Journey to Tangkahan, hidden paradise of North Sumatra

Hello everyone. I was quite busy these few days but I need to tell this story before it was forgotten by my very small memory. Actually I went to Tangkahan in last two months and I can't remember well the details so let me tell this story before it was completely erased from my memory okay?

Tangkahan, the hidden paradise of North Sumatra.

Why is it called as hidden paradise? Because it was still very very natural and still untouched by human hands, as you can see in photos down here.

Tangkahan is a small village on the border of Gunung Leuser National Park located in North Sumatra. It is situated at the junction of 2 rivers, the Buluh River and the Batang River. Tangkahan specialises in eco-tourism activities like jungle trekking and Elephant trekking. (source: http://www.sumatra-indonesia.com/tangkahan.htm)

Since it was a small village, there were no signals at all except for Telkomsel. Last time, we went there for 3days 2nights. I always feel excited to this kind of journey (nature journey). Maybe it is just because of daily boring activity and we need to refresh our mind and soul so this kind of journey is never boring for me. So, let the story begins.

Day 1
We (my co-workers and their friends) started the trip from Medan at 8 a.m by private car, we used Avanza if I was not mistaken and arrive there safely at 12 pm. I have to admit that the road wasn't too good, and sitting in the car for 4hours with that kind of road wasn't nice at all. For some people that have carsick should drink Antimo first. But trust me when you arrived, your tiredness will be payed. We stayed at Tangkahan Inn and their lobby aka their restaurant was really natural. You can enjoy your breakfast and lunch by seeing the view that you can't get in the town. Why I didn't write out dinner here? Because there were moths. So many moths. They flew around the lamp which made us couldn't sit under the lamp because the moths will fall down to our foods. And besides, there were no lamp in that forest so we will definitely see nothing. But you can hear the cricket sounds.

(this is the lobby and restaurant)

After we checked in and place our things in the room, we went to the river with the tour guide which was the local people. We went to the river by foot but we had to cross the river with something that was called "getek". I don't take the photos of getek so here is one from google.

The first day we went there, the water was really clear. I can even see the gravels on the ground.

 
We strolled the river for quite a while and decided to go back to the inn. Since it was too early to have dinner we went below our inn to see the river and played there. After that we went back, taking bath, having dinner and then sleep. Fyi, there was no air-con or even a fan so don't bring your jacket or blanket because it was definitely hot. And also bring your flashlight because the lamp was a bit dim.

Day 2
Waking up in the morning excitedly because we were going to see the elephants and do tubing. But we were a little bit disappointed because it was raining heavily in the midnight and the water became a bit turbid. But it's okay. After taking bath and having our breakfast, we went to the elephant breeding area. Waiting for 30 minutes or more maybe, finally the elephants came down and ready to have their bath (with us of course). The elephants are just too cute. With their big size body they were able to resist the flow of the water.

(There are so many foreigners and sadly, we are the only Indonesia people except the tour guides)
It was so sad knowing the reality that even Indonesia people was not as enthusiastic as the foreigners.

 (We are being sprayed by the elephants)

After taking bath, the elephants went up and posing giving respect to us and we were allowed to take photos with them, but because of another team guide was so mean, the photos that was taken weren't nice at all. And when we want to retake it, the guide didn't allow us to do so. Why did they do that? It was just because we are local people (foreigners of course will give them a higher tip than we do). This is what I hate from Indonesian. They will serve you nice if you have money and foreigners especially caucasian, the source of their money, will be treated nicely because they tend to give larger tip.

 (so intelligent and cute but I see in the head of some elephants there were scars, as if they are beaten but I can't tell where did they got that)

After taking photos with them, we started our tubing from that point. The water flow was fast at the beginning for we almost fall from the tire. It was because the water flow was too fast and there were branches. But in the middle of journey it began to slow down. It was nice too with the slow water flow, we can have the forest view and the soft breeze. Something you can't have in town. But it was 12 pm and the sun is shining so bright, so yeah, tanned skin is something we couldn't avoid.

 (before and after)

First time experiencing tubing and it was fun! One thing that I didn't like is the water. If the water is as clear as the first day it will be good. But next time I will go there again and hopefully it won't rain.

Oh yeah, in nearly end of the journey, the tour guide brought us to a waterfall. And we have our best lunch and my unique first lunch there. Having lunch, sitting in middle of forest and waterfall is an experience I won't forget.

  

(look at that butterfly. It was real. Don't know how did it ended up there)

  

(uniquely shaped pineapple)

 After tubing we went back to our Inn by foot! I repeat by foot! For maybe 3 kilometers we walked through the forest, it was a long long journey but because we walked with friends, it was not too tiring but still tiring enough to get me a good sleep.

Arrived at Inn, we wash ourselves and get rest for a while and went to have our dinner. Today we will have a barbeque so we didn't directly went to sleep. The guide lit up the bonfire and placing some bricks and charcoals so we can grilled our corns and eat it. Unfortunately there were no music because there were no guitar and none of us can play it. 

  

After eating our corns and having enough, we went to our rooms and sleep. That's the second day and the last night for us in Tangkahan.

The next day, waking up, taking bath, having breakfast and we are ready to go back to the city. Here is some photos of the Inn. It was pretty good area, near the Elephants breeding, the rooms were also nice, there were electricity and it was nice for a small village.

So if somebody ask me will you go there again? My answer will be for one night is yes.

Two nights there will be too boring since we can't do many things and there were no signals and TV so no entertainment at all. But it can be a good things too since nowadays people seems to be controlled by their smartphones so having no signal will make you less 'idiots'.

So after reading this post,what's your opinion about Tangkahan? Have you ever go there? Will you go there again?

Comment below and you will get a prize reply from me :D

NB: FYI, the photos here are taken from Iphone6, Samsung Note 2 and Samsung Note 3. All photos are natural with NO FILTERS at all. So it was really beautiful as it is. If you own a GoPro then the photos will definitely awesome!