Elephant tourism Tangkahan
is the most attractive destination in Leuser National Park. How comes? Well,
you may often seeing elephant at the zoo. But, what if you see a group of
elephants act so funny and friendly to you? Yes, this is what you can find out
in Tangkahan, North Sumatra. Bringing ecotourism concept, elephant tourism
Tangkahan would teach you to be nature’s friend.
Tangkahan itself got
the name of ‘The Hidden Paradise’. If you come there at evening, you can stay
in the hotel. There are cottage and homestay near Tangkahan with affordable
prices start from IDR100k to IDR350k. But, firstly you need to report your
visit at Visitor Center. If you want practical journey, you can purchase
tourism package there start from IDR250k – IDR10,375k.
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Location of elephant tourism Tangkahan
The elephant tourism
is located at Tangkahan Village, Batang Serangan sub-district, Langkat Regency,
North Sumatra. Tangkahan itself is surrounded by green hills and rich of
natural panorama. If you want to get flexible journey, you are suggested to
rent a car and driver because it will enable you to get the chance to enjoy
your holiday. Make sure to find a good car with working windows because you
will meet dusty roads.
It will take around 4
hours from Kuala Namu International Airport. To get there, you can take public
transportation, i.e. bus from Pinang Barus Terminal which is only available
twice a day. However, you also can take tourism bus from the airport. Along the
trip, you will meet trucks bringing palm because most of the land in North
Sumatra is used as palm oil plantation.
Tracking at Leuser National Park Tangkahan
Actually, there are
many things you can do as you arrive there, such as tracking to Leuser National
Park, visiting elephant conservation at CRU (Conservative Response Unit) and
tubing in the river. Moreover, if you interested to explore the forest deeper,
you can try jungle tracking with the instructors. So, if you are crazy in love
to tracking, Leuser National Park must be visited. Not only offers you the
beauty of nature, but you will get more knowledge about flora and fauna that
exist in the national park.
To get to Leuser
National Park, you have to pass Batang
Serangan River and Buluh River. You can rent a gethek or traditional boat by
paying IDR3k per 3 days. During tracking, you are suggested to wear long
trouser and long socks to avoid leachs beaten and suck your blood. When you
explore the forest deeper, you will find Uning or the source of water for
animal in the national park.
The tracking will be
more fun when you get down because the small river will welcome you. There are
so many fruits, such as banana and pineapple grow there. The good news is that
you can eat those fruits when you take a rest before continuing the tracking.
Not too far from the river, there is Batang
Serangan which is suitable for swimming. Yes sure. You definitely want to
refresh yourself after the long tracking. And if you purchase tour package, you
will have opportunity to enjoy the lunch at the bank of the river with
incredible view.
Bathing the elephant at Tangkahan
Well, not only in
Thailand, you also will have chance to bath and play with elephant at Tangkahan.
Not only those activities, you even will have chance to explore the bank of
river with smart elephants.
Actually elephant
conservation in Tangkahan has 8 male and 7 female elephants. Those animals have
their own keeper to ensure tourist that they riding elephant with professional.
In this conservation, you will have chance to do many thing, such as elephant feeding,
elephant riding, and elephant bathing. What makes tourist love is when they have
chance to bath the elephant in the Namogeltus River.
With a small brush,
you have to bath the elephant. Dont be afraid because the elephant’s skin is very
thick and it will not hurt them. While bathing and brushing the elephant, ask
your friends to take the pictures. This will be unforgettable moment as you
visit elephant tourism Tangkahan. After they looks cute and fresh, next you
will have other duty to feed elephant.
Elephant riding is the
next activity. You only need to pay IDR300k and surround the conservation area
within 10 minutes and tracking by surround the forest by paying IDR10,000k.
Each elephant can be ride by 3 passengers, included the keeper. However, you
only have chance to do it from Monday to Thursday. Riding elephant by
surrounding the forest is a favorite activity because you will get a new
experience while exploring the heavy tropical forest in Sumatra.
River tubing at Leuser National Park
Travelers, if you
still have energy to do more, you can try river tubing at Batang Serangan. The route is from Batang
Serangan River to Buluh River. So, if you want to try rafting but afraid of
strong current, river tubing in Tangkahan can be an alternative activity
because while you tubing, you will witness the beauty of forest which is very
clean.
If that is still not
enough, you can walk around 30 minutes to go to other spot, i.e. Namuceceng at
the top of Buluh River. In this spot, you can swim and challenge the adrenaline
by jumping from to cliff. After that, you can relax your body by visiting hot
spring near Buluh River. Just keep in mind to hold to tube tightly and wear
proper attribute. You surely don't want your sandals and the tube floating.
Combination between
natural scenery and elephant conservation in Tangkahan offers something
different to tourists. That is why foreign tourist interested to come and
explore this area. Those are what you can do while doing elephant tourism at
Tangkahan, North Sumatra? How it sounds? Don’t say that you are a real
adventurer before you travel to Leuser National Park. So many fascinating
activities are waiting for you.
