Day 1: Journey to Batu Katak Today you will make your way to Batu Katak, a small community of 270 people located beside the beautiful Berkeil River and just a few km s from the border of Gunung Leuser National Park. Pick up from airport and drive to Batu Katak (3 ½ hr via car) Lunch along the way Arrive and check into accommodation Welcoming ceremony Free time Dinner Overnight stay at: Orchid Bungalow 1 x double Meals: Lunch, Dinner Day 2: Explore Batu Katak Culture After breakfast you have the option to visit the beautiful limestone cave which is a 4hr overall adventure from Orchid Bungalow and back. Or you can set off to explore a small part of the 500 hectares that is part of Batu Katak community mixed forest and gardens. Keep a look out for all the wildlife in this area including orangutan, gibbon and Thomas leaf monkey. During the afternoon you have time to rest, realx and / or swim in the nearby river. Breakfast Optional: Visit the limestone cave (stunning cave in the forest which leads you through a small river to the other end) OR 3hr Limestone forest hike. Explore the river / swimming / free time 5pm - Meet the Tiger Patrol Team. Overnight stay at: Orchid Bungalow 1 x double
Day 3: Tiger Patrol Today begin your trek towards the Gunung Leuser National Park, stopping for lunch along the way and then arriving at the campsite for the night. Become immersed in the sights and sounds of the jungle the home to Orangutan, Rhino, Elephant and Tiger-the only place on earth where these extremely rare species inhabit the same area. Keep an eye out for sounds, scats and aim to view wildlife in their natural habitat. Siamang gibbons and the Sumatran Orangutan will at times cross your path, along with the wonderful sounds of the birds, which will brighten up your hike! 7am Breakfast 8am - Debrief and summary of how to look for Tiger evidence (tracks and scats) and other wildlife. 1pm - Lunch 2pm - Continue your trek to the camping ground. Refresh, bathe in the river and prepare your camp tents. Dinner Overnight stay at: Camping in tents Day 4: Tiger Patrol Today is all about collecting the camera traps set up by the Tiger Patrolling team. It s exciting, as they have been in the rainforest for over two weeks and no-one knows what is captured on them! Camera trapping is one of the main methods used to conduct tiger surveys. Here you will not only take another rainforest trek, but you will learn about the importance of camera trap monitoring. Return in the late afternoon back to Orchid Bungalow. 5am - Rise and Shine! Optional sunrise trek (1/2hr) and listen to the forest come alive. Coffee/tea provided in the forest. Breakfast. Depart for your Tiger Patrol trek. Collect the camera traps and any evidence on wildlife you spot, illegal activities and other points of interest. Lunch in the forest with the Tiger Patrol Team. Afternoon rainforest hike back to Orchid bungalow Dinner Overnight stay at: Orchid Bungalow
Day 5: Bukit Lawang Today you will go through the camera trap photos in the morning and then you will depart to a village named Bukit Lawang, which is a popular tourist destination approximately 1-hour drive from Batu Katak. Upon arrival you will participate in an afternoon 2hr hike to witness any wildlife including orangutans! 8am - Breakfast. Review camera trap photos Lunch in Orchid Bungalow Drive to Bukit Lawang (1hr) 2hr Orangutan Hike 7pm - Dinner (own cost) Overnight stay at: Ecolodge Bukit Lawang 1 x double Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Day 6: Bukit Lawang & Tangkahan Wake up and aim to witness wild orangutans on your 3hr rainforest hike. Here you will learn about orangutans and the conservation efforts within Sumatra. After lunch you will then drive to Tangkahan, your next eco village destination. Breakfast. 3hr Orangutan Hike Lunch Depart for Tangkahan (3hr car ride) Free time to explore Buluh River Dinner Overnight stay at: Mega Inn 1 x double Day 07: Sumatran Elephant Encounter! After breakfast, visit the elephants in the Conservation Response Unit (CRU) where you will help bathe these gentle giants. Then prepare to hike through the community gardens to the Northern part of the river ecosystem. You will have time to swim, relax in the hot spring and enjoy a picnic lunch. This is one of the most beautiful parts of the river. On the way back, stop at a remote waterfall and then float back to Mega Inn. You will have free time in the afternoon. 7am: Breakfast 8.30am: Elephant Washing & feeding Small trek to hot springs and stop at a hidden waterfall Picnic Lunch River tube back to Buluh RIver Dinner Overnight stay at: Mega Inn 1 x double
Day 08: Batu Rongring Take a motorbike ride to our newest ecotourism destination in Batu Rongring: home of the White Crowned Hornbill, a very rare species of bird in the wild. During the afternoon you will explore the beautiful river ecosystem as you walk along the river. Breakfast Drive to Batu Rongring (2 ½ hrs) Arrive and check in to accommodation. Lunch Walk along the river in search of bird and primate species Dinner Optional: 1hr night spotlighting walk (porcupines and other species which come out at night time) Overnight stay at: Rimba Lestari Eco bungalow Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Day 9: Batu Rongring Rainforest exploration Head off on an early morning rainforest hike to arrive at a stunning waterfall in the rainforest. Along the way, keep an eye out for a variety of wildlife (wild orangutans, gibbons and hornbill birds!) and the unique plant species, which inhabit this ecosystem. After lunch you have the option to relax or participate in a traditional Karonese medicine class. Breakfast 9am: Rainforest Hike (3 hours) OR Cave exploration (optional choice) Picnic lunch in rainforest Traditional Medicine Class or free time Dinner Overnight stay at: Rimba Lestari Eco bungalow Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 10: Medan Today is your last day to explore the beauty of North Sumatra and we invite you to conclude your time in Batu Rongring to visit the largest tree species we have seen! Measuring 29.6m in diameter, it is mesmerising in its size and stature! After lunch you will then depart back to Medan. Tour concludes by 6pm Breakfast Visit one of the oldest and largest tree species Lunch Drive to Medan Tour Concludes. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Package Rate Inclusive of: Accommodation as per itinerary states Guides Permits to enter National Park Food as stated by itinerary (B,L,D) Transport in itinerary Camping equipment Airport transfers $300 conservation fee for the Tiger program in Batu Katak and Community Help Program in Batu Rongring Sumatran Elephant Adoption with The Tangkahan Effect Package Rate Excludes: Airfares Tipping Travel Insurance Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks Any food and beverages beyond the itinerary. Transport not stated in itinerary Laundry Personal camping equipment head-torches, sleep-sheets etc
OPTIONAL EXTENSION TOUR TO LAKE TOBA: This captivating tour takes you to picturesque Lake Toba, the largest volcanic lake in the world, and to Samosir Island situated in the middle of the lake. As you visit the villages and traditional markets of the respectful, courteous Batak people and gaze at the breathtaking beauty of the landscape, you are sure to feel a sense of bliss that will stay with you for a long time. This tour includes transport, accommodation and some activities. DAY 1: Breakfast 7am: Pick up and drive to Lake Toba Lunch (own cost) Ferry crossing (own cost) Check into accommodation Overnight stay at: Tabo Cottages Meals: Breakfast DAY 2 & 3: Over the next two days you will have the chance to explore this beautiful island at your own pace. A local guide will be available to introduce you to the Batak culture. You have the opportunity to visit the historic Batak Palace and museum, monuments, markets and the area. Or join a group and visit the islands lake beauties. Overnight stay at: Tabo Cottages Meals: Breakfast included DAY 4: Breakfast 7am: Ferry back to mainland Pick up and drive to Medan Lunch (own cost) Stop at Berastagi village on the way back. Drop to Medan or Aiport Meals: Breakfast
TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Raw Wildlife Encounters does not own these travel programs. We support the local eco-tour operators and will promote their travel encounters. PT Rimba Lestari is the local operator we cooperate with. This itinerary should be considered a guide only, as circumstances beyond the control of the operators will often necessitate changes or modifications to the scheduled program. Raw Wildlife Encounters always endeavors to maintain the same level of experience to that originally booked. A set of Booking terms and conditions will need to be filled in once this program is approved. RWE is registered agent #32907