14 Things to Do in Bukit Lawang, From Monkey Trekking to Tubing

Out of all of the things to do in Bukit Lawang, jungle trekking is the most famous.

Located on the edge of the Gunung Leuser National Park, Bukit Lawang is Sumatra’s go-to orangutan trekking destination.

Why? It’s home to an orangutan sanctuary where tourists can hike into the forest to see semi-wild orangutans and other monkey species such as Thomas’s langur and gibbons.

However, orangutan trekking isn’t the only activity in Bukit Lawang. On Fridays, a busy traditional market showcases local food and knick-knacks.

There are also rivers, waterfalls, and interesting villages in the surrounding area. After school, gaggles of kids take to the river to swim or go tubing on rubber rings.

In the following Bukit Lawang guide, I’ll walk you through all of the best things to do in Bukit Lawang – including orangutan trekking – and everything you need to know to visit.

Planning a big trip to Sumatra? Start by visiting my detailed Sumatra backpacking itinerary, which includes tips for visiting north and west Sumatra.

I also have guides on how to get to Bukit Lawang and the best Bukit Lawang hotels.

Disclosure: This post includes affiliate links. If you decide to click through and make a qualifying purchase, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you – thanks for your support.

Where is Bukit Lawang?

Bukit Lawang is located in North Sumatra in Indonesia.

It is 86 kilometres northwest of Medan, the largest city in Sumatra, and is split in half by the Bahorok River.

Bukit Lawang is on the edge of the Gunung Leuser National Park, which is home to an orangutan sanctuary and wild animals such as gibbons, Thomas’s langur monkeys, tigers, rhinos, sun bears and elephants.

Is Bukit Lawang Worth Visiting?

Bukit Lawang is your chance to see Sumatran orangutans. There are approximately 5,000 orangutans in the area, either wild or semi-wild.

There are several places in Sumatra where you can go orangutan trekking – Ketambe is another option – but Bukit Lawang is the most accessible.

Trekking in the Gunung Leuser National Park next to Bukit Lawang also gives you a good chance at seeing species such as Thomas’s langur, a monkey endemic to Sumatra (in other words, only found in Sumatra) and gibbons.

Orangutan trekking is one of the main things to do in Bukit Lawang. However, the local rivers, the Bohorok River and the Landak River, also provide the chance to go tubing or try watersports like white-water rafting and kayaking, depending on the season.

The people of Bukit Lawang and its surrounding villages also produce handicrafts.

To summarise, Bukit Lawang is worth visiting for:

• Seeing wild or semi-wild orangutans.
• Spotting wildlife such as gibbons and Thomas’s langur.
• The experience of overnight camping and trekking in a Sumatran jungle.
• Tubing, swimming and watersports on the rivers.
• Visiting local villages, caves and waterfalls.
• Amazing north Sumatran cuisine and markets.

A Short History of Bukit Lawang

Bukit Lawang started out as a rubber plantation in the early 20th century.

To plant rubber to sell to an international market, locals decided to cut down the jungle to make space.

This formed the ‘Boekit Lawang’ plantation. Eventually, a village emerged next to the plantation and became known as Bukit Lawang.

Many baby orangutans were kept as pets during this time. They were often killed when they became too strong to control. Other orangutans were hunted down or killed during the process of deforestation.

In 1973, two Swiss zoologists visited Bukit Lawang and set up an orangutan rehabilitation centre to rehabilitate orangutans that had been captured or displaced by the plantations.

The orangutan rehabilitation centre began to attract tourists wanting to see orangutans. The proceeds from the orangutan treks went towards the rehabilitation of the orangutans, aiding both parties.

During a severe wet season in November 2003, a flash flood destroyed over 400 houses in Bukit Lawang. It killed over 200 people, including tourists.

The town had to be rebuilt, and lessons were learnt. The flood was believed to have been caused by illegal logging nearby and thankfully resulted in the government cracking down on logging activities.

Sumatran orangutans are one of three orangutan species in the world.

There are two orangutan species in Sumatra: Sumatran orangutans and Tapanuli orangutans. The Tapanuli orangutans are critically endangered and live south of Lake Toba, far away from Bukit Lawang.

All of the semi-wild orangutans helped by the Bukit Lawang orangutan rehabilitation centre are Sumatran orangutans.

Getting to Bukit Lawang

As I explain my guide on how to get to Bukit Lawang, the nearest airport is Kualanamu International Airport (KNO) in Medan.

Direct flights operate between Medan and Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Singapore and Bangkok.

From the airport, it’s a two- to three-hour drive to Bukit Lawang if you use a private transfer (costing approximately 20,000 IDR (£62).

The cheapest way is to take the public bus to Medan and another bus to Bukit Lawang.

From Medan’s Pinang Baris bus station, you can catch the bus to Gotong Royong (30,000 – 50,000 IDR), which takes four to five hours.

Gotong Royong is a five-minute becak ride from Bukit Lawang (10,000 IDR).

If you don’t want to stay in the town of Bukit Lawang, you also have the option of taking a tour directly from Medan – you can do an orangutan trekking day trip or an overnight orangutan trek from Medan.

Where to Stay

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14 Things to Do in Bukit Lawang

1. Orangutan trekking

There are only two places in the world where you can see orangutans: Malaysian Borneo and Sumatra. So, let’s start with the obvious activity in Bukit Lawang… orangutan trekking.

Local tour agencies organise orangutan treks into the Gunung Leuser National Park, where rehabilitated semi-wild orangutans roam freely in the jungle.

The rehabilitation staff monitor the orangutan’s feeding and mating patterns, intervening only when necessary for their survival.

I adored my time orangutan trekking. In just one day, I saw over six orangutans – and had two extremely up close, swinging through the forest on vines and trees.

I also saw Thomas’s langur monkeys, a small, adorable species endemic to Sumatra.

I spotted gibbons high up in the trees too, which is a very rare occurrence for a day trek because gibbons usually reside deeper in the jungle.

Thomas’s langur monkey

Your chances of seeing an orangutan in Bukit Lawang are 50-50. If you want to improve your chances, I recommend that you take an overnight or multi-day tour.

Camping overnight in the jungle improves your chances at spotting an orangutan drastically because orangutans are the most active in the morning and evenings; they wake up around 8 am or 9am.

I suggest that you book your tour at least several days in advance (ideally over one week in advance), as many of the most popular tours sell out.

The tours by Ecolodge Bukit Lawang and Sumatra EcoTravel (the four-hour jungle trek or the overnight jungle trek) have really good reptuations in Bukit Lawang. I used the former.

For the best chances at seeing orangutans, I recommend that you take the 3D2N jungle trek with overnight camping – a portion of proceeds for this tour goes towards supporting a local school in Bukit Lawang. The reviews are glowing.

Remember to choose a responsible tour. Ethical orangutan tours should:

• Never touch or feed animals.
• Stay 10 metres away from the orangutans at all times.
• Never litter or damage the environment.
• Keep group sizes to a maximum of 6 – 8 people.
• Never imitate orangutan’s vocalisations or call out to the orangutans.
• Move on from observing an orangutan after 30 minutes.
• Keep food sealed and out of sight of orangutans.

2. Go river tubing

Most afternoons, school kids gather on the Bohorok River in Bukit Lawang to swim and go river tubing. Join in: river tubing is one of the best things to do in Bukit Lawang.

River tubing involves sitting onto a rubber ring and letting the river carry you downstream.

The activity is often included in multi-day orangutan trekking tours, but if yours doesn’t offer it, you can easily hire a rubber ring from one of the stalls along the riverfront and carry it upstream to do it yourself.

A rubber ring costs around 20,000 IDR for a day’s use.

3. Browse the Bukit Lawang Friday market

A 20-minute walk from the town, next to the bus station, the Bukit Lawang Friday market takes place every Friday until around 3 or 4pm.

The traditional Indonesian market is packed with local produce, whether it’s fresh fruit and vegetables, Indonesian snacks, or locally-made garments and knick-knacks.

You’ll probably find a few tropical fruits you don’t know the name of.

Head to the market early in the day before the best fruit, fish and chicken gets snapped up.

If you have any trouble finding the market, it is Pajak Gotong Royong on Google Maps.

If you don’t want to walk, a becak should cost under 20,000 IDR each way.

4. Explore the Bat Cave

The Bat Cave is probably the second-biggest tourist attraction in Bukit Lawang after the orangutan trekking. Surrounded by rubber and palm plantations, the cave has bats and creepy crawlies. 

Tree roots descend from holes in the cave’s ceiling, adding to the eerie atmosphere. Stalagmites and stalactites are also present.

You can venture down to the Bat Cave without a guide, as there’s a signposted path to the Bat Cave from the town. The signposts aren’t exactly clear, but with some trial and error, you should find the cave.

You can also take a guide from the town – realistically, this shouldn’t cost more than around 50,000 IDR. Some guides offer the chance to visit the Landak River for a barbecue on the same day.

5. Explore the north Sumatran cuisine

Small Indonesian towns are some of the best places to taste authentic cuisine. That’s one of the great parts about visiting Bukit Lawang. 

The families in Bukit Lawang have spent years perfecting Indonesian recipes for their children and grandchildren.

Therefore, you can buy some excellent rendang and soto, or even spectacular versions of dishes such as nasi goreng (fried rice) or mie goreng (fried noodles).

Eco Lodge Bambu Restaurant

I’ve put together a list of the best-rated warungs (restaurants) in Bukit Lawang:

• Cave Rock Cafe: A restaurant in a small, breezy cave. Recommended: gado gado and banana fritters.
• Nifrita Restaurant And Cooking Class: A local riverside restaurant with a friendly owner which runs cooking classes. Recommended: gado gado.
• Eco Lodge Bambu Restaurant: A bougie bamboo restaurant at the most popular guesthouse in Bukit Lawang. It does proper barista-style coffee and western cuisine. Recommended: rendang, coffee and western cuisine.
• Jungle Inn Restaurant: A restaurant surrounded by the jungle with a good chance of spotting passing monkeys and other wildlife.

6. Visit local villages by becak

There are lots of incredible villages a short becak ride away from Bukit Lawang. You can hail down a becak driver or take a local guide to the villages.

The becak (or opelet) is a tricycle which features a driver and hatched seating for two people. It is powered by a scooter.

Look out for opelets/becaks!

Many of the villages have traditional markets, gorgeous rice fields, and views over rubber plantations.

Meeting the locals and seeing their everyday routines is the main attraction. Many of the villagers will be happy to teach you bamboo weaving, roof thatching, or how to make tofu or brown sugar for a price.

7. Go mountain biking to the local villages

In Bukit Lawang, a few guesthouses offer bicycle rental. Alternatively, Sumatra EcoTravel runs a guided five-hour mountain biking tour to the local villages, which includes meeting villagers, trying tofu and brown rice, and seeing how rice is harvested.

8. Cool off in the Bohorok River

Just like the locals, you can cool off in the Bohorok River at any time of the day. 

The best way to find a gentle swimming spot is to copy the locals.

Outside of Ecolodge Bukit Lawang and Jungle Inn, I saw a lot of people bathing and swimming.

Remember to wear a loose t-shirt and trousers. Wearing a bikini, swimsuits or trunks is likely to offend locals and warrant a lot of stares.

9. Go white water rafting on the Wampu River

The Wampu River in the Gunung Leuser National Park has Grade 3 white-water rapids.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can sign up for a white-water rafting tour which begins in the village of Simolap Marike.

This one-day tour is offered by Sumatra EcoTravel, but it depends upon the season and water levels.

10. Dance and busk at the local RNB bar

Ricky’s Bar is an infamous local RNB bar in Bukit Lawang. Beers, dancing, and busking are on the itinerary every Saturday night. 

The bar is very popular with locals, but foreigners are warmly welcomed to join in. Many times, locals may try to teach you traditional Indonesian dances.

11. Go jungle kayaking

Jungle kayaking is another adventurous water activity on offer in Bukit Lawang.

Several guides and companies offer this adventure, which usually takes place on the gentle Bohorok River running through the centre of the town.

Often, kayakers will catch glimpses of monkeys and other wildlife along the river banks.

The kayaking usually begins slightly upstream and ends a way downstream from Bukit Lawang, requiring a becak to get back to the town.

12. Take a cooking class

Many restaurants in Bukit Lawang organise Indonesian cooking classes so that visitors can learn how to perfect Indonesian dishes such as rendang or gado gado.

For foodies, this is by far one of the best things to do in Bukit Lawang.

Many begin by collecting the food at the local market, taking you on the full journey from the market to your mouth.

Some popular cooking classes include:

• Nifrita Restaurant And Cooking Class
• On The Rocks Bungalow

13. Visit local waterfalls and hot springs

There are a few small waterfalls and hot springs in the area surrounding Bukit Lawang.

Many tour companies are poised to whisk you there for the day with the company of a local guide who knows their way through the jungle.

The two-hour hike to Saringana Waterfall is a particular popular spot, but only a Bukit Lawang guide will know the way.

14. Try soap-making, coconut carving or a handicrafts workshop

Some of the main vocations for women in Bukit Lawang are soap-making, coconut carving and handicrafts.

If you’d like to try your hand at one of the above, there are plenty of locals who are happy to provide a class for a small cost.

Things to Do in Bukit Lawang for Couples

• Go orangutan trekking for a once-in-a-lifetime memory.
• Enjoy an Indonesian meal at an authentic local warung.
• Browse the Friday Market.
• Seek out a massage for some TLC.
• Go river tubing or kayaking.
• Take a cooking class together to recreate Indonesian meals back home.
• Visit local waterfalls and hot springs.

Things to Do in Bukit Lawang for Foodies

• Try north Sumatran cuisine such as gado gado and rendang.
• Visit the Bukit Lawang Friday market to buy local snacks, fish and fresh fruit and vegetables.
• Join a cooking class to learn how to make dishes such as rendang.
• Take a becak to local villages to learn about how rice is harvested and how to make tofu and brown sugar.
• Have a barbecue by the Bohorok or Landak rivers.

Things to Do in Bukit Lawang at Night

• Enjoy live music and dancing at a bar such as Ricky’s Bar (RNB).
• Try rendang or gado-gado at authentic Indonesian restaurants.
• Look for Bintang beer.
• Take a short stroll or sit along the riverside.

What to Wear in Bukit Lawang

Knowing what to wear in Sumatra is a very important piece of your trip.

Cultural expectations are different in different parts of Sumatra, especially when you compare the predominantly Christian culture at Lake Toba to the highly conservative culture in west Sumatra.

Bukit Lawang is a predominantly Muslim community, meaning that it’s very important that you dress conservatively. You should cover your shoulders and knees, and dress modestly.

In the forest, there are many bugs and mosquitos, as well as leeches, so long sleeves and long socks are also important. Wearing a moquito repellant with DEET should help.

Suggested reading:

• Sumatra Backpacking Guide – start here!
• How to get to Bukit Lawang
• The best Bukit Lawang hotels
• What to Wear in Sumatra + free packing list.
• Lake Toba Travel Itinerary
• 12 Best Hotels in Lake Toba and Samosir Island
• Harau Valley Travel Guide
• Things to Do in Bukittinggi Sumatra
• How to Visit Puncak Lawang Viewpoint
• Things to Do at Maninjau Lake in West Sumatra

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