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Explore Mount Leuser National Park with Responsible Jungle Trekking
The Gunung (Mount) Leuser National Park, GLNP (Taman National Gunung Leuser) is located in Northern Sumatra, Indonesia, spanning two provinces of North Sumatra and Aceh. It protects many ecosystems and is one of the richest tropical forests in South-East Asia.
Discover an extraordinary natural world of ancient forests, diverse wildlife and remarkable landscapes. From wild orangutans in the treetops to the calls of gibbons echoing through the jungle, this is a place where nature can still be experienced in its wildest form.
Declaration Date: 1981
Administrative Division: Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam and North Sumatra Provinces
Surface area (terrestrial and marine): 5,290,761.64 ha
Core area(s): 1,094,692 ha
Buffer zone(s): 1,494,877.52 ha
Location Latitude: 2°55'S - 4°05'S
Longitude: 98°30'E
Midpoint: 3°30'S - 98°30'E
Rainforest Like No Other
The park gets it name from its highest point, Mount Leuser at 3,381m and is settled in the Barisan mountain range, known as the 'Andes of Sumatra'. It is steep and mountainous terrain which is mostly inaccessable. However, Bukit Lawang and the surronding areas are the main gateways for entering and exploring the fabulous national park.
The rainforest is extremely biodiverse and known as 'the last place on earth', one of the last places on Earth where orangutans, tigers, elephants and rhinos share the same landscape. While you are unlikely to encounter a Tiger or wild Elephant (unless you hike for many days and go deep into the jungle), it is possible to see the iconic Sumatran Orangutan in these forests.
The national park is actually a group of nature reserves and forests distinguished by these various ecosystems. Along with Kerinci Sablat National Park and Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park they form a UNESCO World Heritage Site (since 2004), known as Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra. This due to its range of biodiversity and importance to the world.
129
Mammal species of 205 in Sumatra
380
Bird species
103
Reptile species
35
Amphibian species
Published figures for the Gunung Leuser natinol park.
Biodiversity of the National park
The Gunung Leuser national park is one of the last remaining biologically diverse rainforests.
It is home to an estimated 4,000 plant species, including 3 species of the spectacular Rafflesia flower, the largest flower in the world. One of these species, the Rafflesia arnoldi can be seen in the national park from the village of Batu Katak. It is also home to the Titum arum Amorphophallus titanum, the tallest infloresence flower in the world.
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Sumatran Orangutans – One of the best-known inhabitants of the rainforest, these intelligent great apes live high in the forest canopy.
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Thomas's Leaf Monkeys – Endemic to northern Sumatra, these distinctive monkeys are recognisable by their unusual hairstyles and expressive faces.
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Siamang Gibbons – Famous for their loud, resonating calls, siamangs are often heard echoing through the forest.
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White-handed Gibbons – Agile and fascinating primates that travel through the treetops using powerful arm-swinging movements.
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Long-tailed and Pig-tailed Macaques – Social and active monkeys commonly encountered in different forest habitats.
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Sumatran Tigers – One of the park's rarest and most elusive predators, living deep within the rainforest.
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Sumatran Elephants – Occasionally found in the wider Leuser ecosystem, particularly in suitable lowland forest habitats.
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Sun Bears – The world's smallest bear species, known for their distinctive golden chest markings.
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Hornbills – Impressive rainforest birds with large, colourful bills that play an important role in seed dispersal.
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Great Argus Pheasant - Known for its impressive plumage and courtship. Often can be seen during a trek, but can be heard in the surrounding area.
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Reptiles and Amphibians – A remarkable variety of snakes, lizards, frogs and other fascinating cold-blooded creatures.
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Insects and Butterflies – An extraordinary diversity of insects, from colourful butterflies to camouflaged leaf insects and katydids.
Tropical Forest Conservation Action says that around 89 species of animals are classified as rare, mostly endangered and are protected in the Gunung Leuser National Park.
Keep Wildlife wild
Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. Every encounter is a privilege, and responsible trekking means observing wild animals quietly, maintaining a respectful distance and allowing them to behave naturally.
Responsible trekking and Wildlife Encounters
Experience the rainforest. Respect its wildlife. Protect its future.
Exploring Gunung Leuser National Park is a privilege. Responsible trekking helps protect its fragile ecosystem while supporting the local communities who depend on the forest and its natural environment.
At Sumatra EcoVentures, we believe that wildlife encounters should always put nature first. Our approach focuses on respectful wildlife observation, knowledgeable local guides and responsible tourism practices.
Our responsible trekking principles
Respect wildlife
Maintain a safe distance, remain quiet and never chase, touch or feed wild animals.
Protect the rainforest
Stay on appropriate trails, avoid damaging vegetation and leave no rubbish behind.
Support local communities
Work with local guides and assistants, helping support livelihoods and community-based tourism.
Observe, don't disturb
Photograph wildlife without disturbing natural behaviour. Avoid flash and unnecessary noise.
Choose ethical experiences
Never support wildlife handling, feeding, baiting or other activities that exploit wild animals.
Why Conservation Matters
In 2011 the national park was declared as being in danger. It is threatened by local and economic interests and although protected, suffers from illegal logging, encroachment by residents and deforestation for an ever-growing population.
The rate of deforestation in GLNP is 0.135% every year, which doesn't sound much, but in the past five years, the park has lost over 20% of its lowland forests.
With the Nation Park abundant in valuable resource; Dipterocarp hardwood trees (damar trees), medicinal plants and wildlife are threatened by illegal logging and deforestation for oil palm. The main threat to biodiversity is conversion to small and large scale oil palm agriculture. This threatens the already critically endangered Sumatra Orangutan. People bordering the national park are converting their small scale agro-forests to the more profitable oil palm, which often brings the orangutan in close proximity to humans. Local people see them as pest and often shoot them or take them from the area for the illegal pet trade.
Illegal poaching is also a major threat to wildlife, with many elephants and tigers are killed for tusks and skin. Birds are trapped and sold in the illegal pet trade market.
However, moving towards well-managed ecotourism development can have a role in safe-guarding the national park and bordering forests. This development does not depend on the extraction of natural resources or damage to the environment. Through education we can bring a better appreciation for wildife and the natural world and give opportunities to local people. We are working closely with Green Class - Bukit Lawang to educate children about the local wildlife and environment and the importance of saving it. Once local communities start receiving incentives from the presence of tourism, they will support and protect the biodiversity within the park and surrounding areas. With the hope of significantly reducing forest crimes in these areas.
By offering eco-treks and tours, along with community-based ecotourism in the National Park and bordering forests, visitors will see the amazing beauty these forests offer for both human and nature. With a continuous flow of visitors and with responsible tourism, it has great potential for both conservation and economy for local people.
Taken from Researchgate.net