FAQ

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.

No. There are NO ATMs in Bukit Lawang village itself. The nearest ATM is in Bohorok (10-12 km away), but it is notoriously unreliable, frequently runs out of cash, and often rejects foreign cards.

You can use your credit card to pay for services of Sumatra Jungle Tours via the Pay Now button in the Contact Us page. However, credit/debit cards are rarely accepted in the village. Trekking balances, tips, local meals, and transport must be paid in Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) cash.

It is critical that you withdraw all the money you need for your entire stay—plus a 20% contingency—at Kualanamu Airport or in Medan city before heading to the jungle. Do not rely on finding cash locally.

Tipping is customary and a vital part of the local economy. It recognizes the hard physical labor of the team, especially porters carrying heavy loads over difficult terrain. A general guideline (per day, based on service quality) is:

• Head Guide: 150,000 - 300,000 IDR
• Assistant Guide/Porter/Cook: 100,000 - 150,000 IDR

Yes, reputable agencies include the mandatory Gunung Leuser National Park Permit (150,000 IDR per person per entry) in the package price.

Please check our Map & Transport page for detailed information on transportation options.

Travel times in Sumatra are long. The journey from Bukit Lawang to Lake Toba (Samosir Island) typically takes 8-9 hours by car/bus and ferry. Do not plan any activities on your transfer days; they are full days of driving.

Trekking here is challenging. The climate is hot and humid, and the terrain is steep, hilly, and often muddy (locals call it "Indonesian Flat"—constant up and down).

• 1-Day Trek: Average fitness is sufficient (6-7 hours walking).
• Overnight Treks (2-Day+): You must be comfortable walking 6-7 hours a day in tropical heat over difficult terrain. Endurance is necessary, though we take frequent breaks.

Camps are basic but functional. You sleep in semi-permanent shelters or tents under large plastic tarps ("pondoks"). Bedding consists of thin camping mats, sleeping bags, and pillows.

This is a real jungle adventure! There are no flush toilets or showers. The "bathroom" is a hygienic hole dug in the ground (a squat toilet in nature), usually shielded by a privacy tarp. Bathing is done in the clean, cool river next to the campsite. Please only use biodegradable soap.

No. There is zero electricity at the campsites and no signal. You must bring high-capacity power banks (10,000-20,000 mAh) to keep your cameras and phones charged.

The jungle food is often a highlight! Meals are cooked fresh at camp, typically featuring Indonesian dishes like curries, rice, potato cakes, and sambal. We absolutely cater to vegetarians and vegans. Sumatra is very friendly to plant-based diets due to the prevalence of Tempeh and Tofu (e.g., Tempeh Rendang). Safe, boiled water is provided; bring a refillable bottle.

Consult your travel doctor, but recommended vaccinations include:

• Typhoid & Tetanus: Essential for long-term camp hygiene and injury prevention.
• Rabies: Consider if you plan deep forest wildlife interactions.
• Malaria/Dengue: Dengue is the primary risk in Sumatra. Mosquitoes bite during the day. Talk to your doctor about vaccines Dengvaxia and/or Qdenga. Your best defense is vigilant protection: use strong repellent (DEET) and wear long clothing.

Dengue Fever is the primary health risk in Sumatra. The mosquitoes that carry dengue bite during the day (unlike malaria mosquitoes that bite at night).

Protection strategies:

• Use strong insect repellent containing DEET (30% or higher)
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants, especially during dawn and dusk
• Consider vaccines Dengvaxia and/or Qdenga (consult your doctor)
• Use mosquito nets at campsites
• Avoid standing water where mosquitoes breed

Yes, terrestrial leeches are common in the rainforest, especially during the wet season (October-December, March-April).

What to expect:

• Leeches are small, harmless, and don't carry diseases
• They attach to exposed skin (ankles, legs, arms)
• They inject an anticoagulant, so bites may bleed for a while after removal

How to handle:

• Your guide will help remove them
• Use salt, insect repellent, or a lighter to make them detach
• Clean the bite area and apply a bandage
• The bleeding will stop naturally

Safety and ethical guidelines require maintaining distance from wildlife:

• Minimum distance: 10 meters (33 feet) from orangutans
• Never initiate contact: Do not approach, feed, or call to orangutans
• Semi-wild individuals: Some orangutans that have been rehabilitated can be "pushy" and approach you. Maintain strict distance and let your guide handle the situation
• Follow guide instructions: Your guide knows the animals and will ensure both your safety and theirs

Close encounters are possible, but always respect the animals' space and follow your guide's directions.

While rare, medical emergencies can happen:

• Guide training: All guides are trained in basic first aid
• Evacuation plan: For serious emergencies, evacuation routes are planned in advance
• Communication: Guides carry communication devices (though signal is limited)
• Travel insurance: Essential - Make sure you have comprehensive travel insurance that covers jungle trekking, medical evacuation, and helicopter rescue if needed
• Pre-existing conditions: Inform your guide of any medical conditions or allergies before starting the trek
• First aid kit: Guides carry basic first aid supplies, but bring your own personal medications

Essential items:

• Power banks: 10,000-20,000 mAh capacity (there's no electricity in the jungle)
• Headlamp or flashlight: Essential for campsites and early morning starts
• Refillable water bottle: Safe, boiled water is provided
• Biodegradable soap: For river bathing (regular soap harms the ecosystem)
• Insect repellent: Strong DEET-based repellent (30% or higher)
• Sunscreen: High SPF, waterproof
• Personal medications: Including any prescription medications
• Camera/phone: With extra batteries or power banks
• Quick-dry towel: Lightweight and compact

Clothing recommendations:

• Long-sleeved shirts: Lightweight, breathable, protects from sun and mosquitoes
• Long pants: Quick-dry, protects legs from leeches and scratches
• Rain jacket: Lightweight, waterproof (it rains frequently)
• Hiking boots: Waterproof, with good grip for muddy terrain
• Extra socks: Multiple pairs, moisture-wicking
• Underwear: Quick-dry material
• Hat: Wide-brimmed for sun protection
• Bandana or buff: Useful for sweat and sun protection

Avoid:

• Cotton clothing (stays wet and heavy)
• Shorts (exposes legs to leeches and scratches)
• Dark colors (attracts mosquitoes)

Do NOT bring:

• Regular soap or shampoo: Only biodegradable soap is allowed (regular soap pollutes the river)
• Single-use plastics: Minimize plastic waste
• Valuables: Leave expensive jewelry and unnecessary electronics at home
• Too much clothing: Pack light - you'll be carrying it or a porter will
• Unnecessary electronics: No Wi-Fi or electricity means many devices are useless
• Heavy books: Use e-reader or phone instead
• Perfume or strong scents: Can attract insects and wildlife

Remember: You'll be in a remote jungle environment. Pack only what's essential.

Provided by the tour:

• Sleeping bags
• Camping mats
• Tents or shelter tarps
• Cooking equipment
• All meals

You should bring:

• Personal items (toiletries, medications)
• Clothing
• Power banks for charging devices
• Camera equipment
• Headlamp
• Water bottle

Your guide and porters will carry the camping equipment. You only need to carry your personal daypack with essentials like water, snacks, camera, and rain jacket.