How many days do you really need?
Bukit Lawang sits on the edge of Gunung Leuser National Park, about 3 hours by road from Medan. Most visitors come for one thing — the famous orangutan trek — and book two or three days. Almost everyone we meet on the river tells us the same thing afterwards: "I wish I'd known there was more to do here."
Our answer: plan at least 4 nights. That gives you the trek, a full kayak day on the Landak River, and enough slack to actually enjoy the village instead of rushing through it.
Day 1 — Arrive from Medan
Fly into Medan (Kualanamu), then travel about 3 hours by road to Bukit Lawang. Arrive in the afternoon, settle into your guesthouse, and take an evening walk along the Bohorok river. Go to bed early — the jungle wakes up at dawn.
Days 2–3 — Jungle trek & orangutans
A one- or two-day trek into Gunung Leuser National Park with our trusted partner Sumatra Orangutan Tour. This is one of the last places on Earth to see Sumatran orangutans in the wild — along with gibbons, macaques, hornbills and more.
Day 4 — Kayak day on the Landak River 🛶
Your legs are tired; your eyes are not. Spend a full day paddling the Landak River at jungle pace — with local guides, all the gear, and a cold lunch with fresh tropical fruits served riverside. Gentle enough for first-timers and kids, and the price is €49 per person, all-inclusive, paid in cash on the day.
Day 5 — Back to Medan
One last village breakfast, then the road back to Medan for your flight or the next leg of your Sumatra trip.
Why plan the kayak day before you arrive?
Because the days fill up fast. Treks are usually booked from home, and once you're in the village with only one spare day, it's easy to let it slip away. Add the kayak day to your plan before you arrive, and you won't have to choose between the two best things Bukit Lawang has to offer.
Ready to add a kayak day?
Send us your dates and group size on WhatsApp — we usually reply within a few hours, and no deposit is needed.
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