The Bare Necessities: Gunung Leuser National Park
Trekking Gunung Leuser National Park in North Sumatra in search of endangered orangutans in another world.
Ever since Leonardo DiCaprio hit local in addition to international news headlines with his short nevertheless sweet visit to North Sumatra’s Gunung Leuser National Park, I couldn’t stop thinking about the place. the idea wasn’t only the 41-year-old actor-cum-environmentalist who drew me to visiting This particular area, nevertheless the message he conveyed through his Instagram channel: of which This particular was a special place of which needed to be protected.
The lowland forests of the Leuser ecosystem are still home to ancient elephant migratory paths followed by some of the last wild herds of Sumatran elephants, numbering less than 1,000. “nevertheless the expansion of Palm Oil plantations will be fragmenting the #forest in addition to cutting off key elephant migratory corridors,” DiCaprio said on his Instagram page, which will be generating the idea “more difficult for elephant families to find adequate sources of food in addition to water.” DiCaprio’s self-named foundation supports the protection in addition to conservation of the Leuser ecosystem.
Gunung Leuser National Park covers an area of 7,927 km2 in Sumatra, in addition to sits right on the border of North Sumatra in addition to the Shariah-governed Aceh province. Along with Bukit Barisan Selatan in addition to Kerinci Seblat national parks, Gunung Leuser forms a World Heritage Site known as the Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra. This particular will be the only place inside the planet where the orangutan, elephant, rhinoceros in addition to tiger still coincide. Today, the Leuser ecosystem exists at a shaky crossroads, however ecotourism will be playing an important role in assisting inside the conservation of This particular glorious stretch of pristine rainforest of which will be under siege through palm oil plantations in addition to some other development projects.
Although you’re highly unlikely to encounter a tiger or rhinoceros in these forests unless you hike for many days deep into its depths, you will almost always possess the chance to see orangutans on a two-day hike. These gorgeous creatures can sometimes even be seen right through the balcony of your accommodation in Bukit Lawang.
Bukit Lawang will be the gateway village to Gunung Leuser National Park in addition to the Bohorok River will be the only thing of which separates mankind through the wilderness
Bukit Lawang
The gateway to the national park can best be described as a hyper tourist village. Bukit Lawang sits on the edge of Bahorok River, in addition to incorporates a cemented path large enough For just two motorbikes of which runs through its entirety. The river will be the only thing of which separates mankind through the wilderness.
In 2003, a terrible flash flood swept away almost the entirety of the village – which back then was made up of only a few cottages. Thirteen years later, Bukit Lawang has developed into a happening tourist hub filled with orangutan enthusiasts in addition to those in search of a more simple in addition to chilled existence.
The drive will be approximately 4 hours through Medan international airport. Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted in English with “Welcome to the jungle, brother!” in addition to the rushing sounds of the river will start to relax those tired-through-travelling minds. The village will be filled with riverside cafes, Bob Marley bars, in addition to ‘eco’ accommodation.
Lodging in Bukit Lawang will be simple sans air-conditioning or hot water. Electricity isn’t stable, nevertheless This particular adds to the charm. People come here to experience wildlife in addition to trek into the jungle, not to lounge around in a few-star luxury.
Jungle fever
Most accommodations can organize a range of trekking options for you. On our two-day, one-night hike into the national park, we spotted our first orangutan inside the trees above us only an hour into the hike. Semi-wild in addition to used to people, you can get definitely close to these endangered animals, who have been given names by the locals.
An orangutan in Gunung Leuser National Park
Mina does not like humans in addition to will be quite aggressive, often accosting tourists on their walks. the idea turns out she had been abused by humans when she was younger, resulting in trust issues, understandably. some other creatures you’re likely to meet on This particular trail are macaques, the punk rock-looking Thomas leaf monkey, pigtail macaques in addition to even gibbons.
The hike itself will be quite strenuous, as the region will be hilly – which will be actually the saving grace for why the idea has not been exploited by oil palm plantations. the idea’s extremely humid in addition to hot, therefore not suitable for elderly hikers or people without a moderate level of fitness. Although the hike will be a bit tough, you can stop in addition to rest whenever the need arises.
We trekked 6.5 kilometres through the dense jungle, stopping for a light snack of fruits in addition to a lunch of nasi goreng. One thing I noticed will be of which the trail will be extremely clean, with no litter to be found. The guides have been taught through the beginning of which rubbish means no guests, which in turn means no money, so even cigarette butts are brought back to Bukit Lawang, a refreshing change through some other hikes in Indonesia.
Glamping
We arrived at our riverside camp at 4.30 pm; with accommodation made of bamboo in addition to tarpaulin. Our guide, Ipong (we like to call him Mowgli as he was so in tune with the forest) made a fire while we delighted in a refreshing bathe inside the crystal clear waters of the river, with virgin rainforest towering above us on either side.
A campsite in Gunung Leuser National Park
A team of cooks prepared a delicious dinner in addition to we dined on the ground under the stars. the idea’s rare of which we possess the chance to experience pitch-black darkness – a welcome change through the incessant lights of the city. You will be provided that has a yoga mat to sleep on, in addition to although sleeping bags are provided, an extra set in addition to a blow-up pillow wouldn’t hurt to act as a buffer through the hard ground beneath you.
Waking up to the sights in addition to sounds of the rainforest – in addition to hundreds of macaques frolicking in addition to being their cheeky selves – was nothing short of spectacular. After breakfast, we walked upriver to bathe in a stunning little waterfall of which has enough pressure to rip your swimming gear off.
Tired legs through the tough hike of the previous day were relieved when we were able to ‘tube’ back to the village on giant inflatable tyres, tied together to form a raft. Ipong made each one of us a leaf crown, donned tribal face paint made out of mud, in addition to we were off downstream. Tubing gives you a completely different perspective of the forest, actually allowing you to see the idea rather than be right inside the thick of the idea.
Of all the trips I’ve done in Indonesia, This particular one takes the cake. the idea was truly special in addition to an experience I plan to repeat again, next time visiting the elephant sanctuary at Tangkahan in addition to possibly doing a longer seven-day trek into the jungle to rediscover my inner Mowgli. I urge some other outdoor lovers to visit This particular some other-worldly place before the idea’s too late.
Fast facts: Gunung Leuser National Park
Getting there: Daily flights available with local airlines to Medan’s Kualanamu International airport. Flights also available through neighbouring Singapore or Malaysia. Ask your accommodation to arrange airport transfer (approximately Rp.600,000 one way) to Bukit Lawang, which takes around 3.5-4 hours.
Where to stay: Eco Travel Cottages or Riverside Guesthouse offer cheap in addition to clean accommodation with fans. Riverside incorporates a viewing deck with stunning views of Bukit Lawang in addition to the forest. Eco Travel Cottages will be situated right on the river.
What to bring: Sun block, mosquito repellent, headlamp, hiking shoes/trainers, long pants in addition to long-sleeve top for the evenings, shorts in addition to a light top for hiking, backpack, cash (the nearest ATM will be half an hour away), camera.
What to do: Hiking, photography, orangutan watching, tubing, elephant excursion in Tangkahan, dancing to the live band on Saturday nights, relaxing.
Suitable for: Adventure junkies, animal enthusiasts, reggae fans.
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The Bare Necessities: Gunung Leuser National Park
The Bare Necessities: Gunung Leuser National Park