Ida Guest House & Jungle Trekking

During my recent trekking tour, I witnessed a guide from the Ida Guest House smearing bananas on trees to lure orangutans closer to the group. This practice is strictly prohibited—and for good reason. Feeding or baiting wild animals causes them to become lazy, dependent on humans, can lead to aggressive behavior, and increases the risk of spreading disease. Such actions are harmful not only to the animals but also to the integrity of the rainforest ecosystem. Responsible tourism means observing animals in their natural habitat without interfering. We all share the duty to ensure that the rainforest and its incredible inhabitants are preserved and respected. I sincerely hope this organization reconsiders its approach and prioritizes ethical and sustainable practices in the future and we all support ethical trekkings.

After landing in Kuala Namo Medan Airport, our booked transfer driver was not there. We booked a Grab taxi and found Ida Guest house while we waited for the car. Muhdi the Manager contacted me immediately to confirm and offer transport and a Jungle trek. He was so helpful and welcoming. The room was absolutely lovely and had spectacular views of the river and jungle. Clean and fresh and had an extremely comfortable bed. Food was delicious in the restaurant. We were lucky enough to have Jungle De and Yuda and the hilarious chef and Frank Spencer type Andy as our guides. De's knowledge was second to none in the Jungle. He showed us a viper, macaques, Thomas leaf monkeys, turtle, male, female and young orang utans, hornbills, toucan, insects and told us all about various trees showing us cinnamon, rubber trees and quinine amongst many others. He was happy to be in our videos for our channel Far Cry Rebels and told us about the palm plantations and Jungle. The lunch was huge, Nasi Goreng and a delicious fruit buffet. Dinner was cooked in camp while we bathed in the river and rested our weary bodies. The trek had been hot, humid and physically demanding and it was blissful to feel the cool water on our skin. In the evening, after pots of tea, coffee and biscuits, Andy served us a spectacular buffet of chicken rendang, vegetable curry, rice, potato fritters, fried tofu and prawn crackers and we played some brilliant Jungle games while fireflies danced in the trees. The following day, was hotter still and we left camp after a delicious breakfast of warm club sandwich with scrambled egg, cheese and vegetables and fruit. The start was a big uphill scramble using roots as aids. Yuda was so helpful, holding our cameras while we negotiated tricky bits. We stopped several times for a breather. We ran out of water so De kindly shared his. We had a fruit picnic at the highest point which was so hydrating and welcome. The rest of the trek was easier and it was joyous to reach the camp and tubing launch point. Andy drove the raft down the river as we sang songs and waved to people on the banks. Another raft raced us and we laughed hysterically when Andy fell in. It was simply one of the best experiences of our lives.

I was quite happy with the hotel room and the location of the hotel. Also the restaurant had quite good food with a nice view. I joined a 2 day, one night trek organized by this hotel and it was good but very hard work in the humid jungle. Still it was worth it and the guides were great.

I start out by saying, there is nothing I didn't like!! The hotel facility is located in "downtown" Bukit Lawang, a few steps from the river. Muhdi, and entire staff, are very attentive, very kind, and extremely helpful in all things about travelling, seeing, and most of all, enjoying northern Sumatra. Muhdi help organize a 2-day/1-nite trip jungle trek ... as a solo traveller, I wanted to join another group to keep costs down ... Muhdi was able to help me. When not trekking in the jungle, I enjoyed breakfast, lunch, and dinner in their open-air restaurant/lounge overlooking the river. These past days in Bukit Lawang will probably be the highlight of my stay in Sumatra.

We did the Jungle Tour with the guesthouses guide Toya ! Who was amazing, he had a great knowledge of the jungle and went the extra mile always going out of his way looking out for more animals for us to see! Not only did we see lots of orangutans (and their babies) and different types of monkeys. We even got to see rare sights hornbills and gibbons! The camping for the trip was also amazing with great food! Plus the guesthouse was great! Nice and clean with great views too!!

Everything was perfect. The trekking was really great with 2 amazing nights. You will eat more than in a restaurant with tea, coffee and a looot of rice! Jungle, rafting, monkeys, turtle, snakes and orang utan. I recommend