Welcome to Ketambes jungle - The natural habitat for orang utans and other animals
Observed during a trekking tour in summer 2015 - Female orang utan with baby
Sadar Wisata was built in 1993 and is one of the oldest guesthouses in Ketambe. Since that time we also arrange jungle trekking tours through the rain forest of the Leuser National Park near Ketambe. Therefore we have experience and know the requirements of our guests.
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The area arround the Mount Leuser was designated as a National Park in 1980. The highest point is the top of the Gunung Leuser with 3404 meters above see level. This park is one of the last places in the world where you still can observe wild living orang utans in their natural environment. Deep inside the park still live some specimen of the Sumatran tiger and some rhinoceroses - but you won't be able to spot them. The asian elephant can be seen during longer tours and only with a lot of luck. Beside orang utans usually you see different kind of monkeys, gibbons, smaller mammals (sun bear, wild pig, deer, squirrel), snakes and birds including different kind of hornbills. Among the prestine rain forest hundreds of insects including ants, spiders, beetles and centipedes live on the ground, on giant trees and on other tropical plants.
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The area arround the Mount Leuser was designated as a National Park in 1980. The highest point is the top of the Gunung Leuser with 3404 meters above see level. This park is one of the last places in the world where you still can observe wild living orang utans in their natural environment. Deep inside the park still live some specimen of the Sumatran tiger and some rhinoceroses - but you won't be able to spot them. The asian elephant can be seen during longer tours and only with a lot of luck. Beside orang utans usually you see different kind of monkeys, gibbons, smaller mammals (sun bear, wild pig, deer, squirrel), snakes and birds including different kind of hornbills. Among the prestine rain forest hundreds of insects including ants, spiders, beetles and centipedes live on the ground, on giant trees and on other tropical plants.
Trekking tours with experinced guides from Ketambe
To organize and prepare trekking tours we work together with local people and use experienced, English speaking guides. They respect the nature, protect the jungle and the environment of Leuser National Park. Usually guides start to work as porters first, get their knowledge from elder and experienced guides. They become guides after a minimum of two years working as porters and guide assistants.
If you book with us, you help local people and their families who live in Ketambe. Guides and porters are from Ketambe. We buy food at local markets near Ketambe.
The costs for trekking tours vary and depend from the lenght of the trek, from the number of participants and from the number of porters needed. The permit for the National Park, all food and drinks, cooking facilities and camping gear, including tent, mat and sleeping bag are included in the trekking price.
If you book with us, you help local people and their families who live in Ketambe. Guides and porters are from Ketambe. We buy food at local markets near Ketambe.
The costs for trekking tours vary and depend from the lenght of the trek, from the number of participants and from the number of porters needed. The permit for the National Park, all food and drinks, cooking facilities and camping gear, including tent, mat and sleeping bag are included in the trekking price.
We offer trekking tours to different places from 1 to 6 days
Shorter trekking tours (1 - 3 days) led into the jungle near Ketambe. They are very common and good to get a first impression of the rain forest and their inhabitants. You will see orang utans and other animals.
Longer trekking tours (4 and 5 days) go deeper into the Ketambe jungle. More animals can be seen and the jungle will be more pristine. Steep ascents must be hiked and few river crossings have to be done.
If you want to go on a 6 days trekking tour there are 2 different destinations. One is the trek to the beautiful jungle lake Marpunga. More difficult and more cold is the hike to the top of mount Kemiri.
1 day trek into Ketambe jungle
2 - 3 days trek into Ketambe jungle
4 - 5 days trek into Ketambe jungle
6 days trek to lake Marpunga or to mount Kemiri
Longer trekking tours (4 and 5 days) go deeper into the Ketambe jungle. More animals can be seen and the jungle will be more pristine. Steep ascents must be hiked and few river crossings have to be done.
If you want to go on a 6 days trekking tour there are 2 different destinations. One is the trek to the beautiful jungle lake Marpunga. More difficult and more cold is the hike to the top of mount Kemiri.
1 day trek into Ketambe jungle
2 - 3 days trek into Ketambe jungle
4 - 5 days trek into Ketambe jungle
6 days trek to lake Marpunga or to mount Kemiri
The 1 day trekking tour into Ketambe jungle
The ONE DAY TREK through Gunung Leuser National Park is one of best trekking option for people who either don't want to sleep in the jungle or if you don't have enough time ahead but feel like you wanna explore all the wilderness of the Sumatran rainforest, this trek is made for you!
In the Morning after breakfast at 08.00am, Our Local guide with English speaking, knowledge, and experiened will start the trek from Sadar Wisata Guesthouse. After short walk along main road than you arrive at the gate of Gunung Leuser National Park.
During this 1-day trek you will have a great chance of observing a wide variety of wildlife, which your guide will point out to you. He will explain about all plant species and animals you will encounter in the rainforest. Animals such as orangutans, gibbons, Thomas leaf monkeys, Sumatran Great Argus, pigtail macaques, flying squirrels and hornbills. But you will also see beautiful species of trees and tropic plants will give you lots of knowledge about rainforest and the biodiversity in this tropical primary rainforest.
Late afternoon-your guides will select a suitable spot next to the river side, where you can swim in the fresh and clear water before you are enjoying your local lunch. After lunch you will continue your trek for around 3 hours more; looking for more wildlife, more species of plants and trees. You will either make your way back to your guesthouse around 3:00 or 4:00 pm.
In the Morning after breakfast at 08.00am, Our Local guide with English speaking, knowledge, and experiened will start the trek from Sadar Wisata Guesthouse. After short walk along main road than you arrive at the gate of Gunung Leuser National Park.
During this 1-day trek you will have a great chance of observing a wide variety of wildlife, which your guide will point out to you. He will explain about all plant species and animals you will encounter in the rainforest. Animals such as orangutans, gibbons, Thomas leaf monkeys, Sumatran Great Argus, pigtail macaques, flying squirrels and hornbills. But you will also see beautiful species of trees and tropic plants will give you lots of knowledge about rainforest and the biodiversity in this tropical primary rainforest.
Late afternoon-your guides will select a suitable spot next to the river side, where you can swim in the fresh and clear water before you are enjoying your local lunch. After lunch you will continue your trek for around 3 hours more; looking for more wildlife, more species of plants and trees. You will either make your way back to your guesthouse around 3:00 or 4:00 pm.
The 2 or 3 days trekking tour into Ketambe jungle
TWO DAYS TREK
Explore the impressive flora & fauna of Gunung Leuser National Park for 2 days and 1 night together with your Jungle Guide! The deeper you go, the more secrets of North Sumatra's rainforest will you discover.
In the Morning after breakfast at 08.00am, Our Local guide with English speaking, knowledge, and experiened will start the trek from Sadar Wisata Guesthouse. After short walk along main road than you arrive at the gate of Gunung Leuser National Park.
During this two day trek you will have a great chance of observing a wide variety of wildlife, which your guide will point out to you. He will explain about all plant species and animals you will encounter in the rainforest. Animals such as orangutans, gibbons, Thomas leaf monkeys, Sumatran Great Argus, pigtail macaques, flying squirrels and hornbills. But you will also see beautiful species of trees and tropic plants.
In the afternoon we will arrive at the camp site near the river (Campsite 1). You are free to hop in the water or just relax. We provide coffee or tea and some cookies. Meanwhile our cook will provide an Indonesian Lunch and setup the tent for night. After lunch you will continue your trek for around 3 hours more; looking for more wildlife, more species of plants and trees.
At night time you can enjoy a campfire cooked meal, consisting of several Indonesian dishes. After dinner there is time to play games, sit near the campfire and discuss your jungle experience. Being in the jungle at night time is a completely different experience; there are different animals, different sounds and of course a mesmerizing sky full or stars.
THREE DAYS TREK
Good Morning !!! Waking up in the middle of the jungle is a magical feeling. You hear the morning sounds of the birds and the excitement of the gibbons in the distance as you breath the fresh air.
After a good breakfast, we get ready to leave the camp and walk for 5 to 6 hours in the jungle towards another camp site (Hotspring – Campsite 2). Along the way, we enjoy the nature and wildlife, try all sorts of ‘jungle-food’ and how to recognize them and use them. We have lunch in the jungle somewhere half-way.
At the camp we can relax and swim in hotspring after long walk. We end the day with dinner at campfire. After dinner we will sit together by candle light, listen to the sounds of the jungle, play cards or talk. You then go to sleep in the half open shelter surrounded by the sounds of the river and the jungle.
Explore the impressive flora & fauna of Gunung Leuser National Park for 2 days and 1 night together with your Jungle Guide! The deeper you go, the more secrets of North Sumatra's rainforest will you discover.
In the Morning after breakfast at 08.00am, Our Local guide with English speaking, knowledge, and experiened will start the trek from Sadar Wisata Guesthouse. After short walk along main road than you arrive at the gate of Gunung Leuser National Park.
During this two day trek you will have a great chance of observing a wide variety of wildlife, which your guide will point out to you. He will explain about all plant species and animals you will encounter in the rainforest. Animals such as orangutans, gibbons, Thomas leaf monkeys, Sumatran Great Argus, pigtail macaques, flying squirrels and hornbills. But you will also see beautiful species of trees and tropic plants.
In the afternoon we will arrive at the camp site near the river (Campsite 1). You are free to hop in the water or just relax. We provide coffee or tea and some cookies. Meanwhile our cook will provide an Indonesian Lunch and setup the tent for night. After lunch you will continue your trek for around 3 hours more; looking for more wildlife, more species of plants and trees.
At night time you can enjoy a campfire cooked meal, consisting of several Indonesian dishes. After dinner there is time to play games, sit near the campfire and discuss your jungle experience. Being in the jungle at night time is a completely different experience; there are different animals, different sounds and of course a mesmerizing sky full or stars.
THREE DAYS TREK
Good Morning !!! Waking up in the middle of the jungle is a magical feeling. You hear the morning sounds of the birds and the excitement of the gibbons in the distance as you breath the fresh air.
After a good breakfast, we get ready to leave the camp and walk for 5 to 6 hours in the jungle towards another camp site (Hotspring – Campsite 2). Along the way, we enjoy the nature and wildlife, try all sorts of ‘jungle-food’ and how to recognize them and use them. We have lunch in the jungle somewhere half-way.
At the camp we can relax and swim in hotspring after long walk. We end the day with dinner at campfire. After dinner we will sit together by candle light, listen to the sounds of the jungle, play cards or talk. You then go to sleep in the half open shelter surrounded by the sounds of the river and the jungle.
The 4 or 5 days trekking tour into Ketambe jungle
FOUR DAYS TREK
After breakfast, we start our trek to the next campsite (Waterfall – Campsite 3) for about 5-6 hours and continue our search for wildlife. If you are lucky you can observe the Sumatran monitor lizards, tortoises and colourful river butterflies around the campsite. Upon arrival at the campsite, we get a hot drink and take a shower in small stream near the waterfall! We end the day with diner at camp fire.
FIVE DAYS TREK
The next morning after a good breakfast you keep trekking through to next campsite (KEMEYAN – Campsite 4) for around 4 hours. In the afternoon you can relax with hot tea or coffee while your guide cook for lunch.
Its not a flat walk, some ups and downs, You have big chance to to see gibbons, thomas leaf monkey, longtail and pigtail macaque, squirrels, Great Argust and Hornbills. A wild orangutan might cross your away. Your Guide will explain you many thing about the rainforest, After breakfast, you will start a jungle trekking to explore the national park. You will follow 5 - 6 hours jungle walk searching Sumatran Orangutan and other tropical flora and fauna.
After breakfast, we start our trek to the next campsite (Waterfall – Campsite 3) for about 5-6 hours and continue our search for wildlife. If you are lucky you can observe the Sumatran monitor lizards, tortoises and colourful river butterflies around the campsite. Upon arrival at the campsite, we get a hot drink and take a shower in small stream near the waterfall! We end the day with diner at camp fire.
FIVE DAYS TREK
The next morning after a good breakfast you keep trekking through to next campsite (KEMEYAN – Campsite 4) for around 4 hours. In the afternoon you can relax with hot tea or coffee while your guide cook for lunch.
Its not a flat walk, some ups and downs, You have big chance to to see gibbons, thomas leaf monkey, longtail and pigtail macaque, squirrels, Great Argust and Hornbills. A wild orangutan might cross your away. Your Guide will explain you many thing about the rainforest, After breakfast, you will start a jungle trekking to explore the national park. You will follow 5 - 6 hours jungle walk searching Sumatran Orangutan and other tropical flora and fauna.
The 6 days trekking tour to the jungle Lake Marpunga
SIX DAYS TREK
The adventures trekking tour to the remote Lake Marpunga takes 6 days in total. Its a small lake within the Leuser ecosystem, which is situated in the local province of Putri Betung, near to the village Marpunga. The lake is situated about 1500 meters above see level and can be reached on a small path. It is about 8 kilometers beeline distance from the asphalt road. The lake is still prestine and has a beautiful scene.
You will start from Marpunga viallage which is about 30 minutes drive on the asphalt road from Ketambe. It goes first about two and a half day to the lake. Te way back leads through the jungle direct to Ketambe. During this 6 days you will sleep at different places (lake Marpunga, white sand rafflesia area, waterfall area, hotsprings). Good physical condition is needed.
The adventures trekking tour to the remote Lake Marpunga takes 6 days in total. Its a small lake within the Leuser ecosystem, which is situated in the local province of Putri Betung, near to the village Marpunga. The lake is situated about 1500 meters above see level and can be reached on a small path. It is about 8 kilometers beeline distance from the asphalt road. The lake is still prestine and has a beautiful scene.
You will start from Marpunga viallage which is about 30 minutes drive on the asphalt road from Ketambe. It goes first about two and a half day to the lake. Te way back leads through the jungle direct to Ketambe. During this 6 days you will sleep at different places (lake Marpunga, white sand rafflesia area, waterfall area, hotsprings). Good physical condition is needed.
The 6 days trekking tour to the top of mount Kemiri
SIX DAYS TREK
Mount Kemiri is with 3314 meters the second highest mountain within the Leuser National Park. The return trek will take 6 days in total and starts from Gumpang village. To reach Gumpang we will go first with public transport from Ketambe for 2 hours in the direction north. The trek is seldom requested because of its difficulty and the rough and cold climate near to the top.
The first day walk goes through flat farm land which belongs to the people who live in Gumpang. You can see plantations of cocoa, coffee and nuts. The next day the climb of the mount starts and it goes always up, up up. You need a very good physical condition. Camping is only possible at dedicated places where you can find water. During the trek you will see animals and many different plants including nepenthes. On the 4th day morning you will climb up to the top of mount Kemiri where you will have an amazing view over the National Park - if weather conditions allow.
Mount Kemiri is with 3314 meters the second highest mountain within the Leuser National Park. The return trek will take 6 days in total and starts from Gumpang village. To reach Gumpang we will go first with public transport from Ketambe for 2 hours in the direction north. The trek is seldom requested because of its difficulty and the rough and cold climate near to the top.
The first day walk goes through flat farm land which belongs to the people who live in Gumpang. You can see plantations of cocoa, coffee and nuts. The next day the climb of the mount starts and it goes always up, up up. You need a very good physical condition. Camping is only possible at dedicated places where you can find water. During the trek you will see animals and many different plants including nepenthes. On the 4th day morning you will climb up to the top of mount Kemiri where you will have an amazing view over the National Park - if weather conditions allow.
RAFTING trips with start in Ketambe
We organize white water rafting trips down the Alas river from 1 to 4 days length. The rafting tour starts in Ketambe and goes souths in the direction of Kutacane.
The 1 day rafting trip goes until Kutacane and can be organized at any time of the year. If you want to go further it is possible for 2, 3 and 4 days. The last stop after 4 days is Gelombang. The professional rafting boat have to be rented and is suitable for a maximum of 8 people including the captain and the mate, which will go with you. We provide paddles, helmets and life jackets. On multiple day rafting tours you will sleep in tents, which your captain will set close tho the river on the way. All food and drinks as well as cooking an camping gear will be provided. For details see extra document here
The 1 day rafting trip goes until Kutacane and can be organized at any time of the year. If you want to go further it is possible for 2, 3 and 4 days. The last stop after 4 days is Gelombang. The professional rafting boat have to be rented and is suitable for a maximum of 8 people including the captain and the mate, which will go with you. We provide paddles, helmets and life jackets. On multiple day rafting tours you will sleep in tents, which your captain will set close tho the river on the way. All food and drinks as well as cooking an camping gear will be provided. For details see extra document here