Tangkahan Ecotourism and Elephant Conservation Area is an ecotourism destination located in North Sumatra, precisely in the Gunung Leuser National Park area. This place is known as “The Hidden Paradise of Sumatra” because of its natural beauty which is still pristine and is home to preserved Sumatran elephants.
Tangkahan, referred to as the hidden paradise in Sumatra located in border area of Gunung Leuser National Park, is an ecotourism area in the Langkat district of North Sumatra, just two hours drive from the neighbouring ecotourism site of Bukit Lawang or four hours drive from Medan.
Vising elephant camp, washing the elephant, feed the elephant, trekking in the jungle and fantastic river tubing are some interesting activity to do in this area
Tangkahan is combinations of vegetation and topography makes it a marvellous tourist spot rarely found elsewhere. The Batang and Buluh rivers, converging exactly in this zone, are typical of rainforest streams, with diverse varieties of vegetation and colourful rocks and Sumatra Elephants on their banks. The clear, bluish green river water against the panoramic view creates a mystical atmosphere.
Tangkahan Home for Wildlife
Tangkahan is also the base of the Conservation Response Unit (CRU), consisting of a team of ex-captive Sumatran Elephants and their mahouts (elephant tenders) that regularly patrols the national park to protect from any possible encroachment.
Tangkahan is a remote village in Northern Sumatra where you have the opportunity to sleep in the jungle with the ‘big five’ of Indonesia – the Sumatran elephant, the Sumatran tiger, the Sumatran rhinoceros, the Sumatran orangutan, and the clouded leopard.
Experience a different kind of Sumatran adventure at the Tangkahan ecotourism destination located in North Sumatra Province near the Mount Leuser National Park. This ecotourism site was established in 2001 as a part of the local community’s effort in revitalizing the ecosystem through environmentally based tourism activities.
Have a blast learning and exploring Tangkahan! The activities prepared by the local community are aimed at preserving and protecting the forest and wildlife, such as elephants, tigers and other endangered species. You’ll kick off your journey into this hidden area by crossing the river on a bamboo raft like Indiana Jones! Then, once you enter Tangkahan, a cozy village nestled in the midst of Sumatra’s lush and exotic forest will warmly welcome you.
You can choose to take part in various types of activities during your stay, starting from a visit to the Elephant Camp up to trekking in the forest and observing the supervision of wildlife. At the Elephant Camp, you can have fun bathing the elephants and feeding them as if they were your own pet. Or, you can enjoy do some other activities such ase river tubing, exploring caves and bathing in the natural hot water bath.
If you love knowledge, then learn about the importance of environmentally based tourism from the tour guides and local residents because Tangkahan is an example of how this concept has been successfully implemented. The people managed to convert an area that was prone to having the trees illegally cut down to an ecotourism area that many enjoy.
