1.HOW TO GET TO BUKIT LAWANG?

 

First you have to fly to Medan,Northern Sumatera,Indonesia

(KNO - KUALA NAMU INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT MEDAN ).

Bukit Lawang is located 120 km north-west of Medan.

 

From here we can organize a private pick-up for you.This is the easiest and most comfortable way.

Please visit Transport Booking to see the prices and contact us if you wish to be picked up.

 

The cheapest way to get to Bukit Lawang from Medan Airport is to take the public bus.This option will take longer and the bus will stop a lot of times.

You first need to take the big ALS bus (Antar Lintas Sumatera) from Medan Airport to a city named Binjai ( between Medan and Bukit Lawang ).It should cost around 30.000IDR.

From Binjai take a second minibus to Bukit Lawang, for 25.0000IDR.You have to change the bus station in Binjai which is easy,just take a tuk-tuk/rickshaw ( called becak in Indonesia,10.000IDR).

 

You can also take the train from Medan Airport to Binjai ( 80.000IDR) and from Binjai a minibus to Bukit Lawang ( 25.000IDR ).You have to change the bus station in Binjai which is easy,just take a tuk-tuk/rickshaw ( called becak in Indonesia,10.000IDR).

You can check the trains timetable here:

https://www.tiketkai.com/

 

If you are allready in Medan, and want to travel by public transports to Bukit Lawang,you have to take a taxi/rickshaw or mini bus to the PINANG BARIS bus station in Medan from where small minibusses leaving directly to Bukit Lawang.

 

By the time you arrive in Bukit Lawang called Gotong Royong local bus station ( sometimes you also get dropped off at the entrance of the village riverside walk ), we are happy to wait for your arrival, pick you up here and bring you to your guesthouse. Most guesthouses are located next to the river and can only be reached by foot. So we will pick you up and drop you off to your guesthouse ( luggage can be transported by motorbike ).

(There will be probably jungle men and boys in the bus seeking to sell jungle trekkings to you...just let them know that you will be picked up by us.)

 

Depending on how many people you are, it would be more cheaper to book a private pick up with us or to share a car / take a shared tourist bus

( please contact us before so we can check shared car options ).

 

2.WHAT TO BRING?

 

 

The climate here is hot and humid so it’s best to wear loose fitting, cotton clothing.

If you do jungle trekking you don’t really need special clothing or equipment but there are a few useful things to have especially if you’re camping in the jungle overnight such as a headtorch and sleeping bag liner etc.

 

• light clothes like T-shirts and shorts (daytime)
• long and thin trousers and sleeved shirts in bright colour (evening and night time because of the mosquitos), a sweater can be great for cooler nights in the jungle
• change of clothes (if staying overnight)
• 1 small waterproof/ water resistant bag, liner or  day backpack 
• water refill bottle 
• comfortable good walking shoes/ boots for jungle treks
• flip flops during an overnight trek for the time you spend at the campsite
• light and warm socks, long knee-high socks against leeches
• raincoat/ waterproof jacket, plastic or waterproof bag for your personal belongings
• hut, sunglasses, sun lotion, insect repellent, toilet paper
• camera, mobilphone and cards
• light sleeping bag, mosquitonet and flashlight/ headtorch
• swimming suit and travel towel
• personal medical kit and recommended medicine like anti diarrhea medicine, dehydration salt, aspirin and antibiotic
• MONEY because there are no cashpoints in Bukit Lawang; but money changer are available

 

3.VISA

 

Indonesia's tourist visa policy is as follows:

 

- We do not guarantee for the following informations as we are not an official visa agency and highly advice to check the newest regulations for your country.

 

- The validity of your passport should be 6 months from the date of arrival in Indonesia.

 

- Citizens of most countrys can get a tourist visa upon arrival in Indonesia which is vaild for 30 days and can be extented one time into 60 days. This VOA is not free anymore and costs 500.000 IDR

( the extension again 500.000 IDR; we advice to arrange the application to extend your visa at least 7 days prior the expiry date ! ). It is only for tourism purposes.

 

- Since november 2022, most nationalities can also apply for their visa in advance and online, its the eVOA, payable with credit card, and great to avoid long queues at airports; this option makes the visa application so much easier and faster!

• There are two visitor visas available online ( 30 days eVOA for 500.000 IDR and once extendable for 500.000 IDR / 60days eVOA for 1.500.000 IDR, not extendable )
• You can access the application through this website:  molina.imigrasi.go.id.
• Please check requirements and rules again before our travels to Indonesia as they can change daily
• please also check the current airports to which you are allowed to arrive with eVOA by the government

 

- Citizens of countries not eligible for visa-on-arrival, must obtain a 60-day tourist visa, from an Indonesian embassy, prior to entering Indonesia. It costs 2 mio IDR. Certain countries, namely Israel, Afghanistan, Cameroon, Guinea, Liberia, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan and Somalia, require special approval and a visa application takes several months. Otherwise the process normally only takes a two or three days.

 

-The 60-days tourist visa ( B 211 visa ) is the preferred option for those wanting to stay between 31 and 60-180 days in Indonesia. It costs about 2 mio IDR and can be extented twice for 60 days again ( 2 mio IDR again ) so in maximum you can stay 180 days.

 

- Those with family/ friends in Indonesia have the option of obtaining a social/ cultural visa. This is similar to the tourist visa, but it must be sponsored by an Indonesian-citizen friend or family member. If sponsored by an Indonesian spouse or parent, the social/ cultural visa can be converted within Indonesia to a KITAS, or temporary residence permit. The social/ cultural visa is extendable, one month at a time, up to four times (total stay of six months).

 

- The visa validity counts from the first day of arrival. Therefore, if you arrive in Indonesia on 12th July, for example, your visa will expire on 10th August. There is a daily overstay fee, for staying beyond the expiry of your visa. For short overstays this is a formality (albeit increasingly expensive), however it is best not to overstay. Beyond sixty days of overstay it is a criminal matter.

 

- You are not allowed to work on the tourist, social or cultural visas !

 

- The airport departure tax, formerly payable in cash, has now ( for tickets bought after 9th February 2015, or 25th February 2015 for Air Asia) been included in the cost of the ticket, so you no longer need cash when leaving the airport.

 

Visa Extensions

 

The normal 30 days-visa-on-arrival is extendable at an immigration office in Medan or in the area where you are staying  ( 500.000 IDR ). This requires three trips on separate days, one to make the application, another one to biometric photos and one to receive the passport.  Arrive at immigration before noon (on a week day, not a public holiday), and wearing smart clothes (no shorts, no flip-flops, cover shoulders). 

 

A simpler approach is to fly from Medan to Penang and then back to Medan. This will cost around $60 return, and then obtain a new entry permit. If you are flying to another part of Indonesia, such as Bali, Sulawesi or Lombok, you can choose to fly from Medan to Kuala Lumpur or Singapore and then onwards to your destination within Indonesia. The cost of flying via Singapore/KL is potentially cheaper than going via Jakarta, and by leaving the country you can acquire a new free entry permit.

 

If you are staying more than 30 days it's a good idea to apply in advance for a 60-day tourist or social /cultural visa. This can be obtained from your local Indonesian embassy (including embassies not in your home country), the cost is 2 mio IDR. Please apply when in advance of travel. The 60-day tourist visa may be extendable, but you will require a local Indonesian sponsor (e.g., a visa agent). A social/cultural visa, with pre-existing Indonesian sponsor, will be easier to extend.

 

Please also check out your countries websites of the embacies for exact and newest information and to be prepared.

 

4.INSURANCE

 

The purchase of travel and medical insurance is strongly recommended for all overseas travel. Please confirm with your insurer that your policy meets your needs and has good medical cover.

 

5.VACCINATION

 

Before you start your trip,you should check with your doctor or a travel clinic which vaccinations are recommended for Indonesia (especially for typhoid, hepatitis A and B, tetanus, polio and malaria prophylaxis). Bukit Lawang is not malaria risk area but we have had cases of dengue fever.

 

6.WEATHER

 

In Sumatra there are only two seasons, a dry one  (from april to october) and rainy one (from november to march).

It is usually hot and humid.

The heaviest rainfall is usually recorded in December and January each year.  

It tends to rain every few days, but normally not for a very long time, also in the rainy season.

 

7.HEALTH

• We recommend a comprehensive insurance with good medical cover in advance. 
• Please check with your doctor in advance your individual vaccination needed and medication
• It is a good idea to bring a personal medical kit containing things such as painkillers, plasters, anti-diarrhoeal tablets etc.
• Malaria Prophylaxis : basically you should use an insect repellent all day while staying in the jungle (Deet>40%) and wear long and bright sleeves/ trousers during sunset when the mosquitoes are at their most active. There are mosquitoes around Bukit Lawang but we have had no reports on malaria infection in recent years.
• You need to be fit enough for strong exercise if you plan to do treks over a few days. We recommend a general health check with your doctor in advance. Please be informed that for our multiday-treks, an average fitness level is required as some parts can be exhausting and strenuous ( there are some steep hills to hike up and down and some slippery, muddy trails; plus the tropical climate and humidity ).
• You should inform us about your personal health conditions like high blood pressure, allergies, operations, pregnancy and fear of special insects, heights or darkness in advance! Please note: To secure our guests some won't be allowed by our team to do a jungle trek! We hope for your understanding!
• With it being so hot and humid it is important to make sure you drink plenty of water. 
• You should always wear a high factor sun cream.

 

8.FACILITIES

 

• Electricity: powercuts occur several times a week and a small torch is highly recommended for power cuts and for poorly lit areas, visiting caves for example, etc.
• Internet access / WIFI : there are a few internet cafes; prices and speeds vary, and  by now almost every guesthouse/ hotel offers FREE WIFI
• Money/ATM: make sure in advance to arrive with enough cash. There are no ATM machines in Bukit Lawang and around but it is possible to change foreign money like Euro. There are plenty of cash points in Medan or Binjai where you can get money with credit cards or exchange foreign currencies into Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). The maximum amount you get from ATM machines is 2 Mio IDR, so you will have to make several transactions to get a higher amount. Due to frequent problems with ATM machines we recommend to take 2 -3 different credit cards with you.11km away from Bukit Lawang, in the village of Bohorok,there is one ATM. The ATM is owned by Bank Rakyat Indonesia and is on the Mastercard/ Cirrus network. Visa/PLUS cards will NOT work. If you have a Visa-family card, do not try to use it here. In this case you will need to take a longer journey possibly to Binjai, about 2 hours away. Note that the ATM in Bohorok is sometimes empty of money and there may be a day or two's delay while it is reloaded. 
• Generally it's safer to bring plenty of money to Bukit Lawang rather than try to get more!( its also possible to do a bigger transaction to our bank acount together with the requested deposit payment; just contact us in this case; especially if you travel in bigger groups or as a family, you might not want to bring so much cash money with you)
• Money changer: there are a number of money changers who will change a variety of western and regional currencies to rupiah, rates are slightly lower than in Medan
• Post Office: like the ATM, this is in bohorok village. Here you can maybe send a post card home, but don't send anything of value. Western Union transfers can be received here. Open Monday-Saturday.
• Mobile phone coverage: you can buy a tourist SIM card for your (unlocked) mobile phone on the Telkomsel network and enjoy cheap local calls as well as 3G mobile internet. Coverage locally is very good. If you stay longer than 30 days in the country, your electronic devices need to be registered within the indonesian customs ( IMEI registration ! )
• Market: there is one local market on Friday, from morning till around 3pm, located 2km in Gotong Royong. Popular with tourists, a variety of fruits, vegetables, spices, fish and clothes are sold. Another similar market on Sundays in Bohorok (11km away).
• Mosquito repellent, condoms, sanitary towels, toilet paper are available. Tampons are not available.
• Medicines: there are several local pharmacies, but do not stock a complete selection. Medical care is basic. For emergencies visit 'Rumah Sakit Elizabeth' in Medan, the best local hospital.

 

9.SUMATRA FACTS

 

• Sumatra is an island in western Indonesia. It is the largest island in entire Indonesia and the sixth largest island in the world.

• North Sumatra is a province on the Sumatra island. Its capital is Medan. The province stretches across the island of Sumatra between the Indian Ocean and the Strait Malacca. It borders Aceh province on the northwest and Riau and West Sumatra provinces in the southeast.

• The island includes more than 10 National Parks, including 3 which are listed as the Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra World Heritage Site—Gunung Leuser National Park, Kerinci Seblat National Park and Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park.

• The island is home to 201 mammal species and 580 bird species.

• Sumatra has a huge range of plant and animal species but has lost almost 50% of its tropical rainforest in the last 35 years and many species are Critically Endangered such as Sumatran Tiger, Sumatran Rhino and Sumatran Orangutan.

• The people represent many different ethnic groups, speaking 52 different languages. Most of these groups, however, share many similar traditions and the different tongues are closely related.

• 87% of Sumatrans are thought to be Muslim with 10% Christian, 2% Buddhist and 1% Hindu.

• Malay-speaking people dominate the eastern coast, while people in the southern and central interior speak languages related to Malay, such as the Lampung and Minangkabau people. The highland of northern Sumatra is inhabited by the Bataks, while the northernmost coast is dominated by Acehs. Ethnic Chinese minorities are also present in urban centers.

 

 10.CULTURE

 

• Indonesia has several traditions and customs and it is best if you know them beforehand. Some of them are:
• Even though hand shaking is deemed appropriate between men and women, bear in mind that a number of Muslim women prefer to introduce themselves to men by nodding their head, smiling, and clasping their hands without any physical contact.
• Traditionally, when you greet someone, both hands are used when shaking, without grasping.
• Shoes must be taken off before entering a house or place of worship like mosques.
• Usually drinks are offered to guests. It is polite to accept.
• When eating, receiving or giving something, always use your right hand. Right index finger should not be used to point a place, items or people. Use the right hand thumb and fold the remaining fingers to be more polite.
• Most Indonesian Muslims do not consume alcoholic drinks and pork. Hence, the tradition of proposing a toast to honor someone is not generally known.
• If you visit someone’s house you may be asked if you have already eaten – “Sudah Makan?” The polite answer is Sudah (Already).
• Indonesian people are very welcoming and friendly and tend to be very smiley. You will attend to be asked “where do you come from” and call you with “mister” even though you are woman
• Women should wear clothes that cover them reasonably(shoulders and knees covered), especially in the Aceh province. It is advised to wear t-shit / short when swimming instead of bikinis.

 

For any further questions or informations,please have also a look at FAQ or feel free to contact us.