FAQs Archive - Page 2 of 3 - Sumatra Ecotravel

Q: How can I make sure to travel eco-friendly?

Try to leave as little behind as possible. Anything you bring into the jungle should be taken with you as you leave. In addition we are currently the only tour operator in Bukit Lawang who pays staff to clean and maintain our campsites on a regular basis for your comfort. Our team has committed itself, environmentally and socially, to ecological and responsible outdoor adventures. So EcoTravel Bukit Lawang is a member of "The International Ecotourism Society" (TIES) since January 2012. More information can be found on our website under "About Us" .

Q: What about the risk of jungle trekking? What about insurance for trekking and transport?

Our team in Bukit Lawang has been into guiding for many years and never witnessed an accident. We have an excellent reputation to keep our guests safe, but to be honest you will be out in the wild and you will be involved in Indonesian traffic. You should understand that tours arranged by EcoTravel Bukit Lawang also involve certain risks and dangers. These include: traveling in mountain terrain, trekking in dense rainforest and crossing rivers; unpredictable behavior of wildlife; accidents caused by the forces of nature; accidents or illness in remote regions with little or no medical facilities and without any means of rapid or free evacuation; accidents caused by Indonesian traffic. So please note: insurance lies within the responsibility of each traveller or group to cover for accidents, injury or loss of property. Our Sumatra travel advisory: You should especially make sure with your health insurance to cover for foreign travel, jungle-trekking, transport and the like!

Q: Could you recommend the best month to travel to Bukit Lawang?

There is no real 'season' to visit Bukit Lawang. The rain season from October to February means torrential rain - but generally only in the afternoon/at night and it rains at moderate temperatures. Unfortunately the climate in Southeast Asia has been changing in recent years so accurate predictions are not possible! But we do not recommend travelling during Indonesian public holidays because hundreds of local visitors will crowd all Indonesia. This is our our Sumatra travel advisory because this is something that western tourists may find annoying because it can be a lot more noisy and hectic everywhere. If visiting Bukit Lawang on a Sunday it is wise to head for something quieter, such as jungle trekking, going to Landak river or to Tangkahan.

Q: I am traveling on my own but most of your packages have a minimum group size of 2. How much do I have to pay to take part in your tours?

All our tours are based on a group size of up to 8. Single travellers will be charged for at least two persons. If there are other guests joining you while trekking or for a day tour, you will get an advance discount based on the separate tour prices stated in your booking confirmation or a refund on arrival in Bukit Lawang. Please note: Prices for transport and rooms are per item which means that the basic rate also applies for single travellers - as published on our website! So - that's our advice for single travellers to keep costs down: when travelling on your own, booking a budget range hotel can save you money.

Q: We’re only 2 people but some treks have a minimum group size of 3. How much do we have to pay to start this tour?

In case we still don’t have bookings for your requested date we have to increase the price based on the minimum group size. If there will be other guests joining you then our team in Bukit Lawang will give you a part refund on arrival.

Q: We have two quite young children who are not very experienced walkers (although they are sporty). Do you think the overnight trek would be appropriate? Is tube rafting safe for children?

Yes, many of our young guests did it already – and they loved it very much! Basically most of our jungle trekking tours (except Jungle Explorer & Observation trek) are only suitable for children aged 5 and older. For your safety we will send an extra guide and we will do a shorter and easier trek so the children can have an earlier break at the camp. The following day after swimming, relaxing and having lunch the highlight of the day will be traditional tube-rafting down the Bohorok River back to Bukit Lawang. Our team has been running safe rafting tours for many years. Of course we provide life jackets and helmets for children.

Q: Will we see orangutans and tigers on the jungle trek?

At most times you will see orangutans on our jungle treks but there is no guarantee! These animals live out in the wild and it's hard to determine where they will be at any point of the day. But our jungle treks leave Bukit Lawang at 8:30 am and go past the old orangutan feeding area where you will have the best chance to see semi-wild orangutans up close. Probably you will not see tigers because they live in remote parts of Gunung Leuser National Park which would mean many days of trekking from Bukit Lawang.

Q: Do we have to carry all our kit while jungle trekking or will there be a porter? Do we need to bring sleeping bag or a mosquito net? And what about toilets?

There will be a porter for the equipment (tent, camping mats, mosquito nets) and all the food. Just bring your personal belongings in a small backpack (1- or 2-day-treks: 20-25 litres / 3- to 5 days-treks: 30-40 litres). Our team will provide sleeping bags as well as safety jackets for tube rafting. It is not necessary to bring a mosquito net for trekking but if you like you can fix your own net in our tent to be on the double safe side. Concerning toilet arrangements: this is real jungle trekking! You will find many "jungle toilets" behind big trees!