EXPEDITION OVERVIEW

Your 10 day tour is the complete adventure package. It will take you to the one million-hectare Leuser area on the island of Sumatra. Home to 80% of Sumatran orangutans, the Gunung Leuser National Park is also home to an enormous population of other wildlife including the Thomas leaf monkey, pigtail macaque, longtail macaque, gibbons, lizards, turtles, hornbills and more.

You will journey to the wonderful forests in Ketembe in search of the wild orangutans and other wildlife, to the summit of Gunung Sibayak, a still active volcano, and then later to the villages of Batu Ronring and Bukit Lawang on the border to the Gunung Leuser National Park. 

Your home on this trip will be a mix of both basic guest houses, hotels and tents. You will be escorted from one destination to the next by an experienced Orangutan Odysseys local guide.

THE LEUSER ECOSYSTEM - THE LAST PLACE ON EARTH
At around 2.63 million hectares, the Leuser Ecosystem really is a world unto itself; a rich expanse of original tropical lowland rainforests, cloud-covered mountains and swampy peatlands. It is among the most biodiverse ecosystems ever recorded by science, and it is the last place on earth where Sumatran orangutans, elephants, tigers and rhinos still freely roam.

However, the Leuser Ecosystem is now under threat. Despite being protected under Indonesian national law, massive industrial development is being planned for logging, palm oil, pulp and paper plantations and mining. This will threaten the entire ecosystem, as well as the continued wellbeing of the millions of Acehnese traditional landholders who depend on it for their food, water and livelihoods.

EXPEDITION GOALS
Our goal is to provide our guests with a unique experience, to observe wild and semi-wild orangutans in their natural habitat. We will provide you with a safe platform to observe the amazing wildlife Sumatra has to offer including monkeys, gibbons and more. We will also provide you with comprehensive information about the destination you are in so that you are fully informed of your surrounds.
Further, Orangutan Odysseys has partnered up with The Orangutan Project which supports conservation programs in both Borneo and Sumatra. 

HOW DO I GET TO MEDAN?
Medan is in northern Sumatra, with the major airport being Medan Kualanamu International Airport (KNO). There are many daily direct flights to Medan from both Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. Airlines that service these routes include Singapore Airlines, Silk Air, Air Asia, Malaysian Airlines and Jetstar Asia. Please contact us if you would like a quote for your flight connection to Medan from either Singapore or Kuala Lumpur.

WHAT TO EXPECT
You are embarking on an adventure to places and amongst people whose lives are very different from your own. Many aspects of life in Indonesia will seem unusual. Remember that these are often the same aspects that make an area an exotic and attractive destination. While boat expeditions are considered easy, no trek is easy, even those rated "easy or moderate". In addition to the personal and physical challenges you may face, travel conditions can present unexpected obstacles, such as rough and bumpy roads and changeable weather. To prepare for this, "pack" a flexible and relaxed attitude. Bring a spirit of adventure and enquiry, a healthy sense of humour and a willingness to encounter the unexpected and you will find your trip to Indonesia the adventure of a lifetime!

HIGHLIGHTS

• View wild orangutans in their natural setting
• Visit Ketembe, Bukit Lawang & Batu Ronring 
• Trek through beautiful primary forests and see Thomas leaf monkeys, pigtail and long-tail macaque, monitor lizards, gibbons, wild peacocks and more
• Optional trek to the summit of an active volcano (Sibayak) near the temperate zone town of Berestagi

ITINERARY

*Subject to change due to local conditions

Day 1: Arrival in Medan & Transfer to Berastagi

Upon arrival at Medan airport, your Orangutan Odysseys guide will meet you and accompany you on a scenic 3-4 hour transfer to Berastagi, a charming mountain town situated south of Leuser Ecosystem National Park. You will spend the night at the Grand Mutiara Hotel.

Day 2: Optional Mt Sibayak Hike - Journey to Ketambe & Jungle Lodge

An optional early start (4:00 am) allows for a hike up Mt Sibayak, an active volcano offering panoramic valley views. Afterwards, embark on a lengthy drive to Ketambe (Aceh), where you will check into your jungle lodge for the night. This evening, prepare a backpack with the necessary items for your upcoming trek; your remaining luggage will be transferred separately. (B,L,D) Volcano climb also available on Day 6.

Day 3: Ketambe - Leuser Ecosystem Trek (Day 1)

 Today marks the beginning of your 2-day/1-night jungle trekking adventure. Enjoy a full day of wildlife spotting, including a refreshing swim in a river and a potential visit to a natural hot spring. Keep an eye out for wild orangutans, with the hope of encountering a dominant male, as well as gibbons. Overnight accommodation will be in tents within the National Park. (B,L,D)

 Day 4: Leuser Ecosystem Trek (Day 2) - Return to Ketambe

Embark on a final trek through the pristine rainforests before returning to the "civilization" of Ketambe. You will then return to your jungle lodge in Ketambe for the night. (B,L,D)

 Day 5: Ketambe Village Tour & Transfer to Berastagi

After breakfast, take a tour of the local village to observe the production of regional goods. Later, begin the drive back to Berastagi. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and enjoy a well-deserved rest after dinner. (B,L)

 Day 6: Berastagi - Batu Ronring & Jungle Exploration

This morning, travel to the picturesque village of Batu Ronring, located on the edge of Gunung Leuser National Park. Following lunch, spend the afternoon exploring the area, including a short jungle trek to see a giant tree and look for wildlife. Afterwards, take a swim in a nearby river. Your overnight stay will be at a jungle lodge in your private "jungle villa". (B,L,D)

Day 7: Exploring Batu Ronring

Enjoy a full day in the idyllic setting of Batu Ronring with further opportunities for jungle trekking, relaxation, and swimming in the beautiful river. (B,L,D)

Day 8: Batu Ronring to Bukit Lawang

After a morning jungle river walk and lunch, transfer to Bukit Lawang and ascend the hill to your lodge. Check into your room and, in the early evening, meet your local jungle guide for a briefing on the 2-day trek commencing tomorrow. Overnight at Orangutan Bungalows. (B,L,D)

Day 9: Bukit Lawang Jungle Trek

Embark on a day trek into the Leuser Ecosystem, venturing into the hills on the other side of the Bohorok River. During the trek, you may encounter orangutans, Thomas leaf monkeys, pigtail macaques, longtail macaques, gibbons, lizards, turtles, hornbills, and other wildlife. Enjoy lunch in the jungle before returning to the lodge via an exciting tube ride down the river. Overnight in your lodge accommodation. (B, L, D)

Day 10: Bukit Lawang - Airport Transfer

This morning, you will be transferred to the airport (approximately 4 hours) for your onward flight departing at 3:40 pm. (B)

INCLUSIONS - EXCLUSIONS

INCLUSIONS

• Accommodation in Medan (twin share - single supplement available)
• Accommodation Tangkahan, Bukit Lawang, Brastagi, Ketambe (twin share)
• Meals as noted in the itinerary (B,L,D)
• National park fees
• Tent, camping and sleeping equipment
• Airport transfers
• Experienced local English-speaking guides
• A one-year orangutan adoption

EXCLUSIONS

• International airfares and any expenses due to flight delays or cancellations
• Travel Insurance (Mandatory)
• Tipping
• Personal expenses (phone calls, laundry)