Gateway town to Gunung Leuser National Park, the best place in Asia to see wild Orangutans 

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Skip zoo shows. Leuser jungle treks, wild orangutan spotting, river tubing and village stays with handpicked local hosts from Medan.

Medan Things to Do: Wild Orangutans, Not Zoo Shows

Medan

Gunung Leuser is one of the last places on Earth where orangutans still roam free in the wild. Trek through rainforest, cross rivers, and sleep in jungle tents. Sightings aren’t guaranteed, but that’s what makes it ethical and magical.

Gunung Leuser National Park

Our handpicked Gunung Leuser experiences: rainforest treks, river crossings, and nights in jungle tents, in one of the last wild orangutan habitats.

Gunung Leuser National Park Experiences: Our Top Jungle Treks

Gunung Leuser National Park Experiences

We had a fantastic experience with Jack. He was an expert tracker, and we saw more amazing wildlife than we dared to dream of, including lots of time with orangutans! Would highly recommend this tour to anyone who fancies a wild adventure.

3-Day Gunung Leuseur Orangutan, Gibbons, Monkeys Trek | Camping in the Jungle!

We had a fantastic experience with Jack. He was an expert tracker, and we saw more amazing wildlife than we dared to dream of, including lots of time with orangutans! Would highly recommend this tour to anyone who fancies a wild adventure.

We loved everything about this experience. It met and exceeded our expectations. Arri our guide and his team were masterful in there jungle knowledge and there cooking! We saw giant possums, monkeys, many Oragutang and spent a wonderful afternoon at the hot springs … heaven. The food was amazing - all cooked over a single wood fire. We were well looked after by assistants Gede and Caspero. Thousand Hill guesthouse, where we started and finished the 3 day trek was terrific with beautiful gardens, loverly simple comfortable rooms and the wonderful host Joseph. If you want a true jungle trekking experience this is the place!

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3D2N Private Orangutan Trek at Gunung Leuser 

We loved everything about this experience. It met and exceeded our expectations.  Arri our guide and his team were masterful in there jungle knowledge and there cooking! We saw giant possums, monkeys, many Oragutang and spent a wonderful afternoon at the hot springs … heaven. The food was amazing - all cooked over a single wood fire.  We were well looked after by assistants Gede and Caspero.  Thousand Hill guesthouse, where we started and finished the 3 day trek was terrific with beautiful gardens, loverly simple comfortable rooms and the wonderful host Joseph. If you want a true jungle trekking experience this is the place! 

Just finished a 3D2N orangutan jungle trek and what an experience it was!! 🐒🌿

We were lucky enough to see so many orangutans, including mums with babies (honestly unforgettable), plus loads of Thomas leaf monkeys and macaques along the way. The jungle itself is incredible and beautiful.

Huge shoutout to our guide Ish (not sure spelling?!
 ) who completely made the trip. He was super knowledgeable, funny, and always smiling. He really looked after us the whole time and made sure we were okay, which we massively appreciated. You could tell how passionate he is about the jungle and wildlife.

The hot springs were such a highlight — the perfect way to relax after long hikes. And the food was lovely, especially considering we were deep in the jungle!

Camping is definitely on the basic side, so maybe not one for those who love luxury 😅 but honestly, it just adds to the adventure.

Everything was really well organised from start to finish, and overall it was just an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime experience. Would 100% recommend!!

Just finished a 3D2N orangutan jungle trek and what an experience it was!! 🐒🌿

We were lucky enough to see so many orangutans, including mums with babies (honestly unforgettable), plus loads of Thomas leaf monkeys and macaques along the way. The jungle itself is incredible and beautiful.

Huge shoutout to our guide Ish (not sure spelling?!
) who completely made the trip. He was super knowledgeable, funny, and always smiling. He really looked after us the whole time and made sure we were okay, which we massively appreciated. You could tell how passionate he is about the jungle and wildlife.

The hot springs were such a highlight — the perfect way to relax after long hikes. And the food was lovely, especially considering we were deep in the jungle!

Camping is definitely on the basic side, so maybe not one for those who love luxury 😅 but honestly, it just adds to the adventure.

Everything was really well organised from start to finish, and overall it was just an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime experience. Would 100% recommend!!

The transfers from Medan and the trekking was amazing. Very well organised. The guide and the porters were the best. We travelled with children and they had the best time. The food during the trekking was very good too.
 If you want a private tour make should you specify it again when at the accommodation before the trekking. 
 The 5 stars review is for the organisation, the transfers and the trekking, not for the accommodation in Ketambe

The transfers from Medan and the trekking was amazing. Very well organised. The guide and the porters were the best. We travelled with children and they had the best time. The food during the trekking was very good too.
If you want a private tour make should you specify it again when at the accommodation before the trekking. 
The 5 stars review is for the organisation, the transfers and the trekking, not for the accommodation in Ketambe 

Our trip to Ketambe was outstanding. From collection from our hotel, to delivery back to a different hotel, it was long, but seamless. On the first day of our 3d2n (5days total) journey, my husband felt unable to continue and we had to return to the Thousand Hills, but Joseph arranged for me to rejoin my group the following day. We had some thrilling encounters with orangutans, including an alpha male and saw gibbons, macaques and a selection of birds and insects and trees. We bathed in river jacuzzis and hot springs, and ate delicious food prepared by our guide who worked tirelessly to make our trip memorable. He succeeded. I felt much more comfortable in a place where the animals are truly wild and it was lovely being off grid. We played cards and chatted and our guide set us some brain teasers to keep us entertained by candlelight in the evenings. It is hot and hard going, and I never thought I’d sleep but I did, and it leaves you feeling a sense of accomplishment! An experience absolutely not to be missed. Thank you all

Our trip to Ketambe was outstanding. From collection from our hotel, to delivery back to a different hotel, it was long, but seamless. On the first day of our 3d2n (5days total) journey, my husband felt unable to continue and we had to return to the Thousand Hills, but Joseph arranged for me to rejoin my group the following day. We had some thrilling encounters with orangutans, including an alpha male and saw gibbons, macaques and a selection of birds and insects and trees. We bathed in river jacuzzis and hot springs, and ate delicious food prepared by our guide who worked tirelessly to make our trip memorable.  He succeeded. I felt much more comfortable in a place where the animals are truly wild and it was lovely being off grid. We played cards and chatted and our guide set us some brain teasers to keep us entertained by candlelight in the evenings.  It is hot and hard going, and I never thought I’d sleep but I did, and it leaves you feeling a sense of accomplishment!  An experience absolutely not to be missed. Thank you all

What an amazing adventure! We did the 3D2N Orangutan trek. We were picked up and driven to the beautiful One Thousand Hills guest house. Joseph was lovely and could cook up amazing food in the tiny kitchen. We set off with our guide Ish (sorry for the spelling) on our trek. He said his English was bad but we thought it was great. He was so informative about the jungle and all that lived there. He was also great at spotting the animals. We saw lots of orangutans, including a baby which made my day! Our camp was great and Tamund (again sorry for the spelling) cooked us more food than we could eat for each meal! We ate by candle light on an evening, it was just amazing. The trek was at points tricky but Ish was always there to help. We crossed the river a couple of times and that was also a little scary but added to the adventure! When we arrived back at the guest house what had felt quite basic at the beginning suddenly felt like luxury. I would highly recommend this trip.

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What an amazing adventure! We did the 3D2N Orangutan trek. We were picked up and driven to the beautiful One Thousand Hills guest house. Joseph was lovely and could cook up amazing food in the tiny kitchen. We set off with our guide Ish (sorry for the spelling) on our trek. He said his English was bad but we thought it was great. He was so informative about the jungle and all that lived there. He was also great at spotting the animals. We saw lots of orangutans, including a baby which made my day! Our camp was great and Tamund (again sorry for the spelling) cooked us more food than we could eat for each meal! We ate by candle light on an evening, it was just amazing. The trek was at points tricky but Ish was always there to help. We crossed the river a couple of times and that was also a little scary but added to the adventure! When we arrived back at the guest house what had felt quite basic at the beginning suddenly felt like luxury. I would highly recommend this trip.

Our 7-day jungle trek with Buyung and his team was amazing. We happend to see different orang utans for times. We also enjoyed seeing other animals. Going deeper into the jungle, being the only human beings around felt special. At all point we felt very safe and well looked after. The meals (we are both vegetarian) were delicious and we even got some snacks during the hiking. There was one moment when Buyung took his machete and paved a new way for us through the forest, what an adventure!

7-Day Gunung Leuser Orangutan Trek (w/stay in Roomy Guesthouse & Jungle Camping)

Our 7-day jungle trek with Buyung and his team was amazing. We happend to see different orang utans for times. We also enjoyed seeing other animals. Going deeper into the jungle, being the only human beings around felt special. At all point we felt very safe and well looked after. The meals (we are both vegetarian) were delicious and we even got some snacks during the hiking. There was one moment when Buyung took his machete and paved a new way for us through the forest, what an adventure!

Incredible Jungle Adventure with Seek Sophie in North Sumatra

I recently had the privilege of experiencing an unforgettable 6-day trek through Gunung Leuser National Park in North Sumatra, organized by Seek Sophie, and I can’t recommend this trip enough. The entire experience was nothing short of amazing, and it has easily become one of the highlights of my travels.

Our guide, Buyung, was incredible. His knowledge of the jungle was unparalleled, and his passion for the environment and wildlife was truly inspiring. Every day, he made the trek both educational and exciting, and we always felt safe under his care. The trek itself was challenging but rewarding—immersing ourselves in the lush, vibrant jungle of Gunung Leuser was an experience I’ll never forget.

Joseph, the owner of the guest house in Ketambe, deserves special mention as well. Not only did he organize the entire trip, but his hospitality went above and beyond. The guest house was by far the best in town, offering cozy accommodations, a stunning garden to relax in, and fantastic homemade meals that were an absolute treat. Joseph’s warmth and dedication made the whole experience even more memorable.

From the seamless booking process with Seek Sophie to the last step of our trek, this adventure was top-notch. If you’re looking for an authentic, off-the-beaten-path experience with local guides who truly know and love the area, Seek Sophie is the way to go. This trip is hands down one of the most memorable and rewarding journeys of my lifetime.

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Incredible Jungle Adventure with Seek Sophie in North Sumatra

I recently had the privilege of experiencing an unforgettable 6-day trek through Gunung Leuser National Park in North Sumatra, organized by Seek Sophie, and I can’t recommend this trip enough. The entire experience was nothing short of amazing, and it has easily become one of the highlights of my travels.

Our guide, Buyung, was incredible. His knowledge of the jungle was unparalleled, and his passion for the environment and wildlife was truly inspiring. Every day, he made the trek both educational and exciting, and we always felt safe under his care. The trek itself was challenging but rewarding—immersing ourselves in the lush, vibrant jungle of Gunung Leuser was an experience I’ll never forget.

Joseph, the owner of the guest house in Ketambe, deserves special mention as well. Not only did he organize the entire trip, but his hospitality went above and beyond. The guest house was by far the best in town, offering cozy accommodations, a stunning garden to relax in, and fantastic homemade meals that were an absolute treat. Joseph’s warmth and dedication made the whole experience even more memorable.

From the seamless booking process with Seek Sophie to the last step of our trek, this adventure was top-notch. If you’re looking for an authentic, off-the-beaten-path experience with local guides who truly know and love the area, Seek Sophie is the way to go. This trip is hands down one of the most memorable and rewarding journeys of my lifetime.

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