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9 Days Discover Sumatra: Ketambe + Berastagi  and Toba lake

Discover the Untamed Beauty of Sumatra Orangutan

Embark on a multi-day tailor-made trekking adventure in Ketambe, where you’ll encounter wild Orangutans in their natural habitat. Whether you seek a relaxed pace to observe lush flora, fauna, and the enchanting Sumatran gibbons, or crave a more challenging trek deep into the jungle with river breaks and soothing hot springs, the experience is designed just for you. After the jungle adventure, unwind in the serene beauty of Lake Toba on Samosir Island, immersing yourself in the rich and ancient Batak culture—the perfect ending to an unforgettable journey.
 

What to expect during the trip â€‹

  • Encounter Wildlife Orangutans in their natural habitat

  • Wildlife observing in Sumatra

  • Sibayak Volcano 

  • Discover The world's largest volcanic lake and the ancient culture of Bataknese
     

Day 1 Arrival at Kualanamu Intl Airport, Medan – transfer to Ketambe

  • A day before the trip starts, the guide will come and pick you up at the airport and go through to Ketambe (a 7-hour drive to Kutacane, Ketambe to be expected ), we recommend you arrive in the morning in Medan City. Arrived in Ketambe checked in to our guesthouse and night in Ketambe.

Day 2 Wildlife Orangutan Ketambe trekking

  • After breakfast at the Guest House, we will start our journey trekking in the Ketambe jungle area, crossing the deep jungle, exploring the wildlife of Sumatra such as Orangutan, Thomas Leaf monkeys, Black Gibbons, Masques, lizards, Siamang, birds (Hombil) snakes.

  • There will be a maximum of 3 hours of trekking before lunch. 

  • Lunch will be provided in the jungle, ( we will have a brief stop and make a hut on the trek ) 

  • After lunch, we will continue trekking for another 1-2 hours. 

  • Before Sunset we will build a hut ( overnight at camp) next to a river while you can take a refreshing bath there.

  • Overnight in the jungle 

Day 3 Rainforest Trekking and Hotsprings

  • After breakfast, we will be trekking the uphill stream of the Gurah River, and continue trekking to explore its wildlife, arrive at our deepest point in the jungle on this journey we will stay/trek for a couple hours to observe wildlife activity, have lunch will provide in the jungle. 

  • Lunch will be provided in the jungle 

  • Continue trekking to the hot springs in the middle of the jungle, where you can take a refreshing shower in the warm hot spring water, Dinner and overnight at camp Day 4 Trekking back and leave the jungle ( Return to the guesthouse )

  • After breakfast, 

  • In the morning we will be trekking back and leaving the jungle and going back through Ketambe

  • Arrive at the guesthouse, take a rest and lunch

  • Night in Ketambe

Day 4 Trekking back and leave the jungle ( Return to the guesthouse )

  • After breakfast, 

  • In the morning we will be trekking back and leaving the jungle and going back through Ketambe

  • Arrive at the guesthouse, take a rest, and lunch, Night in Ketambe

Day 5 Transfer from Ketambe to Berastagi

  • After breakfast, we will transfer to Berastagi. The drive is expected to take approximately three hours, and we will spend one night in Berastagi, Arrival in Berastagi, we will visit the Fruit market and the city. 

Day 6 Sunrise Trek to Mount Sibayak – Transfer to Lake Toba

  • 03:30 AM: Pick-up from your hotel in Berastagi.

  • 04:00 AM: Arrive at the starting point for the Mount Sibayak hike, followed by a safety briefing and equipment check.

  • 04:15 AM: Begin the guided trek under a starry sky.

  • 05:30 AM: Reach the summit to witness a spectacular sunrise and explore the unique volcanic features.

  • 07:30 AM: Descend the volcano.

  • 09:00 AM: Return to your hotel for a short break and freshen up.

  • 10:30 AM: Depart for Lake Toba, enjoying picturesque scenery along the way.

  • 12:30 PM: Stop for lunch at a local restaurant.

  • 03:00 PM: Arrive at Parapat and board the ferry to Samosir Island.

  • 04:45 PM: Check into your accommodation and relax by the lakeshore.

  • Overnight stay at Tabo Cottage, on the shores of Lake Toba.

Day 7 Explore Toba Lake and Batak culture 

  • 07:00 a.m Breakfast

  • 08:00 a.m Explore Toba Lake and the unique culture of Batak, the traditional Batak house Simanindo, Museum Sialagan, Efrata Waterfall, and Bukit Holbung

  • Explore Samosir Island with a scooter or Tuk-tuk and a viewpoint

  • Relax and enjoy a breathtaking view of Toba Lake.

  • 20:00 Dinner and Evening

Day 8 Explore Samosir, Museum, traditional market, and viewpoint

  • 07:00 a.m Breakfast and enjoy the view of Toba Lake

  • 08:00 After breakfast visit Tomok Village and the traditional Market and explore the traditional village of Batak culture, Explore several interesting Batak culture traditional villages: Tomok: To see the old Tomb of Sidabutar Kings. Ambarita: To see the stone chair and table stone the execution places of Sialagan Kings. 

  • Enjoy a breathtaking view of Toba Lake.

  • 20:00 Dinner and Evening

Day 9 Leaving Toba Lake – Medan Airport

  • In the morning leave Samosir Toba Lake to Parapat by boat ferry ( 45 minutes)

  • Transfer to Medan airport, lunch at the local restaurant

  • Arrival in Medan City or straight to the airport. Tour End

Practical Information

  • Sumatra area is covered with rainforest and located right on the equator, it has a tropical climate, the weather is hot and humid all year round.  The driest season normally starts from May to September, although there are sporadic rains and may occur during this period.  Rains are abundant between November and January. The average temperature is 30 °C degree in Siberut island. Be ready for hot, humid, and hasty conditions.

  • To respect the culture of every local community, for example, local wisdom, their law order, their way of living, the way they dress up, bringing methods, different life perspectives and views of the world and local environment in the community, (in every villages area it is recommended to wear trouser below knee length and T-shirt to cover shoulders. This applies to both men and women, especially when we visit some villages, or local community please do not wear shorts, sleeveless shirts, shirts showing cleavage, and skirts above the knee, also mind that looser clothes help fight the heat, compared to tight clothes), you will be free to wear those, or swim in bikini or shorts in the river when we are doing a trip in the jungle

Things good to know during Orangutan trekking

  • Wildlife viewing and safety information During visiting GunungLeuser National Park

  • ORANGUTANS BEHAVIOUR

  • Wild orangutans spend most of their time high in the forest canopy and rarely come into contact with humans, but ex-captive orangutans in Bukit Lawang frequently walk on the ground and often come into close contact with humans

  • Their behavior and the behavior of human visitors is making them sick

  • WHY ORANGUTANS CAN GET SICK AFTER CONTACT WITH HUMAN

    1. Orangutans are genetically very close to humans ( 97%) and catch many of our diseases

    2. Measles, TB, pneumonia, and influenza are spread when you cough, sneeze or even spit. Shigella, hepatitis A, herpes, scabies, and worms, are carried in human feces.

THE EFFECT OF HUMAN CONTACT WITH ORANGUTANS

  • Orangutans may look like they are OK around humans but it is not normal for them to be so close

  • This change in natural behaviors can lead Orangutan to get a very high level of stress

  • STRESS CAN LEAD THEM TO heart failure, poor reproductive health, high infant mortality, depressed immune system

  • And ultimately may result in PREMATURE DEATH!

  • HOW YOU CAN HELP #KEEPWILDLIFEWILD

  • Follow the rules! tell your guide you wish to follow them and tell your fellow trekkers :

DON'T get close than 15 meter

DO NOT TOUCH!

DO NOT GIVE FOOD OR DRINK!

DO NOT SELFIES IF AN ORANGUTAN APPROACHES YOU!

  • Nature needs your photos and stories but nature also needs you to be responsible. Please ONLY take or post photos in social media that show you at a safe distance from wildlife.

THINGS TO CARRY DURING ORANGUTAN TREKKING

  • Please bring adventure equipment you will survive in the Sumatra rainforest such as

  • Trekking shoes it will be muddy and wet

  • Small backpack (we can leave some stuff at the previous place we stayed in (hotel/hostel)

  • Long trousers, long sleeves, t-shirt, fresh underwear (there will be sweating going on)

  • Rain clothes 

  • We recommend bringing a dry bag/pocket (waterproof) to protect your camera and any other important documents and equipment you need to take care of

  •  A sleeping bag, mosquito repellent, high protection sunscreen, a headlamp, toilet paper, a sun hat/cap, sunglasses, water bottle, flip flop

  • First aid such as paracetamol, painkillers, anti-diarrhea, disinfectant, and all other medication you would usually take

  • Do not overpack! Keep it simple

Insurance

We strongly recommend that you will have to take responsibility for your travel insurance during the trip with us, or as soon as you book this tour. And do not forget to bring all those important documents and information with you

©copyright Encounter Sumatra
2025

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