Jungle Trekking

  We arrived in Bukit Lawang by public bus with nothing booked yet.
After walking in the village near the river, we saw the Thomas' retreat guest house and decided to... read more Come to them.
The Thomas' team was really friendly and pleasant. The Host, Thomas, that we met after was also very welcoming with us.
Most of them speak well english and it's easy to discuss with them.

After a good night in their guest house, the best was to come. We started a 3 days / 2 nights trek in the jungle with our guides : Ren and Aguil (sorry if do mistake in the names).

These two guides were like the best we ever had in an excursion.
They were very kind to us, very intresting by their knowledges of the jungle.
They really took care of us in this environment.
The cooker was really good too. We had food for an army at every dinner and we enjoyed the taste of all of it.

To resume, this experience was very nice and I recommand it.

Arnold and Anaël

  We had an amazing 4-day-dschungel trek beginning of August. Our lovely an attentive guides took great care of us, teaching us about the local wildlife and pointing out every plant... read more and animal crossing our way. We were lucky and met many Orang-Utans and had breathtaking encounters, observing them in their natural habitat.

We were well taken care of and spoiled with delicious local food, freshly and lovingly prepared.

I can only recommend Thomas Jungle Tours and his retreat in Bukit Lawang!

  I did a 2 day one night jungle tour with guides Ren and Joga and it was incredible! We saw more animals than we could have ever hoped to see... read more (so many Orang Utans) and both Ren and Joga made sure that we didn’t miss anything and explained everything that we were curious about! The food was also delicious so overall we were taken care of very well and I can recommend Thomas Jungle tours (and Ren&Joga) to anyone who comes to Bukit Lawang!

  This tour was much more better than expected.
We did some tours in Indonesia before, but the guides were not very well informed. They just carried the luggage and... read more that’s it.
With Thomas Jungle Tour and especially our Guide Ren it was completely different. Ren was very well organized and he knew a lot of things about the jungle. He told us he knows everything from his uncle wich was the whole life a jungle guide.
We saw a lot of animals, monkeys, orang utas, dragons, ants and so on. We even tried a peace of Chinin tree bark, from wich gin tonic is made.
The food was also perfect!
Ren told us his dream is to visit Prembanan and Borobudur on the island Yogyakarta. When i asked why he doesnt do it the answer was “I can’t afford it”. He never left bukit lawang for traveling. So if you can afford you can do the same like we did and give him a good tip (of course only if you are that satisfied than we where) and maybe we can help him to make his dream come true. I think this should be possible to nearly every of the travelers... help him to travel also ... and book the tour it is really worth it.

Safe travels
Melanie and Jan

  Lived every minute. No rushing. Understanding of the animals' needs. Didnt feed like some.
We did the overnight and glad we did.

  We had an absolutely amazing trip with Jon and Joga, saw many many orang Utans, even from very close. Thomas‘ Team is very experienced and will make sure you see... read more as many Animals as possible, explain you the flora and fauna and take best care of you. Plus: even though this might not be the number one reason for visiting the jungle - Thomas‘ Cook prepares INCREDIBLE food!! We had the tastiest buffet for dinner, fruit all day, breakfast and lunches prepared with love and attention to detail. I am still impressed how attentive, caring and kind everyone was.
We spent one night in the jungle, did a 11km trek the first day and visited the waterfall nearby on day two. After lunch we went back by tube. All in all super fun, adventurous, magical moments, you learn a lot, have great time with locals, enjoy great food and will be exhausted, thrilled and energized by the great impressions after this tour 🙂 enjoy!

  Wow!! My boyfriend and I took part in the 2 day 1 night jungle trek with Thomas Jungle tours and did not regret our decision!! The experience was simply incredible!!... read more I was hesitant at first (weary of the bugs and of the physical aspect of the trip in hot and humid weather) - but am so happy I did it!! Although it is strenuous physically (7 hours of hiking the first day - up and down), we were able to keep up and the bugs were not a problem (with bug spray). Many stops are done throughout the way, a good lunch is provided, and amazing fresh fruits were served as snacks! Our guide, Dedi, was amazing and always made sure everyone was okay. He was super knowledgeable and very dedicated to his work and the orang outangs. We never felt rushed while hiking and felt as though our safety was his priority. We saw many orang outans which was incredible, as well as other species such as Thomas leaf monkeys, long tailed macaques etc. !! The soft river rafting to get back to the hotel on the 2nd day was super enjoyable as well and fun!! Recommend it to all +++++!!

  My friend Veronika and I were traveling in Indonesia and heard from others who made a jungle trek at Thomas retreat. It sounded so cool that we decided to get... read more in contact with Thomas and so we asked him if it's possible to come to Bukit Lawang in the next two days (only worked because we were there at October when there are not so many people because of the rainy season) and we were so happy that he said to us it's possible!
When we arrived at the camp we were so thrilled because it's really beautiful. The rooms are very nice and the restaurant got a huge menu full of nice things.
We made a 10 hours trek to the camp in the jungle and rafted back to the camp at Thomas' with the river. We saw so many monkeys and other animals (the most amazing part was to touch and feed a very friendly one of the orangutans that come down to us).
Our tour guide (his name is Rain) and the cook in the jungle camp (Dhaniz) were so friendly and funny. I think all of the guys there are like that.

This whole trek was one of the most exciting things I've done until now and I will always remember it!

  Organised a two day one night trek through Thomas Retreat, where we stayed whilst in Bukit Luang. Initial internet research didn't answer all my questions but excellent email correspondence with... read more Thomas led us to our final choice.
Met by our guide, Iyan, on the day before the trek with useful info about what to pack etc and then 9sm on the dot we started.
A short walk from the start and before we'd entered the National Park we came across our first Orangutans! They all have names and Iyan and Sirkam, our guides were extremely knowledgeable and patient, pointing us to the best photo spots and allowing our small group of 4 to get as much out of the trek as possible.
The going is hard, do not expect clear pathways, but manageable. The pace is yours and with 2 guides there is always someone bringing up the rear with a helping hand.
Lunch is taken on route and ample water is a must.
Remember what goes up, must come down and good, comfortable footwear will certainly help you get through it.
The sound of the river signposts that the end is near and the camp itself is adequate for your needs I.e fresh water for washing = river and toilet facilities = camp toilet.
Dinner is served on the river bank with a shared 'dorm' with bedding and mosquito net for a well earned rest.
Options for day two can be varied with with another hike or a more relaxed morning. We chose the relaxed version which was a short walk to a waterfall with pool followed by lunch. Bags packed and a river raft back to town.
Amazing place, great people, professionally organised and one not to be forgotten.

  We visited the park with the guides from Thomas Retreat, they were called Yoga and Raining. Both were amazing. They were knowledgeable and seemed truly interested in getting us... read more to see as much as possible. Their treatment of the natural habitat was excellent and they did not feed the orang utans.
They were also very attentive toward our needs (we were a group of 4) and always made sure we were safe and keeping up. They even offered to carry my bag when they saw I was getting tired.
The price Thomas asked initially for the tour was very high but after some bargaining (during which he became quite hostile) and quoting prices of competitors, we arrived at a commonly acceptable price.
I cannot say whether the experience would have been just as good with other, cheaper guides. All I can say is that our guides were excellent.

  My boyfriend and I had gotten in touch with Thomas about a month before the jungle trek via email. We asked him a bunch of questions and he was able... read more to resolve all of them with detailed answers. We liked the sound of everything, however we felt that the airport pick up price was a little too pricey and he worked with us on that.

We were immediately picked up at the airport by one of his drivers and we were then walked to his guesthouses by another staff member. The room we booked was better than we expected! It was a clean room and bathroom, and working aircon. Before we left for our trek, we left our bags and important valuables in Thomas’s room. When we returned, everything was as it is when we left it.

Our tour guide was Ren and he was absolutely fantastic. He explained everything we saw, and would tell us funny stories along the way. He helped us find orangutans immediately! In total we must have seen about 15 orangutans. We were able to get close to one - Jackie, and Ren was able to let handle Jackie with care when we got close to her. Ren really knows his way around the jungle and I felt very at ease under his guidance.

Tondi assisted Ren with food and prep and he was also very kind and sweet. Udin cooked our dinner and breakfast and the local food he cooked was honestly some of the best food we had our entire trip.

The hike was very strenuous in my opinion - there is a lot of steep uphill climbs where the path isn’t exactly clear. The last hour down towards the campsite is also extremely difficult and dangerous. But Ren and Tondi were very helpful throughout the difficult parts.

We noticed that Thomas’s company treated us better than some of the other companies by the campsite. Ren laid out a mat with cushions for us to sit on by the water. We also had our dinner there. I didnt see others with a mat and cushion, and honestly after a long hike, it was what we needed. We also noticed that our breakfast was much more beautifully presented, and more elaborate than the other breakfasts I saw being served by other companies.

Tubing was a very fun and exciting way to end our trip. Interacting with the orangutans was an experience of a lifetime and I would come back to do it again in a few years!

  My mother and me did the 3 day jungletrekking with this company. Our guide was Dedi. This was absolutely an awesome experience. The nature is amazing and the guide is... read more well prepared and very helpful. Because of this great guide we had so much fun! We saw amazing things in the jungle, this was a life changing trekking. Don't miss this when you are traveling to Sumatra!

  It is a nice place really friendly staff
Only the water pressure is really low and no hot water what they promise on the website
And the owner... read more Thomas is very rude to the guests
I recan he want to have more money out his guest and push them to order meals and book longer trips

  My sister and me took part in one of Thomas' tours and weMy sister and me took part in one of Thomas' tours and we are still well
Impressed of... read more such a wonderful experience. We arrived late for the tour since we hadn't arrived to Bukit Lawang at the departure time and contact him early in the morning the same day. He sent two of his assistants to pick us up at the bus station and they drove us to his place to start the trekking immediately till we joined the rest of the group, who had already begun.
As soon as we met Thomas we knew we had made the best choice for the tour. He explained us lots of interesting details about the flora and after a while we met the first orangutan. We realized he and his assistants are fallen in love with the jungle, where they grow up.
The trekking was not easy sometimes but any of us had a single problem as the three guides watched out of us in every single moment providing kindly help to go up the many hills. The way was really fun singing and talking not only about the jungle but also about life an culture in Sumatra.
We met also the famous Mina among many orangutans and never had a problem or felt scared. We could even feed some of the orangutans! It was just amazing and we felt safe in every moment.
A delicious meal and many fruits were provided during the day, always just in time after hard climbing moments and before we could feel exhausted. They really knew how to control our energy and when having a rest was needed.
As we reached the camp where we would spend the night, we couldn't believe how good it was! Nice tents, blanket and pillow were provided. We could swimm in the river for a while before enjoying a delicious dinner, that the great Holo made for us. The feeling was as back in the days, going to kids summer camp 🙂
We shared a really beautiful time playing and sharing anecdotes before going to bed.
I guess after the long journey the day before we were really tired but actually all of us slept as babies although we slept on the floor with only a yoga mattress. Even my sister had to wake me up cause everybody was already up. It felt so good waking up in the wild nature... Holo made a yummy breakfast and after a while having fun with the many monkeys around, we decided to go up to the hill again instead spending the morning swimming and chilling in the river. And it was really worth. We met still more orangutans and even gibbons! Thomas was thankful to us for not bring lazy and choosing trekking again cause he hadn't seen gibbons since a long time; they seem rarely to been met. So we were all just satisfied and happy not only because of us but also because of him and the other guides.
Later the "jungle taxi" picked us up at the river and we went back to the village. The tubbing was just the perfect end for those two magical days.
We were supposed to leave Bukit Lawang the same day but after what we had lived there, we decided to stay at his guest house one night, which afterwards turned to be two nights 😉
Everyone and everything around was so real and so nice, that we didn't manage to say good bye so fast. And the rooms at Thomas' we're not only clean but also comfortable and really nice, with amazing views direct to the river and an atmosphere that I guess we'll never forget.
Our schedules for departuring were quite weird but it was not an issue as Thomas organized comfortable transport for us at 5 A.M to get in time for our flight from Medan.
We felt as at home and leaving this amazing spot was sad for us.
We're pretty sure we'll be back soon and can only recommend to live the jungle with the real jungle people: Thomas and his team, best guides and host ever!!! Thanks a lot for everything guys! <3
Celia & Julia

  Great place to stay! Had an excellent tour through the jungle with great food and guides! Would do it again soon!

  We love every minute of the tour with Thomas! We also stayed at his retreat and were impressed by not only the clean and well presented facilities but the kind... read more and genuine helpfulness of his staff. After arriving, Thomas came and personally greeted us and then sat down and told us about the trek the next day.

Within 20 minutes of our trek, We saw some orangutans and then soon after we were really lucky to see some gibbons! Well I've never seen a guide so excited. Thomas was genuinely excited to see gibbons which he explained are much rarer to see.

The trek was challenging at times, sometimes more of a climb than a trek but Thomas and the other guides were always there to suggest the next step or even take your hand to steady you. However, we were just in normal trainers/running shoes so for the two day trek, you don't really need boots.

The night in the jungle was wonderful. Olo made us a superb dinner and then we had the best time learning games and just generally having a laugh. Sleeping was a mat on the ground with a sheet, pillow and under a little hut. We all slept better than expected but don't think you'll be living it up with a proper mattress.

Tip:'don't wash your clothes and expect them to be dry the next morning. The humidity in the air makes that near impossible.

Also, don't be put off by Thomas' written English when you email him. He speaks really good English but admits himself isn't great at writing!

  My boyfriend and I were on the 2-day jungle trip with Thomas and his team in December 2014 as part of our short 3-night trip to Sumatra. I decided to... read more book the tour with Thomas after reading all the good reviews on the Internet. I was not disappointed; it was even better than I expected. Thomas was very prompt in responding to all my e-mails prior to the trip. Besides the jungle tour, we arranged with him for the pick- up from and to the airport, which went smoothly, and accommodations for three nights at his guest house in Bukit Lawang. We left for the tour on a Saturday morning from the guest house. We were quite a large group, of about 13 people, besides the guides, but the bigger group made it all the more fun. Thomas accompanied the group, together with two other guides. Even if the trekking was somewhat challenging at times, we were able to do it at our own pace. One of the three guides was always trailing behind the last person in the group, and we never felt rushed. We saw many leaf monkeys and orangutans; took lots of pictures, and even held hands with one female orangutan, named Jackie. That was quite a remarkable experience, to be able to get that close, although a bit scary, because if Jackie takes hold of your hand, you cannot make her undo her grip, until she wants to let go. That happened to me, and the guide had to trick her with a big piece of pineapple to let go of my hand. The camp where we spent the night had very, very basic accommodations. It’s a make-up tent with yoga mats that you sleep on. You feel like you sleep on the bare ground, basically. It was very hard and uncomfortable, but for one night, was not such a big deal, and I was there for the raw experience, anyway. Oh, and forget about a decent toilet. At night, you have to use a flash light (bring one) to get to a trail by the camp which ends in a hole in the ground (bring toilet paper, if you don’t want to use leaves). Take some warm, long-sleeve clothes as it gets quite chilly at night. The entertainment that Thomas organized for us at the camp in the evening - the group games, was super fun! “This is a cup, a what? A cupoh, a cup!” You had to be there; will never forget that game. Thomas is a real character! I don’t remember when I laughed that hard before. Food was plenty and very tasty in the jungle and at the camp. The tubing down the river back to the village the next day was also a lot of fun. The price for the tour was very reasonable considering how many people, besides Thomas, were involved in making our trip so memorable. We were lucky with no rain during the tour, although in the village there was torrential rain every evening and throughout the night while we were there. If you happen to be in the village on a Sunday afternoon, it seems like that is the time of the week when villagers burn their trash. The whole village is engulfed in smoke, which makes it hard to breathe, and it feels like there is no escape from it. Luckily it started raining early in the evening which put the fires down. That was the only thing I did not like about Bukit Lawang. But, Thomas’ jungle tour, I cannot recommend it highly enough!
Tip: Purchase jungle shoes for the jungle trekking. Thomas can get them for you for $2 a pair. Highly recommended, even if you brought your own hiking boots. The jungle can be quite muddy, and you don't want to be caring dirty boots back in your luggage.

  Literally one of the best days I've ever had - we all agreed.

The guides were absolutely fantastic, teaching you about the jungle every step of the way. ... read more />
We saw so many orangutans and the guides were very respectful of them by the way they organised themselves - if they felt like we were disturbing the orangutans too much, we moved on.

Very warm people with whom I felt extremely comfortable with...and you should have seen the lunch they prepared!!! Rice and chicken, fruit platters - the lot!

I only did a day's trek however my friend did two days one night (and tubed back down the river!) and he said it was one of his favourite nights. He said the food prepared was amazing and the trekking group and guides all mingled together in the camp.

A must do!