Ketambe is a small, tranquil village located in the southeastern part of Aceh Province on the island of Sumatra, Indonesia. Nestled within the lush tropical rainforests of the Gunung Leuser National Park, Ketambe is renowned for its pristine natural beauty and rich biodiversity, making it a haven for eco-tourists, nature lovers, and wildlife researchers.
Ketambe is a small, quiet and remote city in the most south of Aceh. In the 1970’s the Indonesian government tried to increase its influence in the region by building a hotel facility and making it, besides Bukit Lawang, an official entrance to the Gunung Leuser National Park to see wild Orang Utans, black and white-handed Gibbons, Hornbills etc. Ketambe is besides this a small but charming village, worth a visit to both go trekking and to just relax for a day or two, since not many tourists take the long but beautiful way to Ketambe.
Notice that Ketambe is located in Aceh which is partly governed by muslim sharia laws. Show respect for that by for example not using drugs (acctually drugs are not prohibited in Holy Quran only alcohol is) or alcohol in public. No special dresscode for women (except not wearing very short shorts and tops out of respect) required.
Ketambe can be found in the Gunung Leuser National Park. There used to be a rehabilitation center here for the Orangutans but that is a long time ago. All the Orangutans here are wild en not being fed, even though the research center there is closed as well. Ketambe is a well known place amongst people who want to see the Orangutan in the wild
Key Features of Ketambe:
1. Gateway to Gunung Leuser National Park Ketambe is one of the main access points to the park, which is part of the UNESCO-listed Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra. The area is home to endangered species such as the Sumatran orangutan, Thomas leaf monkeys, gibbons, and even the elusive Sumatran tiger.
2. Wildlife Trekking and Jungle Tours Ketambe is popular for jungle trekking experiences. Guided tours offer the opportunity to explore the dense rainforest, encounter wild orangutans in their natural habitat, and camp by rivers or waterfalls. The treks range from a few hours to multi-day adventures.
3. Hot Springs and Rivers The nearby Lawe Alas River and several natural hot springs add to Ketambe’s appeal. The river is often used for bathing and relaxing after treks, while hot springs provide a therapeutic experience surrounded by nature.
4. Off-the-Beaten-Path Experience Unlike the more touristy Bukit Lawang, Ketambe offers a quieter, more authentic jungle experience. It’s ideal for travelers looking to avoid crowds and connect deeply with nature.
5. Local Culture and Hospitality The people of Ketambe are warm and welcoming. The village has basic but comfortable accommodations and homestays, where visitors can experience traditional Acehnese hospitality and cuisine.
Location
Ketambe is on the edge of the Gunung Leuser National Park in Aceh province, North Sumatra. Ketambe is 43km north-west of Kutacane
As well as jungle trekking one of the highlights close to Ketambe are hot springs that join the Alas river giving a choice of hot water bathing or cooler water in the river. These hot springs are a 2 hour walk from Ketambe.
There is a camp ground half way between Ketambe and the springs if you want to spend the night in the jungle.
There is no orangutan rehabilitation centre here so the Orangutan you see are all wild animals and have not be reintroduced in the jungle like some of the ones you see at Bukit Lawang. As well as the orangutan you have a chance of seeing Thomas Leaf Monkeys and gibbons. If walking through the jungle it is best to move slowly and quietly. The animals usually hear you before you can see them and they will move off away from your direction to save encountering a human.
Many foreign tourists are interested to visit Ketambe in Southeast Aceh regency. The tourism destination is popular with the beauty of natural forest and also variety of flora and fauna which grow wild.
Tourists usually wanted to see Sumatran orang utan in Ketambe. They can found the animals on the side street that connected Southeast Aceh and Gayo Lues.
Not only orangutan, there are many types of primates in Ketambe forest. Such as kukang (Nycticebus coucang), long-tailed monkeys (Macaca fascicularis), beruk (Macaca nemestrina), kedih (Presbytis thomasi), sarudung (Hylobates lar), and gibbon ( Hylobates syndactylus).
Ketambe is located foothills of the Gunung Leuser National Park. The destination is popular for foreign tourists after visiting Banda Aceh city and Sabang.
The main reason to come to Ketambe is to do a trekking tour into Gunung Leuser National Park. However, there are other activities that can be enjoyed by many tourists, such as rafting on Alas river.
