Join us at the elephant sanctuary in Tangkahan, home to elephants rescued from forests affected by illegal logging. In addition to visiting the sanctuary, you’ll take a dip in the hot springs, swim in the river, enjoy stunning views of the Sumatra countryside, and savor a delicious local lunch.
The hidden paradise of Tangkahan
A few basic facts about Tangkahan:
- Tangkahan is a small village on the border of Gunung Leuser National Park in North Sumatra, about a 1,5-hour drive from Bukit Lawang. Here, you can meet rescued elephants and enjoy views of rubber and palm plantations.
- As an ecotourism destination combating illegal logging, Tangkahan’s lush green surroundings invite exploration.
- The LPT (Lembaga Pariwisata Tangkahan) and CRU (Conservation Response Unit) operate in the area, rescuing Sumatran elephants from illegally logged forests, protecting the national park, and providing livelihoods for local people as a preventive measure against illegal jungle logging.
And what awaits you on a trip to Tangkahan?
Tangkahan Elephant Sanctuary: Itinerary
What you will experience on a trip to Tangkahan Sanctuary:
- Departure at 10:00 AM from your accommodation in Bukit Lawang.
- Approximately 1,5 hours drive through local traditional villages past rubber and palm plantations with lots of beautiful views.
- Local lunch in Tangkahan.
- Walk through the village, swim at the river and hot springs, relax.
- Around 3 PM transfer to the elephant sanctuary, where you can wash the elephants.
- Around 5 PM return to Bukit Lawang.
More information about the trip
Below, you’ll find basic additional information about the trip. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me using the form at the bottom of the page.
WHO IS A TRIP TO THE ELEPHANT SANCTUARY FOR?
- For every animal lover who wants to meet elephants in their natural habitat without causing them any harm.
MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM NUMBER OF PEOPLE PER TRIP
- Minimum: 2 person
- Maximum: 8 person
Note: If you are single traveler and do not want to pay for the other person, we can assign you to another group at your request.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED FOR THE TRIP
- Camera/mobile phone
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Flip flops or sandals
- Swimsuit
- Towel
- Good bag (waterproof)
- Mosquito repellent
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
RULES FOR VISITORS ENTERING ELEPHANT SANCTUARY
- Please keep in mind that you are entering an area where animals live. Always behave calmly and considerately, follow the instructions of the guide and sanctuary staff, and do not feed the animals any food that you have brought yourself or that has not been approved for feeding by the staff.
From our treks and tours
Tangkahan Elephant Sanctuary: Price
What is the price of a trip to Tangkahan, what is included and what are the payment terms?
PRICE
- 90 EUR/person
WHAT IS INCLUDED
- Transport from Bukit Lawang to Tangkahan and back.
- Certified English speaking guide.
- National park permit.
- Elephant sanctuary entrance ticket.
- Cross-bridge fees.
- Fresh fruit.
- Big bottle of water .
- Local lunch.
PAYMENT TERMS
- Deposit: 30% of the total price by one of the payment methods listed below.
- Balance: Before the start of the trek in cash or one of the payment methods listed below.
POSSIBLE PAYMENT METHODS
- Transfer to Indonesian bank account: We only use SWIFT, not IBAN, but if you have Revolut, the transfer is possible.
- Card: We use Stripe to enable secure payment via link. Neither we nor anyone else can see your payment card details. A regular card, Apple Pay or Google Pay can be used for payment.
- Revolut: Payment between Revolut accounts or from Revolut to our Indonesian bank account.
- PayPal: A 3% transaction fee will be added to PayPal payments. The other payment methods mentioned above are free.
CANCELLATION CONDITIONS
- Cancellation 10 days or more before the trip: full refund of the deposit.
- Cancellation 3 – 10 days before the trip: half of the deposit refunded.
- Cancellation 2 – 0 days before the trip: deposit forfeited.
- Cancellation by trip operator: full refund of the deposit.
Note: If there are serious reasons for cancellation, such as an accident, you will receive a full refund upon presentation of the relevant receipts, regardless of when you cancel.
How to book a trip to Tangkahan Elephant Sanctuary
Please fill in all fields of the form and submit it. I will get back to you within a few days with a confirmation of the date or a suggestion for an alternative date, along with instructions for paying the deposit.
Please note that I’m often out and about, so it may take a few days to reply. If you have any urgent questions or need to make a last-minute booking, you can use the contact information provided below the form.
Other contacts
- info@seebukitlawang.com
- WhatsApp: +62 812-6318-0177
Other activities you might be interested in
Have more time in Bukit Lawang? Great! Enjoy swimming in the river, explore a cave, and discover local products, traditions, crafts, and plants while gaining interesting information, experiences, and skills.
Join us to explore the surroundings of Bukit Lawang on a village cycling or tuk-tuk tour, where you’ll learn many fascinating facts about local life, crafts, plants, products, traditions, and culture. You’ll see home production of tofu, brown sugar, and rice fields. On Fridays, you can visit the local market to buy fruit, spices, and more.
Bat Cave, located about a 40-minute walk from Bukit Lawang, features not only many stalagmites and stalactites but also various species of insects, snakes, bats, and swallows. If you’re lucky, you might spot different species of monkeys and other animals along the way, including orangutans.
Do you have extra time in Bukit Lawang and aren’t sure what to do? Join one of our local handcraft activities, such as coconut or wood carving and painting on t-shirts, to learn something new while supporting small local entrepreneurs.
Jungle treks you might be interested in
Check out our range of treks, from easy options suitable for families and those with reduced mobility to challenging adventures that will test your mental and physical endurance on long excursions away from civilization.
The half-day jungle trek is an easy trip into the Sumatran jungle, where you’ll discover its beauty and wildlife. If you’re lucky, you might encounter orangutans, other monkeys, and learn basic facts about local trees, plants, and flowers.
During the 1-day jungle trek, you’ll venture deeper into the Sumatran jungle and have the chance to encounter its inhabitants, including orangutans, Thomas leaf monkeys, gibbons, hornbills, and many others. You’ll also learn about local plants and have time to relax and enjoy an Indonesian lunch in the jungle.
Want to discover the secrets the jungle hides at night? Join us for a moderate 2-day, 1-night jungle trek where you’ll sleep in the jungle and encounter animals that are active after dark. The adventure concludes with a ride down the river on traditional rafts back to Bukit Lawang.
Let’s embark on a 3-day, 2-night jungle trek! Open your eyes and ears as you delve into the mysteries of the Sumatran jungle, home to fascinating inhabitants such as orangutans, white gibbons, dusky monkeys, forest turtles, rare birds, and more. At the end of this once-in-a-lifetime experience, enjoy an adventurous ride down the river on a traditional raft.
Want a real adventure? Join us for a 4-day, 3-night jungle trek that takes you deep into the Sumatran jungle, far from civilization and off the beaten path, for an amazing and challenging lifetime adventure. This trek offers the chance to explore the jungle in its pristine state and observe a variety of wildlife. You’ll also learn about various plants, including medicinal ones.
Want to experience Sumatra in its pristine state, see rare animals and plants, and learn the basics of jungle survival? Join us for a 5-day, 4-night jungle trek, where you’ll also have the chance to improve your physical and mental strength. Away from civilization and common hiking trails, you might spot monkeys, as well as tracks of wild elephants and tigers, if you’re lucky.
Discover more of Sumatra’s natural beauty
Besides Bukit Lawang, Sumatra offers plenty of other beautiful places to visit, from rugged volcanic landscapes to pristine beaches with crystal-clear waters. Take a look at our fully customizable packages and come explore with me!
North Sumatra offers countless natural wonders and experiences for adventurous travelers, so why not explore beyond Bukit Lawang? Join us not only for the jungle, rafting, and elephants but also for the volcanoes, hot springs, and stunning views in Berastagi during this seven-day package.
Do you want to have a real adventure? Trek in the rainforest? Sleep in the jungle? See orangutans in the wild? Wash and feed an elephant? Hike to a volcano and find yourself in the middle of the world’s largest volcanic lake? Join me on a Ten-Day trip to experience the best of North Sumatra’s natural beauty!
Sumatra offers wild, untouched nature, beautiful beaches, great food, and authentic culture. Despite its beauty, it remains mostly overlooked by tourists, with few exceptions. Because of this, it still maintains its authenticity and is perfect for those seeking a real adventure. Join me for a two-week trip that takes you through everything from jungles to volcanoes to pristine beaches.
