Tangkahan Jungle Adventure – Waterfalls & Elephant Experience in Sumatra

Tangkahan Jungle, Waterfall & Elephant Escape

Unveil the Untouched Beauty of Tangkahan Just a 2.5-hour journey from Bukit Lawang, Tangkahan welcomes you with its raw natural charm and strong commitment to conservation. This hidden gem is a model of eco-tourism, where local communities work together to protect the rainforest from illegal logging, Begin your adventure with a guided jungle trek through dense tropical greenery, where secret waterfalls await discovery. Feel the thrill as you float down the river on a tube, surrounded by nature’s tranquility, Savor a delicious homemade lunch at a riverside spot or local eatery. Then, take a dip in the crystal-clear waters of the Buluh River, soak in the soothing natural hot springs, and unwind on the peaceful riverbanks—where time seems to stand still.

INFORMATION

Duration: 1 Day (7-8 Hours)
Physical level: Low
Group size: minimum 2 person

1,100,000 IDR · 73€ · 75$ PER PERSON BOOK NOW

Sumatra Orangutan Tours

EVERY TREK INCLUDES A DONATION
TO PROTECT THE RAINFOREST AND SUPPORT LOCAL LIVES.

When you choose to trek with us, you’re not just exploring the rainforest
you’re also supporting local people, wildlife protection, and a greener future for Bukit Lawang.

HELPING WHERE IT MATTERS

5% OF OUR EARNINGS SUPPORT ONE IMPACTFUL LOCAL CHARITY

ITINERARY +

Tangkahan Jungle Escape – A Day of Nature, Reflection, and Adventure

After enjoying your breakfast, your guide will meet you at your guesthouse around 9:00 AM and escort you to your private car.
Your journey to Tangkahan takes around 2.5 hours, following rugged jungle roads that wind through dramatic landscapes. Along the way, you’ll witness a stark contrast: sprawling palm oil plantations stretching to the horizon, a powerful reminder of the rainforest’s ongoing struggle for survival—with the majestic Gunung Leuser National Park silhouetted in the background. It’s a sobering but eye-opening experience.
Nestled at the meeting point of the Buluh and Batang Rivers, Tangkahan is a remote village that has become a shining example of how community-led eco-tourism can replace illegal logging and help protect the forest. The local tourism board, LPT (Lembaga Pariwisata Tangkahan), and the CRU (Conservation Response Unit) have played a key role in protecting the area and supporting the local people. The CRU also cares for rescued Sumatran elephants, although their elephant-related tourism activities remain controversial. For ethical travelers, we recommend researching independently before engaging in any elephant-related experiences—and if curious, consider the respectful “Walk Beside the Elephants” option instead of washing or riding.
Your Tangkahan adventure begins as you cross a wide wooden bridge over the Buluh River and step into a lush, untouched rainforest. You’ll hike for about an hour through dense jungle, leading to a stunning natural waterfall where you can swim, cool off, and enjoy a natural shower beneath the falls.
Next, hop on a river tube and float downstream, letting the current carry you back toward the village. Once back, enjoy a delicious traditional lunch—either in a riverside restaurant or right at the water’s edge, freshly cooked and full of local flavor.
The afternoon is all about slowing down: take a dip in the refreshing Buluh River, soak in the natural hot springs, or simply relax on the riverbank, surrounded by greenery and birdsong.
As you return to Bukit Lawang in the late afternoon, your route passes through quiet rural villages and farmland. Take in the daily rhythm of local life as the sun begins to set.
You’ll arrive back at your guesthouse between 6:00 and 7:00 PM—tired, perhaps, but filled with unforgettable memories from this unique slice of Sumatran wilderness.