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: Arrive Medan - Berastagi
Upon arrival, you will be met at the airport by your Orangutan Odysseys guide and transferred to Berastagi (3-4 hours), a beautiful mountain town to the south of Leuser Ecosystem National Park. Overnight at Grand Mutiara Hotel

Day 2: Mt Sibayak - Ketambe - Leuser Eco System
A very early 4.00 am wake up (optional) will see you hiking up Mt Sibayak, an active volcano with panoramic views across the valleys. Then, you will head off on a long drive through to Ketembe (Aceh) to your jungle lodge for your overnight stay. Tonight you will transfer the items needed for your trek into a backpack to carry with you into the jungle. Your remaining luggage will be transferred to the next location. (B,L,D)
Option to climb volcano on Day 6 as well.

Day 3: Ketambe - Leuser Eco System
Today you will start your 2-day/1-night trekking adventure into the jungle. There will be wildlife viewing all day as well as a stop at a river for a swim and there may be a hot water spa. More viewings of wild orangutans, hopefully, a dominant male and gibbons will also be spotted. Overnight accommodation will be tents in the National Park. (B,L,D)

Day 4: Leuser Ecosystem - Ketambe
Today you return to "civilization" in Ketambe but not before a wonderful final day trek through the pristine rainforests. Later return to the village and overnight stay at your jungle lodge in Ketambe (B,L,D)

 Day 5: Ketambe - Berastagi 
After breakfast, you will take a tour of the village to see some of the local products being produced and later you will begin the drive back to Beretagi. You will later check into your Berastagi hotel and take a well-earned rest after dinner. (B,L).

Day 6: Berastagi - Batu Ronring
This morning travel to the beautiful location of the small village of Batu Ronring, on the edge of the Gunung Leuser National Park. On arrival have lunch and the afternoon shall be spent exploring the area and taking a short jungle trek to see the giant tree and for wildlife. Later have a swim in nearby the river. Overnight at your jungle lodge in your "jungle villa".(B,L,D)

Day 7: Batu Ronring
Today you will enjoy a full day in this paradise location with more jungle trekking, relaxing and swimming in lovely Batu Ronring. (B,L,D)

Day 8: Batu Ronring to Bukit Lawang
Morning jungle riverwalk and lunch before transferring on to Bukit Lawang and a climb up the hill to your lodge accommodation. Here you will check into your jungle lodge room and then in the early evening, you will meet your local jungle guide for the 2-day trek that starts tomorrow and have a briefing. Overnight at Orangutan Bungalows (B,L,D)

Day 9: Bukit Lawang Jungle Trek - Bukit Lawang
Today you start a day trek into the Leuser Ecosystem. You will head into the hills to the other side of the Bohorok River. On the trek, you will see orangutans, Thomas leaf monkeys, pigtail macaques, longtail macaques, gibbons, lizards, turtles, hornbills and more. Lunch will be in the jungle before making your way back to the lodge via a tube ride down the river. Overnight in your lodge accommodation. (B, L, D)

Day 10: Bukit Lawang - Airport
This morning you will be transferred to the airport (approx 4 hours) to meet your onward flight 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)