This month, I had the opportunity to embark on Wild Sumatra’s newest trek—a five-day journey in Kerinci Seblat National Park through the land of the Sumatran Tiger. While Wild Sumatra’s other five-day Tiger Trek focuses on taking it slow and localizing camp along paths with the most Sumatran Tiger activity, this adventure trek takes you across a diverse terrain over multiple low to highland ridges, cutting through some of the park’s deepest river valleys. As I ventured into the Rainforest, a constant sense of wonder followed me. I found myself imagining what lay beyond each towering tree and the dense brush that hid us from the world around us. All five senses came alive on this trip—along with a sixth sense of awe—as we journeyed far beyond the edges of human civilization.

The adventure began early on a Wednesday morning. After packing up, two fellow travelers and I departed from Sungai Penuh around 7:30AM, arriving an hour later in Lempur. At the guide-owned guest house, the team welcomed us with warm smiles and hot coffee before leading us into the forest.

Our group of seven included four guides—one lead guide and three porters—who carried most of the food and camping gear for the trek. Believe me, if you think you’re carrying a lot, they’re probably carrying more.

Starting from the guest house, we were driven to the forest entrance and began our hike around 9:30AM. The first day’s terrain was relatively flat, though still slippery and muddy in spots. I was amazed at the number of exotic birds we saw on that first day—rare Sumatran Ground-Cuckoos whistling to one another and hornbills flapping their wings through the trees.

By afternoon, we arrived at Danau Kaco, a stunning lake of crystal-blue water that made for the perfect cold plunge after hours on the trail. As we swam, our guides set up camp and prepared our first dinner. That night, we grabbed our flashlights for a short night hike. Walking through the jungle at night, surrounded by darkness and the faint glow of our lights beneath a thick canopy, was truly unforgettable.

We awoke the next morning to coffee, tea, and breakfast with the sounds of gibbons calling in the distance. After packing up, we continued our trek to Bukit Lintang. The path narrowed while the vegetation thickened, showing how few people venture this far. Along the way, we spotted footprints from tapirs and pigs, claw marks from a honey bear, and brilliant butterflies dancing along the trail. We also came across several exotic fruits that you could try if the guides said it was safe to do so. By sunset, we reached our next campsite, washed off, ate dinner, and enjoyed one another’s company before turning in for the night.

After another breakfast and a strong caffeine boost, we embarked on a steep, muddy climb. The plant diversity was stunning—trees used for incense, others once used for house paint, and even mushrooms that glowed in the dark. Our knowledgeable guides pointed out things we would’ve likely overlooked.


After a shorter hike than the previous days, we stopped for lunch at the next campsite, Pamatang Putus, before setting out again to visit two breathtaking waterfalls. These pristine twin falls, rarely visited and having no official name, were christened Duo Puty, meaning “The Two Princesses” in the local language. The final stretch to reach them was a bit rugged—steep, muddy, and slippery—but the reward was worth every step. Standing before the waterfalls felt like discovering a secret jungle paradise that few people had ever witnessed.

The following morning began with hot ginger tea and another round of Nasi Goreng before we set out on the river trek for our final night in Padang Lumut. If you’ve somehow stayed dry until day four, that will most certainly change here. We waded through some of the clearest, most beautiful rivers I’ve ever seen. Along the way, we even spotted the rare endemic Cream-striped Bulbul—a delightful surprise.

The leeches were relentless that day, but the beauty of the forest made these annoying, yet harmless parasites easy to forget. At several points, our guides had to carve new trails with their machetes—including one detour to avoid a nest of killer bees. That night, we camped beside a river under a canopy alive with the calls of exotic birds, falling asleep to the sounds of the jungle.

Our final morning felt bittersweet as we packed up for the last stretch, making our way back through Padang Uwi to Lempur. We crossed streams, passed through an area that is known for tiger spottings. Gradually, signs of human life reappeared. Cinnamon and coffee trees lined the path, along with countless other fruit plants. After days under dense canopy, the direct sunlight felt almost new as we exited the forest. Stepping out of the forest felt surreal as we finally saw other people again; three days had passed since we had seen anyone beyond our small group.

Our driver met us and took us back to the guest house, where we shared stories, enjoyed a feast, and reconnected with the world beyond the wild.

Helpful Tips From the Hike:

Rain is almost inevitable. Keep at least one pair of clothes clean and dry for the evening. Having dry clothes to change into will make a big difference evenings and mornings around the camp.

Although it’s possible to hike much of the trail without one, a hiking stick proved invaluable in a few stretches—especially crossing the river. The rocks were very slippery, and that extra “leg” helped a lot.

Bring a powerful flashlight for the night hike, as well as a good headlamp for use around the campsite (for example, easily seeing your food at mealtime).

Pack some easy‑to‑eat snacks: Although the guides do an incredible job with both the quality and quantity of food, you will most certainly want your own snacks between meals. Beyond the obvious energy bars and practical items, I found a simple chocolate bar or sharing gummy worms with a fellow traveller brought added joy to the journey.