Frequently asked questions.

For North Sumatra: all you need to do is book a flight to Medan (Kuala Namu airport), the capital city of North Sumatra. Ensure you also book comprehensive travel insurance which is compulsory for all adventures. You will be met at the airport by a driver with a private vehicle. You will need to obtain a tourist visa on arrival which must be paid in cash - either 500.000 IDR or 35 USD. Check here to ensure your passport is eligible for VOA. Your tourist visa lasts 30 days.  You may also arrange an e-visa prior to traveling here.

Find your packing list here.

You can find a guide to vaccinations here. Please note, this is a guide only, and not medical advice from Raw Conservation Adventures.

We recommend you consult your doctor before traveling, to assess your individual needs.

There are no card facilities in most of the places we visit so cash (Indonesian Rupiah/IDR) is a necessity. This can be organized prior to your departure, or at an ATM at Medan airport and in Medan city. ATMs are not available in the villages. As a guide a beer will cost you around $6NZ and snacks between $2 and $5NZ. Souvenirs can be purchased on some trips and prices vary. You will also need to bring tip and gratuities money of 300.000IDR and pay for a visa on arrival in cash. Please check your itinerary for inclusive and exclusive costs.

Yes! Donations are always welcome, see our packing list for project wish lists.

Always. We will not support elephants posing with tourists, washing, or riding. We very carefully navigate this by safely viewing wild elephants, undisturbed, without any impact to them, when our conservation partners can find them.

We only use extremely reputable forest guides to find wild orangutans and always observe the IUCN guidelines for responsible primate watching. We maintain a minimum distance from wild or semi-wild orangutans of at least 10 metres and spend no longer than one hour with them. Participating in the Orangutan Haven field trips helps support the work of Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme as well as local communities and businesses.

You must be a minimum of 18 years of age to participate in our field trips.

If you enjoy a more luxurious style of travel with air conditioning, hot showers, and room service then these aren't the adventures for you. If you are after an authentic experience with connections to wildlife, nature, and local people then you're in the right place.

Some cultures and countries operate very differently to the one you may be used to so it's important to participate with an open mind, trust in your leader, and have an acceptance of differences. This is when the magic happens.

All of our itineraries are adventurous and require at least a medium level of fitness.

You will be walking a lot and activities may involve climbing, pulling yourself up, physical exertion for long periods, and walking on uneven terrain in high heat and humidity.

North Sumatra is a place with many rivers and you are likely to find yourself in or on one. You need to have some level of confidence in and around water. They’re not deep but you should be comfortable getting wet!

We can adjust most activities to suit your level of fitness and capability so don't let the active itineraries scare you! Feel free to get in contact with us to discuss anything you may feel you need assistance with.

There are many talented artisans in North Sumatra. By purchasing locally made products to take home you are directly supporting the local community and economy. Our brochure showcases some of the products on offer, with more to come. Talk to us if you have something in mind!