Simolap & Bukit Lawang
Adventure

Pick up/Drop off

Medan, Indonesia

Locations

Simolap & Bukit Lawang

2 - 6 people*

Duration

5 days

Group Size

*If you are a solo traveller we can also design a package for you - contact us and we can provide further information

IDR 5,625,000
per person

Price

Come and join us on the jungle adventure of a lifetime! Experience two parts of the jungle and get the best of both worlds by spending time in the wild areas of Simolap spotting wildlife and enjoying pristine jungle, then head to Bukit Lawang to spot semi-wild orangutans and experience the bustling tourist town perched on the edge of the river.

We partner with Greenhill Bukit Lawang to bring you a package that is perfect for those who want to have an authentic jungle experience away from the crowds, but would also like to maximise their chance of spotting orangutans and other wildlife.

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Highlights

Trek

Wildlife

Swim

Preserve

Trek in two areas of Gunung Leuser National Park enjoying one of the most unique ecosystems on earth and searching for endangered wildlife

Trek.

Exploring in two areas of the jungle increases your chances to see some of the incredible wildlife that calls this habitat home.

Wildlife.

Simolap provides the chance to trek off the beaten path meaning you can swim under waterfalls and down jungle rivers - we will have the areas all to ourselves!

Swim.

All of our treks contribute directly to local conservation efforts. By trekking with us you are protecting the jungle - get involved in tree planting or other activities.

Preserve

  • Overview:

    Day 1: Pick up from Medan and transfer to Simolap, arriving in the early afternoon and relaxing by the river.

    Day 2 and 3: Take off on a 2D/1N trek in the national park, returning to spend the night at the guesthouse.

    Day 4: Spend the morning in Simolap (add in an additional activity if you would like), then transfer to Bukit Lawang in the afternoon

    Day 5: Take off on your 1D trek in Bukit Lawang, and transfer to Medan in the late afternoon

    Day One:

    Pick up from Medan at 9am (or whenever your flight arrives) and transfer to Simolap where you will be greeted by the team. Spend some time organising your things and having some freshly cooked lunch, then head down to the river for a guided river walk and a swim to cool off.

    In the evening we will share a meal together and do a short briefing before we head off into the jungle the next day.

    Stay at Simolap guesthouse tonight.

    Day Two:
    After a freshly cooked breakfast we will head out on our jungle adventure, following a stream until we reach our riverside rehabilitation area where we can partake in some tree-planting as part of local restoration work. We will then continue our trek until we reach a beautiful waterfall staircase where we can relax and refresh.

    From there we will really start to get deeper into the jungle, headed towards specific areas known for wildlife activity. We will be looking for signs of some of the eight primates that live in Gunung Leuser including Sumatran Orangutans, Thomas Leaf Monkeys, Long-tailed Macaques and Gibbons. We will also be searching for wild birds, reptiles, insects, and evidence of other mammals such as Jungle Pigs and Sun Bears. We will find a spot in this area to have lunch.

    After lunch, we will continue to Teroh-Teroh waterfall where we can cool off in the pristine water (we almost always have this waterfall all to ourselves) before continuing our trek to Goa Terang (‘Bright Cave’), our camping spot for the night. Goa Terang is a great spot to do smaller nature walks in the afternoon or to learn about traditional Indonesian cooking.

    Fall asleep enjoying the incredible experience of camping in a candle-lit cave looking out over the jungle.

    Day Three:
    Wake up to the sounds of the jungle, and enjoy a freshly cooked breakfast and a warm cup of tea or coffee. Today we will continue our jungle trek, heading to another incredible cave formation called Goa Gelap '(‘Dark Cave’) and Elephant Rock. This is a favourite hangout spot for many animals and reptiles.

    Trekking deeper into the jungle today is a great opportunity to increase your chances of seeing some of the wild animals in Gunung Leuser National Park that cannot be found anywhere else in the world (such as Thomas Leaf Monkeys and Sumatran Orangutans). We will also share many of the traditional uses for plants in this area.

    Today we will also visit a jungle lookout point that boasts incredible panoramic views of the Sumatran jungle canopy and is a favourite spot for Hornbills to fly over. Here we will stop to enjoy lunch and some fresh tropical fruits before we begin our trek through the jungle, along the river and back to the hot springs.

    We will aim to return by late afternoon so we can share stories of our adventure, and have a soak in the hot springs while we watch the sun set over the jungle.

    After soaking in the hot springs we will return to the guesthouse for dinner.

    Tonight you will stay in the guesthouse in Simolap.

    Day Four:

    Wake up to the sounds of the jungle from your room and enjoy a freshly cooked breakfast.

    Today we will have some free time during the day to either sit by the river and enjoy the cool water or partake in some additional activities (these can be added on to your trip - see below).

    In the afternoon, we will head to Bukit Lawang and stay the night in the guesthouse.

    Day Five:

    Head out in the morning on your trek in Bukit Lawang where you will search for orangutans and other wildlife in this area of the jungle.

    You will walk down river to the entrance of the Gunung Leuser National Park where you will enter the jungle and begin your search for endangered wildlife. As these trails are often visited by guests and are much busier than in Simolap, the wildlife is habituated (used to human prescence) and you have good chances of spotting amazing wildlife (e.g. orangutans, long tail macaques, thomas leaf monkeys, monitor lizards, great argus pheasant etc) and hearing the jungle sounds.

    You will return to Bukit Lawang in time for lunch by rafting down river on a raft of oversize rubber rings in time for lunch.

    You can enjoy lunch in one of the restaurants in Bukit Lawang before meeting your driver to head back to Medan in the afternoon.

    You will arrive in Medan in the early evening in time for dinner.

  • 🏠 Simolap: In Simolap you will stay in the guesthouse next to the jungle. This accommodation includes all your food, drink (other than alcohol and specialty drinks), snacks and water.

    🌿 In the jungle: You will stay in a combination of tents and natural frames covered in thick plastic.

    🏠 Bukit Lawang: Stay in the guesthouse of our trekking partner. This accommodation does not include food or drinks, but we can recommend some of our favourite places to eat in Bukit Lawang.

  • ✅ Accommodation

    ✅ Activities as described in the itinerary

    ✅ National Park permits

    ✅ Guide, assistant guide, porters and cook

    ✅ Meals at Simolap, snacks, tea, coffee and water

    ✅ Camping equipment (including blanket and mattress)

    ✅ Entry and use of the hot springs

    ✅ Opportunity to pick fruits in our hot sweet garden and our medicinal garden (season dependent)

    ✅ Seedling and tree planting activity (optional)

    ✅ Contribution to KPL’s conservation projects

    Exclusions

    ⛔ Food and drinks from restaurants on the way to and from Simolap

    ⛔ Food and drinks in Bukit Lawang (there will be food provided on your trek)

    ⛔ Travel insurance

    ⛔ Alcohol or specialty fruit drinks/juice

    ⛔ Souvenirs

  • How is Bukit Lawang different to Simolap?

    Simolap is a remote part of the jungle so you will have most of the jungle to yourself without the crowds of Bukit Lawang.

    The jungle here is wild and therefore the animals here are not used to humans. While this means that we cannot guarantee sightings, it also means that when you see wildlife in Simolap, they will be exhibiting natural behaviours. Meeting wildlife in this way is (in our opinion) a magical way to experience the jungle.

    The jungle in Simolap is being preserved by the National Park Service and our conservation organisation KPL. For this reason we see a large diversity of endangered animals (and we are seeing more and more wildlife as the jungle).

    Do I need to bring sleeping gear for trekking?

    Nope - we will provide you with a yoga mat and a blanket for sleeping in the jungle. You will either sleep in a tent or in a structure made from natural materials and think plastic with a mosquito net.

    Can I get close to or feed wildlife?

    It is against the law in Indonesia to feed wildlife or get close to wildlife. We take animal welfare seriously and follow the law and best practice guidelines so that we do not disturb the natural habitat.

    Will I be staying in a Simolap Wild Adventures guesthouse in Bukit Lawang?

    We work with partner companies in Bukit Lawang to take you on the jungle trek there so we will arrange for your accommodation and trek in Bukit Lawang.

    Why is food not included in the Bukit Lawang portion of the trip?

    Bukit Lawang is a bustling tourist town with many restaurants and food options. Unlike Simolap where you are in a remote area, we encourage you to explore the many options available to you in Bukit Lawang.

Add Ons

Want to add an extra something onto your trip? We specialise in unique and customisable trips so feel free to add on one of the below options or let us know if there is something in particular you are looking for.

Traditional Cooking Class

Tree Planting

  • Price: 300,000 IDR / $19 per person

    (minimum 2 people or enquire for solo travellers)

  • Our Traditional Jungle Cooking Class offers a chance to immersive yourself as we take you on a journey through time and honour the ancient traditions of the jungle. Imagine being surrounded by the lush greenery of the jungle, with its vibrant wildlife and the soothing sounds of nature. Our experienced guides will lead you to discover the secrets of traditional jungle cuisine.

    Step 1: ForagingThe first step of our cooking class is foraging for ingredients. Equipped with local knowledge, your guide will lead you through the jungle and our organic farm, pointing out edible plants, fruits, and herbs that have been used by our community for centuries. Learn about the unique flavours and medicinal properties of these unique ingredients, and collect them for our cooking session.

    Step 2: Cooking Techniques. Once we have gathered our ingredients, it's time to learn the cooking techniques we have passed down from generation to generation. You will be introduced to traditional methods such as open-fire cooking and harnessing the flavours of the jungle to create delicious dishes.

    Step 3: Hands-On ExperienceYou will have the opportunity to put your newfound knowledge into practice. Roll up your sleeves and dive into the cooking process, as you chop, mix, and stir your way to creating a delicious meal.

    Step 4: Savoury DelicaciesFinally, after all your hard work, it's time to share in our meal together. Gather around a communal table and delight your taste buds with flavourful dishes that highlight tastes and aromas unique to the Karonese People.

    Step 5: Cultural InsightsThroughout the cooking class, our guides will share stories and insights into our indigenous culture, which has thrived in our jungle for centuries. Appreciate the symbiotic relationship that exists between the locals and the natural environment, and gain a deeper understanding of the harmony that can be achieved through sustainable practices.

  • 50,000 IDR / $3.50 per tree

  • Join us in contributing to the conservation of our jungle and the protection of critical habitat.

    KPL (the conservation organisation that Simolap Wild Adventures helps to fund) is excited to offer a unique opportunity for environmentally conscious tourists who want to leave a lasting impact on their travels. As part of our commitment to conservation, our conservation organisation KPL is always excited to have a few extra hands to help with reforesting the borderlands of the National Park.

    During this activity, you will immerse yourself in the jungle greenery, and learn about all of the important work that we do in preserving the jungle and protecting Gunung Leuser National Park. Equipped with shovels and saplings, you will have the chance to make a tangible difference by planting indigenous trees. Our guides will share valuable insights into the role of these trees in sustaining wildlife ecosystems, improving air quality, and combating climate change.

    Each tree you plant will continue to grow long after you leave, and our commitment to nuturing the seedlings after you leave means that they are sure to grow in to old, large trees that will sustain life for many years to come.

    Apart from the ecological impact, our tree planting activity promises an authentic cultural experience. You will collaborate with our enthusiastic conservation entrepreneurs, learning about their traditional practices and absorbing their profound respect for nature. Embrace the chance to forge meaningful connections with our team and our community.

    No prior experience is required to participate in our tree planting activities and this is suitable for all travellers whether you are a family, a group of friends, or a solo explorer.

Traditional Medicine Tour

  • 300,000 IDR / $19 per person

    (minimum two people or enquire for solo travellers)

  • Karonese people have been using the medicinal properties of indigenous plants to create natural medicines for centuries. The local community still relies on these medicines and it is important to us to keep this knowledge alive.

    Join us for a tour through our medicinal garden and learn the secrets of traditional healing techniques, learning about knowledge that has been handed down through generations.

    Once you’ve learnt about many of the healing qualities of local medicines, collect the ingredients to make your own herbal remedy using indigenous ingredients and traditional techniques.

    This short day tour is a gateway to a deeper understanding of Sumatra's cultural heritage and a profound appreciation for the healing wonders hidden within its jungles. Whether you seek insight into traditional medicine, a connection to nature's wisdom, or simply a unique adventure, this tour promises an unforgettable experience that will leave a lasting impression. At the same time, you will be contributing to keeping this ancient knowledge alive and preserving it for future generations.