Frequently Asked Questions

Booking is easy: just send Jos a message on WhatsApp. There is no online booking system. If you already know them, please include:

• Your arrival date in Bukit Lawang
• Which tour you would like to do, and your preferred start date
• The number of people in your group
• Whether you need a transfer from the Bukit Lawang bus station

Group size: all tours need a minimum of 2 people. If you are traveling alone, Jos can often add you to an existing group. This is not always possible on the next day, so you may need to join a group that is already planned. If you are traveling solo, let Jos know as early as possible.

Not sure how to get to Bukit Lawang? See getting to Bukit Lawang.

If your travel plans are flexible, you can book spontaneously, even just 1 or 2 days before your trek.

If you have a tight schedule or want to do a specific tour on a specific date, we recommend booking 2 to 3 weeks in advance.

You pay in cash, in person. There is no online payment and no deposit. Please bring the exact amount in cash.

The national park permit is already included in the tour price, so there are no extra costs.

Withdraw enough cash in Medan before you travel. In Bukit Lawang you can usually only get cash at hotels, and they charge a fee. More tips: money and cash.

On all treks, the price includes:

• Your guide
• The national park permit
• A fresh jungle lunch and fruit snacks

On treks of two days or more, dinner, drinking water at the camp and the overnight stay in a simple jungle hut with a mosquito net are also included. On many treks, river tubing back to the village is part of the tour.

There are no extra costs. The exact details are listed on each tour page. See all tours.

Oops, this answer is still growing. Our website is still under construction, so we haven't written this one yet. Until then, just ask Jos when you get in touch. He is happy to help.

Oops, this answer is still growing. Our website is still under construction, so we haven't written this one yet. Until then, just ask Jos when you get in touch. He is happy to help.

For the shorter treks, no special fitness is needed.

On multi-day treks you walk through the jungle for several hours on most days. There are no mountains to climb, but the terrain can be difficult, with some steep ups and downs. A basic level of fitness is definitely required. Jos adjusts the pace and difficulty to the group.

If you have any health conditions, please tell Jos before your trek. See also our health tips.

Nobody can promise it. The orangutans and all other animals in the jungle are wild and move freely, so sightings can never be guaranteed, especially on shorter tours.

Jos knows the forest well and does his best to show you as much of it as possible. Learn more about orangutans and other wildlife.

On treks of two days or more, you sleep in a simple wooden jungle hut at a camp in the middle of the jungle. The huts are built by hand and are open to the forest, but they have a waterproof roof and a floor that keeps the water out. You sleep on a thin mattress on the floor, with a blanket and a pillow, under a mosquito net.

It gets dark at around 7 pm. There is no electricity, only minimal lighting or candles, but you can still sit together comfortably at the table outside. At night you can hear all the sounds of the jungle around you. It is a simple but unforgettable experience, close to nature.

See the packing list for what to bring for the night.

All treks include a fresh jungle lunch and fruit snacks. On treks of two days or more, dinner is also included. The food is usually traditional Indonesian, and there is plenty of it, so nobody goes hungry.

Drinking water is provided at the camp, where you can also refill your bottle for the next day. There is no way to refill water while trekking, so bring one big water bottle.

Vegetarian or vegan food is possible. Just let Jos know when you book, so he can plan for it. The same goes for allergies or other dietary needs.

The jungle is home to many animals, including leeches and snakes. Leeches are more common after rain. They are unpleasant, but harmless. Long socks pulled over your trousers help to keep them off.

Snakes are rarely seen, as they usually avoid people. Your guide knows the jungle and its animals, so always follow his instructions and the rules in the jungle.

There is no electricity and no Wi-Fi in the jungle. Phone signal is only available in some places.

Make sure your phone and camera are fully charged before the trek, and bring a power bank if you like. Your family and friends may not be able to reach you during the trek, so let them know in advance.

Usually you carry your own small backpack. If you would like a porter to carry your things, this can be arranged. Please ask Jos when you book, so he can plan for it.

Either way: pack light. See the packing list.

At the end of many treks, you travel back to the village on the river: you sit in a large inflated tube and float down the Bohorok river. It is a fun and relaxing way to end your trek.

Whether tubing is part of your tour is listed on each tour page. If you can't swim or feel unsure about it, please tell Jos before your trek.

Keep your phone and camera in a waterproof bag. See the packing list.

In rare cases, for example during severe storms, a tour may be postponed or cancelled at short notice for safety reasons. Since there is no advance payment, there is nothing to refund. This is handled on a basis of trust between you and Jos.

Rain is normal in the rainforest, so check the weather forecast and pack accordingly. See the packing list and weather.

We have a separate page for this: see our full packing list, with checklists for short treks and for treks with overnight stays.

The most important things for every trek:

• A light backpack and a rain jacket
• Long pants and long socks
• Sneakers for short treks, hiking shoes for longer treks
• Insect repellent and sunscreen
• One big water bottle. It can only be refilled at the camps.
• Swimwear and a towel

You can leave the rest of your luggage at your hotel during the trek.

You can leave your luggage at your hotel in Bukit Lawang while you are on the trek. You only need a small backpack for the jungle. Leave valuables you don't need for the trek safely at your hotel.

It is not legally required, but we strongly recommend it. The jungle is wild, and something can always happen, even just a twisted ankle from a misstep. Medical care in rural Sumatra is basic, so choose travel insurance with good medical cover.

More tips: health and safety.

Jos speaks Indonesian and English.

Bukit Lawang is a destination for the whole year. It is warm and humid in every season, and in the rainforest it can rain at any time. Rain showers are often heavy but short.

More about the weather.