- Escape To Sumatra

Animals | Blog | Ethical Trekking | Travel
Human-Wildlife Conflict in Sumatra: Why People and Wildlife Need Each Other
Posted onSeptember 16, 2026September 16, 2026
In Sumatra, people and wildlife increasingly share the same landscapes. Human-wildlife conflict in Sumatra is one of the most complicated challenges facing both wildlife and the communities living alongside the forest. The reality is much more complicated. Across Sumatra, people live alongside some of the world’s most endangered wildlife. Farmers grow crops near forests. Communities…
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Animals | Blog | Ethical Trekking | Travel
How to Get from Medan to Banda Aceh and Pulau Weh 2026
Posted onAugust 5, 2026August 5, 2026
Planning the route from Medan to Pulau Weh after Bukit Lawang, Lake Toba or your Sumatra jungle trek? Good idea. Pulau Weh is one of the most beautiful island escapes in Sumatra, but getting there takes a little planning because you need to travel via Banda Aceh and then take the ferry to Sabang. Google…
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Animals | Blog | Ethical Trekking | Travel
Bukit Lawang Orangutan Trekking Guide 2026
Posted onAugust 4, 2026August 4, 2026
Bukit Lawang is one of the most popular places in Sumatra to see orangutans in the rainforest. It sits on the edge of Gunung Leuser National Park, one of the most important rainforest areas in Indonesia and part of the wider Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra. This area is home to incredible wildlife, including Sumatran…
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Animals | Blog | Ethical Trekking | Travel
One Day Orangutan Trek in Bukit Lawang: What to Expect
Posted onJune 23, 2026June 23, 2026
A one day orangutan trek Bukit Lawang experience is one of the best ways to see the rainforest of North Sumatra if you do not have time for an overnight jungle trek. Bukit Lawang sits on the edge of Gunung Leuser National Park, one of the most important rainforest areas in Sumatra and one of…
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Blog | Budget Travel | Group Trips | Lowcost Travel | Tours | Travel
What to Wear in Sumatra (Especially for Women) + How to Be Respectful in Villages
Posted onFebruary 13, 2026June 22, 2026
Knowing exactly what to wear in sumatra makes a huge difference in staying comfortable through the intense tropical humidity. Let’s get real: Sumatra is not Bali. You won’t be lounging on white sand beaches in a bikini (unless you want to shock the locals). If you’re a woman traveling here, it’s all about practical, comfy…
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Blog | Budget Travel | Lowcost Travel | Tours | Travel | Updates Sumatra
Sumatra Flooding Update: What Travelers Need to Know (November–December 2025)
Posted onDecember 14, 2025December 14, 2025
Massive Flooding Across Sumatra – Current Situation In the last week of November, Sumatra experienced exceptionally heavy and continuous rainfall, causing rivers to rise rapidly and overflow across multiple regions. The flooding escalated quickly, cutting off thousands of villages from access to electricity, clean water, food supplies, and emergency aid. Entire communities were submerged. Homes,…
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Blog | Ethical Trekking | Tours | Travel
Why Ethical Jungle Trekking Matters: A Simple Guide to Responsible Orangutan Tourism in Sumatra
Posted onAugust 10, 2025June 22, 2026
Sumatra’s jungles are home to some of the most amazing wildlife on the planet—especially the critically endangered orangutans. But visiting these forests isn’t just about ticking off a bucket-list adventure. It’s about making choices that protect the animals, support local communities, and help preserve the environment. That’s why ethical jungle trekking is so important. It’s…
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Blog | Ethical Trekking | Tours | Travel
Spotting Sumatran Orangutans in Gunung Leuser: The Ultimate Guide
Posted onAugust 10, 2021September 14, 2026
Best times, locations, and what to expect Spotting Sumatran orangutans is not that easy these days. Let’s be honest: nothing prepares you for the first time you spot a wild orangutan in the jungle. One minute you’re sweating through your shirt, wondering why you signed up for this trek, and the next you look up…
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Blog | Ethical Trekking | Travel
Planning Your Sumatra Adventure: Essential Tips for First-Time Jungle Trekkers
Posted onAugust 10, 2021June 22, 2026
Sumatra Jungle Trekking Tips directly from my own experience. So, you’re planning your first jungle trek in Sumatra? Amazing choice. Orangutans, wild rainforests, waterfalls, and that feeling of “holy crap, I’m actually in the jungle!” But let me be honest with you if you’re imagining a chill walk through flat jungle paths… nope. That’s exactly…
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Blog | Budget Travel | Group Trips | Lowcost Travel | Tours | Travel
Sumatra on a Budget 2026
Posted onAugust 10, 2021June 23, 2026
Planning a trip to Sumatra on a budget is incredibly rewarding. From tracking wild orangutans through the ancient canopies of the Gunung Leuser National Park to chilling by the peaceful volcanic shores of Lake Toba, you can have an epic, raw adventure on a fraction of what you’d spend in Bali. But backpacker-friendly travel here…
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We've had an amazing time with Escape to Sumatra team. Great and reliable organisation, the guides are knowledgeable and always happy to help and answer any questions. What I loved is that the company focuses on making the travel ethical for both the wildlife and also local people. This is so important and unfortunately often omitted aspect, but the team here made it their priority! I can only recommend booking your holidays with them.

Eliška Augustinová

Had a great time joining the 3 days/2 nights Mentawai tribe excursion! It is a once in a lifetime experience and definitely recommended! The tribe was welcoming, it was very interesting to see how they live (even if you can tell some traditions will be slowly lost), participating in their activities and the guide Laijet was very nice. Expect to spend a lot of time sitting, chatting, drinking coffee and smoking! I ended up the experience with a traditional tattoo made by Laijet and I really loved it!

Diana Garzia

Our overnight trekking experience with my fiancé was unforgettable. Our guides, Rendy and Anga, were amazing. knowledgeable, friendly, and made the whole journey special. The food was delicious, we saw incredible wildlife, and we had the chance to visit a local village. One of the highlights was the cooking class with a local family, where we learned about their culture and the conservation efforts the company is supporting within the community. If you’re looking to support a company that truly makes a positive difference, I highly recommend choosing this one. It was an experience that went beyond trekking. It was about connecting with nature, people, and meaningful conservation work.

Claudia

Can’t recommend the batu katak jungle trekking with these guys enough. Siddartha and Dikka were amazing guides. Really great company and initiative, employing from the community and supporting conservation efforts.

Remi Pfister

we had such an incredible experience doing the 3D2N trek. real jungle experience, plenty of wildlife (including orangutans!!) & so much to look at. ray and anga were awesome and kept the energy the whole way. thanks so much guys 🥳🥳

Holly Bradshaw

The best experience you'll ever have is here with them, something you simply won't find anywhere else... Trust me...!!

M4SQUAD IQTHA

My boyfriend and I recently did the 2D/1N jungle trek in Batu Katak with Escape to Sumatra and had a fantastic experience. We chose Batu Katak over Bukit Lawang because I had already visited Bukit Lawang and wanted something a little more authentic and off the beaten track. We knew there was a lower chance of seeing orangutans and unfortunately didn't see any this time, but that's part of visiting a truly wild environment! Our guides, Rey and Dika, were excellent and went out of their way to make sure we still had a great trip. We saw plenty of other wildlife, enjoyed some amazing food and learned so much from their knowledge of the jungle and local area. Be prepared though - this is a real jungle adventure! It's hot, humid, challenging in places and there will most likely be leeches. But if you're looking for an authentic rainforest experience, I'd highly recommend it.

Francesca Hardy

We were completely satisfied with our experience with Escape to Sumatra. We joined the 2-day jungle trek in Bukit Lawang, and it exceeded our expectations. Our guides, Fabio and Angga, were fantastic. They were very knowledgeable and showed us a wide variety of animals and plants throughout the trek, making the experience both exciting and educational. They were also very funny and created a great atmosphere throughout the tour. We had a lot of fun with the whole group, which made the experience even more memorable. The food provided during the tour was excellent, and everything was well organized from start to finish. We felt well taken care of the entire time. We highly recommend Escape to Sumatra to anyone looking for an authentic and unforgettable jungle experience in Bukit Lawang!

Lena

We had an amazing jungle trekking experience with Escape to Sumatra. Our guides, Likki and Pele, were fantastic throughout the entire tour. We were lucky enough to see orangutans and gibbons in the wild, which was truly unforgettable. Everything was perfectly organised from start to finish. Breakfast, lunch and dinner were all excellent, and chef Genji took great care of us the whole trip. You could really tell the team puts a lot of effort into making the experience special. If you love adventure, nature and wildlife, this is absolutely something I would recommend. One of the highlights of our trip to Sumatra!

Nick van den Waardenburg

I had an amazing experience hiking thru the jungle and spotting wildlife! they team was very helpful with figuring out booking and accommodation.

Lillian Travaglione

Human-Wildlife Conflict in Sumatra: Why People and Wildlife Need Each Other

How to Get from Medan to Banda Aceh and Pulau Weh 2026

Bukit Lawang Orangutan Trekking Guide 2026

One Day Orangutan Trek in Bukit Lawang: What to Expect

What to Wear in Sumatra (Especially for Women) + How to Be Respectful in Villages

Sumatra Flooding Update: What Travelers Need to Know (November–December 2025)

Why Ethical Jungle Trekking Matters: A Simple Guide to Responsible Orangutan Tourism in Sumatra

Spotting Sumatran Orangutans in Gunung Leuser: The Ultimate Guide

Planning Your Sumatra Adventure: Essential Tips for First-Time Jungle Trekkers

Sumatra on a Budget 2026

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