Travel advisory · IndonesiaSome governments advise against travel to parts of Indonesia.The warnings cover only these areas: Central Papua, Highland Papua, Indonesian Papua, Papua province, South Papua province, West Papua province.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
- Central Papua · avoid all travel · Germany, New Zealand, US
- Highland Papua · avoid all travel · Germany, New Zealand, US
- Indonesian Papua · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, Spain, Italy
- Papua province · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, New Zealand
- South Papua province · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, New Zealand
- West Papua province · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, Spain, New Zealand
Also named by one government: Border with Malaysia (France), Border with Philippines (France), Border with Singapore (Strait of Malacca) (France), Inland waters (Banda, Java and Celebes seas) (France), Jayawijaya (France), Mount Ibu (7 km around crater) (Italy), Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki (7 km around crater) (Italy), Mount Marapi (3 km around crater) (Italy), Mount Ruang (7 km around crater) (Italy), Mount Semeru (5 km around crater) (Italy), Mount Sinabung (5 km around crater) (Italy), Paniai (France), Poso regency (New Zealand), Puncak Jaya (France), Timika (France)
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | No advice against the whole country | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Exercise increased caution | Jul 7, 2026 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Exercise a high degree of caution (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | No advice against the whole country (regional advisories) | Oct 15, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | Exercise increased caution in Indonesia (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| Ireland (Department of Foreign Affairs) | High Degree of Caution | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | No advice against the whole country (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
Gunung Leuser National Park
Wild Sumatran orangutans draw most visitors to this rainforest park in Aceh and North Sumatra, where jungle walks and river valleys reward a slower pace.
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Gunung Leuser National Park spans parts of Aceh and North Sumatra provinces on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. Wild Sumatran orangutans are the main draw. The park is also home to elephants, tigers, Sumatran rhinos and many bird species, but the large mammals are rarely seen on a short walk. Lowland rainforest rises into steep mountains, so the ground changes quickly from river valley to ridge. Because the park is large, choose one gateway and plan your days around it.
Bukit Lawang, on the Bahorok River in North Sumatra, is a common base for orangutan treks and river trips. Ketambe, in Aceh, is quieter and has a long association with orangutan research. Plan at least two or three days so a trek does not feel rushed. Expect long days over uneven, root-covered ground. Trails are steep and can be muddy, so pack rain gear and hire a licensed local guide for the forest.
Gunung Leuser National Park in five
- Trek with a licensed local guideJungle walks in the park are led by local guides, and most operators arrange the park paperwork for you. Ask who the guide is, what the group size will be and what the fee covers before you pay.
- Choose Bukit Lawang or KetambeBukit Lawang is the easy gateway from Medan, with river-side lodges and half-day to multi-day treks. Ketambe, on the Aceh side, is more remote and suits travelers with extra days and a taste for quiet.Bukit Lawang
- Keep your distance from orangutansStay back, never feed or touch them and skip the trek if you have a cold or other illness, because great apes can catch human infections. Guides set the distance, and a sighting is never guaranteed.
- Pack for rain, mud and leechesWear long sleeves, quick-dry trousers and shoes with grip, and carry a light rain layer. Leeches are common after rain, and the trails can be steep and slippery.
- Fly into Medan and allow a buffer dayRoad time from Medan to Bukit Lawang is about three to four hours and can run longer after heavy rain. Plan a night in the city on each side of a trek instead of a same-day flight connection.Medan
Things to do in Gunung Leuser National Park
See all attractions in Gunung Leuser National ParkNeed to know
- Entrance
- Treks are arranged through licensed guides; confirm fees on the day
- Permits
- A guide is needed for jungle treks; operators usually handle paperwork
- Season
- Open all year; rain is possible in any month, drier roughly Jun–Aug
- Nearest town
- Bukit Lawang (east side) or Ketambe (Aceh side)
- Getting there
- Fly to Medan (KNO), then a 3–4 hour drive to Bukit Lawang
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryRain25 rainy daysHigh30°Low23°Drier, showersJanuaryRain
Good
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 295 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier, showers
- FebruaryRain22 rainy daysHigh31°Low23°DrierFebruaryRain
Best
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 172 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier
- MarchRain24 rainy daysHigh32°Low24°ShowersMarchRain
Good
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 197 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers
- AprilRain27 rainy daysHigh32°Low24°Warm, showersAprilRain
Mixed
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 277 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, showers
- MayRain28 rainy daysHigh32°Low24°ShowersMayRain
Mixed
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 339 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers
- JuneRain26 rainy daysHigh32°Low24°DrierJuneRain
Good
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 234 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier
- JulyRain24 rainy daysHigh32°Low24°Drier, clearJulyRain
Good
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 203 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier, clear
- AugustRain26 rainy daysHigh31°Low23°Drier, showersAugustRain
Good
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 279 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier, showers
- SeptemberRain28 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°RainySeptemberRain
Good
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 278 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy
- OctoberRain28 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°RainyOctoberRain
Good
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 339 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy
- NovemberRain30 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Very rainyNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 454 mm
- Rainy days
- 30
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very rainy
- DecemberRain29 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°RainyDecemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 474 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy
Average daily high and low in Medan, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Gunung Leuser National Park
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
13
- Feels like
- 13°
- Humidity
- 96%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Gunung Leuser National Park
03:40 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today16°8°100%Tuesday: Rain. High 16°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Wed15°9°100%Wednesday: Rain. High 15°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Thu17°8°100%Thursday: Drizzle. High 17°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Fri17°8°96%Friday: Rain. High 17°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 96%.
- Sat17°8°100%Saturday: Rain. High 17°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Sun16°8°100%Sunday: Rain. High 16°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Mon16°8°100%Monday: Rain. High 16°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 100%.
Updated 11:46 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
Before you go to Gunung Leuser National Park
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Gunung Leuser National Park, checked
- Do not feed, touch or approach orangutans, elephants or other wild animals; keep your distance and follow your guide's instructions.
- Taking live animals, plants, eggs or parts of protected species out of the park is illegal under Indonesian conservation law.
- Ask the park authority, Balai Besar TNGL, before flying a drone or setting up camp outside designated sites.
- Check Indonesian visa and entry requirements for your nationality with the Directorate General of Immigration before you travel.
- Dial 112 for any emergency in Indonesia, or 110 for police.
Plan around Gunung Leuser National Park
The main gateway for orangutan treks
Read the guideMedanThe airport city and last stop before the trail
Read the guideDanau TobaSumatra's great crater lake, a long day away
Read the guideNorth SumatraHighlands, lakes and the Medan region
Read the guideSumatraRainforest, volcanoes and surf, island-wide
Read the guideAll of IndonesiaEntry, money and where to go next
Read the guideGunung Leuser National Park FAQ
Can you see orangutans in Gunung Leuser National Park?
Often, but never for certain. Semi-wild and wild Sumatran orangutans live around Bukit Lawang and Ketambe, and guides know their usual ranges. More days on the trail raise your chances.
Do you need a guide to trek in Gunung Leuser?
Yes. Jungle treks in the park are done with a licensed local guide, and operators usually arrange the permit. Do not enter the forest alone, and check the guide's license before you pay.
How many days do you need in Gunung Leuser?
One night and two half-day treks gives you a fair chance at orangutans. Two or three nights adds longer walks, river tubing and quieter forest. Add a day at each end for the Medan transfers.
When is the best time to visit Gunung Leuser?
Roughly June to August and February are drier, but rain is possible all year. In the wet months trails are muddier and rivers can rise, so build in flexibility.
How do you get from Medan to Bukit Lawang?
By car or shared minibus on a road that takes about three to four hours, longer in heavy rain. Many lodges arrange a transfer, which is easier than navigating the bus stations.