sumatra jungle challenge, q&a

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1 sumatra jungle challenge, q&a will I see orangutans? The itinerary includes a visit to the orangutan feeding station where you will almost certainly see orangutans. On the trek, however, orangutans are harder to spot, and whilst the chances of seeing some are good, these are wild animals and as such sightings are never guaranteed. Please note there is a plethora of flora and fauna to be observed and admired as well as orangutans. how big is the group? Each group is intended to contain between 10 to 14 trekkers, trekking in 2 smaller groups of up to 7, to minimize impact on the environment. who is this trek suitable for? As well as a sense of adventure, a high level of physical fitness is required for this expedition. Conditions can be hot and the trekking at times exhausting in this tropical rainforest climate. The terrain is often steep and deeply forested. This is not an expedition for the faint hearted or those looking for jungle luxury. We camp together every night under the same tent and you will be washing in the river to keep clean. Don't expect to return with any clean clothes! who do we fly with? You will be flying with from London Heathrow Airport to Medan and returning from Medan to London Heathrow Airport via Singapore or Kuala Lumpur. Your flight tickets will be issued to you upon departure at the airport. If you choose to book your own flights you must confirm with the Charity Challenge office before paying otherwise you may be liable for your included group flights (please contact flights@charitychallenge.com for further assistance). what s the luggage allowance? Luggage should be kept to the absolute minimum. Full details on what to pack are provided in your kit list. Your rucksack (suitcases are not appropriate) should not exceed 15kgs in weight. You will be carrying five days worth of trekking gear with you throughout the jungle trek and so you should take with you a suitable backpack for the trek (please refer to the kit list). This will not include food, tents, and other group items, which will be carried by the local guides. Belongings can safely be stored until your return. You will need to allow for at least the following in your pack: three shirts, two pairs of trousers, sleeping bag, first aid kit, torch, wash kit and water bottle. what will the accommodation be like? Most of the guest houses and rooms in Bukit Lawang are situated by the side the Bohorok river, and only a short distance from the entrance to the national park and the orangutan feeding platform. Most rooms are en-suite. On the trekking nights, we all camp together under a bamboo framed tarp. This is basic but adequate, and a key part of the rainforest experience. If you are travelling with a friend or partner who you wish to share with in Bukit Lawang, please let Charity Challenge know in advance. What do we do to ensure your safety on the challenge Charity Challenge takes the safety of its participants very seriously. All our challenges are risk assessed and full contingency plans are put in place well in advance. A full reconnaissance trip is undertaken a few months prior to departure to check all the routes and facilities. On this challenge, your trek in the jungle is remote and the nearest medical facilities will be by stretcher through the jungle and then vehicle so please bear this in mind before registering and if you have any health related concerns about your participation in the trek, please challenges@charitychallenge.com and we will be happy to help. There will be a sat phone and VHF radios, first aid trained guides/uk leader, all designed to deal with any potential incidents or mishaps. On day 3 of your challenge you will have a practice trek with your group. This trek gives you the opportunity to find your forest feet but also for your UK Challenge Leader and local guides to assess your fitness and ability to trek in this terrain. climate and Terrain Indonesia has a tropical climate and is very hot and humid all year round. Trekking in this jungle is not to be taken lightly. You will be trekking into Gunung Leuser National Park where you will experience 6 days in the depths of the prime rainforest in humidity. You will encounter very steep slippery ascents and precipitous drops amid intense humidity, so a high level of fitness is essential. The trails can vary from well worn paths to barely visible breaks in the maze of the forest underbrush. This itinerary is graded tough due to the harsh conditions and remoteness. what will the river crossings be like? The trek through the jungle will involve several river crossings (river shoes essential). If you are nervous in water or have concerns about the river crossings please contact challenges@charitychallenge.com. do we need to take our own sleeping bags and mats? Yes. We recommend you bring a sleeping mat or thermarest as the ground is rocky, and a light sleeping bag and good liner. See also Kit List notes. what are the toilet/washing facilities like? The facilities are very basic. You will be using simple squat toilets and river bathing please use only biodegradable soap. Toilet paper is not provided but is easy to purchase in country. It is a good idea to take

2 plastic bags with you to carry out personal waste items from the trek. will my valuables be safe? While we will do everything we can to provide adequate safety for the group and security for your possessions, the general rule is that if you don t need it, don t bring it. This includes jewellery and watches which may attract undue attention, even from orangutans! Your passport should be kept in a plastic bag to protect it from damp or water damage. what is the food and drink like? The emphasis throughout your challenge will very much be on local produce. You will experience the national dish of Indonesia, Nasi Goreng (fried rice with vegetables and egg, traditionally served with cucumber and crackers). During the trek the food will be cooked by your guides and will be fairly simple, including rice and plants and fish from the rainforest. We can cater for vegetarians. Please let Charity Challenge know prior to departure if you have any specific dietary requirements or allergies. who will be leading the group? You will be accompanied by a fully qualified, Englishspeaking Charity Challenge leader and a team of licensed, highly experienced, English speaking local guides. We completely trust our leaders and guides to make balanced and reasoned decisions to ensure your safety and enjoyment. They are supported by an incountry team as well as an experienced team at the Charity Challenge offices in London. All of our leaders and guides follow a strict code of conduct and many of our Indonesian colleagues are also involved with research and conservation projects in the area and bound to set an example to other guides and visitors. what is a typical day? During the trekking days we rise early and pack up camp after breakfast then set off carrying our gear. But this is not a race. It is a chance to get to know the flora and fauna in their habitat, and groups will be split according to ability and fitness. We will stop for picnic lunches en route or just soak up the remarkable scenery. The terrain is hilly, often slippery, crossing roots, rocks and streams, but our guides will make it safe as reasonably possible for everybody. The evenings are spent camping or in rainforest lodges, where the food and facilities are fairly simple. Please note that you will part with your main bag on day 4 and not be reunited with it until the end of day 9. You will need to trek with a backpack of at least 35litres during this time which will carry all that you need for these six days. how fit do I need to be? Training is required for this challenge. Gunung Leuser National Park is mountainous, with extremely steep terrain. It is a good idea, therefore, to train with steps and on hilly terrain with a backpack on. You will be trekking with 5-8kg of kit on your back and at times wading upstream through rivers. Don t forget that the temperature and humidity will be different from what you are used to, and that you will be exercising constantly for a number of days. Also see Fitness Training Advice notes. what if I can t keep up? The event is not run as a race and there is always a large discrepancy in people s abilities. This is allowed for. There will always be a staff member at the back of the group to ensure that you are not left behind and can take things at your own pace. Our local guides are also excellent at giving a helping hand when needed. should I bring walking poles? You may want to consider bringing walking poles to provide you with extra support while walking. However, if you do so it is essential that you train with the poles prior to the trek so that you are comfortable using them. will there be any shops in Bukit Lawang where I can buy provisions? You will have a few hours before your trek to buy provisions for your trek such as toilet roll in Bukit Lawang. You will only be able to purchase beer at the lodge in Bukit Lawang for your final celebration meal. what happens if I fall ill or there is an emergency? This is a challenge in a remote area and in the event of an injury or illness, it could take 4 6hours to reach the road. From here, it is another 3 hours by vehicle to the nearest international hospitals in Medan. Outside Medan, medical facilities are poor or non-existent. Please consider this before booking your place on the trek and if you have any concerns, please challenges@charitychallenge.com what is included in the cost of the challenge? The following items are included in the cost of the challenge: international and connecting flights to and from Indonesia, all internal transfers, all meals and drinking water with meals and during trekking (unless otherwise stated in the itinerary), all accommodation, group first aid supplies, an English speaking challenge leader, a full local support team of guides and drivers, relevant back-up facilities, a donation to the Sumatran Orangutan Society, and discounts from various outlets for personal equipment. We also make a contribution through Climate Care to offset the equivalent CO2 emissions of your international flight. what shall I do about spending money? You will not need a large amount of money during this trip. You will only need money for tips, drinks (other than water with meals), gifts and souvenirs, and any other additional activities would be a sensible amount, plus a credit card in case of emergencies. how much would you recommend for tips? Tipping is personal and at your sole discretion. You should only tip if you feel that you have received good service. We recommend approx. 10 per person per day and this should be given to the challenge leader at the end of the trekking part of the challenge: they will distribute it among the support teams. If you want to tip your Challenge Leader & local guide individually, this can be done at your own discretion. what is the weather likely to be like? Sumatra is on the equator. Its tropical climate is relatively hot and humid all year round with only mildly distinct wet and dry seasons. It is likely you will experience a heavy

3 downpour for a couple of hours each day, becoming increasingly cooler, especially in the hills and at night. To ensure you stay warm or cool enough at all times we would advise taking clothes that you can layer and a decent set of lightweight waterproofs or poncho. what do you do to protect the environment? We keep to small groups so as to limit the impact we have on the surrounding environment, and ensure that all rubbish is disposed of responsibly. We follow the park guidelines drawn up with the Sumatran Orangutan Society and funds raised through this trip will support the work done by SOS in and around the park and with local communities. Also see Responsible Tourism notes. sumatran orangutan society (SOS) By participating in this charity challenge you will help us make a vital contribution to the Sumatra Orangutan Society. The Sumatran Orangutan Society (SOS) is dedicated to the conservation of Sumatran orangutans and their forest home. Their UK and international branches raise awareness of the threats facing wild orangutans, and raise funds to support grassroots conservation projects in Sumatra. Together with a team of committed Indonesian conservationists, SOS works with local communities living alongside the last remaining orangutan habitat. They plant trees to restore damaged ecosystems, and provide training to help the local people work towards a more sustainable future for their forests. sumatran orangutans Once widespread throughout the forests of Asia, orangutans are now confined to just two islands, Sumatra and Borneo. There are two genetically distinct species: the Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii) and the Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus). Sumatran orangutans have lighter hair and a longer beard than their Bornean relatives, and Sumatran males have narrower cheek pads. Both species are highly endangered due to habitat loss and poaching. Your guides will point out a variety of wildlife and plant species and you will begin to see the forest through their eyes. Even though sightings of orangutans and other wildlife can never be guaranteed, when following the instructions of your guides the chances are more favourable. The orangutan is one of our closest relatives in the animal kingdom, sharing 96.4% of our DNA. "Orang Hutan" literally translates as "Person of the Forest". Orangutans are unique in many respects. They are the only Great Ape in Southeast Asia, and indeed the only Great Ape found outside Africa. They are the only "red" ape, and the only strictly arboreal ape, meaning that they spend their lives in the forest canopy, even building nests in the trees in which to sleep. The other Great Apes (chimpanzees, bonobos and gorillas) do climb and build nests in the trees, but tend to spend their lives on the ground. Orangutans also differ from the other Great Apes in that they do not live in family groups. The largest family unit is a female and two offspring, and males and females usually meet up only to breed. This semi-solitary lifestyle is thought to have evolved due to the unpredictability of available food, but may also have been influenced by human pressures. Orangutans primarily eat fruit, and spend up to 60% of their time foraging and eating in order to get enough energy. Orangutans are highly intelligent animals. They use tools in the wild and have excellent memories to make mental maps of their forest home in order to find fruit trees throughout the seasons. recommended reading: SOS have a E-Guidebook of The Gunung Leuser National Park, downloadable via their website: useful phrases Basic Bahasa Indonesia is fairly easy to learn, and having a simple grasp of some basic phrases will hugely enhance the responses you receive from local people that you will meet along the way, especially where English is not widely spoken. english Hello Good morning Good night How are you? I m fine Thank you You re welcome Goodbye Goodbye (you re leaving) Goodbye (they re leaving) Cheers / Good health Yes No Please Excuse me I m sorry! What s your name? My name is. I don t understand How much? What time is it? Where is? Careful! Toilet Wash Washroom Drink Drinking water Bill Here There Zero One Two Three Four Five Six Seven Eight Nine Ten indonesian selamat siang selamat pagi selamat malam apa kabar? baik-baik saja terima kasih kembali /sama-sama jumpa lagi selamat tingal selamat jalan pro! / tos! ya / tentu tidak / bukan tolong permisi maaf siapa nama anda? saya nama saya tidak mengerti berapa jam berapa dimana? hati hati! kamar kecil mandi tempat mandi minum air minum bonnya / rekening sini sana nol satu dua tiga empat lima enam tuju delapan sembilan sepulah NB: The information provided above was correct at the time of going to print.

4 orangutan etiquette As you trek through the forest at Bukit Lawang, it is important to remember that you are entering the habitat of one of the rarest great ape species on Earth. The population of Sumatran orangutans at Bukit Lawang is from two different origins: 1. Ex-captive individuals who have been rehabilitated and released in the forest. Captive and rehabilitation experiences often result in released rehabilitant orangutans not fearing humans and even expecting to interact with them. 2. Wild individuals, some of whom have become habituated to human presence, with the remaining being naïve (i.e. not used to people s presence in their forest habitat). Inappropriate behaviour by visitors may affect the behaviour and health of orangutans from both populations negatively, which places them at increased risk of becoming stressed and falling ill. By following these simple guidelines, visitors are able to see the Sumatran orangutans at Bukit Lawang in a way which is both safe for themselves and safe for the orangutans, whilst at the same time, experiencing a more natural, unique experience in the forest. Group Responsibilities The maximum number of people allowed in each sub group is 7. Visitor group size can affect the orangutans behaviour and, as a result, the visitors experience. Where groups of visitors are too high in number, the animals become stressed and nervous and move away from visitor groups. Every member of a visitor group should maintain a minimum distance of ten metres from the closest orangutan. The potential for disease transfer, both humans to orangutan and orangutan to human, is very high due to the close genetic relationship humans share with great apes. Pneumonia, influenza, tuberculosis, hepatitis A, B, C, and E, cholera, herpes, parasites, and even the common cold can all be passed between great apes and humans. This distance also serves to protect visitors from the possibility of attack by orangutans. This is a real factor in ex-captive orangutans, since most are not afraid of humans after having lived as human captives and being rehabilitated by humans; it is not a serious concern with wild orangutans. If an orangutan moves towards a visitor group or any member of the group, it is primarily the responsibility of the guide to move the whole visitor group back (maintaining the minimum distance at all times). Every member of a visitor group should nonetheless move away from any orangutan that approaches, and alert others of the approach. Once in the presence of orangutans (less than 50 metres away), visitors may stay no longer than one hour. When this period is over, the group is to leave the area that the orangutan is in. The viewing period cannot be extended. Remember that visitors are guests in the Gunung Leuser National Park, which is the orangutans home, and that what is best for the orangutans is to freely roam and forage naturally in the forest without excessive disturbance. Orangutan Viewing Sumatran orangutans share over 96.5% of DNA with humans and as a result they are like us in many ways. It is important to remember that orangutans are highly intelligent, thinking, feeling beings and should be treated with due care and respect. Visitors to Bukit Lawang are to observe the following orangutan etiquette guidelines: Visitors should not touch the orangutans under any circumstances. Touching is very dangerous, for various reasons: diseases, infections and even parasites can easily pass between orangutans and humans and physical contact makes the likelihood of this higher. Touching also gives the orangutans the chance to grab; some of them do, with all four hands, typically to steal food or other goods. A mature orangutan is approximately four times stronger than a human and can inflict serious or fatal injuries if they feel threatened, irritated or upset.

5 Binoculars may be useful because they allow close up views of orangutans from safe distances. Please do not use binoculars unless orangutans are relaxed, and stop using them if orangutans show signs of becoming uneasy. Binocular lenses pointed at an orangutan can look like big eyes, and orangutans sometimes seem to find this uncomfortable. Camera usage must also follow the same guidelines for binoculars. Camera lenses may often be larger than those of binoculars and thus may irritate the orangutans. Also limit the use of flash photography as this may also affect the orangutans. Visitors must not feed the orangutans under any circumstances. Visitors should not under any circumstances move to or stay in a location that puts them between two orangutans, especially a mother and her infant or a male and his female consort. Orangutan mothers are extremely protective of their young and can become aggressive if they feel that their infant is being threatened. Male orangutans can become aggressive if anyone approaches their consort, and may threaten, chase or even attack. Visitors or guides should not call out to the orangutans or otherwise lure them to change their behaviour. Calling or luring the orangutans can cause stress and it automatically disrupts natural behaviour. Visitors should refrain from making any sudden movements and should not attempt to gain the attention of the orangutans by waving their arms, etc., for the same reasons given above. In addition to disrupting their behaviour, this can annoy orangutans and evoke threats or more serious aggression. Visitors should refrain from making too much noise within the forest and try to talk quietly. Loud noise can be interpreted as a threat by the orangutans and they can respond either by fleeing or threatening back. If an orangutan begins to make kiss-squeak vocalisations, throaty grunts or growls, or raspberry sounds, breaking and throwing branches, or shakes trees, these are signs of irritated disturbance and aggressive threats. It is best to move on and leave the orangutan alone. humans could potentially infect other orangutans as well. If the guide feels that a visitor is not well enough to enter the forest, it is within his/her authority to refuse entry to the visitor. No food should be brought into the forest by visitors. If necessary (for longer-term treks or in special cases), all food should be carried by the guide for safe-keeping. Eating or even having food visible whilst in the forest increases the risk of both disease transmission and attacks from orangutans. One of the main reasons that orangutans contact and attack humans is to steal food, and seeing food is therefore a major provocation. If no food is brought in, the orangutans will learn that there is nothing to attack for, which will make a safer experience for ALL of the orangutans and ALL future visitors and guides. Visitors should take any litter they have out of the forest when they leave. This includes fruit skins as discarded foods may later attract orangutans and allow for disease transfer. It is preferable to bring as little as possible into the forest, only the essentials should be taken in. This will limit chances of loss/damage. Refrain from smoking in the forest. Smoking is NOT permitted when in the presence of orangutans. If the visitor needs to defecate within the forest, he/she must ensure that it is away from the orangutans and that a hole is dug (at least 30cm deep) and subsequently filled in. Where possible, visitors should try and wait until they are out of the forest. Forest Responsibilities The Gunung Leuser National Park is a complicated and diverse (but above all, fragile) habitat. The whole forest system is a delicately balanced network of animal and plant species and many species are heavily dependent upon one-another. Please follow this simple guideline: Visitors should not remove, damage, or alter any of the vegetation within the forest. Leaves, seeds and shells all play a role within the forest ecosystem and should not be taken out. It is the responsibility of every person entering the forest to help ensure the survival of this critically endangered species and its habitat. Visitors should discourage other members in their party, including their guides, from acting in a way which contradicts these guidelines, and should express their disapproval and report to the national park office any activity which puts either the visitors or the orangutans at risk. With your help, the orangutan can continue to flourish in Bukit Lawang, and visitors for years to come will also be able to enjoy and appreciate them in their natural forest home. Visitor Responsibilities Visitors must not enter the forest if they are feeling unwell or recently had an illness and/or diarrhoea. It is each visitor s moral responsibility to report any sign of disease to their guide before entering the forest. Spending time around the orangutans whilst unwell can seriously risk infecting them, which could easily result in their death. Any orangutan infected by