We live in a time when travel is more affordable than ever. While this is exciting—bringing adventure, personal growth, and new experiences—it also has a negative impact on our planet. In many places, you can see rapid development aimed at accommodating more tourists, along with unethical practices like animal feeding, elephant rides, and other attractions that harm animals. This makes sustainable tourism a growing topic of concern. So, what does sustainable tourism really mean, and how do we at See Bukit Lawang adhere to it?
Gunung Leuser, Sumatra: A Jungle That Survived Deforestation
Bukit Lawang is the starting point for treks into Gunung Leuser National Park, one of the few areas that has managed to avoid deforestation. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the vast surrounding areas.
Deforestation has also impacted the original inhabitants of the forest, particularly orangutans, whose population has significantly declined. Fortunately, many were rescued and rehabilitated at the Bukit Lawang Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, established in 1973. The center focused on rehabilitating injured and orphaned orangutans before releasing them back into the wild. The first rehabilitated orangutans were released in the late 1970s, and today, their second generation—the descendants of these rescued orangutans—thrives in the park. Although the rehabilitation center officially closed in 1996, its closure did not mark the end of all efforts; the citizens of Bukit Lawang and Tangkahan continue to work toward preserving orangutans in the wild.
The key to preserving orangutans and other wildlife, such as tigers, elephants, and rhinos, in the wild is sustainable tourism. At See Bukit Lawang, we are committed to this principle and adhere to the guidelines set by the Indonesian Tourism Association.
Tourism can help improve the environment when practiced sustainably. We kindly ask that you follow the rules when visiting Gunung Leuser National Park, the same as we do.
Principles of sustainable tourism
Bukit Lawang is one of the few remaining places in the world where you can see orangutans in the wild. Our main goal is to preserve their well-being, which is why we at See Bukit Lawang adhere to the principles of sustainable tourism, as well as the rules of the Indonesian Tourism Association. We kindly ask all our guests to help us in our efforts by following these rules:
- Don’t feed the animals.
- Don’t touch the animals.
- Keep your distance from the animals.
- Be quiet; don’t shout.
- Don’t leave garbage in the jungle (not even fruit leftovers).
- Follow the guide’s instructions.
- Don’t leave the group; don’t go into the jungle alone.
However, the key to preserving the jungle and its inhabitants lies not only in following the above rules but also in supporting local communities. Why?
Supporting Local Communities: A Way to Prevent Poaching
Deforestation for palm plantations is not the only activity threatening wildlife. Another major issue is illegal logging and poaching, motivated by the pursuit of exclusive and high-value goods. Despite the efforts of various organizations, there are still individuals who demand these items and do not hesitate to pay a high price to obtain them.
Fighting against these individuals is challenging, but we can take steps to reduce the availability of such goods. How? Simply by supporting local communities, which, in practice, means providing financial assistance to underprivileged families and especially focusing on the education of children—because education is the key to a better future without resorting to illegal activities like poaching. It makes sense, right?
It definitely makes sense to us, which is why part of our profits from tours and treks goes toward supporting families in need. If you’d like to participate in this effort, we can arrange visits to families or schools, where you can donate funds or essential supplies (please ask us in advance about what is most needed).
Thank you for your cooperation in preserving our nature and we look forward to seeing you in Bukit Lawang!
Do you need more information or want to book a trek?
If you’re interested in more information or want to book a jungle trek, other activities, transfers, accommodation, or a package, please fill out all fields of the contact form so I can prepare a program, provide a price offer, and reply to all your questions.
I will reply as soon as possible, but since I am often outside in the jungle, it may take a little time. Thank you for your understanding, and I look forward to seeing you in Bukit Lawang!
Contact form
Other contacts
- info@seebukitlawang.com
- WhatsApp: +62 812-6318-0177
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.
Other trips you might be interested in
Have more time in Bukit Lawang? Great! Visit the elephant sanctuary where you can join in bathing the elephants, enjoy swimming in the river, and explore a cave. Discover local products, traditions, crafts, and plants while gaining interesting information, experiences, and skills.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
