Gunung Leuser National Park

Gunung Leuser National Park essentials

This selection covers the UNESCO-listed Gunung Leuser National Park and the surrounding Karo highlands. It features the volcanic peaks of Mount Sibayak and the active Sinabung, alongside wildlife conservation hubs in Bukit Lawang and Tangkahan. Cultural highlights include the Shwedagon-style pagoda at Taman Alam Lumbini and the Museum Pusaka Karo. Natural attractions range from the sulfurous Two Colour Waterfall to the Ketambe jungle trails, offering access to one of the world's most biodiverse tropical rainforests.

Gunung Leuser Essentials — Map

Peter Theis / CC-BY-SA

A

IBC Taman Alam Lumbini

A Buddhist temple featuring a gilded replica of Myanmar’s Shwedagon Pagoda. It contains the highest stupa in Indonesia and is set within manicured gardens.

B

Sibayak

Mount Sibayak is a stratovolcano overlooking the town of Berastagi in northern Sumatra, Indonesia.

Rendy Cipta Muliawan / CC BY 2.0

C

Gunung Sinabung

An active stratovolcano that resumed activity in 2010 after centuries of dormancy. It is one of the most prominent peaks in the Karo highlands.

D

Orang utan feeding

A conservation site in Bukit Lawang where semi-wild orangutans receive supplementary food as part of their ongoing rehabilitation and transition back into the rainforest.

Peter Theis / CC-BY-SA

E

Pasar Buah Berastagi

A central market specializing in regional produce, including passion fruit, oranges, and a variety of highland flowers and ornamental plants.

F

Elephant camp

Located in Tangkahan, this sanctuary focuses on elephant conservation and forest protection, offering opportunities for river bathing and forest patrols with mahouts.

G

Ketambe Jungle Tracking Start Point

The primary access point for deep-forest trekking in the Ketambe region, known for sightings of wild orangutans, Thomas's leaf monkeys, and diverse birdlife.

H

Two Colour Waterfall

A waterfall in Sibolangit featuring two distinct colors—cyan blue and grayish white—caused by the high phosphorus and sulfur content of the volcanic water.

I

Pariban Hotspring

A complex of volcanic thermal pools located at the base of Mount Sibayak, featuring multiple baths with varying temperatures and views of the volcano.

J

Museum Pusaka Karo

Housed in a former church, this museum preserves Karo Batak heritage through a collection of traditional agricultural tools, jewelry, textiles, and historical artifacts.

K

Sikulikap park & waterfall

A 30-meter waterfall situated within a protected forest area, frequently used for rock climbing and accessible via a trail from the Berastagi-Medan road.

L

Former Orangutan Feeding

The site of the original feeding platform in Bukit Lawang, now serving as a historical point in the evolution of local orangutan rehabilitation and conservation practices.

Other Lists

Jungle Trekking & Nature