Ethical Bukit Lawang jungle treks
From a 3-hour walk to a 12-day expedition into Gunung Leuser National Park. Every trek is led by licensed guides from the village, in small groups, with one rule above all: we never feed the orangutans.
Every Bukit Lawang trek, 1 to 12 days
Official 2025–2026 rates of the Indonesian Tourist Guide Association (HPI), per person, minimum two people. Maximum six guests per group.
| Duration | Trek | Highlights | Price p.p. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 hours | Half-day trek | First look at orangutans, families | €55 | Details |
| 1 day | Full-day trek | Deeper trails, jungle lunch | €70 | Details |
| 2 days / 1 night | Classic trek | River camp, candlelit dinner, tubing home | €120 | Details |
| 3 days / 2 nights | Deeper trek | Two camps, jungle waterfall, quieter trails | €170 | Details |
| 4 days / 3 nights | Deep jungle | Primary forest, survival skills, hidden waterfall | €250 | Details |
| 5 days / 4 nights | Expedition | Beyond the tourist zone, wild orangutans | €320 | Details |
| 6 days / 5 nights | Expedition | High ridges, hornbills | €400 | Details |
| 7 days / 6 nights | Expedition | Deep wild camps, tiger country | €500 | Details |
| 8–12 days | Survival expedition | Foraging, fishing, remote interior | on request | Details |
Overnight treks include guide, assistant guide, jungle chef, park permits, all meals, camping gear and tubing back down the Bohorok River. Travelling solo? We'll try to match you with a group; otherwise a solo supplement applies.
Choose your trek length
Day trek
Half-day or full-day walk in the national park. Short on time? Start here.
The classic trek
Full day of trekking, river camp, tube ride home.
Deeper and quieter
Two camps, a jungle waterfall and trails most day-trekkers never reach.
Into the deep zone
Primary forest, survival skills and a hidden waterfall swim.
Jungle expedition
Wild camps, high ridges, hornbills and tiger country.
Our ethical trekking rules
Bukit Lawang has a history of guides feeding orangutans to guarantee sightings. It makes the animals dependent on people, spreads disease and leads to bites. These are the rules every guide on our team follows:
No feeding, ever
We don't carry fruit to lure orangutans in, and we ask you not to either.
10 metres or more
More for mothers with babies. No touching and no arm's-length selfies.
Small, quiet groups
Maximum six guests. No shouting across the forest to other guides.
Leave no trace
All rubbish is carried out of the jungle, and we keep plastic to a minimum.
Licensed local guides
Every guide is an HPI member from Bukit Lawang, paid the association's fair rates.
Honest expectations
They're wild animals. We tell you your real chances and never promise sightings.
Trekking that keeps the forest standing
Your trek pays local guides, porters and cooks a fair wage, and part of what Escape To Sumatra earns goes towards buying land near the national park and keeping it as forest, so it can't be turned into palm oil plantations.
We also work with Sumatra Dogs & Cat Care on sterilisation in Bukit Lawang, and support local schools.
Guests on our ethical approach
Escape To Sumatra is rated Excellent on Google (30 reviews) and Tripadvisor. A few words from recent guests:
“I liked the way they approach her, ethically, respecting every single rule.”
“Everything was done in an ethical way, with great respect for the jungle and wildlife.”
“Great and reliable organisation, the guides are knowledgeable.”
Ethical jungle trekking FAQ
What makes a jungle trek in Bukit Lawang ethical?
No feeding orangutans, keeping at least 10 metres away, no touching or close-up selfies, small quiet groups of up to six, and guides licensed by the HPI guide association. Ask any operator about these before you book.
How much does jungle trekking in Bukit Lawang cost?
Official 2025–2026 HPI rates per person (minimum two people): 3-hour trek €55, 1 day €70, 2 days €120, 3 days €170, 4 days €250, 5 days €320, 6 days €400 and 7 days €500. Longer expeditions of 8–12 days are priced on request.
How many days should I trek in Bukit Lawang?
Two days is the most popular choice. One day works if you're short on time, three to four days take you away from the busier trails, and five to twelve days are real expeditions for experienced hikers.
Why are some treks cheaper than these prices?
Cheaper offers usually come from unlicensed guides, or from guides who cut costs by feeding orangutans to get quick sightings. The HPI association sets fair minimum rates so guides, porters and cooks are paid properly.
Who runs these treks?
Rama and a team of licensed guides born in Bukit Lawang, part of Escape To Sumatra.
Pick your dates. We'll do the rest.
Send us a WhatsApp with your dates and group size. We'll confirm availability, suggest the right trek, and can book your transfer from Medan and a guesthouse by the river.