Paradise of Tangkahan

Indonesia has many tourist destinations are still hidden existence. One of them is Tangkahan, an area on the edge of the Gunung Leuser National Park, known as the "Hidden Paradise of Sumatra".


Located about 3-4 hours drive from Medan, the ecotourism Tangkahan have accommodation facilities and adequate food. You also can reach Tangkahan from Bukit Lawang or Aceh. However, you should becareful because the roads are not too good to pass.


Forests, clean rivers, and attractions of cute elephants are some of the Tangkahan have. Besides enjoying the variety offered Tangkahan charm, you can go into the forest with patrolling guards and elephants.

The elephants were invited to patrol through the forest Tangkahan have been specially trained in the school of elephants, one in Saree, south of Banda Aceh. They help guard patrols to prevent illegal logging in the forest park. In addition, they are also able to provide an attraction that can entice visitors to come to the region to become a separate livelihoods for local communities. Thus, the local community no longer need to make illegal logging as a source for their daily income.

Illegal logging is a major problem facing Tangkahan. In the 1980s, the illegal practice is rife. The natural beauty Tangkahan become damaged. The cause of these illegal practices allegedly due to the increase in population and the migrants intermingling with the natives. They often open areas of forests for plantations and cut wood available there.

Effectively, the practice of illegal logging stopped in 2001. Termination is an initiative of the Institute of Tourism Tangkahan (LPT), a local organization with Indecon. LPT Tangkahan aims to develop the potential of eco-tourism as a region so that people no longer have to perform logging for a living. Meanwhile, Indecon helped LPT to provide training to the local community such as making crafts with materials that have been provided by nature.

In addition to patrol with rangers and elephants, in the area of ​​eco-tourism, you also can down the river with a boat that has been provided. Or, if you are curious about the forests included in the Leuser National Park, you can do Trakking. Lastly, you can soak in hot water as well as the closing day helps reduce fatigue after Tangkahan down.

If you plan to stay, Tangkahan provide adequate lodging accommodations. Along the river there are many bungalows with conditions that are still good. Electricity is available in the evenings, but there is a phone signal may not reaching the region.