6-Day North Sumatra Tour: Bukit Lawang, Berastagi and Lake Toba

Q: Do I need to book my own hotels or transport between stops?

No. All transport, guides, and 5 nights of accommodation across the four locations are included and arranged for you.

Q: How physically demanding is the Mount Sibayak hike?

It's a moderate hike to the summit area, manageable for most people with an average fitness level. It's steeper and colder than the Bukit Lawang jungle trails, so proper footwear and a warm layer are worth packing.

Q: What's the weather like, and what if it rains?

Bukit Lawang is a tropical rainforest, so rain is possible any time of year, even in the dry season. Treks go ahead in light rain; trails can get slippery, so good footwear matters more than the weather itself.

Q: Can I extend or shorten the tour?

The itinerary can be adjusted; extra nights in Bukit Lawang, Berastagi, or on Samosir Island can be arranged on request.

Q: What's the best time of year for this tour?

Similar to the jungle treks, May to September tends to bring drier conditions for both trekking and the Sibayak hike, though the tour runs year-round.

A 6-day North Sumatra tour through Bukit Lawang, Berastagi, and Lake Toba, three of Sumatra’s most iconic landscapes in one trip. Trek Gunung Leuser National Park to track wild orangutans, hike an active volcano at sunrise in the Berastagi highlands, then unwind beside Lake Toba, the world’s largest volcanic lake. Every hotel, transfer, and guide is arranged for you from arrival to departure.

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Location

Bukit Lawang North Sumatra

National Park

Gunung Leuser National Park

Duration

6 Days and 5 Nights

Languages

English & Indonesian

Group Size

Small (6–8) private on request

Difficulty

Moderate uneven jungle trails

6 Days Trekking in Bukit Lawang

Explore North Sumatra’s rainforest, volcano, and volcanic lake on one guided route. Start in Gunung Leuser National Park with a licensed guide tracking wild orangutans, gibbons, and Thomas leaf monkeys, camping riverside before tubing back to Bukit Lawang. Continue up to Berastagi for a sunrise hike on Mount Sibayak, then close the trip at Lake Toba with a ferry crossing to Samosir Island to explore Batak Toba culture. Six days, three regions, one guide throughout — hotels and transport included.

Highlights

2-day jungle trek in Gunung Leuser National Park tracking wild orangutans, with riverside camping and a tubing ride back to Bukit Lawang
Sunrise hike on Mount Sibayak, an active volcano in the Berastagi highlands
Ferry crossing to Samosir Island to see the ancient Batak stone chairs at Ambarita
Five nights of included accommodation: eco-lodge, jungle camp, highland hotel, and lakeside resort

PRICE PER PERSON

€ 450 / person

2 people: €550 per person
3–6 people: €450 per person

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival in Medan & Transfer to Bukit Lawang

Land at Kualanamu International Airport (KNO) and meet your driver and guide for the scenic 4–5 hour drive to Bukit Lawang, passing local villages and palm oil plantations. Settle into your riverside eco-lodge for the night, with dinner and the sounds of the rainforest to end the day.

Day 2 — Jungle Trek Begins: Gunung Leuser National Park

Meet your licensed jungle guide after breakfast and head into Gunung Leuser National Park, a UNESCO-listed rainforest. Track wild Sumatran orangutans alongside Thomas leaf monkeys, long-tailed macaques, and hornbills, with a picnic lunch in the forest. Continue to a riverside campsite for a guide-cooked jungle dinner under the stars.

Day 3 — Rainforest Trekking & River Tubing Back to the Village

Wake to the jungle’s morning bird calls and continue trekking through primary rainforest before reaching the river for the “Jungle Taxi” a traditional tubing ride down the Bohorok River back to Bukit Lawang. Spend the afternoon free to relax by the river or explore the village before returning to the eco-lodge.

Day 4 — Bukit Lawang to the Berastagi Highlands

Leave Bukit Lawang after breakfast and drive up into the cool Karo Highlands, stopping at a traditional Karo village to learn about Batak architecture along the way. Browse the Berastagi Fruit and Flower Market before checking into your highland hotel for the night.

Day 5 — Mount Sibayak Sunrise Hike & Lake Toba

Hike to the summit area of Mount Sibayak, an active volcano, in time for sunrise over the highlands, then return for breakfast. Visit Sipiso-Piso Waterfall, one of Indonesia’s tallest, before driving to Parapat to catch the ferry across Lake Toba to Samosir Island, where you’ll check into your lakeside hotel.

Day 6 — Samosir Island Culture & Departure

Explore Batak Toba culture on Samosir Island, visiting the stone chairs of Ambarita and the traditional Rumah Bolon longhouses of Tomok. Take the midday ferry back to Parapat for the private transfer to Kualanamu Airport ahead of your evening flight.

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What's Included

5 nights of accommodation: riverside eco-lodge (2 nights), jungle tent camp (1 night), highland hotel (1 night), lakeside hotel (1 night).
Private vehicle, driver, fuel, and toll fees for the full 6 days.
Licensed English-speaking guides for jungle trekking and volcano hiking.
Gunung Leuser National Park permits, Mount Sibayak hiking fees, and Sipiso-Piso Waterfall entry.
Traditional river tubing back to Bukit Lawang.
All meals during the jungle trek (Days 2–3), plus camp equipment: tents, bedding, mosquito nets.
Round-trip ferry tickets across Lake Toba to Samosir Island.

What's Not Included

Meals outside the jungle trekking days (Days 1, 4, 5, 6).
Tips for your driver, guides, and camp cook.
Travel insurance.
This tour includes active volcano hiking and multi-day trekking, and isn't suitable for pregnant travelers, young children, or anyone with severe heart, knee, or back conditions.

2 Day Orangutan Trekking Bukit Lawang

€ 120

An overnight jungle trek with camping by the river. More time in the forest means better odds of close wildlife encounters, plus a relaxed tubing ride back to the village.

3 Days Orangutan Jungle Trekking in Bukit Lawang

€ 170

Our most immersive route, covering deeper trails and remote viewing areas. Two nights camping in the jungle, guided wildlife tracking, and a scenic river tube-out

4 Day Orangutan Trekking in Bukit Lawang

€ 265

Spend 4 days and 3 nights exploring Gunung Leuser National Park with an experienced local guide, searching for wild Sumatran orangutans and other rainforest wildlife while camping in the jungle.

5-Day Deep Rainforest Orangutan Trekking in Bukit Lawang

€ 320

Our 5-day orangutan trekking expedition is built for travelers who want to spend real time deep inside the Sumatran rainforest, not just pass through it.

Ready For Sumatra Orangutan Trip?

From your first step into Gunung Leuser National Park to your last night by the river, we’ll help you plan a trekking experience that fits your time, fitness level, and sense of adventure. Get in touch and let’s build your itinerary

What Trekkers Speaks about us

Clients Reviews

Nadine B

Amazing jungle trekking I had such a great time trekking in the jungle! Everything was really well organised, from the pickup to the trek itself. The guides were super friendly and funny, and shared lots of interesting stories about the orangutans and the local way of life. We saw orangutans several times, which was amazing! The food was also so good, especially considering we were in the middle of the jungle. Thanks to the whole team for such a fun and unforgettable experience! I would definitely recommend this trek to anyone visiting Bukit Lawang. 😊🌿🦧

Tristan C

Two day Private Jungle trek I wanted a two day jungle adventure without tubing with photography being my main aim away from the crowds so contacted Sumatra Stone Stories to see if they could set up a private tour. From the first moment of contact communication was prompt and excellent. They arranged an airport transfer from Medan airport for half the price of the big operators and supplied a guide and porter both of which were excellent. We were certainly in a quiet area seeing no one else for 24 hours with rough camping and certainly got a taste of the real rain forest. To be fair, in more primary rainforest you don’t tend to see so many animals due to the density of trees, so on day two ventured back across the river back into more secondary rainforest and saw loads including a Orangutang with its baby. But it felt like an adventure on day one. In short, this is a young company, but can see why they attract five stars and confident if you tell them what you want, however bespoke. They will find a satisfactory solution. Recommended for sure. Thanks Sumatra Stone Stories.

Relax47118798596

Hugo’s Review Amazing expérience i highly recommend it !

FF v

Enjoyable jungle trek We had a really nice trip. Aditya is a friendly guide. Enjoyed the card game in the jungle at night in the rain.

Paula

Incredibly great experience, we would do it again anytime! It was a really great tour. Our guides Aditya and Olli were super nice and spoiled us. The food is really fantastic and there is something for everyone, whether vegetarian or with meat. There was really enough and it was varied. The accommodations are bamboo huts and even when it poured at night, we stayed completely dry. We slept really well and didn't lack anything. There are 4 species of monkeys in the jungle and we saw all 4. The animals are all protected and are not fed; you really have to look for them. Every now and then some also come by the camp. The river trip was also super fun. All in all, it was a really incredibly great trip and we can only recommend it to everyone!

Larrie_123

Memories that will last a lifetime We had an amazing two-day jungle trekking experience with our guide, Sam, and his assistant in training. They took excellent care of us throughout the trek, always offering support whenever needed. What we appreciated most was their ethical approach to wildlife. They kept a respectful distance from the orangutans and never interfered with their natural habitat by feeding or disturbing them, allowing us to observe these incredible animals in the wild as they should be. Sam was incredibly knowledgeable and shared fascinating insights about the rainforest, its wildlife, and the many fruits and plants we encountered along the way. He was also fun, friendly, and genuinely engaging to talk to, making the experience even more memorable. We highly recommend this trek to anyone looking for an authentic and responsible jungle adventure!

Alex W

Sumatra stone stories trek I booked with Sumatra stone stories as it appeared to be an ethical, smaller hike than some other companies, which is what I was after. I chose the 2 days 1 night tour which was perfect for me, and I was out in a group with only 5 other people. We started our trek with some other groups but eventually split off, the walk was hard but it was very worth it, we saw an orangutan and her baby up so close to us, which we wouldn’t have seen if the guide hadn’t pointed it out. The pick up and drop off was amazing and we even got a tube down the river when we finished! The value for money is brilliant and the accomodation was also very comfortable (considering it was in the jungle!) delicious fruit and dinner was also provided for us when we wanted to stop, making the hike much better! I couldn’t recommend this company more thank you for an amazing time!

Amel S

Amazing expérience Our 2-day, 1-night trek was absolutely amazing! The organization was perfect from start to finish. We were a group of four with two fantastic guides, and we shared unforgettable moments together. We were lucky enough to see many orangutans, including a huge dominant male, as well as other wildlife such as macaques. Every encounter felt truly magical. Our guides were incredible—funny, kind, knowledgeable, and always looking after us. The food was delicious, and spending the night in the jungle was an unforgettable experience in itself. I honestly have nothing negative to say. I 100% recommend Sumatra Stone Stories to anyone looking for an authentic and unforgettable jungle adventure. A huge thank you to the whole team!

Nim P

Super 2D1N trek in Bukit Lawang Excellent trekking tour with Sumatra Stories. Aditya, our guide, was brilliant - very attentive to each person in the group, knowledgeable about the jungle and animals and where best to spot them. His team (Deddy - assistant, and Malan - chef) were also excellent. The food - main meals and jungle fruit salad breaks were plentiful and tasty. We saw several orangutans which was our main interest. Overall - excellent.

Mareike B

Great expercience!! The Trekking with jungle D and Baiman was our absolute highlight of our journey! It was a lot of fun, so special and they were so nice and funny! Thank you a lot, it’s a big recommendation from us!:)

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Wildlife in Gunung Leuser National Park

Jungle Trekking in Bukit Lawang

River Tubing on the Bahorok River

Ecolodges & Cottages in Bukit Lawang

Do I need to book my own hotels or transport between stops?

How physically demanding is the Mount Sibayak hike?

What's the weather like, and what if it rains?

Can I extend or shorten the tour?

What's the best time of year for this tour?

Ethical Trekking in Bukit Lawang, Done Properly

Orangutan trekking in Bukit Lawang only works long-term if it’s done in a way that doesn’t stress the animals or damage the forest. On this trek that means:

No feeding or touching wildlife, and keeping a safe, respectful distance at all times
Small group sizes to reduce disturbance to the forest and its animals
Local, licensed guides who know the park’s rules and enforce them
Sticking to trails and camp practices that minimize impact on Gunung Leuser National Park

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6 Day Orangutan Trekking Bukit Lawang