Bukit Lawang
A small village on the Bahorok River in Sumatra, where guided treks into Gunung Leuser National Park take you through forest that holds orangutans.
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Bukit Lawang is a small village on the Bahorok River in Langkat regency, North Sumatra. It is the main eastern access point to Gunung Leuser National Park and is known for its orangutan sanctuary, where around 5,000 orangutans are said to live in the area. Visitors can see Sumatran orangutans relatively close up here, which is possible in only a few places in the world. Orangutans live only on Sumatra and Borneo.
The forest is the reason most people come. Licensed local guides lead the treks, where you may see Thomas's leaf monkeys, long-tailed and pig-tailed macaques, siamangs and the nocturnal slow loris, along with rhinoceros hornbills and other birds. Plan for rain. The roads from Medan are very uneven and slippery when wet, the weather can turn quickly, and the river runs strong after heavy rain, so check conditions before you plan a day on the water.
Bukit Lawang in five
- Trek with a licensed guide, not aloneTreks in the park are done with licensed local guides, booked through your guesthouse or the village association. A guide finds animals, reads trail conditions and manages visitor behavior.Gunung Leuser National Park
- Keep your distance from the orangutansDo not touch, feed or crowd the apes, and follow your guide's instructions. Stay home or skip the trek if you are ill, since people can pass infections to wildlife.
- Choose a half-day, full-day or overnight trekHalf-day treks fit tight schedules, while longer trips go deeper into the forest and increase your chance of sightings. Sightings are not guaranteed, so allow at least two nights.
- Watch the river and the rainThe Bohorok River can rise fast after heavy rain, and flash floods have hit the village before. Avoid tubing and river crossings in wet weather and follow local advice.
- Allow half a day from MedanThe road from Medan takes roughly 3 to 4 hours by private car or shared transport. Book a driver for a morning arrival and a return before dark, and travel light.Medan
Need to know
- Airport
- Kualanamu (KNO) near Medan, about 3.5–4 hours by road
- Getting there
- Private car or shared transport from Medan
- Getting around
- On foot; river tubes and short rides for trails
- Best base
- Riverside guesthouses near the trek start
- Time needed
- 2–3 nights; longer for overnight jungle treks
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryRain27 rainy daysHigh30°Low22°DrierJanuaryRain
Good
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 360 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier
- FebruaryRain24 rainy daysHigh31°Low22°DrierFebruaryRain
Best
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 251 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier
- MarchRain27 rainy daysHigh31°Low23°ShowersMarchRain
Best
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 251 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers
- AprilRain28 rainy daysHigh31°Low23°ShowersAprilRain
Good
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 337 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers
- MayRain29 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°ShowersMayRain
Mixed
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 399 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers
- JuneRain26 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh32°Low23°DrierJuneRain
Good
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 310 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Drier
- JulyRain25 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh32°Low23°DrierJulyRain
Best
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 261 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Drier
- AugustRain28 rainy daysHigh31°Low23°ShowersAugustRain
Good
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 367 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers
- SeptemberRain29 rainy daysHigh31°Low23°WetSeptemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 407 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet
- OctoberRain29 rainy daysHigh31°Low23°Wet, flood riskOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 439 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, flood risk
- NovemberRain29 rainy daysHigh29°Low22°Wet, flood riskNovemberRain
Good
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 485 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, flood risk
- DecemberRain29 rainy daysHigh29°Low22°WetDecemberRain
Good
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 473 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet
Average daily high and low in Bukit Lawang, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Bukit Lawang
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
22
- Feels like
- 26°
- Humidity
- 96%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Bukit Lawang
03:41 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today28°21°100%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 28°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Wed29°22°93%Wednesday: Rain. High 29°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 93%.
- Thu28°22°94%Thursday: Rain. High 28°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 94%.
- Fri28°21°97%Friday: Rain. High 28°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 97%.
- Sat28°22°100%Saturday: Rain. High 28°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Sun28°22°96%Sunday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 96%.
- Mon29°21°100%Monday: Rain. High 29°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 100%.
Updated 11:32 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 18,144 IDR
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Gunung Leuser trekhalf-day to overnight on footOrangutan sightings in the rainforest edge, with a licensed guide.Read the guide
- Medanabout 3–4 hours by carCity stop for food and flights before heading onward.Read the guide
- Onward to Lake Tobaabout 6–8 hours by roadA long drive to a crater lake with Batak villages.Read the guide
Before you go to Bukit Lawang
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Bukit Lawang, checked
- Check the entry requirements for your passport on the Directorate General of Immigration site before you fly.Source
- Book jungle treks only with a licensed local guide, since unlicensed guides are a known risk.
- Do not touch, feed or handle orangutans or other wildlife, and follow your guide's rules on the trail.
- Avoid drinks that look or taste wrong, because counterfeit alcohol containing methanol has been served here.
- Stay out of the river after heavy rain, when the current can be strong.
Plan around Bukit Lawang
The national park behind the village
Read the guideMedanGateway city and airport
Read the guideDanau TobaVolcanic lake with Batak villages
Read the guideNorth SumatraRegion overview and routes
Read the guideAcehNorthern province on the way to Sabang
Read the guideAll of IndonesiaEntry rules, money and islands
Read the guideBukit Lawang FAQ
Can you see orangutans in Bukit Lawang?
Often, but not always. They roam the rainforest edge, and guided treks improve your chances. Sightings depend on the season and food in the forest, so allow more than one day and keep expectations realistic.
Is Bukit Lawang worth visiting?
Yes for a chance to see wild orangutans and a simple jungle stay, if you accept long road travel and basic comforts. Skip it if you are short on time or cannot trek.
How many days do you need in Bukit Lawang?
Two or three nights is enough for one or two treks and some river time. Add a night for an overnight jungle trek. Most travelers combine it with Danau Toba or Medan.
Is the Bukit Lawang trek hard?
It varies. Half-day treks are short but can be steep and slippery, while overnight trips need fitness. Wear grippy shoes, bring water and a rain layer, and talk to your guide about pace.
When should I visit Bukit Lawang?
The drier months, roughly January to March and June to July, are generally easier, but showers are possible all year. Avoid river activities after heavy rain and check conditions with your guesthouse.