Primates & Dragons of Indonesia

Begin your adventure in Medan, the largest city on the island of Sumatra, and a jumping off point for many visitors to Indonesia. Meet the tour leader either at the airport or pre-tour hotel (see Joining Instructions for more details) and transfer (approximately four to five hours) to the village of Bukit Lawang on the edge of Gunung Leuser National Park, stopping for a light lunch en route. The rest of the afternoon is free to relax and explore. Bukit Lawang is one of the most accessible places to spot orangutans, thanks to an orangutan conservation programme that has been operating on the eastern edge of the park since the 1970s. The village is attractive, built along one side of the river; relaxing by the river, it is not uncommon to see wild orangutans come to the water to drink. Around 6pm, say selamat sore to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead. Your tour leader then ensures a big Indonesian welcome by arranging a group dinner. Want more time in Medan? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative.

Head into Gunung Leuser this morning, one of the two remaining habitats for Sumatran orangutans. Here, we’re joined by an expert local guide to explore the trails, searching for orangutans and other wildlife. The hike itself is a leisurely couple of hours and there is a good chance of seeing Thomas’s leaf monkeys and long-tailed macaques plus, hopefully, one of the orangutans who inhabit the forest. Our hike ends at the one-time feeding station, where we have an improved chance of spotting orangutans.

Return to the old feeding station this morning for another chance to spot orangutans. Those who wish can then head deeper into the jungle, continuing our search for the ‘gardeners of the forest’ and other wildlife, guided by the insider knowledge of our local experts. The park is home to around 700 animal species, including macaques, gibbons, Sumatran elephants, and plenty of birdlife. This optional excursion lasts approximately six hours, including time at the feeding station, and includes steep, muddy terrain and a hot, humid climate. For anyone who chooses not to undertake the jungle hike, the rest of the day is free to relax at the lodge.

Discover the cultural side of Bukit Lawang this morning with a village walk, witnessing daily life play out and learning about the history and heritage of the people. After, head to a local house to watch an Indonesian cooking demonstration by one of the villagers, followed by a homemade lunch of local dishes. Return (approximately four hours) to Medan in the afternoon, where we stay before our early morning flight tomorrow.

Rising early, we catch a morning flight to Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia. Upon arrival, transfer to our hotel to check in and refresh, before heading out to explore Kota Tua (the old town) and harbour front with our tour leader. Our exploration takes us to: Fatahillah Square, a lively plaza that often hosts traditional dance performances; the Jakarta History Museum; and Wayang Museum, which is dedicated to Javan wayang puppetry. We also visit the street food hub of Glodok, also known as Chinatown, the maritime museum, before finishing with a stroll around Sunda Kelapa, the old port of Jakarta.

Fly to Labuan Bajo today, at the western tip of Flores island. This town is the main entry point into Komodo National Park and, as such, has been growing in popularity as a tourist destination. We aim to catch the afternoon flight, which means we leave for the airport around 12.30pm and arrive at our hotel in Labuan Bajo later this afternoon.

Dedicate the next three days to exploring the wildlife-rich Komodo National Park, staying on a boat for a truly immersive experience. Established in 1980, Komodo is comprised of three main islands (Komodo, Rinca and Padar) and the surrounding waters, which include mangrove forests, seagrass beds and vibrant coral reefs. After boarding the boat early, our first destination is Rinca, which we visit after lunch. The island is home to Komodo dragons but also wild pigs, buffalos and birds. Going ashore, we join an island ranger on a trek to look for Komodo dragons in their natural environment. After, we return to the boat and sail to Padar, where we snorkel in the pristine waters. In the late afternoon, we can walk to a hilltop to watch sunset above the national park.