2 Days 1 Night Wild Elephant Trek in Tangkahan, Sumatra
( Must Do )
There is nothing quite like waking up to the sounds of the North Sumatra rainforest. Our 2 Days 1 Night wild elephant trek isn’t about staged performances; it’s about heading deep into the Tangkahan jungle to see these giants where they belong.
We are strictly ethical—no riding, no hooks, just a raw and responsible encounter. You’ll spend two days trekking through lush trails, swimming in hidden waterfalls, and camping by the river under the stars. If you want a real, local perspective on the Leuser ecosystem, this is it.
Itinerary
Welcome to Tangkahan
- Arrive in Tangkahan and settle in at our Eco Glamping Retreat
- welcome drink
- Swimming in the Bulu River Waterfall (Optional)
- Dinner at the open-air Glamping restaurant
Into the Jungle
- 8:30 Home-cooked breakfast at Tangkahan Eco Glamping
- 10 am Depart our place and cross the river in front of the restaurant to enter the National park
- Hike through the jungle for 2-3 hours before stopping for a jungle picnic lunch
- Keep on eye for wild animals such as orangutans, gibbons, long-tailed monkeys, hornbills and other animals.
- Learn about the many tree and plant species you pass in the rainforest
- Trek for a further 2 hours to reach our camping spot, the cozy little Goat Cave
- Rest and refresh while our team cook you a fantastic meal
- Eat dinner at the cave entrance – you will be served a variety of local dishes and fresh fruit
- After dinner, feel free to hang out with the team, playing cards and chatting, go for a short night trek, or head off to sleep in your comfortable little tent set up inside the cave.
In Search of Wild Elephants
- After breakfast at 7.30 am you will immediately do a mini trekking for about 20 minutes to the place where gibbons and other animals are active in the morning.
- Here you will usually be amazed by the atmosphere of wild animal songs in the jungle.
- We’ll continue trek for 3-4 hours to the territory where wild elephants are usually found (99.99% we will find them)
- Pause for a break while our experienced team assess the location and mood of the wild herd and plan the best place to see them from a safe and respectful distance
- After observing the elephants, it’s time for lunch, and a short trek back to our jeep pickup area for the 1 and half-hour journey home.
- Dinner at Tangkahan Eco Glamping with a chicken BBQ menu and other delicious food
See You Next Time
- Enjoy a lazy breakfast at Tangkahan Eco Glamping
- Planting trees around our place
- Check out
♦︎ Top Highlights
- 99.99 % you will find wild orangutans and wild elephants and other wild animals
- Sleep in the old “Goat Cave” in the middle of the jungle.
- In wet season, there is a small waterfall right above the cave
- Hopefully, observe wild elephants in their natural habitat in an ethical way
- Learn about the history of illegal logging in the area as we pass enormous old fallen trees during the trek
- The adventure of night trekking to see nocturnal animals like fireflies, civets, glowing fungus and other reptiles and insects.
☞ What to Bring
- Water bottle and water (guides will provide extra water for the entire journey
- Hat
- A change of clothes for the next day
- Toilet paper
- Sunblock
- Insect repellent
- Head lamp or flashlight
- Towel
- Cameras or phones to capture photos or video
- Comfortable, light, non-slip shoes for trekking
- Rainforest friendly soap or shampoo if needed
✍︎ Need to Know
- Please understand that while we will do our best to locate the wild elephant herd, there is a chance that we don’t find them or that it’s not safe or appropriate to view them – no guarantees!
- Wearing long pants and long sleeves are a good idea to protect against insects and plants
- The full-day trek takes 5-6 hours including rest stops
- The animals are wild, so we never guarantee that you’ll spot any particular, but we’ll do our best to show you the amazing flora and fauna living in the rainforest.
- You will sleep in small tents with blow up mattresses
- 1 tent sleeps 2 adults maximum
- Please let us know if you have any food allergies or dietary preferences when booking this tour.
✓ What's Included
- 2 nights stay at Tangkahan Eco Glamping
- 1 night stay at the Goat Cave Camp
- 3 Breakfasts and 2 Dinners at Tangkahan Eco Glamping
- 1 Breakfast, 2 Lunches and 1 Dinner in the Jungle (plus snacks)
- Professional and ethical English-speaking guides to accompany you
- Entrance ticket to the National Park
- Porters
- Jeep ride back to accommodation
