5D4N Bukit Lawang Tangkahan – Bukit Lawang or known also as Bohorok is for the adventurous, accessible through Sumatra’s inland wilderness, crossing rivers and going over steep hills. The area lies south of the Mount Leuser National Park, a rehabilitation center for Orang Utans in Bahorok, which was inaugurated in 1973.
5D4N Bukit Lawang Tangkahan
Orangutans living here are of Sumatra and Kalimantan origin. Seeing the orangutans is a magical experience. In Bukit Lawang, you can usually see them near the rehabilitation centre and at the feeding platform during the morning and afternoon feeding sessions. In Ketambe, you can go to 1-7 days treks into the jungle. The best experience is an encounter in the jungle where there are many semi-wild and wild animals. The wild orangutan can be difficult to spot unless you go deep into the jungle. There are also white and black gibbons that make an amazing noise calling out to each other, and Thomas Leaf monkeys. If you are lucky, you may be able to see hornbills, toucans, moon snakes, monitor lizards.
5D4N Bukit Lawang Tangkahan
Tangkahan is combinations of vegetation and topography makes it a marvelous tourist tangkahan 5spot rarely found elsewhere. It is a small village on the border of Gunung Leuser National Park located in North Sumatra, situated at the junction of 2 rivers, the Buluh River and the Batang River. Tangkahan specialized in eco-tourism activities, converging exactly in this zone, are typical of rainforest streams, with diverse varieties of vegetation and colorful rocks and Sumatra Elephants on their banks. The clear, bluish green river water againts the panoramic view creates a mystical atmosphere.
DAY 1 : MEDAN – BUKIT LAWANG
- Today you arrive in Kualanamu airport Medan.
- Then you drive about one hour to the centre for a city tour (the availability of city tour depends on your arrival time).
- You will visit the Maimun palace built in 1888 in Malayan and Middle-East style and belonging the sultan of Deli.
- Visit the grand mosque Almashum built in the same period of the Maimun palace.
- And visit the colorful Chinese temple, vihara Gunung Timur.
- From the centre, drive about 3 hours to Bukit Lawang, a small tourist village situated on the edge of Gunung Leuser National Park.
- Bukit Lawang is the most accessible place to spot the Orangutans in the park.
- And the park is one of the largest national park in the world containing over 800,000 ha of virgin rainforest
- and home to an impressive number of mammal species like tigers, Orangutans, gibbons, elephants and rhino’s.
- Enroute stop at oilpalm plantation and local market.
- Arrival in Bukit Lawang, free to relax.
- Enjoy the scenery from the veranda of your hotel room.
DAY 3 : BUKIT LAWANG ORANGUTAN JUNGLE TREKKING
- First we bring you to the feeding platform of orangutans.
- The platform was built to help the orangutans that have been released to the wild after their rehabilitation.
- As they are semi-wild, they are sometimes having trouble finding food on their own in the wild.
- Then they can come to the feeding platform for some milk and bananas.
- Wild orangutan occasionally come to the platform too.
- So the feeding platform is meant as the first place for the orangutans come to for help rather than plantations or village where conflicts can occur.
- When the orangutans are getting enough food on their own, they will not come to the platform because the food they find in the wild is more exciting than just milk and bananas!
- So although it is a marvelous sight to see the orangutans at the platform,
- it is also good news when they do not show up, as this means they are surviving well in the wild without help.
- From the platform you will follow a 2-3 hours jungle walk searching for more tropical flora and fauna.
- It is not a flat walk but involves some ups and downs.
- A bit hard but in return you get a very nice experience.
- You have a big chance to see gibbons, thomas leaf monkeys, longtail and pigtail macagues, flying squirrels, Sumatra peacocks and hornbills.
- A wild Orangutans might cross your way.
- Your guide will explain you many things about the rainforest.
- And he will show you many different kind of plants and flowers.
- Jungle walk ends by the river side from where you start your tubing experience.
- You will float down the river on car tubes about 20 minutes till your hotel.
- It is a fun rafting and a relaxing way to enjoy the scenery.
- The rest of day is free at leisure.
- Those bringing camera/video camera into the park will be charged Rp 50,000/Rp 150,000
- WHAT TO BRING! Shoes with good profile, rain coat & dry bag for wallet, mobile etc to protect from waters, insects repellant & drinking water
- Those who want to experience more jungles of Gunung Leuser National Park can extend the walk duration into full day or even multi-day jungle trek by sleeping in the park
DAY 3 : BUKIT LAWANG – TANGKAHAN
- Off road with local jeep to Tangkahan.
- It takes about 3 hours passing by oilpalm plantation track and rural areas.
- A bit bumpy drive but great fun!
- Tangkahan is a beautifully remote jungle settlement situated on the other side of Gunung Leuser National Park.
- It was established as an ecotourism spot in 2001.
- Previously the area was logged and poachers hunted the animals.
- The local people have transformed the region, stopping illegal exploitation of the forest and forming forest ranger groups to patrol for illegal activities.
- Seven elephants were brought to the area to support this initiative.
- The elephants are used to patrol the forest to keep illegal loggers and poachers out.
- Joining the elephants for their daily bathing or taking a ride on elephant back will help to support this initiative too.
- Arrive in Tangkahan, transfer to your rainforest lodge and free at leisure.
- Overnight at basic lodge.
DAY 5 : TANGKAHAN – MEDAN
- It’s your time with the biggest mammal in the world.
- You will take one hour elephant ride on the back of an elephant through the forest path.
- Then join and help mahouts bathe the elephants in the river.
- The bathing is a nice experience because you can get up close and personal with the elephants.
- You are allowed to scrub and wash the elephants.
- Once they are finished, then your turn.
- The elephant will spray you water. Nice shower!
- Also chance for you to hand feed the elephants.
- After elephants just relax before boarding the car. Your next destination is Medan, 4 hours drive.
- The first two hours of travel involves driving over bumpy plantation tracks.
- Then an asphalt road will take you the rest of the way to your hotel.
DAY 5 : MEDAN – KUALANAMU AIRPORT
- Back to Kualanamu airport for your onward flight.
- Price is valid from January 1st to December 31st 2015 and based on low season.
- During high season (July, August and around Christmas) and the end of Ramadan prices may be higher.
- Prices are based on 2 persons staying in a double room.
- Prices for single rooms and triples are on request.
- Prices are subject to change. We are happy to make a proposal with the most up-to-date prices for you.
5D4N Bukit Lawang Tangkahan
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