Tangkahan - Sumatra
Highlights - * Gunung Leuser National Park * Elephant Trekking
Elephant viewing and bathing * Accommodation / hotels * How to get to Tangkahan
Cities in Sumatra Indonesia
Bukit Lawang Travel Tours now available here!
There are 7 trained elephants at Tangkahan which are available for jungle trekking though their primary role is to patrol and protect the National Park from illegal activities like animal poaching and illegal logging. These elephants were original troublesome elephants that were involved in destroying fields and houses in surrounding villages. Now they serve to protect not only the villages but other elephants in the wild.
When you arrive at Tangkahan you need to pay 2000Rp at the Visitors Centre to go down to the river. Then to cross the river it is 10,000Rp per person for 3 days, you can cross as many times as you like.
Tangkahan River Crossing
Buluh River Tangkahan
Elephant camp
The Elephant camp is a 15 - 20 minute walk up river from the visitors centre in Tangkahan. They bathe the elephants everyday at 9am and 4pm. You'll need to purchase a ticket at the visitors centre for 20,000Rp per person before you go to the elephant camp.
Elephant Washing in Tangkahan
There are various options for experience trekking in the jungle on the back of an elephant. There is a minimum of a 1 hour trek up to a 4 day trek through the Gunung Leuser National Park to Bukit Lawang.
Elephant Trekking in Tangkahan
Trekking to Bukit Lawang is possible and will take 4 days. For more photos and video of the elephant washing check out www.hellomistertravel.com.
Prices:
1 hour trek 160,000Rp per person
2 hour trek 300,000Rp per person
3 hour trek 420,000Rp per person
For more information and prices for longer tracks contact the Elephant Jungle Patrol via their website www.elephantjunglepatrol.com.
For more information about how you can help save the Asian elephants check out the Elephant Family webpage. They are raising funds to help elephants all over Asia and Sumatra Indonesia. They currently have a veterinarian onsite in Medan, Sumatra who is helping to ensure the health of elephants all over Sumatra.
Hot spring
Just across from the Jungle Lodge is a small cave with a hot spring pouring hot water into the river. There is a large log tied up at the river bank which allows you to lay back and enjoy the mixture of the hot spring waters and cold water flowing down the river.
Waterfall
Just before the Buluh River meets the Batang River there is a small waterfall. You have to walk up a small creek about 100 meters to reach the waterfall. Great for sitting under to get a jungle massage!
There is also another larger waterfall about an hours trek up the Buluh River. Most of the way you need to walk in the river as there are no jungle trails and some sections you need to swim up river.
There are 2 ways you can get to Tangkahan. From Medan there are only 2 buses a day leaving from Pinang Baris Bus Terminal, leaving at 10am and 1pm and taking around 4.5 - 5 hours (longer if raining). The cost is 15,000Rp per person.
Buses leave Tangkahan at 7.30am and 2.30pm to go back to Medan.
You can also get to Tangkahan from Bukit Lawang either on the back of a motorbike, a very bumpy 3 hour trip or hire a 4WD to take you. Prices for a 4WD can be up to 1,000,000Rp (US$83) for a one way trip.
List of Hotels and guesthouses in Tangkahan
Jungle Lodge (3 reviews) is probably the nicest place to stay. Located 10 minutes walk from the river crossing. For pictures, prices and contact details click here.
Mega Inn (1 review) located right at the river crossing. Prices from 50,000Rp - 85,000Rp per night. For pictures, prices and contact details click here.
Green Lodge is located right at the elephant camp. Prices start are 85,000Rp per night. For pictures, prices and contact details click here.
Bamboo River Hotel (1 review) located right next door to Mega Inn. Price is 100,000Rp per night. For pictures, prices and contact details click here.
More information about Tangkahan
Recently a lot more information is being released on the internet about Tangkahan. Here are some of the better websites for more information about Tangkahan as well as organised travel there:
Organised travel to Tangkahan:
www.indonesiatravelonline.com/medan/medan-tour/tangkahan-eco-tour-4d.html
www.naturalguide.org/ng_recommended_detail.asp?idrecomm=238&cat=109
Information sites about Tangkahan:
www.sumatraecotourism.com/tangkahan/index.html
www.lombokmarine.com/tangkahan-nature-reserve.htm
More great photos of Tangkahan contributed by Pamela from Australia travel.webshots.com/album/558220008eKUdnh
Last updated 14th June 2009