North Sumatra, Indonesia
Reg No: AHU-0008001.AH.01.04.Tahun 2019, Phone Number +6282166316641
Operated by SUMECO (Sumatra Ecoproject)
Sumatran Orangutan
Asian Golden Cat
Wreathed Hornbill
Sunda Pangolin
What is Bukit Lawang Ecotourism?
Bukit Lawang Ecotourism was established in 2014 and has become SUMECO media wing to promote tourism in Bukit Lawang, North Sumatra through social media such as Facebook and Instagram. Its main objectives are to empower the local community in Bukit Lawang through sharing knowledge, conservation efforts, and creating environmental background community. Referring to definition of ecotourism, which is defined as environmentally friendly tourism activities, is encouraged to produce tourism activities related to the nature conservation as well.
We serve responsible biodiversity exploration through jungle treks, study trips, herping, and many more activities in Bukit Lawang. We expect this effort provide positive impacts on the environment. Promoting responsible tourism has been our priority, especially since we are a conservation-based ecotourism business in Bukit Lawang through our central focus to fund SUMECO (Sumatra Ecoproject). Visiting Bukit Lawang through responsible tourism is a must, and avoiding getting too close to the animals will be one good example. During dealing with the animals, Bukit Lawang Ecotourism will always be following safety procedures and proper tourism ethics inside and outside Gunung Leuser National Park.
The pandemic of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 has been classified as a zoonotic disease. No one can stop the next pandemic, but at least we know how to behave when we are engaged in wildlife sightseeing tours, a serious responsibility is mandatory.
What Bukit Lawang Ecotourism Do?
Besides promoting ecotourism through ecological efforts and biological approaches, Bukit Lawang Ecotourism is running its role as a tourist attraction to help and fund SUMECO (Sumatra Ecoproject) to run its wildlife conservation mission in Bukit Lawang, North Sumatra, Indonesia. It uses accounts on Instagram and Facebook through its @bukitlawangecotourism
While SUMECO remains a non-profit organization, Bukit Lawang Ecotourism is an important media for promoting all ecotourism activities in Bukit Lawang to gain profits to fund SUMECO (Sumatra Ecoproject).
Following the Indonesia Government Regulations and Expectations on Ecotourism Benefits.
According to the regulations of the Government of Indonesia, especially the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy and the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, the benefits of ecotourism must have an impact on various aspects. These benefits include aspects of conservation, empowerment, and environmental education. These advantages are as follows:
Conservation:
According to a Griffith University study, the relationship between ecotourism and endangered animals is very close; it may even be positive. Tourism and conservation are inextricably linked, which means that effective economic incentives are provided to preserve, increase natural and cultural biodiversity, and safeguard our heritage.
Economic Empowerment:
Ecotourism involving local communities means increasing the capacity and employment opportunities of local communities. The concept of ecotourism is an effective method for empowering local communities around the world to fight poverty and achieve sustainable development.
Environmental Education:
Involving environmental education means that the tourism activities carried out must enrich the experience as well as raise environmental awareness through interpretation. Activities should promote understanding and full respect for nature, society, and local culture.
Basic Understanding of Ecotourism.
Ecotourism, often known as ecological tourism, is a type of tourism that emphasizes environmentally responsible travel to natural regions. It seeks to reduce the negative influence on the environment and local people while also encouraging conservation initiatives and providing educational opportunities for visitors.
Ecotourism’s Key Objectives:
1. Environmental Protection: The goal of ecotourism is to protect and maintain natural habitats, biodiversity, and ecosystems. It encourages environmentally friendly techniques that reduce pollution, habitat degradation, and wildlife disturbance. Local communities and governments are driven to safeguard and conserve natural resources by generating cash from tourism.
2. Community Empowerment: By integrating local communities in the tourism business, ecotourism attempts to benefit them. It promotes community involvement, local ownership, and the sharing of economic gains. Employing local guides, using locally owned lodgings and services, and supporting local companies are all examples of this. Ecotourism, by incorporating the community, helps to enhance their livelihoods and fosters a sense of ownership and pride in their natural heritage.
3. Education and Awareness: Providing educational opportunities for travelers is another important part of ecotourism. Its goals are to raise environmental and cultural awareness, promote ecological understanding, and foster respect for local cultures and traditions. Guided nature walks, informative signage, educational activities, and interactions with local communities can all help to achieve this.
4. Ecotourism encourages Sustainable Practices: Ecotourism encourages sustainable practices throughout the tourism value chain. This involves reducing waste and energy usage, using renewable energy sources, lowering carbon emissions, and encouraging visitors to engage in responsible tourism practices. It also promotes ecologically friendly transportation and promotes local food systems and sustainable agriculture.
5. Positive Experiences: While ecotourism emphasizes environmental and community advantages, it also strives to give guests with delightful and meaningful experiences. Wildlife watching, hiking, snorkeling, birdwatching, and cultural exchanges are examples of such activities. Visitors are encouraged to value and respect the natural and cultural history of the places they visit.
It is crucial to emphasize, however, that not all “ecotourism” satisfies these criteria. Greenwashing is a prevalent issue in which organizations or destinations falsely claim to be eco-friendly. Travelers should conduct research and select accredited ecotourism operators or sites that comply to established standards, such as business background and sustainable tourism principles.
Bukit Lawang Ecotourism, a SUMECO business entity offering jungle tours with prioritizing quality. We believe it’s important to provide high-quality activities in order to show up our full performance. Bukit Lawang Ecotourism offers Sumatran jungle tours (trekking) that include several options such as;
All tours are available from one day up to ten days. Following the official regulation issued by Gunung Leuser National Park, all jungle tours inside Gunung Leuser National Park must be completed by purchasing permits that SUMECO will assist. Before starting the tours, you must notify us of any health issues or conditions.
The activities inside Gunung Leuser National Park through Bukit Lawang will cover the exploration of biodiversity, especially the endemic species. With additional cost of regulated price, during the activities, you will be assisted by an expert on local wildlife (a zoologist) for species identification. The price includes food, camp, guides, and documentation during the expedition. A nocturnal hike is included in all packages, and the search for nocturnal species inside Gunung Leuser National Park is our priority.
The activities inside Gunung Leuser National Park through Bukit Lawang, will cover the exploration of biodiversity, especially the endemic species. With + 40 EUR / day of regulated price, you will be assisted by an expert on local wildlife (a zoologist) for species identification. The regulated prices include food, camp, guides, and documentation during the expedition. A nocturnal hike is included in all packages, and the search for nocturnal species inside Gunung Leuser National Park is our priority.
The word ecotourism is often used by many parties, but when we look at its definition, we have to be honest and say that it’s not something in common or easy to realize. We are here still trying; at least hundreds of animals have been rescued through our company profits by our wildlife conservation mission in SUMECO (Sumatra Ecoproject), following huge demands for what is supposed to be done according to ecotourism itself.
Since 2014, we spent our time getting to know more and more about how ecotourism could be implemented in Bukit Lawang, which finally led us to establish our conservation-based ecotourism through SUMECO (Sumatra Ecoproject). SUMECO through its ecotourism business established in Bukit Lawang, North Sumatra, Indonesia, has been trying its best to save wildlife around Gunung Leuser National Park.
Large sums of company profits have been distributed to fund SUMECO (Sumatra Ecoproject) wildlife conservation mission (animal rescue). That’s the reason why Bukit Lawang Ecotourism, as the main funder of SUMECO through its own media in promoting tourism, has been respectfully placed in SUMECO domain. This all-encompassing concept was born in 2009; Bukit Lawang Ecotourism was founded in 2012; and SUMECO (Sumatra Ecoproject) was founded in 2014, both by Bobi Handoko. It takes more than 10 years for me to create a strong concept between conservation and ecotourism in Bukit Lawang, North Sumatra, Indonesia.
SUMECO establishment in Bukit Lawang is involved in any protection efforts for Gunung Leuser National Park. Bukit Lawang Ecotourism is the only business entity to support SUMECO in running its mission under the authority of Gunung Leuser National Park. SUMECO is remaining a non-profit organization and requiring financial support in protecting Gunung Leuser National Park in Bukit Lawang, that’s one of the few reasons why the sustainability and existence of Bukit Lawang Ecotourism are considered to be urgent.
In terms of the ecotourism sector in Bukit Lawang, the protection and preservation of Gunung Leuser National Park are critical; this is something that must be done rather than simply writing the term “ecotourism” on for the sake of profit.
Ecotourism: Community and Natural Resource-Based Climate Change Mitigation Alternatives.
Talking and debating about climate change will never end if there is no solution. Solutions emerged from the start of a forest moratorium in early 2011, including planting 1 billion trees in various areas of deforested land. This has been one of the good efforts of the Indonesian government. However, once again, we have to try to see it from a different perspective: can the various current government programs to reduce carbon emissions by 26% in 2020 and 41% with the “business as usual” system be achieved?
Doesn’t this action require support from various parties, not only from government institutions but also from the community, which is also the biggest contributor to the success of various government programs? Indeed, wildlife and forest conservation have become the real effort in preserving the environment, but what about the current needs of the community, can this environment preservation guarantee the needs of the community in a balanced and responsible manner?
Ecotourism Development in Forest Areas.
Indonesia has a very promising potential for special interest activities in ecotourism in a very large number of forest areas, both large and small islands have very high biodiversity. Ecotourism can be used as an effort or form of tourism activity that is based on an environment that is ecologically, socially, and economically useful for local communities as well as for the preservation of natural resources and sustainable use. The five most important factors for the growth of ecotourism are: (1) the authenticity of the natural and cultural environment; (2) the existence and support of the community; (3) education and experience. (4) sustainability, and (5) management capabilities in managing ecotourism.
Ecotourism is a type of tourism activity focused on conservation. Through conservation efforts which are also expected to be able to work to protect the continuity of the use of natural resources for the present and the future, ecotourism is expected as well to manage to ensure natural resource management.
Ecotourism, according to the IUCN, is defined as “environmentally responsible visiting of relatively pristine natural areas, for enjoyment and appreciation of nature (and any accompanying cultural features – past, present, and future) that promotes conservation, has low negative visitor impact and offers for beneficially active socio-economic involvement of local populations.” IUCN, 1996; Hector Ceballos-Lascurain, Tourism, Ecotourism, and Protected Areas.
Principles of Conservation-Based Ecotourism in Bukit Lawang, North Sumatra, and Gunung Leuser National Park.
The negative impact of tourism activities on natural forests can be mitigated by engaging local communities in conservation-based ecotourism activities to protect natural resources in the Bukit Lawang area, particularly Gunung Leuser National Park. In this circumstance, the authority is expected to build and carry out a community through socialization about the development of conservation-based ecotourism aimed at increasing public understanding and awareness of the importance of preserving Leuser biodiversity and the natural resource wealth in the protected area.
It is anticipated that the application of conservation-based ecotourism development principles and concepts will directly contribute to raising environmental awareness on a global scale by preserving ecosystem functions, natural tourist attractions, socio-cultural sustainability, satisfaction, safety, and visitor comfort.
Scientific ecotourism is an innovative sector of tourism expected to provide a direct contribution to the development of studies and scientific research in natural areas. SUMECO and Bukit Lawang Ecotourism have carried out several studies relating to herpetology and ornithology. Studying while traveling has been considered to have a strong potential to provide a direct contribution to scientific development and the rapid spread of scientific-based information.
With over a decade of experience in the field of ecotourism, SUMECO guarantees that every tourist who is eager to learn will make a conservation impact, whether it be directly or indirectly, on ecotourism activities in a given area. This process occurs through contacts between visitors and guides or local communities. These encounters help local communities understand the significance of conservation for the long-term viability of their livelihoods in the ecotourism area.
Ecotourism is a form of tourism that embodies environmental awareness and adheres to the ideals of equilibrium and environmental sustainability. Ecotourism can be defined as a distinctive and all-encompassing expedition that encompasses elements of nature preservation, empowerment of local communities, and environmental education. The foundation for the development of sustainable ecotourism lies in tourist trips that prioritize ecological considerations.
The region’s abundant and varied plant and animal life serves as a prominent symbol that can be used to attract visitors or tourists. The utilization of the attractions, distinctiveness, and natural beauty found within the TN (National Park), Tahura (Great Forest Park), and TWA (Natural Tourism Park) utilization zones is conducted in adherence to the principles of preserving biological natural resources and their ecosystems (Article 2 PP 18/1998). The plants and wildlife in a region are morphologically distinctive due to their endemism. If there is a further decrease in the population of plants and animals, it is necessary to implement conservation measures in order to protect and sustain the ecosystem, which in turn will promote ecotourism operations.
(1) SUMECO-BLE 2014 Reports: The Establishment of SUMECO in Bukit Lawang, North Sumatra.
Two years after the establishment of Bukit Lawang Ecotourism (2012) in Bukit Lawang, Bohorok, Langkat Regency, North Sumatra, the founder of the company started to think about expanding the business by collaborating with a local conservation organization. The available idea at that time was to establish a private conservation organization that would generate money from company profits. The present expectation was to follow all client’s demands after frequently spotting wildlife in illegal captivities during the tours.
(2) SUMECO-BLE 2015 Reports: Settlement with Bukit Lawang Hill Resort.
BLE (Bukit Lawang Ecotourism) was considered to be able to generate income sustainably. Company profits needed to be allocated to SUMECO as the construction of Bukit Lawang Hill Resort has started. All funds were officially reported through the finstat forum under SUMECO’s official registered domain. Profits gained by Bukit Lawang Hill Resort were also shared with SUMECO to extend and support its grassroots work in Bukit Lawang, North Sumatra, Indonesia.
(3) SUMECO-BLE 2016 Reports: Prioritizing Conservation Action in Working Area of Bukit Lawang Ecotourism.
Numerous experts have approved of and oversaw the prioritization of conservation action throughout all Bukit Lawang Ecotourism initiatives. It was crucial to involve scholars with scientific backgrounds in the endeavor. The key principles that serve as the starting cornerstone for the implementation of SUMECO operations have undergone extensive internal scrutiny. It was expected to validate all conservation-related activities conducted by SUMECO must be following an academic scientific base and available regulations led by The Ministry of Environment and Forestry.
(4) SUMECO-BLE 2017 Reports: Strategic Development in the Implementation of the Ecotourism Concept in Bukit Lawang, North Sumatra, Through the Herpetology Sector.
The outcomes of several discussions paved the way for those who want to conduct research, engage in snake-handling experiences, and other herpetology-related activities outside of the Gunung Leuser National Park in-situ conservation area. Bukit Lawang Ecotourism has invited several herpetologists from around the world to come over and oversee herpetology experiences in Bukit Lawang Ecotourism’s working area via its (previous) domain, bukitlawang[dot]asia. Snake rescue and herping have become featured activities in introducing SUMECO among local communities and foreign tourists. Along with this strategy, prioritization of gaining more views and information on the illegally captured protected species in the Bukit Lawang Ecotourism working area also needed to be conducted.
[1] https://mwilsonherps.com/asia-the-middle-east/sumatra-indonesia/
[2] https://www.herpsafari.nl/trip-reports-outside-eu/asia/2018-8-indonesia-sumatra-komodo-np/
(5) SUMECO-BLE 2018 Reports: Relationship Establishment with Related Party in Gunung Leuser National Park.
BLE (Bukit Lawang Ecotourism) can be offered as an alternative tourist destination for domestic and foreign tourists who seek natural attractions. Besides, it can be used as a location for scholars and academicians living in Medan City who need to carry out activities in the open air, or it can be employed as a research location for animal and plant studies. The government can also organize cross-country competitions to attract the enthusiasm of the community and promote environmental care programs. However, relating to SUMECO’s main objectives in strengthening the relationship and connection to the related party such as Gunung Leuser National Park is mandatory. Any circumstances referring to the conservation efforts that SUMECO wanted to achieve, were highly dependent on its gained-funding budgets and SUMECO incomes through its business entity in Bukit Lawang.
(6) SUMECO-BLE 2019 Reports: Relationship Establishment with Related Parties in Wildlife Authorities.
SUMECO is recognized as a conservation organization focused on wildlife (animal rescue) in Bukit Lawang, North Sumatra. The wildlife authority, BBKSDASU, which stands for Balai Konservasi Sumber Daya Alam Sumatera Utara (Nature Conservation Agency of North Sumatra), has demanded SUMECO submit annual reports and files officially. It was also prioritized to establish SUMECO’s special tasks in combating wildlife trafficking. Bukit Lawang Ecotourism has become a key player in implementing SUMECO special tasks to combat wildlife trafficking in North Sumatra and Aceh. Gunung Leuser National Park Agency has helped SUMECO become its primary partner in all conservation-related activities both within and outside the Bukit Lawang Ecotourism working area.
(7) SUMECO-BLE 2020-2022 Reports: Facing COVID-19 Pandemic and Its Impact on Bukit Lawang Ecotourism Conservation Efforts in Gunung Leuser National Park.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a painful impact on the tourism sector. The tourism sector in Langkat Regency has been shut down due to the temporary closure during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, it is worth it to be considered a calm phase for the environment and its wildlife. The fact that the tourism industry keeps sending visitors into Gunung Leuser National Park should be taken as a concrete lesson for the preservation-oriented community. The decline in visitors has occurred due to a slowdown in foreign and domestic travel. It is most likely because the international community is so worried about the COVID-19 infection that they are reluctant to travel. However, this decline has seriously impacted micro, small, and medium enterprises. SUMECO has been seriously impacted as well during the COVID-19 pandemic, as it loses its income from its business entity functioned to fund its conservation work in BLE (Bukit Lawang Ecotourism).
(8) SUMECO-BLE 2022 Reports: The Establishment of Bukit Lawang Ecotourism’s New Website, and Capacity Improvement in Its Introduction.
The COVID-19 pandemic seems to be softened, and ecotourism activities of Bukit Lawang Ecotourism are expected to start and back on track to gain trust to continue its function in supporting SUMECO (Sumatra Ecoproject) conservation efforts in Bukit Lawang for the preservation of the biodiversity of Gunung Leuser National Park, in North Sumatra and Aceh, Indonesia.
(9) SUMECO-BLE 2023 Reports: The Development of Conservation-Based Ecotourism (Tenggulun Ecotourism) With Supporting Local Communities to Fight Against Corporate Deforestation and Palm Oil Plantation Expansion in Tenggulun’s Gunung Leuser National Park, Aceh, and North Sumatra.
Tenggulun is a village located at the edge of a degraded area of Gunung Leuser National Park at the border of Aceh and North Sumatra, Sumatra, Indonesia. It’s essential to learn more about this village as the expansion of palm oil plantations and deforestation seem to be the main issues in this village, while this village has also been marked as a conflicted area between the authority of Gunung Leuser National Park and local corporations that cause deforestation and palm oil plantation expansion.
(10) SUMECO-BLE 2024 Reports: Sustainable Development of Halaban Ecotourism Through Wild Sumatran Elephants.
Halaban’s sustainable ecotourism development method in the initial stages, in 2023, still relies on ecotourism activities to see wild elephants that have fixed movement areas. As it’s known, this implementation was initialized in Tenggulun, Aceh Tamiang, in March 2023, when, during the process of tourism development, we accidentally discovered many illegal logging activities carried out by local communities that had become our future challenge to its development.
Our continuous efforts for sustainable development of Halaban ecotourism have never shifted away from ecotourism elements based on conservation and empowerment of local communities, which in the future are expected to be able to increase the protection capacity of Gunung Leuser National Park, carried out by authorities together with the surrounding community.
The application of economic value through conservation-based ecotourism activities in Halaban is expected to have positive impacts on public awareness of environmental sustainability in the surrounding areas, especially for the biodiversity of Gunung Leuser National Park. Ecotourism in Halaban has a significant part in ‘creating economic benefits’ since it creates jobs in remote places that have not been touched by the government.
(11) SUMECO-BLE 2024 Reports: Beginning the Development of a New Ecotourism Area in Tualang Gepang.
According to new research, ecotourism can only effectively contribute to the conservation of orangutans and other critically endangered animals if it generates enough revenue to offset logging or poaching revenue. It can also use some of the profits to support efforts to return human-wildlife conflict-affected animals to their natural habitats. Equalibirium, or a state of human intellectual and emotional balance toward wildlife in this area.
Tualang Gepang was chosen to be SUMECO-based after extensive research and consideration. Tualang Gepang was identified as an ideal location for SUMECO to continue its ecotourism and conservation work, whereas Bukit Lawang is no longer appropriate for SUMECO conservation work due to its level of comfort and business interests.
To get to Bukit Lawang Ecotourism, you must get to Kualanamu International Airport first as the way to get into North Sumatra, one of the ten provinces situated on Sumatra Island. Bukit Lawang Ecotourism is located about 3 hours from Medan and 4 hours from Kualanamu International Airport (KNO). Traffic will be the main issue here, but mostly it’s normal as long as there are no accidents or landslides. According to Google, the distance to Bukit Lawang Lawang Ecotourism from Kualanamu International Airport is 2 hours, 59 minutes (130.4 kilometers), but we must be honest, the road condition is not like you expected.
How to Get to Kualanamu International Airport (KNO), North Sumatra, Indonesia.
There are many airports (Kuala Lumpur – Malaysia, Jakarta – Indonesia, Changi – Singapore, Bangkok / Krung Thep Maha Nakhon – Thailand, etc) with direct flights to Kualanamu International Airport, which is located in Medan – Deli Serdang, North Sumatra, Indonesia.
Sumatra – North Sumatra – Kualanamu International Airport (KNO) – Bukit Lawang Ecotourism.
Almost every major Indonesian city (big cities) has direct flights to Kualanamu International Airport. Medan is the third largest city in Indonesia. All cities in Sumatra, Java, Bali, and Kalimantan (Borneo) have direct flights to Kualanamu International Airport. Without or without our company, feel free to contact us for more information through WhatsApp.
Tips on How to Get to Bukit Lawang Ecotourism or SUMECO by “Bukit Lawang – Kualanamu” Bus.
It’s new and just established in 2023, it’s now from Kualanamu International Airport to Bukit Lawang or from Bukit Lawang to Kualanamu International Airport will be just using the one-way bus. Getting to Bukit Lawang for your budget holiday is getting easier now. It costs 80,000 IDR per trip from Kualanamu International Airport to Bukit Lawang and Bukit Lawang to Kualanamu International Airport. The bus is available every hour at the Kualanamu International Airport and Bukit Lawang.
Warning: Overcharging tourists for the public bus price in Binjai or at Pinang Baris at Medan bus station is common. Street thugs will push you onto the buses and demand money. At Pinang Baris (unsafe), it has been known that tourists have been charged up to IDR 300,000 per person. This is why you are suggested to take the public bus named P.S (Pembangunan Semesta) to get to Bukit Lawang from Binjai after the airport shuttle bus named A.L.S (Antar Lintas Sumatera) drops you off in Binjai. In Binjai, generally, they will ask for IDR 50,000. The fact is, you only pay the driver at the end of the journey. Just stand your ground and be careful, or you can call the police at this number +62617869000 or me at +6282166316641. When traveling by bus in Indonesia, please refrain from flaunting expensive items and keep track of all your belongings, including any luggage and bags.
Tips on How to Get to Bukit Lawang Ecotourism or SUMECO by Public Bus.
Tips on How to Get to Bukit Lawang Lawang Ecotourism by Private Car.
Trips All Over Sumatra.
We also provide private cars for trips throughout Sumatra, including Toba Lake, Karo Land, Berastagi, Aceh, West Sumatra, and all Sumatra national parks. We can discuss this by WhatsApp or email. Using our company’s service is the same as making a donation to SUMECO (Sumatra Ecoproject).
Sumatran Slow Loris
Siamang
Wreathed Hornbill
Sumatran Orangutan
What is Bukit Lawang?
Bukit Lawang is a small tourism village bordering Gunung Leuser National Park. It’s a place that is visited by tourists from all over the world who want to see the Sumatran orangutan. Most of the tourists who came here didn’t realize very well that Bukit Lawang is a gate to the massive number of species found in Gunung Leuser National Park.
Where is Bukit Lawang?
Bukit Lawang is located in the Province of North Sumatra, 90 kilometers from Medan, the capital city of North Sumatra. The airport to get to Bukit Lawang is Kualanamu International Airport, located 130 kilometers from Bukit Lawang, and 50 kilometers from Medan, the capital city of North Sumatra.
Bukit Lawang is also known to be one of several villages that have been directly impacted by the biodiversity of Gunung Leuser National Park and share a huge number of species. Most of the tourists who come to Bukit Lawang would like to experience a jungle trek inside Gunung Leuser National Park, expecting to see Sumatran orangutans and other animals.
What You Can Do in Bukit Lawang?
There are many activities you can do in Bukit Lawang such as jungle trekking inside Gunung Leuser National Park, herping, birding, rafting, tubing, caving in bat cave, visiting Landak river, and also Batu Katak ecotourism village that is located 30mins by motorbike or car. If you are visiting Bukit Lawang, you must expect a jungle experience to spot animals and support the conservation mission that has become the fundamental mission of SUMECO (Sumatra Ecoproject). You can help us rescue the animals by making a simple observation, like patrolling around the village with the expectation of finding protected species in illegal captivity.
We love tourism, but we wanted it to be highly responsible tourism that could have a direct impact on the preservation of our biodiversity. There have been many experiences related to the irresponsible acts of tourism in Bukit Lawang, but now we must change and improve it to be better.
What is Gunung Leuser National Park?
Gunung Leuser National Park is well-known to be a region with the highest concentration of Sumatran orangutans (Pongo abelii). The Leuser ecosystem is one of 12 national parks in Sumatra. Covering more than 2.6 million hectares, the area is one of the richest expanses of tropical rainforest in Southeast Asia. It is the last place on earth where Sumatran elephants (Elephas maximus sumatrensis), Sumatran rhinoceroses (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis), Sumatran tigers (Panthera tigris sumatrae), and Sumatran orangutans (Pongo abelii) are found within one area. As of 2003, the Gunung Leuser National Park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Leuser Ecosystem Area, which consists of the Gunung Leuser National Park, protected forests, and community forests, is marked as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Gunung Leuser National Park was established based on the Decree of the Minister of Agriculture No. 811/Kpts/UM/1980 with an area of 792,675 ha. Based on the Decree of the Minister of Forestry No. 276/Kpts-VI/1997 dated May 23, 1997 concerning the Designation of Gunung Leuser National Park, the area of GLNP increased to 1,094,692 ha. GLNP gets the highest score for the contribution of conservation to conservation areas throughout the Indo-Malay region.
What You Can Do in Gunung Leuser National Park?
Jungle trekking, hiking, herping, birding, photographing, rafting, camping, and wildlife study are the activities you can do in Gunung Leuser National Park through Bukit Lawang, and they have been commonly known for decades to do such activities. All the hikers will expect to see orangutans and other animals. Orangutan, siamang, great argus, Thomas langur, long-tailed and pig-tailed macaques, siamang, white-handed gibbons, monitor lizards, and hornbills are the most expected to be found during the trek.
SUMECO also offers jungle treks in Bukit Lawang and Gunung Leuser National Parks. Our packages are focused on education about conservation and Sumatra’s biodiversity through responsible exploration. We are trying our best to make jungle trekking a way to feel grateful for our biodiversity, especially in Sumatra. According to the Mongabay publication related to the most biodiverse countries in the world, Indonesia is positioned number second after Brazil to host the most biodiversity on earth.
Visiting Bukit Lawang through responsible tourism is a must, and avoiding getting too close to the animals will be one good example. During dealing with the animals, SUMECO will always be following safety procedures and proper tourism ethics inside and outside Gunung Leuser National Park. The pandemic of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 has been classified as a zoonotic disease. No one can stop the next pandemic, but at least we know how to behave when we are engaged in wildlife sightseeing tours, a serious responsibility has been mandatory.
