Things to do in Bukit Lawang
Half- and full-day trips around Bukit Lawang: kayaking, the bat cave, a becak ride, bikes, Tangkahan, and a night walk to look for snakes.
For the day either side of a trek
Most people book these around a trek rather than instead of one. They fill the afternoon you arrive or the day your legs have had enough, and none of them need the fitness a multi-day trek does.
What each one is
The jungle kayak runs the Bohorok downstream of the village, which is quick water in places and calm in others. The bat cave sits past Landak River and is a short scramble in the dark with a headlamp; it is genuinely a cave, not a lit walkway.
A becak tour is the village and the rubber and palm country around it from the back of a motorbike sidecar, and it is the one that gets you talking to people. The bike routes cover the same country under your own power. Tangkahan is a full day out: a quieter forest an hour and a half away, with a river to swim in and elephants the rangers patrol with.
The night walk goes out after dark to look for snakes, frogs and insects, which is when the forest floor is busiest. Sightings are never guaranteed on any of these.
What to bring
Shoes that can get wet for the kayak and the cave, a dry bag or a plastic bag for a phone, and insect repellent for the night walk. Dengue-carrying mosquitoes here bite in daylight, so repellent is worth wearing on the day trips too, not only after dark.
Frequently asked questions
Core principles:
- Maintain distance: Minimum 10 meters (33 feet) from orangutans and other wildlife
- No feeding: Never feed wild animals - it disrupts their natural behavior and diet
- No calling or mimicking: Don't make sounds to attract animals
- No touching: Never attempt to touch or interact with wildlife
- Follow guide instructions: Your guide knows the animals and will ensure ethical encounters
- Be patient: Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed - respect nature's timing
- Quiet observation: Keep noise levels low to avoid disturbing animals
Ethical trekking options:
- Standard treks may allow closer sightings
- Strictly ethical/observation-only treks maintain wider distances and no feeding/calling
Leave No Trace principles:
- Biodegradable products only: Use only biodegradable soap for river bathing
- Pack out all trash: Take everything you bring into the jungle back out with you
- No single-use plastics: Minimize plastic waste
- Stay on trails: Don't create new paths or damage vegetation
- Respect wildlife: Observe from distance, don't disturb
- Water conservation: Use water sparingly - it's carried in by porters
- Fire safety: Follow guide instructions for any campfires
- Respect local culture: Follow customs and traditions of local communities
Remember: You're a guest in the orangutans' home. Treat it with respect.
Economic impact:
- Local employment: Guides, porters, and cooks are from local communities
- Fair wages: Reputable agencies pay fair wages and provide equipment
- Tipping: Tipping is customary and vital to the local economy, recognizing hard physical labor
- National Park fees: Permit fees (150,000 IDR per person) support conservation efforts
- Local businesses: Your stay supports guesthouses, restaurants, and local services
Conservation support:
- Park fees fund ranger patrols and habitat protection
- Tourism creates economic incentive to protect orangutan habitat
- Education: Guides educate visitors about conservation challenges
- Research: Some tours support ongoing research projects
By choosing ethical operators, you contribute directly to conservation and community welfare.
Standard Trek:
- May allow closer wildlife sightings
- Guides may use some techniques to increase sighting chances
- Still follows safety and ethical guidelines
- Suitable for most visitors
Strictly Ethical / Observation-Only Trek:
- Maintains wider distance from wildlife (10+ meters)
- No feeding or calling animals
- Pure observation approach
- Minimal disturbance to natural behavior
- Best for serious wildlife enthusiasts and photographers
- May result in fewer or more distant sightings, but ensures animals behave naturally
Which to choose?
- If you prioritize close encounters: Standard trek
- If you prioritize animal welfare and natural behavior: Strictly ethical trek
Both options support conservation, but strictly ethical treks minimize human impact on wildlife behavior.
Something else in mind?
Tell us what you'd like to do and we'll arrange it.