Transport

How to Get to Ketambe, Sumatra: A Complete Transportation Guide

Ketambe, nestled in the heart of Indonesia’s Gunung Leuser National Park, is a top destination for jungle trekking and spotting rare wildlife. Whether you’re arriving from Medan, Banda Aceh, Lake Toba, or other parts of Sumatra, here’s a complete guide on how to get to Ketambe with different budget-friendly options.

Private Car from Medan, Lake Toba, or Berastagi

Booking a private taxi is one of the most convenient ways to reach Ketambe. This option offers direct, hassle-free travel with air-conditioned vehicles like a Toyota Kijang, which comfortably seats up to seven passengers. Your driver will pick you up from your hotel, airport, or chosen location and take you straight to Ketambe.

Private Taxi Prices to Ketambe:

  • Medan to Ketambe (8 hours): 1,200,000 IDR (approx. 100 USD)
  • Lake Toba to Ketambe (8 hours): 1,500,000 IDR (approx. 150 USD)
  • Berastagi to Ketambe (6 hours): 900,000 IDR (approx. 90 USD)
  • Bukit Lawang to Ketambe (9 hours): 1,500,000 IDR (approx. 150 USD)
  • Tangkahan to Ketambe (9 hours): 1,600,000 IDR (approx. 160 USD)

Tip: Consider arranging a shared taxi to reduce costs. You can split the fare with other travelers going to Ketambe.

Local Minibus from Medan

For budget travelers, the local minibus option is ideal. These public minibuses run frequently between Medan and Kutacane, a town close to Ketambe. Once you reach Kutacane, a local « Labi-labi » (shared minibus) will take you to Ketambe in under an hour. Note that the last Labi-labi departs from Kutacane to Ketambe at 5:30 PM daily.

Local Minibus Costs:

  1. Medan to Kutacane (7 hours): BTN minibus, 80,000 – 100,000 IDR (approx. 8.5–10 USD)
  2. Kutacane to Ketambe: Labi-labi shared taxi, 20,000 IDR (approx. 1.5 USD)

Travel Tip: Public taxis like Raja Ratu offer pickup from Medan Kuala Namu Airport for 350,000 IDR (approx. 30 USD) per passenger, taking you directly to Kutacane.

Long-Distance Options: Banda Aceh, Lake Toba, and Other Parts of Sumatra

If you’re already traveling in Sumatra, here are the best routes to reach Ketambe from popular locations:

  • From Banda Aceh :

Take a minibus via Takengon, with an estimated journey time of 17 hours. The fare is around 350,000 IDR (approx. 26 USD) per passenger.

 

  • From Lake Toba :
    1. Route Option 1: Tuk Tuk → Parapat → Siantar → Kabanjahe → Kutacane → Ketambe (10-12 hours)
    2. Route Option 2: Tuk Tuk → Pangururan → Sidikalang → Kutacane → Ketambe (10-12 hours)
    3. Route Option 3: Tongging → Merek → Kabanjahe → Kutacane → Ketambe (8-9 hours)

Plan Your Journey to Ketambe Today!

From private taxis to affordable minibuses, there are several options to reach Ketambe, Sumatra that suit different travel budgets and preferences. Be sure to book in advance, especially during the peak trekking season, and consider shared transportation to lower costs. Let me know if you need further assistance or help organizing your trip to Ketambe.