Hike the Enchanted Forest at

Gunung Leuser National Park

Nothing beats the magic of spotting wild orangutans in their most natural habitat.

All Gunung Leuser National Park Experiences

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What other guests say

4.6

114 reviews

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

Francesca

Booked: 3D2N Private Orangutan Trek at Gunung Leuser

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

Nicky

Booked: 3D2N Private Orangutan Trek at Gunung Leuser

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.

Susannah Hewson

Booked: 3D2N Private Orangutan Trek at Gunung Leuser

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!

Tina

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

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.

Sebastian Elmaloglou

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

Our experience at One Thousand Hills was wonderful, from start to finish! The driver picked us up at the airport and took us on the long journey to Ketambe. We arrived at One Thousand Hills tired but happy, Joseph and the team gave us a friendly welcome and we checked into our cosy cabin room amidst lush gardens. They were all so kind and helpful during our stay - advising us on the best experience for us with our seven year-old daughter. We had tasty home-cooked meals throughout our stay and they also packed lunches for us. Our guide in the rainforest, Is, was fabulous, and gave our daughter the VIP treatment, carrying her over logs and fallen trees, helping her with slippy areas and carrying her through the river! We had a wonderful time spotting orangutans, flowers, fungi, reptiles and insects! And our most favourite moment was making it across the raging river to relax in the (very hot!) hot spring whilst Is gave us the most delicious pineapple to eat! Thank you to everyone, we will always remember our trip to One Thousand Hills and the beautiful Ketambe rainforest.

Gillian

Booked: 2 Day Orangutan Trek (w/ stay in Roomy Guesthouse & Camping)

Gunung Leuser National Park FAQs

Where are the best things to do in Gunung Leuser National Park?

Gunung Leuser National Park is one of the last places on Earth where wild orangutans still roam free. Most travellers visit from Bukit Lawang, where you can trek into the rainforest to spot orangutans, Thomas’s leaf monkeys, gibbons, and hornbills. Treks range from a few hours to several days, with overnight camping deep in the jungle for a real adventure.

The park is also home to rare wildlife like Sumatran elephants, rhinos, and tigers, though sightings are extremely rare. In Tangkahan, you can walk along quiet forest trails, soak in riverside hot springs, and help bathe rescued elephants. Everywhere you go, local guides share stories about the forest and its conservation, so your visit helps protect this incredible habitat and the communities who live around it.

Check out our curated experiences here:

Where are the most popular activities for Gunung Leuser National Park?

In Gunung Leuser National Park, the most rewarding activities are ethical jungle treks led by experienced guides who prioritise wildlife welfare. Visitors can spot wild orangutans in their natural habitat from a safe distance, watch gibbons and hornbills in the canopy, and explore the park’s rivers, waterfalls, and forest trails. In Tangkahan, you can also observe elephants in a responsible way and enjoy quiet forest walks and natural hot springs.

We avoid recommending nearby Bukit Lawang, because the rangers there are not well trained. They have allowed tourists to get too close to orangutans, and this has caused the animals to behave aggressively - something that’s unusual for these naturally shy creatures. By trekking in Gunung Leuser instead, you get to see incredible wildlife without putting animals or yourself at risk.

Where are the must-dos in Medan?

Top places of interest in Medan are:

Gunung Leuser National Park - here you can spot orangutans in the wild, in an ethical way.

Where are the must-dos in Indonesia?

Top places of interest in Indonesia are:

Komodo National Park - here you can do Sightseeing Boat Cruise and Diving
Mount Bromo - here you can do Mountain Climbing
Ubud - here you can do Woodworking Classes, Meditation, Cooking Classes, Cycling Tours, Coffee Farms, Jewellery Making, Creative Workshops, Culture & Sightseeing, Motorcycle Tour, ATV & Off-Road, Sightseeing Tours, Yoga and Other Wellness Experiences
Nusa Penida - here you can do Sightseeing Tours, Snorkelling, Culture & Sightseeing and Diving
Mount Batur - here you can do Mountain Climbing, ATV & Off-Road and Motorcycle Tour

The most popular cities in Indonesia for travellers are:

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