I just got back from an incredible trip to Sumatra (a lush island in Indonesia—not the Philippines, as I originally thought!). It’s just south of Singapore, so the flight was only about an hour. We had a long weekend—Friday was a public holiday thanks to Easter—so we headed out Thursday evening and flew into Medan.

The flight was easy, and we had a great dinner at the lounge in Singapore’s airport—thanks, Mom! After a couple of gin and tonics, I was ready to board the flight and take a nap. We landed, breezed through customs, and met our driver who was waiting for us. The drive to our hotel took about three hours and was a bit gnarly, with winding roads through small villages. Unfortunately, David got car sick. We stopped halfway so our driver could get coffee, and David and I had some tempeh and potatoes to refuel.

By the time we reached the hotel, it was around midnight. The hotel manager was waiting for us—super organized and kind. He walked us through the plan for the next few days, which I really appreciated. We headed up to our cute little villa overlooking a lush garden, took a quick shower, and went straight to bed—we had a long few days of trekking ahead.

We’d be trekking through Gunung Leuser National Park, one of the most biodiverse rainforests in the world. It’s home to rare and endangered species like the Sumatran elephant, tiger, and rhino (which are incredibly hard to see), and of course, the Sumatran orangutan. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is pretty cool!

We packed light, each carrying just a small backpack and leaving our duffels at the hotel. For breakfast, I had pineapple juice, a veggie omelet, and coffee—so good. On the first day of trekking, we were joined by a lovely French expat couple from Singapore. The weather was extremely humid (welcome to the jungle!), so we were sweating almost instantly. The trail started with a steep uphill climb—definitely a sign of what was to come.

As soon as we reached the top, we saw Thomas leaf monkeys, which are endemic to Sumatra—meaning they’re only found on this island. We passed through a grove of rubber trees and soon spotted our first orangutans! There are only two species of orangutan in the world—Sumatran and Bornean. We’d seen Bornean orangutans before, but this was our first encounter with the Sumatran subspecies. David and I were so excited to see two young individuals feeding in the trees—I took about a million photos.

We kept trekking and eventually came across two more orangutans—these ones were a bit bolder and came very close to us. It was magical watching them swing through the trees, foraging on leaves and fruit.

Later, we stopped for a break, and our guides pulled out an amazing spread of fruit from their backpacks—pineapple, watermelon, dragonfruit, passionfruit, snake fruit, and more. It was beautiful and delicious. But of course, it also attracted some wildlife—long-tailed and pig-tailed macaques were eyeing our snacks the entire time.

Then came one of the biggest highlights: we got to see a majestic alpha male orangutan. These dominant males are recognizable by their large cheek pads. Apparently, this particular one isn’t seen very often, so we felt incredibly lucky. He was territorial, so we had to stay behind the guides—and there were a few intense moments when we were told to run because he came too close! It was adrenaline-filled and totally unforgettable.

Later in the afternoon, we began the descent to our riverside campsite. The trail down the mountain was steep, and we needed ropes to help us along. It was tough going, especially with the relentless humidity—we were soaked in sweat within minutes. But I kept thinking about the swim in the river waiting for us at the bottom, and that really helped push me through.

When we finally arrived, I couldn’t wait to change and jump in. The river was crystal clear and refreshingly cold, and the view of misty mountains around us made it absolutely magical.

The campsite was basic but had everything we needed—even a chef! I was blown away that the team had carried all the ingredients in for our dinner, which ended up being a full-on feast. We slept in a tarp-covered hut with a mattress and mosquito net—perfect for keeping out critters.

Before dinner, a thunderstorm rolled in. It honestly felt like being inside a real-life Rainforest Café—thunder, lightning, the works. It was incredibly cozy. We moved to a sheltered area, drank tea and coffee with biscuits, and watched the storm over the river. I even dozed off for a bit, totally relaxed.

Around 6:30, we had dinner—an amazing vegetarian curry and tempeh. I was so happy with how accommodating they were with our dietary needs.

It rained all night, which made sleeping so peaceful. We woke up to coffee by the river—pure bliss. After eggs and toast, we packed up and started the grueling climb back up the mountain. I was dreading it, but we took it slow and it wasn’t too bad. After a few hours, we stopped for another fruit break. At that point, we split from the French couple, who continued deeper into the jungle, while David and I headed toward the river to catch a tube ride back to town.

Before reaching the river, we had another incredible orangutan sighting—a mother and baby very close to the trail. We watched them for a while, following as they moved from tree to tree. We also spotted a family of white-handed gibbons, which are rare to see. There were five of them huddled together, grooming one another—absolutely adorable. Our guide was amazing, constantly helping us find good angles for photos.

After a thousand more pictures, we began the final descent—tricky terrain with ropes again. But the thought of that river swim kept me motivated. When we arrived, the water was even more stunning than I remembered—crystal clear with the jungle as a backdrop. I ran to change into my swimsuit.

Just as I looked up, we saw another mother and baby orangutan—so close and perfectly framed. The baby was playful, swinging from the trees, and I (of course) ran to grab my camera for more photos.

After getting my fill, I finally jumped into the river—and it was everything I’d dreamed of. Pure, refreshing bliss. Lunch was fried rice by the river. As I looked to my left, the same orangutans we’d been watching earlier were foraging along the riverside. I honestly couldn’t believe how lucky we were to experience all of this.

After lunch, it was time for our “jungle taxi”—three inner tubes tied together, with a guide in front and another in back. Our bags were wrapped in waterproof plastic, and we set off. I didn’t know what to expect, but it ended up being one of my favorite parts of the trip. There were some gentle rapids and absolutely breathtaking scenery—we even passed waterfalls. Eventually, we floated past a village where smiling locals waved at us. It was pure magic. I’d recommend this to anyone who loves a thrill.

After tubing, we had a short 30-minute walk back to the hotel. We stayed with Sumatra Orangutan Treks, and I can’t recommend them enough. The team was incredibly well-organized and communicative, and the hotel and food were amazing. For our last night, we even got a villa upgrade in the middle of a rice terrace—so beautiful. That afternoon, a thunderstorm rolled in, and after showering, we sat on the porch with snacks, watching the storm roll across the fields.

Dinner that night was another standout—tempeh gado gado and veg curry, both insanely good. The staff were so sweet—they brought out a guitar and sang to us as we ate. It was such a warm, memorable way to end the trip. Honestly, it was some of the best vegetarian food I’ve ever had in Indonesia.

We went to bed early, since we were getting picked up at 3 a.m. for our flight back. All in all, this was an incredible long weekend from Singapore—way beyond my expectations. It was a stress-free, adventure-packed escape. I’ve traveled a lot, but this company was by far one of the most organized and easy to work with. I can’t recommend them enough!