Where
to Go
Gunung Leuser National Park
Bukit Lawang
Tangkahan
Lake Toba
Berastagi
Mt. Sibayak
volcano
Mt. Sinabung
volcano
Sipisopiso
Waterfall
Tongging
Ketembe
Lake Kawar
Medan
What
to Do
Jungle
Trekking
Elephant
Trekking
White-Water
Rafting
River-Tubing
Volcano
Climbing
Bohorok
Orangutan Centre
Maimoon Palace
What
to Know
About "Hello
Mister Travel"
Introduction
to Sumatra
Topography
History
Getting to Sumatra
Getting Around Sumatra
Terms & Conditions
Accommodation
Bukit Lawang
Tangkahan
Berastagi
Tongging
Tuk Tuk
Ketembe
The Tours
Bukit Lawang Short Stay
The Jungle Trail
The Toba Trail
The North Sumatran Trail
Elephant Trekking
The elephants in Tangkahan used to be young tear-aways, terrorising their respective neighbourhoods and generally making a nuisance of themselves. Now they play a vital part in protecting the eco-system of the area.
Tangkahan
was just a tiny village in the jungle which was set to be a tiny
village in the middle of a barren wastelands if the illegal loggers had
anything to say about it. However, the inahabitants of the area decided
to do something about it. Despite the intimidation tactics
used
by the loggers, the villagers banded together and set about getting the
area protected and designated an eco-village. They brought elephants
from Aceh and nearby Bukit Lawang
and used them as a means of patrolling the area. The consequence is
that the loggers have left and the visitors have begun to trickle in to
see the splendours of this area of natural beauty.
Of
course the elephants are also one of the star attractions and it is
possible to come and watch them bathing in the Alas River a couple of
times a day, as well as give them a scub yourself, if you so wish. It’s
possible to organise short day treks, riding them into the jungle and
also to arrange longer trips. To arrange an elephant trek, please click here...
Bukit Lawang is the destination for the longer treks. The three day journey is a unique way to see the rainforest and its wildlife, flora and fauna from the back of these marvellously adept and surprisingly agile creatures who are in their element. Rangers and porters provide their own expert knowledge as well as organising shelter and cooking along the way. It is a real adventure and a way to get to know the elephants.
The Program
For the time being, the Elephant Jungle Patrol only goes in one direction, from Tangkahan to Bukit Lawang. There is a minimum requirement of three participants/elephants as elephants are gregarious and enjoy company, and a maximum of four participants/elephants as the numbers of elephants in Tangkahan is limited. A few have to stay on in Tangkahan to patrol the jungles in that area. The participants are welcome to help the mahouts taking care of the elephants, like bathing and feeding them.
Every participant rides his own elephant together with a mahout (elephant driver). The mahout sits behind the ears of the elephant and the participant in a specially developed saddle up on the elephants back. There is a basket for your camera and other essentials needed during the ride. Behind the participant is room for some luggage. All luggage not needed during the ride will be transported separately by car to Bukit Lawang. Do not bring excess luggage on the trek. There is not enough room.
One interpreter (guide) will ride behind one of the participants. He will provide information, arrange activities and be at your service, especially at lunch breaks and at the jungle camps. He and the mahouts speak English and they have received first aid training.
A member of the forest police will also come along. His function is to study the state of the jungle and help out during the ride.
All participants will be equipped with a complimentary “elephant kit” containing: written material such as a map, sarong, torch, whistle, and leech socks. Bring your own rain clothes and don’t forget any personal medicine.
Our jungle camps are specially designed to give a unique experience in camping in the rainforest. It is simple, but comfortable. The camps have proper toilets, a kitchen, and mattresses with bed sheets and pillows. You sleep with a view over the river and the rainforest, accompanied by the sounds of the jungle. Special food requests are possible if ordered in advance. Soft drinks and beer is available to purchase. The camps have no electricity. Bring enough supply of camera batteries. There is no mobile phone coverage during the Elephant Jungle Patrol.
Day 1
Depart from Tangkahan at 09.00 in the morning.
This first day is spent riding through plantations and orchards seeing for example how rubber and palm oil is harvested. You will also ride through a few villages.
Between 12.00 and 13.30 you wil stop for lunch at the Glugur River. In a nearby settlement you taste the local coffee and see how the plantation workers live.
Arrive at our first jungle camp Batu Rongreng at 16.30 in the afternoon.
Your Interpreter will suggest several activities: Relaxing and swimming in the river, or trekking up the river and maybe floating back down on tubes , or trek to a nearby cave (minimum 2 hrs).
Day 2
Depart from Batu Rongreng at 09.00 in the morning and continue on through the rainforest.
Arrive at Garut River at 11.30 for lunch. Your interpreter will take you on a trek to a cave 20 minutes walk away. Another 20 minutes into the cave is a waterfall. Otherwise you can relax in the river with the elephants.
Around 16.00 you will arrive at our second jungle camp at Kerapu Kecil River. There is a nice walk upriver.
Day 3
Leave Kerapu Kecil at 09.30 in the morning. Continue on through the rainforest.
Stop for lunch, between 11.30 and 13.30, at the Alur Purba River. There is time for swimming or to do a mini trek.
Around 15.00 you will arrive at the third jungle camp at Kerapu Besar River. It is a beautiful spot and perfect for swimming and walking in the river.
Day 4
Leave Kerapu Besar at 9.30 in the morning. Most of the day is spent riding through rainforest, except for the last 1.5 hrs into Bukit Lawang, which mainly goes through rubber plantations.
Stop at Luntir River at 11.00, where there is time for lunch and to enjoy a very beautiful waterfall with a deep natural pool.
At 14.00 you will start the final ride to Bukit Lawang. Arrive around 17.00 at Bukit Lawang Eco-Lodge.
