Sumatra
Orangutans in the wild, a volcanic crater lake the size of a country, and almost no tourists
Sumatra is where you go to see orangutans in genuinely wild rainforest — Bukit Lawang and Gunung Leuser National Park are two of the last places on Earth with wild Sumatran orangutans. Lake Toba, the world's largest volcanic lake, is a full day's travel but stunning and virtually tourist-free. Infrastructure is rougher than Bali or Java, which is exactly the appeal for travelers chasing something less packaged.
Best time to visit
June–September (driest); orangutan trekking possible year-round
Getting there
Kualanamu International Airport (KNO) in Medan — direct flights from Jakarta and regional Asian hubs
Highlights
- —Wild orangutan trekking, Bukit Lawang
- —Lake Toba and Samosir Island
- —Gunung Leuser rainforest
- —Nias Island surf (advanced)
- —Minimal tourist infrastructure — real off-the-beaten-path travel
The Sumatra guide, section by section
Pick a topic below — each page covers real prices, current rules and practical logistics.
