorok River is the best-known gateway to Gunung Leuser National Park. Guided jungle treks lead to semi-wild and wild Sumatra orangutans, and the return journey is often by tubing on the river.

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    9. Bukit Lawang
    Bukit Lawang on the Bohorok River is the best-known gateway to Gunung Leuser National Park. Guided jungle treks lead to semi-wild and wild Sumatra orangutans, and the return journey is often by tubing on the river.
    Bukit Lawang is located on the Bohorok River on the eastern edge of the Gunung Leuser National Park, about three to four hours west of Medan. An orangutan rehabilitation centre was founded here in 1973, and many local animals are descended from its residents. Today, you explore the rainforest on guided treks, from half-day to multi-day excursions with overnight stays in jungle camps. The return is often by inner tube on the river. The village stretches along the banks with guesthouses and warungs, and is only accessible on foot.

    Sights in Bukit Lawang

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Jungle Trekking in Gunung Leuser National Park
    Arian Zwegers / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0

    Jungle Trekking in Gunung Leuser National Park

    Guided hikes through lowland rainforest with good chances of seeing Orangutans, Thomas langurs, and Gibbons. Part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra.
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    Cavern of Bats
    Attraction

    Cavern of Bats

    Limestone cave with bats at the edge of the village, for exploration with a headlamp and local guide.
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    Tangkahan
    Attraction

    Tangkahan

    Ecotourism spot on the northern edge of the National Park with rivers, a hot spring, and an elephant camp. Approximately two to three hours from Bukit Lawang.
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    Sights in Bukit Lawang

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Jungle Trekking in Gunung Leuser National Park
    Arian Zwegers / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0

    1Jungle Trekking in Gunung Leuser National Park

    Guided hikes through lowland rainforest with good chances of seeing Orangutans, Thomas langurs, and Gibbons. Part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra.
    Open in Google Maps
    Cavern of Bats
    Attraction

    2Cavern of Bats

    Limestone cave with bats at the edge of the village, for exploration with a headlamp and local guide.
    Open in Google Maps
    Tangkahan
    Attraction

    3Tangkahan

    Ecotourism spot on the northern edge of the National Park with rivers, a hot spring, and an elephant camp. Approximately two to three hours from Bukit Lawang.
    Open in Google Maps

    Restaurants in Bukit Lawang

    1

    NatureSoul Bukit Lawang

    Restaurant and café on Jl. Orangutan, offering tours as well.
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    2

    Co. Bar

    Small eatery with Indonesian cuisine in Bukit Lawang.
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    Eating and Drinking

    Riverside Warungs

    Simple eateries with Nasi Goreng, Mie, and fish, often with views of the Bohorok.

    Food on Trekking Tours

    For multi-day tours, guides cook rice, vegetables, curry and fruit in camp.

    Culture

    Most guides and hosts are from the village itself; many are Batak Karo or Javanese. In 2003, a flash flood destroyed large parts of the village, which was later rebuilt. Tourism is the main source of income, besides the surrounding palm oil and rubber plantations.

    Getting There & Around

    Getting ThereBus from Medan: Approx. 3 hours, departures approx. every 12 minutes from 6:15 AM to 6 PM from the Pinang Baris area.Private Car: 4 to 5 hours, usually with pickup from the airport or your accommodation.Shuttles: They also connect Bukit Lawang directly with Berastagi, Tangkahan, and Lake Toba.In the National ParkEntry to the National Park is only permitted with a licensed guide and permit; both can be arranged by the guesthouses. Do not feed the animals and maintain a distance of at least ten meters.

    Outings

    Tangkahan

    Tranquil spot by the National Park, where Mahouts care for former working elephants.

    Berastagi

    Highland town of the Karo with volcanoes, reachable by shuttle.

    Accommodations in Bukit Lawang

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    Nearby

    Berastagi
    Christian Advs Sltg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

    Berastagi

    Berastagi in the Karo Highlands is a market town at around 1,300 meters, surrounded by vegetable and fruit fields. The volcanoes Sibayak and Sinabung dominate the landscape, and traditional Karo-Batak longhouses stand in the surroundings.
    Medan
    Mimihitam / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

    Medan

    Medan is Sumatra's largest city and the transportation hub of the north. The Sultan of Deli's Maimun Palace, the Great Mosque, colonial buildings from the tobacco era, and diverse street food make for a worthwhile stopover.
    North Sumatra

    North Sumatra

    North Sumatra combines the vast crater lake Toba, Batak culture, active volcanoes, and Gunung Leuser National Park's orangutan-filled rainforest. Most trips begin in the metropolis Medan.
    Lake Toba and Samosir
    Chapsorini / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

    Lake Toba and Samosir

    Lake Toba fills the caldera of a supervolcano whose eruption approximately 74,000 years ago is among the largest in Earth's history. It is the largest lake in Southeast Asia, and at its center lies Samosir Island, home to villages, tombs, and royal houses of the Toba Batak.
    Penang Hill (Bukit Bendera)
    Hzh / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

    Penang Hill (Bukit Bendera)

    George Town's Mount rises to about 830 metres and was a retreat from the heat even in colonial times. A funicular takes you to the top in just a few minutes, where it's noticeably cooler. From the viewpoints, gaze over the city to the Penang Bridge and mainland; the Habitat nature trail leads through ancient rainforest.