Jungle trekking in Ketambe
Our Jungle offers orangutan and wildlife spotting treks through the Gunung Leuser National Park from Ketambe. These multi day treks are all-inclusive from the time you start, until you finish the trek and return to Ketambe village. The prices listed below include the cost of your:
- Local Ketambe guide
- Assistants to set up camp, cook, clean and carry all food and camping gear
- All meals, drinks and snacks during the trip
- Boiled water to refill your drink bottles as needed
- Camping equipment - rain shelter, tent, inflatable sleep mats, cooking gear
- A sleeping bag to borrow and carry in your personal bag if you require it
- Leech socks to wear under your shoes and over your socks
- National park entry
There are two main type of treks to choose from: Jungle Trekking and Adventure Trekking. Both styles take place in the same area of Ketambe jungle but focus on different fitness levels and the goals of trekkers.
Jungle Treks
Focus on tracking wildlife, exploring the jungle, and spend time relaxing at the river or hot springs. Suitable for families and most people with average fitness. No strict itinerary or route is followed as it depends on where the wildlife is at the time. Expect 4-6 hours of hiking per day through sometimes steep and uneven terrain, at a pace that suits the group. If an animal is spotted there'll be plenty of time to watch, observe and take photos.
Jungle Trekking Prices
| Number of people | 1 day | 2 days 1 night | 3 days 2 nights | 4 days 3 nights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 550.000 | 2.000.000 | 3.000.000 | 4.000.000 |
| 2 | 1.000.000 | 2.400.000 | 3.600.000 | 4.800.000 |
| 3 | 1.500.000 | 3.300.000 | 4.950.000 | 6.600.000 |
| 4 | 2.000.000 | 4.400.000 | 6.600.000 | 8.800.000 |
| 5 | 2.500.000 | 5.000.000 | 7.500.000 | 10.000.000 |
| 6 | 3.000.000 | 5.400.000 | 8.100.000 | 10.800.000 |
| 7 | 3.150.000 | 5.600.000 | 8.400.000 | 11.200.000 |
| 8 | 3.600.000 | 6.400.000 | 9.600.000 | 12.800.000 |
Adventure Treks
A great option for experienced hikers and adventurers. Explore the Leuser at a faster pace, venture deeper into the jungle, navigate more difficult routes and make the most of your time in the jungle. Expect 6-8 hours of hiking per day if the weather allows. Your guide may take you off the main tracks to wade through rivers, scamper up rocks and weave through dense foliage. The terrain can be very steep and challenging at times and you'll traverse a wider range of environments. But rest assured there will still be time to enjoy the hot springs and bathe in the river at the end of the day.
Adventure Trekking Prices
| Number of people | 1 day | 2 days 1 night | 3 days 2 nights | 4 days 3 nights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 650.000 | 2.300.000 | 3.450.000 | 4.600.000 |
| 2 | 1.200.000 | 3.000.000 | 4.500.000 | 6.000.000 |
| 3 | 1.800.000 | 4.200.000 | 6.300.000 | 8.400.000 |
| 4 | 2.400.000 | 5.600.000 | 8.400.000 | 11.200.000 |
| 5 | 3.000.000 | 6.500.000 | 9.750.000 | 13.000.000 |
| 6 | 3.600.000 | 7.200.000 | 10.800.000 | 14.400.000 |
| 7 | 3.850.000 | 7.700.000 | 11.550.000 | 15.400.000 |
| 8 | 4.400.000 | 8.000.000 | 12.000.000 | 16.000.000 |
Night Treks
Many of the animals living in the Gunung Leuser National Park are more active after the sun goes down. Adding on a night trek to your multi-day trek can be a great way to spot them. Some flora and fauna you may come across include slow loris, flying lemur (colugo), civet cat, pythons, glowing mushrooms and a range of colourful, weird and wonderful insects. One group last July were even lucky enough to see a clouded leopard cub.
To add on a night trek (minimum 2 hours): 150.000rp per hour plus 50.000rp per person per hour.
Eg. 2 people for 3 hours = 750.000rp
Safar as your Ketambe jungle trekking guide
Over the years Safar has built up a team of experienced guides and assistants who share his values and respect nature. This includes:
- Leaving the jungle and its creatures undisturbed - look but don't touch
- Reuse where possible, and clean up and dispose of rubbish appropriately
- Be aware of the needs of our guests, adjusting pace, resting when needed, accommodating diet requirements and adapting language when required
Some times of the year are busier than others and we always want to make sure communication is clear with our guests. For this reason, if you'd like to guarantee Safar as your guide, or would like your jungle trek to be a private tour, these can be secured with an additional fee. If you are happy for others to join your group (maximum of 8 people, usually only 4-6) or trek with any one of Our Jungle team, neither of these fees are necessary.
To guarantee a private jungle trek: 500.000rp
To guarantee Safar as your Ketambe trekking guide: 500.000rp
Specialised Treks
Longer, specialised treks can also be arranged. Spend 6 or more days venturing deep into the jungle with no other people in sight to discover the hidden Marpunge Lake in the cloud forests. Cross the mountain range from Ketambe through undisturbed jungle to arrive in Bukit Lawang. Or head off along the migration paths in the hopes of spotting wild Sumatran elephants.
These trips must be arranged in advance, require above average fitness and are dependant on seasonal weather. Additional guides, trackers and assistants will accompany these hiking adventures and as a result prices are higher compared to local treks, starting at 1.200.000rp pp/day for groups of 2 or more. They can also be combined with trips through Ketambe habitat to increase your chances of spotting wild orangutans. If you're planning the jungle trekking adventure of a lifetime then get in touch and we can help you organise the perfect customised trip.
How to reserve and pay for your jungle trekking tour
To reserve your chosen dates, a 20% deposit in Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) can be made via bank transfer with the balance payable once you are in Ketambe. We like to use Wise as their fees are usually lower, but a bank to bank transfer is also fine. If you don't have an account with Wise you can get one fee-free transfer using this affiliate link. The remainder can be paid via bank transfer or in cash rupiah. There are no ATMs in Ketambe so best to take out cash in Medan, Berastagi or Banda Aceh before arriving. If you'd prefer to use PayPal there will be a 5.5% transaction fee.
Note: children under 2 years old are free, over 2 years are considered the same price as adults.
Please get in touch with us via email sumatrajungle@gmail.com to discuss your preferred options and trekking dates. Don't forget to tell us how many people are in your group and how many days you'd like to trek for! We can also help you arrange transport and accommodation if required.
