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Fancy a place where you can just sit in the lap of nature and enjoy the cool breeze bursting onto your face? Well, then Bukit Lawang should be your next destination. A visit to Bukit Lawang is one of the most awesome things you can do in Indonesia. Nestled peacefully amid lush greenery and hosting a relaxed lifestyle, Bukit Lawang is a beauty far away from the worldly chaos. Located in North Sumatra, Indonesia, prepare to walk the fresh unexplored paths with the most incredible things to do in Bukit Lawang.
Top Things To Do in Bukit Lawang, Indonesia
1. Find the Extant Orangutans
The village of Bukit Lawang is surrounded by a dense rainforest where you can find hundreds of Orangutans playing around and hopping from one tree to another. Most of the visitors come to this village to observe these bubbly residents. You can either take the help of locals to trek through forests and spot them or be your own guide. Try not to get very close to them though.
Recommended For: Wildlife Enthusiasts, Photographers
Location: Gunung Leuser National Park
Average Price: 11 USD /person
Timings: Morning to Evening (10:00 am to 5:00 pm)
Pro tip: Hire a local guide so that he could walk you through the best parts of the forest.
2. Paint Your Face With Natural Colours
This would surely be a once in a lifetime experience for you. The wet rocks lying in the river Bahorok, when rubbed against hard rocks, produce colors. These colors can be used to create designs on your face or other body parts. As these pigments are completely natural, you need not worry about any skin infection. You can also ask locals to help you spot places where you can find these rocks in abundance.
Recommended For: Art lovers, curious travelers
Location: The Bahorok River
Average Price: Free of cost
Timings: Anytime
Pro-Tip: The white, orange and red rocks make the best paste when rubbed against each other.
3. Stroll Along Beautiful River Banks
Nothing can be better than taking a leisurely walk along beautiful streams of water as you get lost in the serenity of unpolluted nature. And in the tiny hamlet of Bukit Lawang, all this becomes real. Here, you can laze by the river banks, witness raw nature and listen to the harmonious burbling of water as it flows through. In other words, experience a magical world while walking along the beautiful Bahorok River.
Recommended For: Peace seekers
Location: The Bahorok River banks
Average Price: Free of cost
Timings: Anytime
Pro-Tip: Take the help of locals and ask them to give you accommodation near the Bahorok River.
4. Tube Down The River
Unleash the adventurer within you as you tube down the river in Bukit Lawang. Yes, tubing down the river is a major thing here. The inflatable tubes in which you will be rafting down the waters will be provided along with lifejackets. You will also have a guide who will navigate you through the river. On the way, do not forget to treasure the greenery of surrounding forests.
Recommended For: Adventurers, rafting lovers
Location: The Bahorok river
Average Price: 36 USD / tube
Timings: Morning to Evening (10:00 am to 4:00 pm)
Pro-Tip: Do not forget to request your guide to sing an Indonesian melody.
5. Photograph Dense Rainforests
For a passionate traveler, his camera is as important as the destination. And if you are one amongst these enthusiastic explorers, then capture the richness of the thick rainforest that surrounds the beautiful settlement of Bukit Lawang. From Orangutans to monkeys and baboons to macaques, there is a lot to shoot for in these forests. And if you are lucky enough, you might end up witnessing leopards.
Recommended For: Wildlife Enthusiasts, Photographers
Location: Gunung Leuser National Park
Average Price: Rp 150,000/person
Timings: Morning 10:00 am to Evening 5:00 pm
Pro-Tip: The weather in the region of Gunung Leuser National Park is unfavorable most of the time. So, choose your holidays wisely.
6. Trekking
To all the trekkers out there, Bukit Lawang is a land of trekking trails. You can walk through dense woods and down the refreshing streams to several small villages around Bukit Lawang. If you are completely on your own and have no idea where to start from, you can ask locals to guide you.
Recommended For: Trekkers, adventure lovers
Location: Bukit Lawang and nearby forests
Average Price: Free of cost (22 USD – 36 USD with guide)
Timings: Morning 10:00 am to Evening 5:00 pm
Pro-Tip: As the region is covered with forests, make sure you are traversing the right path.
7. Pitch Tents In The Midst Of A Forest
Bukit Lawang has something for every kind of traveler. Be it trekking, rafting or camping, the region in and around this marvelous village offers a wide variety of adventures. Camping is one of the best things to do in Bukit Lawang. Come here and feel the thrill of staying up all night and listening to the silence of the woods.
Recommended For: Campers, adventure lovers
Location: Bukit Lawang and nearby forests
Average Price: Free of cost (29 USD to 35 USD with guide)
Timings: Morning to Evening (10:00 am to 5:00 pm)
Pro-Tip: Do not forget to bring headlights, flashlights and enough water.
8. Swim With The Locals
The refreshing stream of Bukit Lawang is perfect to keep you relaxed throughout the day. All you need to do is take a dip in the waters of the Bahorok River. You will also find several locals, including children and adults, taking a bath in its waters in the mornings and afternoons. Sharing thoughts and learning Indonesian culture as you bathe and refresh isn’t a bad idea.
Recommended For: Swimmers
Location: The Bahorok River
Average Price: Free of cost
Timings: Morning to Evening (8:00 am to 5:00 pm)
Pro-Tip: Keep your towel and other clothes at a safe place. You wouldn’t love monkeys stealing them.
9. Explore Rural Lifestyle
Bukit Lawang is a lovely village and every traveler, who has even a little penchant for the quaint remote life would be psyched to visit it. Plan a tour to Bukit Lawang to experience the best of country life. Wake up in a small cottage, bathe in the river water and take a walk along amazing streams. Listen to the birds chirping, breathe fresh air and watch breathtaking sights of the dawn and dusk. All this while relishing fresh and healthy food.
Recommended For: Every traveler and tourist, families, kids
Average Price: Free of cost
Timings: Throughout the day and night
Pro-Tip: Plan a minimum of a one-week stay to feel the actual beauty of the village.
10. Savor Local Dishes
There are a lot of restaurants and eateries in and around the village where you can savor the authentic dishes of Bukit Lawang. The must-try dishes here include gulai, semur, soto, and rendang. You must also come prepared as you won’t find many places to enjoy international cuisine.
Recommended For: Foodies
Location: Bukit Lawang and surrounding regions
Average Price: 3 USD per meal
Timings: Morning to Evening (10:00 am to 8:00 pm)
Pro-Tip: A bottle of beer would go smooth with egg rending.
11. Relax And Feel Peace Within
As Bukit Lawang is only frequented by offbeat travelers, there is practically no crowd. You can find hundreds of spots in and around the settlement where you can just relax and enjoy the peaceful aura of this place; be it in the dense woods, by the river banks, in the midst of settlements or across green fields. It is pure calm.
Recommended For: Peace lovers, introverts
Location: Bukit Lawang and surrounding regions
Average Price: Free of cost
Timings: Anytime
Pro-Tip: Carry a small picnic basket with you for uninterrupted relaxation.
12. Explore Local Markets
Bukit Lawang is also home to a few local markets where you can shop for a lot of things. From souvenirs to clothes, spices to handicrafts, these markets have everything on offer. Visit the popular Friday Market located on the other side of the river. You would need to take the bridge to reach it.
Recommended For: Shopaholics, souvenir lovers
Location: Friday Market, Gotong Royong
Average Price: Depends on what you buy
Timings: Morning to Evening (9:00 am to 5:00 pm)
Pro-Tip: If you want to purchase things at cheaper rates, visit the market when it is about to get closed.
13. Behold The Diversity Of Gunung Leuser National Park
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Gunung Leuser National Park is an ideal place for those who love to witness the beautiful wildlife of Bukit Lawang. Sumatran elephant, Sumatran tiger, Siamang, Thomas’s langur and obviously, Sumatran Orangutan are some of the major species you will find here. Exploring this stunning national park is one of the best things to do in Indonesia.
Recommended For: Wildlife Enthusiasts, Photographers
Location: Gunung Leuser National Park
Average Price: 30 USD / person
Timings: Morning to Evening (10:00 am to 5:00 pm)
14. Learn Local Language
You can also learn the local dialect of the Indonesian language and make your tour easier the next time you visit the village. As they say, the culture of a place lies in its language. It would be easier and more fun for you to understand the culture of Bukit Lawang once you start learning its language.
Recommended For: Everyone
Location: Bukit Lawang village
Average Price: Free of cost
Timings: Anytime
Pro-Tip: Stay with a local guy to learn the local language and the slangs faster.
15. Meditate In Laid Back Surroundings
Love meditating and getting lost in the void filled with composure? Bukit Lawang has innumerable spots where you can meditate and calm your mind, body, and soul. From the banks of the river Bahorok to the thick forests of Gunung Leuser National Park, every place is perfect for introspecting your inner-self. There would be no one there to disturb you either.
Recommended For: Yoga and Meditation lovers
Location: The Bahorok River, the forests of Bukit Lawang
Average Price: Free of cost
Timings: Anytime
16. Wake Up Listening To The Melodies Of Nature
Tired of listening to the honking of vehicles or the chaos of your city? Come to Bukit Lawang and let your ears enjoy the sweet melodies of nature. From birds to cool breeze and trees to river waters, everything is all set to make your day wonderful. No wonder, Bukit Lawang is getting famed amongst the explorers across the world.
Recommended For: Peace lovers, morning people
Location: Bukit Lawang
Average Price: Free of cost
Timings: Early Morning (05:30 am to 7:00 am)
