Tangkahan

Tangkahan is a small eco-tourism village at the edge of Gunung Leuser National Park in North Sumatra (in Namo Sialang village, Batang Serangan subdistrict, Langkat district), about 1.5 hours from Bukit Lawang. Known as the "Elephant Village," it's home to the Conservation Response Unit (CRU) Tangkahan, established in 2002 by the local community together with the Leuser International Foundation and Indonesia's forestry ministry to combat illegal logging using trained elephants, their mahouts, and park rangers for field conservation work. It offers a quieter, more off-the-beaten-path jungle experience than Bukit Lawang.

From Medan, take a bus to Bukit Lawang (3 hours), then a local minibus or ojek east to Tangkahan (1.5 hours). The road is unpaved in sections.

The CRU Tangkahan elephant conservation unit. The Batang Serangan River. The jungle trekking trails.

"Walking with Elephants" — a hands-off experience following the CRU's patrol elephants through their natural habitat — replaced elephant riding after the CRU discontinued rides in the pandemic era; bathing/washing activities have also been offered historically, so confirm current activities with the CRU directly. Jungle trekking. River tubing. Camping by the river.

Basic homestays and eco-lodges are available in Tangkahan village; camping is also an option.

Bukit Lawang (1.5 hours west). Medan (4 hours total).