Embark on an unforgettable 16-day adventure combining the wild heart of Sumatra with the serene charm of a tropical island escape. This journey takes you deep into the pristine jungles of Gunung Leuser National Park, home to the rare Sumatran orangutan, and ends with a relaxing retreat on the paradise shores of Pulau Weh, just off the northern tip of Sumatra.

Discover Sumatra Elephant, Sumatra Orang Utan and other kind of flora and fauna of National park, explore the Jungle of Sumatra and get amazing experience during your holiday in Leuser National park, enjoy the rewarding naturalist’s experience and exploring the pristine Leuser Ecosystem, Explore the beauty of Weh Island with its white sandy beach and great place for snorkeling & diving.

Tour Itinerary

Here’s a description for a 16-Day Explore Leuser National Park and Leisure at Pulau Weh itinerary

Day 01: Arrival In Medan (Emerald Garden Hotel /Le Polonia Hotel / Similar)

Upon arrival at Kualanamu International Airport Medan pick up by our tour guide and then Transfer to hotel, afternoon free at own leisure.

Day 02: Medan – City Tour – Tangkahan (Mega Inn Lodge) (B)

After breakfast city tour visiting Sultan Palace, Great Mosque, Chinese Temple and then drive to Tangkahan via Binjai and Batang Serangan. Afternoon arrival at Tangkahan check in at MegaInn Lodge.

Day 03: Tangkahan – Elephant Washing & River Safari (B,L)

After breakfast walking to the elpahant station and then join with the Mahout during washing the elephants, and feed the elephants. After feeding the elephant enjoying Tubing through the river and stop will be made at fantastic Buluh Waterfall where you may enjoy the waterfall, take your natural shower, enjoy sun-bathing and swimming on the river and enjoying picnic lunch by the bank of the river. Afternoon arrival at the village you can get in touch with local people, where you can see the daily activities of the local people and then return to guest house by walking, arrival at guest house you can take a rest or visit hot springs and waterfall near the guest house.

Day 04: Tangkahan – Bukit lawang by Jeep (Bukit Lawang Cottage / Rindu Alam Hotel / Similar) (B)

After breakfast leave Tangkahan for Bukit Lawang by Jeep passing plantation and jungle road, on the way stop at plantation and several interesting places for enjoying the panorama and witness the activities of the local people. Upon arrival at Bukit Lawang check-in to hotel.

Day 05: Bukit Lawang – Tracking (B)

After breakfast walking to the jungle to start a jungle tracking to explore the nature of Leuser National Park with their flora and fauna, there will be possibility to see Orang Utan in their own habitat and other kind of animals such as Thomas-leaf monkeys, long tail macaque, gibbon, black gibbon and other kind of flora and fauna of tropical rain forest. This tracking will take about 03 hours, after tracking return to hotel.

Afternoon free at own leisure to enjoy the nature of Bukit Lawang where you can also walkingto the village around the hotel

Day 06: Bukit Lawang – Brastagi (Sinabung Hills Hotel / Sibayak Intl Hotel / Grand Mutiara Hotel) (B)

After breakfast drive to Brastagi, on the way stop at Sembahe River, passing Sibolangit, and arrival at Brastagi visiting Lhumbini Park with its duplicate of Shwedagon pagoda, afternoon check-in to hotel.

Day 07 : Sibayak Volcano Climbing (B)

An early morning drive to the slope of Sibayak volcano and then hike up (~3 hrs to go and back) to the summit of Gunung Sibayak will reward you with sweeping views of the surrounding volcano landscape. The volcano is high in geothermal activity with fuming vents spewing out crystalline sulphur which was mined on a small scale in the past. There is a beautiful heart shaped crater lake where love wordings have been formed by visitors using the volcanic rocks.

Arrival at the peak of Sibayak volcano enjoying sun rise on the peak of Sibayak volcano and then time for making pictures of the crater spurting out sulfur smoke and then Descend to the volcano base via other side of the volcano and take a dip in one of the hot spring pools to refresh yourself. Visit the vegetables, fruits and flowers markets and savour one of its most famous produce – Markisa (passion fruits) and then return to hotel.

Day 08: Brastagi–Ketambe (Thousand Hill Guesthouse / Friendship Guesthouse) (B)

After breakfast drive to Ketambe, on the way visit Batak Karo traditional village at Lingga and then continue drive by passing Bukit Barisan with stop at several interesting places, arrival at Ketambe check-in to simple guesthouse.

• We drive on a bad road to Aceh. Aceh is governed according to Sharia (Islamic jurisprudence), but you do not notice that much of it. In this part of Aceh live many Christians and so you see next to many churches and mosques also unveiled women. Incidentally, you’ll find that the sharia in Aceh is not very strict. Unveiled women walking on their own property, and in many places you as a non-Muslim just get alcohol. We stay two nights in a basic hotel.
• Ketambe is situated in the Gunung Leuser National Park and Bukit Lawang difference is that here are no plantations. Our bungalows are located at the Alas River. The rain forest here is very pristine and you have a greater chance of spotting orangutans here.

Day 09 : Ketambe Tracking (B,L)

After breakfast drive to the park, the starting point for tracking at Leuser National Park, exploring the wildlife, there is possibility to see wild animals such as wildpig, Orangutans, the Thomas-Leaf Monkeys, the Black Gibbons, Maccaque, exotic lizards, snakes and many birds (notably the Hornbill, if you are lucky). Big trees in the jungle and several tropical plants.
The journey will break during lunch time with a picnic lunch provided by local guide and after lunch continue to explore deeper the jungle and the rest of afternoon return to guesthouse.

Day 10 : Ketambe – Takengon (Bayu Hills Hotel / Bunda Hotel) (B)

The road leads through the impenetrable interior of Aceh. Constantly we meander through the mountains and we have views of villages, valleys with rice fields and pieces of pristine rainforest. This is no way for wimps! In some parts the road is half washed away by landslides or heavy rainfall and our minivans can sometimes just maneuvering along the sharp cliffs. After a beautiful but heavy and long drive we arrive in Takengon.

Day 11 : Takengon Free At Own Leisure (B)

Here in the highlands around Takengon attend Gayo, an ethnic group with its own language and culture. The lively market is a highlight and you will be struck by the almost overwhelming friendliness of the people. It is clear that hardly any tourists come here and you’re really an attraction.

Early birds can take the bus to a viewpoint to see the beautiful sunrise over Lake Tawar and Takengon. After this you walk down through forests and coffee plantations. It is also possible to visit the local One One village. This fishing village has a number of good examples of traditional wooden architecture of Aceh. Here you can enjoy lunch at one of the local restaurants.

Day 12: Takengon – Banda Aceh (Oasis Hotel / Permata Hati Hotel) (B)

Through a winding road we leave the highlands and descend to the coast. We arrive in Banda Aceh at the end of the afternoon. Immediately you will notice how new and well looked after everything looks here. After the devastating tsunami of December 26, 2004 is with the help of the international community with might and worked on the restoration of the city. The center of the city with the beautiful Mesjid Raya mosque you should not miss. The atmosphere in the city is very relaxed.

Day 13: Banda Aceh – Pulau Weh ( Freddie’s Santai Sumur Tiga / Casanemo Guesthouse) (B)

The city of Banda Aceh is more than five kilometers from the coast. It is hard to imagine that the sea has been able to swallow anything far inland. During the ride to the port you will see many traces of the devastation that caused the tsunami. The passenger terminal where the boat to Pulau Weh leaves is brand new. With a fast boat we cross over in an hour. We stay in a charming accommodation in simple bamboo rooms with sea views. You walk into the small sandy beach.

Day 14 : Pulau Weh – Free At Own Leisure (B)

Weh Island is large and mountainous. It has some beautiful beaches and offers excellent snorkeling and diving. Please note that you at least 24 hours before your flight departs should not dive! Ask your tour guide for the possibilities. The capital Sabang, with several notable colonial houses and a lively market, is only a few kilometers away.

Day 15 : Pulau Weh – Free At Own Leisure (B)

Weh Island is large and mountainous. It has some beautiful beaches and offers excellent snorkeling and diving. Please note that you at least 24 hours before your flight departs should not dive! Ask your tour guide for the possibilities. The capital Sabang, with several notable colonial houses and a lively market, is only a few kilometers away.

Day 16 : Pulau Weh – Banda Aceh – Airport (B)

After breakfast transfer to harbor for ferry to Banda Aceh, arrival at Banda Aceh transfer to airport for your flight to next destination.

Price Included:

• Accommodation based on twin / triple sharing room
• Air condition private car
• Daily breakfast
• Tours
• Transfers
• Entrance fee
• English speaking tour guide from Day-01 until Day-13
• Elephant washing + elephant feeding at Tangkahan
• Tubing at Tangkahan + picnic lunch
• Local jeep for transfer from Tangkahan to Bukit Lawang
• Jungle tracking at Bukit Lawang (03 hours) included: local guide and permit
• Sibayak volcano climbing with local guide
• Fullday jungle tracking at Ketambe included: local guide, permit and picnic lunch
• Return fast ferry boat crossing from Banda Aceh to Sabang (Weh Island)
• Return transfer from Sabang harbor to hotel in Weh Island

Price Excluded:

• Airfare, airport taxes, insurance, donations, tips, lunch, dinner, elephant riding at Tangkahan
• Camera permit at National Park and all personal gratuities.