Escape to sumatra
Ethical Sumatra Jungle Trekking & Orangutan Tours
Skip the tourist traps. Experience the raw beauty of Gunung Leuser National Park with expert-led treks, hidden jungle retreats, and authentic wildlife encounters.
Life in Sumatra, told by Kate
Czech woman Katka Kováčová left corporate life to live in Sumatra’s jungle, organizing retreats for visitors seeking authentic nature experiences.
Escape To Sumatra
Why Choose Our Ethical Sumatra Adventures?
ABOUT ESCAPE TO SUMATRA
Hello beautiful souls! I’m Kacka, trading corporate burnout at Meta and Google for Sumatra’s transformative wilderness, guiding wounded hearts back to themselves through nature’s powerful medicine, breathwork and meditation.
Ethical travel in Sumatra is rooted in nature, community, and experiences that slow us down. Our healing retreats take place in Batu Katak and the Landak River wilderness, working directly with local communities.
From digital-detox jungle retreats to respectful orangutan encounters, every experience supports conservation and local livelihoods while gently healing what corporate life broke. We hope to share our love of authentic Sumatra and the profound healing it offers with you.
Read our article about Sumatra – read here
Explore Our Tours
Discover what Escape to Sumatra has to offer from North to West Sumatra – ethical jungle trekking, transformative wellness retreats, and authentic cultural experiences. We’ll be happy to help you find your perfect adventure.
Your Sumatra Adventure Awaits
Whether you’re looking for a quick escape or a life-changing journey, we’ve got something special for every traveler.
Here’s the best part: every tour booked with us directly supports conservation efforts, anti-poaching patrols, and creates sustainable jobs for local communities. So you’re not just having an amazing time, you’re making a real difference too.
Want to discover secret spots? Our Batu Katak rainforest tours take you to untouched wilderness where wild orangutans roam freely, away from the crowds.
Nature-based programs for burnout recovery, grief healing, and reconnection.
We offer jungle trekking in Batu Katak and Bukit Lawang.
Are you traveling as a family or want more privacy? Let our local team design your perfect Sumatra itinerary with private orangutan tours just for you.
Traveling alone? No worries! Join our friendly group tours designed for solo travelers in Sumatra. Meet like-minded adventurers while exploring orangutan habitats safely together.
Learn traditional cooking, visit village markets, and meet the people who call the jungle home.
Ready to start planning your Sumatra adventure?
Reasons to Choose Escape to Sumatra
We trek where it’s real from famous Bukit Lawang to wild Batu Katak. No feeding orangutans, no tourist circus, just proper Sumatra jungle treks, good laughs, and adventures that help the rainforest and locals thrive. At Escape to Sumatra, we believe conscious travel in Sumatra creates deeper connections — with nature, local communities and ourselves.
Ethical Wildlife Encounters
Authentic Experiences
Community Impact
Friendly Local Staff
Through Our Lens
Find out more
about our vision
Read our reviews
Excellent rating
Based on 30 reviews
EXCELLENTVerified A totally amazing experience. Very impressive wildlife sightings. Caring, funny, open people who did take totally good care of e 3 day jungle trekking for orangutans starting in Batu KatakPosted on TripadvisorVerified The best in Bukit Lawang !!!! Měli jsme to štěstí, že při naší cestě na Sumatru jsme poznali Kačku. Spousta firem nabízí výlety do džungle, ale jak jsme zjistili, ne všem opravdu záleží na přírodě. Podnikli jsme s Kačky týmem výlet do džungle. Byl to jedinečný zážitek. Průvodce i se o nás starali a my si užili báječný den. Viděli jsme spoustu zvířat a hlavně orangutany. Nemohli jsme si vybrat lépe!!!! Pokud pojedete na Sumatru, určitě kontaktujte Kačku. Pomůže Vám zařídit nejen výlet do džungle, ale i ubytování a transfery. Moc děkujeme a 100% doporučujeme!!!Posted on TripadvisorVerified Trip to jungle Orangutan watching The jungle is mysterious and you climb the hill not knowing what you will see. You stop and after a while one, two - a whole troop of monkeys appear - in addition to orangutans, Thomas's monkeys and other animals - stop and observe everything calmlyPosted on TripadvisorVerified Amazing experience We booked our trip with these amazing people, and it was the best decision we could have made! The guides Fabio and Dicky made the trip magical and took so good care of us, and we saw so many amazing animals. Highly recommend!Posted on TripadvisorVerified A true highlight of our trip! We booked our jungle trek through this company and couldn’t have asked for a better guide than Rama. He was funny, kind, attentive, and a fantastic storyteller with excellent English, which made the experience even more special. Everything was very well organized. Seeing orangutans up close was beyond anything we had imagined. We highly recommend this trekking tour to anyone — it was a true highlight of our entire trip!!Posted on TripadvisorVerified Beautiful experience ever! As a professional photographer, I've been guided by Rama, Andre e Kaĉka to spot the Orangutan and some other wildlife. In just 3 hrs we spot a female specimen. Also I liked the way they approach her, ethically, respecting every single rule. I haven't see it from other guides from other "ethical" companies. I really recommend them. Thank you very much. I'll see you soon again!Posted on TripadvisorVerified Unforgettable Sumatra We had an amazing experience with this travel company in Sumatra and highly recommend it. Everything was perfectly organized from the start. The accommodation was great, with an excellent location right in the main part of town, close to cafés, restaurants, and local spots. One of the highlights was a jungle trek where we saw orangutans in their natural habitat – a truly unforgettable experience with wonderful guides who took great care of us. The food and camp were excellent, and the whole experience felt very authentic. During the rest of our stay, Kačka and Rama took care of all the logistics, organized our program, arranged scooters and drivers, and showed us the beauty of the surrounding nature. What we appreciated the most was how they helped us connect with local people not just as tourists, but as part of the community – spending evenings playing games with locals was a highlight. As a bonus, Kačka also guided us through a breathwork session, which was a unique and grounding experience. The company clearly focuses on ethical and authentic travel. Highly recommended!Posted on TripadvisorVerified Best experience in Sumatra We had a truly beautiful experience in Sumatra. The jungle trekking was very well organized, respectful to nature, and seeing orangutans in their natural habitat was unforgettable. The guides were incredibly kind and attentive, taking care of every detail — even small decorations that made the whole experience feel extra special. Everything was done in an ethical way, with great respect for the jungle and wildlife. They also helped us connect with local people and shared their way of life with us, which made us feel like part of the community rather than just visitors. We felt genuinely welcomed and cared for throughout our stay. Highly recommended to anyone looking for an authentic, ethical, and warm jungle experience.Posted on TripadvisorVerified Best experience in Bukit Lawang, Sumatra Together with our 16-year-old son, we stayed at Bukit Lang Sumatra at Sam's place to enjoy the jungle—two nights at the lodge and an unforgettable overnight stay in the jungle itself. The motorbike pick-up was arranged smoothly, and meeting Sam and his team was a warm and welcoming start to our holiday in Sumatra. It was even better than expected! The restaurant, located on a lookout point at the end of the street, offered a beautiful view of the river. Starting and ending our days there was a true pleasure—the atmosphere was relaxed, the people incredibly friendly, and the food delicious. Our room was located up the stairs from the restaurant, with an even more breathtaking view, surrounded by countless monkeys. If you want to see monkeys—this is the place! The room was cozy, clean, and had a traditional touch. The bathroom, newly built, was modern and spotless. We also went on a jungle trek with two young guides who completely stole our hearts. They were truly the best—ask for brothers Rama and Dicky! Not to mention the chef at the campsite who prepared a delicious meal for us after our hike. We look back on a wonderful holiday and will never forget the friendly people at Sam's place.Posted on TripadvisorVerified Amazing trekking 🦍🌴 Kacka was an absolutely amazing guide 💕 Calm, experienced, very warm and fun. You could tell she truly knows and respects the jungle. Thanks to her I felt safe even in moments that were physically challenging or completely new to me. She explained everything clearly, pointed out details I would have never noticed on my own and shared so many fascinating insights about the jungle life. The trekking itself was awesome, not a tourist attraction, but a genuine adventure, thank you Kacka! 🫶🏻Verified by TrustindexTrustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more
Planning your arrival? Check out our updated North Sumatra Map & Transportation Guide to plan your journey.
Read our reviews
Excellent rating
Based on 30 reviews
EXCELLENTVerified A totally amazing experience. Very impressive wildlife sightings. Caring, funny, open people who did take totally good care of e 3 day jungle trekking for orangutans starting in Batu KatakPosted on TripadvisorVerified The best in Bukit Lawang !!!! Měli jsme to štěstí, že při naší cestě na Sumatru jsme poznali Kačku. Spousta firem nabízí výlety do džungle, ale jak jsme zjistili, ne všem opravdu záleží na přírodě. Podnikli jsme s Kačky týmem výlet do džungle. Byl to jedinečný zážitek. Průvodce i se o nás starali a my si užili báječný den. Viděli jsme spoustu zvířat a hlavně orangutany. Nemohli jsme si vybrat lépe!!!! Pokud pojedete na Sumatru, určitě kontaktujte Kačku. Pomůže Vám zařídit nejen výlet do džungle, ale i ubytování a transfery. Moc děkujeme a 100% doporučujeme!!!Posted on TripadvisorVerified Trip to jungle Orangutan watching The jungle is mysterious and you climb the hill not knowing what you will see. You stop and after a while one, two - a whole troop of monkeys appear - in addition to orangutans, Thomas's monkeys and other animals - stop and observe everything calmlyPosted on TripadvisorVerified Amazing experience We booked our trip with these amazing people, and it was the best decision we could have made! The guides Fabio and Dicky made the trip magical and took so good care of us, and we saw so many amazing animals. Highly recommend!Posted on TripadvisorVerified A true highlight of our trip! We booked our jungle trek through this company and couldn’t have asked for a better guide than Rama. He was funny, kind, attentive, and a fantastic storyteller with excellent English, which made the experience even more special. Everything was very well organized. Seeing orangutans up close was beyond anything we had imagined. We highly recommend this trekking tour to anyone — it was a true highlight of our entire trip!!Posted on TripadvisorVerified Beautiful experience ever! As a professional photographer, I've been guided by Rama, Andre e Kaĉka to spot the Orangutan and some other wildlife. In just 3 hrs we spot a female specimen. Also I liked the way they approach her, ethically, respecting every single rule. I haven't see it from other guides from other "ethical" companies. I really recommend them. Thank you very much. I'll see you soon again!Posted on TripadvisorVerified Unforgettable Sumatra We had an amazing experience with this travel company in Sumatra and highly recommend it. Everything was perfectly organized from the start. The accommodation was great, with an excellent location right in the main part of town, close to cafés, restaurants, and local spots. One of the highlights was a jungle trek where we saw orangutans in their natural habitat – a truly unforgettable experience with wonderful guides who took great care of us. The food and camp were excellent, and the whole experience felt very authentic. During the rest of our stay, Kačka and Rama took care of all the logistics, organized our program, arranged scooters and drivers, and showed us the beauty of the surrounding nature. What we appreciated the most was how they helped us connect with local people not just as tourists, but as part of the community – spending evenings playing games with locals was a highlight. As a bonus, Kačka also guided us through a breathwork session, which was a unique and grounding experience. The company clearly focuses on ethical and authentic travel. Highly recommended!Posted on TripadvisorVerified Best experience in Sumatra We had a truly beautiful experience in Sumatra. The jungle trekking was very well organized, respectful to nature, and seeing orangutans in their natural habitat was unforgettable. The guides were incredibly kind and attentive, taking care of every detail — even small decorations that made the whole experience feel extra special. Everything was done in an ethical way, with great respect for the jungle and wildlife. They also helped us connect with local people and shared their way of life with us, which made us feel like part of the community rather than just visitors. We felt genuinely welcomed and cared for throughout our stay. Highly recommended to anyone looking for an authentic, ethical, and warm jungle experience.Posted on TripadvisorVerified Best experience in Bukit Lawang, Sumatra Together with our 16-year-old son, we stayed at Bukit Lang Sumatra at Sam's place to enjoy the jungle—two nights at the lodge and an unforgettable overnight stay in the jungle itself. The motorbike pick-up was arranged smoothly, and meeting Sam and his team was a warm and welcoming start to our holiday in Sumatra. It was even better than expected! The restaurant, located on a lookout point at the end of the street, offered a beautiful view of the river. Starting and ending our days there was a true pleasure—the atmosphere was relaxed, the people incredibly friendly, and the food delicious. Our room was located up the stairs from the restaurant, with an even more breathtaking view, surrounded by countless monkeys. If you want to see monkeys—this is the place! The room was cozy, clean, and had a traditional touch. The bathroom, newly built, was modern and spotless. We also went on a jungle trek with two young guides who completely stole our hearts. They were truly the best—ask for brothers Rama and Dicky! Not to mention the chef at the campsite who prepared a delicious meal for us after our hike. We look back on a wonderful holiday and will never forget the friendly people at Sam's place.Posted on TripadvisorVerified Amazing trekking 🦍🌴 Kacka was an absolutely amazing guide 💕 Calm, experienced, very warm and fun. You could tell she truly knows and respects the jungle. Thanks to her I felt safe even in moments that were physically challenging or completely new to me. She explained everything clearly, pointed out details I would have never noticed on my own and shared so many fascinating insights about the jungle life. The trekking itself was awesome, not a tourist attraction, but a genuine adventure, thank you Kacka! 🫶🏻Verified by TrustindexTrustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more
Planning your arrival? Check out our updated North Sumatra Map & Transportation Guide to plan your journey.