Explore Lese Volcano National Park: Ultimate Rainforest Hiking Adventure

Gunung Leuser National Park (Indonesian: Taman Nasional Gunung Leuser, English: Mount Leuser National Park)

🎈Location Nestled in the Bukit Lawang area of North Sumatra, Indonesia, this stunning national park is a hidden gem on the outskirts of Medan.

🛩How to get there [Step 1] Begin your journey by flying from Kuala Lumpur or Penang, Malaysia, to Kualanamu Airport in Medan, Indonesia. The 45-minute flight offers breathtaking views over the Malacca Strait. [Step 2] Upon arrival, meet your rainforest driver at the airport exit, where they will be waiting with a sign.

A one-way trip costs RMB325 (200 local currency) and can accommodate up to 5 people, making it more cost-effective if shared. It's recommended to seat 4 people, leaving ample space for luggage. The scenic drive to Bukit Lawang village takes about 3 hours. [Step 3] Check into your pre-booked hotel, take a moment to rest, or enjoy a cup of coffee while exploring the charming surroundings.

Remember, most rainforest hotels do not provide hot water, so a refreshing cold shower might be in order. The next morning, set off with a guide to enter the national park. [Step 4] Embark on a 20-minute walk from the rainforest hotel to the entrance of the national park, where a day of adventure awaits.

You can return in the evening or opt to spend the night in the rainforest, sleeping under the stars in a tent. Camping in the heart of nature is an experience like no other. [Step 5] After a 1- or 2-day trek, the guide will lead you back to the hotel for a well-deserved rest. The following day, the rainforest driver will take you back to the airport (RMB325, 200 local currency), or you can extend your adventure by hiring a car to visit Lake Toba, the world's largest volcanic lake, for a day of sightseeing and relaxation.

💵For more detailed information and tips, check out the comments section.

Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004 and listed as an endangered World Heritage site in 2011, Gunung Leuser National Park is a treasure trove of biodiversity. Spanning an impressive 1,094,692 hectares, the park encompasses a variety of ecosystems, from mangrove forests and swamp forests to lowland rainforests, mossy forests, and even subalpine forests.

Animals 🐯🦏🦌🐒 The park is home to an array of fascinating wildlife, including the majestic Sumatran elephant, the critically endangered Sumatran orangutan, the elusive Sumatran tiger, and the rare Sumatran rhinoceros. Other notable mammals include the siamang, white-handed gibbon, pig-tailed macaque, Thomas's leaf monkey, Sumatran serow, sambar deer, and leopard cat.

Bird enthusiasts will be delighted to know that there are approximately 350 species of birds, and it is estimated that there are 190 species of reptiles and amphibians.

Plants 🍀 With around 4,000 plant species, the park is a botanist's paradise. Among these, three species of Rafflesia, the world's largest flower, and the Amorphophallus titanum, both endemic to Sumatra, stand out as unique and awe-inspiring.

If you're intrigued and want to learn more, feel free to reach out privately.