We are a family-owned local trekking company creating responsible
rainforest adventures that protect wildlife, respect the environment
and support the people who call Bukit Lawang home.
Family-owned local companyCertified local guidesSmall responsible groups
Our Home
Bukit Lawang, North Sumatra
Our Purpose
Responsible travel and conservation
Our Guides
Experienced, English-speaking and certified
Our Style
Personal, safe and locally led
Since 2017Creating meaningful local experiences
Who we are
A local family business with the rainforest at its heart
Bukit Lawang Travel is a family-owned trekking company based in
Bukit Lawang, Sumatra. We promote responsible travel and ecotourism
while helping visitors experience the extraordinary rainforest of
Gunung Leuser National Park.
Our mission is to protect this remarkable environment, support local
livelihoods and create honest, meaningful connections between our
guests, the rainforest and the culture of North Sumatra.
Because Bukit Lawang is our home, every journey is personal to us.
We want you to leave with unforgettable memories and a deeper
understanding of why this landscape must be protected.
✓Locally owned and operated in Bukit Lawang
✓Ethical wildlife viewing and responsible trekking
✓Direct benefits for guides, drivers, families and local businesses
Our experiences are designed to be safe, personal and deeply connected
to the place. We combine expert guiding with conservation awareness and
genuine encounters with local life.
01
Authentic Local Experiences
Our roots in Bukit Lawang allow us to introduce guests to the
village, its people and its traditions in a natural and respectful
way. Since 2017, local homestay experiences have offered an even
closer connection with community life.
02
Responsible Rainforest Trekking
We follow national park rules, maintain respectful distances from
wildlife, avoid feeding or touching animals and reduce waste during
every trek.
03
Personal & Flexible Planning
Trek duration, pace and activities can be adapted to your interests,
experience, fitness and available time, creating a journey that
feels personal rather than rushed.
Meet our team
Local knowledge, professional guiding and warm hospitality
Our experienced English-speaking guides are certified through the
Indonesian Tour Guides Association, ITGA-HPI. They combine
professional safety standards with detailed knowledge of the
rainforest, wildlife and local culture.
Your guide is not simply leading the trail. They are helping you
understand the forest, read signs of wildlife and experience the
jungle in a way that is responsible, educational and enjoyable.
✓Licensed and experienced local guides
✓Clear safety briefings and careful trek preparation
✓Strict respect for wildlife and national park guidelines
✓Friendly support before, during and after your visit
Why choose us
Why travel with Bukit Lawang Travel?
We believe a memorable adventure should be good for the guest, the
community and the rainforest.
Community Engagement
Tourism creates work, training and opportunities for local guides, drivers, families, accommodation providers and small businesses.
Educational Experiences
Our guides explain rainforest ecology, animal behaviour, conservation challenges and the role of responsible tourism.
Customized Adventures
We tailor trek duration, difficulty, pace and additional activities to your interests and travel plans.
Local Expertise
Our guides grew up in and around Bukit Lawang, giving them a close understanding of the forest, river and community.
Unwavering Safety
Careful preparation, professional guides and small groups create a safer and more personal rainforest experience.
Environmental Stewardship
We focus on forest cleanliness, low-impact trekking and respectful wildlife observation during every tour.
A popular first adventure
Experience the rainforest on a 2-day Bukit Lawang trek
Spend two days exploring the jungle with our local team, searching
for wildlife, learning about the rainforest and sleeping close to
nature before returning by traditional tube rafting.
Bukit Lawang is our homeA riverside village at the eastern edge of Gunung Leuser National Park.
Where we are
A village shaped by rainforest, river and resilience
Bukit Lawang is a small village in North Sumatra, Indonesia, beside
the Bohorok River and the eastern boundary of Gunung Leuser National
Park. It is widely known as a gateway to rainforest trekking and
responsible orangutan observation.
The village originally developed around agriculture and small-scale
farming. Over time, conservation and tourism became increasingly
important, creating guesthouses, restaurants, guiding work and
other opportunities for local families.
Today, Bukit Lawang combines a relaxed village atmosphere with
access to one of Southeast Asia’s most important rainforest
landscapes.
1973
Orangutan Rehabilitation
The Bohorok orangutan rehabilitation initiative brought international attention to the area and its wildlife.
1980s–90s
Tourism Development
Visitors arrived to learn about orangutans and the rainforest, supporting new local tourism businesses.
2003
A Devastating Flood
A major flash flood caused tragic loss of life and severe damage, deeply affecting the entire community.
Today
Recovery & Responsible Tourism
Bukit Lawang has rebuilt and remains an important centre for ecotourism, community livelihoods and conservation awareness.
About Leuser National Park
A critical sanctuary for Sumatra’s biodiversity
Gunung Leuser National Park extends across North Sumatra and Aceh
and protects a vast landscape of lowland and mountain rainforest.
It forms part of the UNESCO-listed Tropical Rainforest Heritage of
Sumatra.
The wider Leuser Ecosystem is globally important because it supports
an exceptional variety of plants and animals, including some of the
world’s most threatened large mammals.
A living rainforest ecosystemFrom the forest floor to the highest canopy, every layer supports an extraordinary variety of life.
Sumatran OrangutanAn iconic great ape whose remaining natural habitat needs long-term protection.Sumatran TigerA critically endangered predator that depends on large, connected forest areas.Sumatran ElephantA forest-dwelling elephant threatened by habitat loss and conflict with human activity.Sumatran RhinocerosOne of the rarest large mammals on Earth and a symbol of urgent conservation need.
Environmental
The forest stores carbon, regulates water and helps reduce the risks of floods, droughts and soil erosion.
Cultural
Communities around the park have deep cultural connections with the landscape, plants, rivers and traditional knowledge.
Economic
Responsible tourism creates local income and gives communities a direct incentive to keep the rainforest standing.
Global
Protecting Leuser contributes to international efforts to conserve biodiversity and address climate change.
Life in Bukit Lawang
People, rainforest and unforgettable moments
Every visit is shaped by the people you meet, the landscapes you explore
and the memories created together in and around the rainforest.
Local hospitality and shared experiencesPersonal guiding and friendly serviceThe gateway to Gunung LeuserThe Bohorok River and surrounding forestRainforest from the forest floor to the canopyAuthentic experiences around Bukit LawangNature, community and memorable moments in North Sumatra
Our commitment
Conservation begins with the way we travel
We aim to minimize our impact, protect wildlife and help guests
understand why responsible behaviour inside the rainforest matters.
01
Respect wildlife
Never feed, touch, chase or block orangutans and other animals. Observe calmly and follow your guide.
02
Keep the forest clean
Carry waste out of the jungle, reduce single-use plastic and leave plants and natural objects where they belong.
03
Support local livelihoods
Work with local guides, cooks, porters, drivers, families and accommodation providers wherever possible.
04
Share conservation knowledge
Help visitors understand the pressures facing the rainforest and the choices that contribute to its protection.
Explore Bukit Lawang with people who call it home
Share your travel dates, group size and preferred adventure. Our
local team will help you choose the right trek, transport and
accommodation for a safe and meaningful visit.
