Welcome to responsible travel in North Sumatra
Bat Cave & Ship Rock Tours
The bat cave is a hidden treasure and just a short walk away. Visit Landak River, calm and peaceful for a BBQ and where the towering Ship Rock is also located.
Things to do
Bat Cave & Ship Rock
Expore the Bat Cave, Ship Rock Hidden Forest
Have a spare morning or afternoon, then a visit to the Bat Cave and Ship Rock is a must. Especially is you love nature and interested in caves and rocks formations!
Bat Cave
The bat cave is located 2 km from Bukit Lawang. It can be reached by walking or by motorbike. The cave is a small cave system that tunnels through limestone rock and surrounded in forest. It gets its name from the fact that it has two species of bat living in the cave. These be seen hanging from the roof within the three cave caverns.
Landak River
Another kilometer or so along the track, sits the slow-flowing and tranquil Landak (Porcupine) river, which over-looks the mountains of the National Park. There are many stony banks along the river to relax, swim, have a BBQ and take in the natural beauty of this place.
There are a couple of new camping areas by the river, which attracts local tourists especially at weekends. However, take a further walk alongside the river and you will sure find a spot where there is no one around and can be enjoyed in complete peace.
Ship Rock
Another 1km walk, is the locally famous Ship Rock (Batu Kapal), a huge rock formation and cave system. The over-hanging rock looks like the front of a ship, which is where it gets its name. There is a path that runs through the major rock formation, but if you want explore this huge rock/cave formation then have a look at our Adventure Eco Trek
Take a look at the options below
Sign for the Bat cave (Gua kalong) in a oil palm plantation on route
The opening to the bat cave has straggling fig roots hanging down which opens into the first cavern
A hole in the roof allows a beam of light into the bat cave
The view from Nama Samsah, the first place you comw to at Landak River
Butterflies drinking minerals from the sand banks at landak river
Silver-leaf monkey resting in a tree by landak river
Enjoy a walk along the beautiful landak river to Saelang pangeran
The large waterfall at Selang Pangeran flowing out fromt the top of the mountain.
Bat Cave Tour
The tour will start from you guesthouse either by walking or by motorbike. It will take you through mostly palm oil plantations.
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Through the gate, descend and clamber over rock to reach the opening of the cave.
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The opening has a large entrance with dangling lianas and straggling fig roots. Great for a photo opportunity
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Once entering, the cave opens into the first cavern. Squeezing through a couple of rock you will enter into complete darkness
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You will be guided through the cave system, scrambling over rocks and through crevices before entering the last cavern.
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Stop to look at the bats, crickets, birds, and other insects
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Admire the rock geology
It will take about an hour to go through and come back out.
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Additional Options
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Combine this with a BBQ at Landak River afterwards for an extra 100,000 p/p
Combine this going to see or explore the Ship Rock for an extra 200,000 p/p
​The bat cave is quite magnificent, with amazing Stalagmites and stalactites. However we do recommend having a guide as its completely black and easy to get lost inside
Bat Cave & Hidden Forest Tour
Join us for a 1 Day eco-trek to explore the bat cave and the hiddren fragmented forests at landak river
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Leave around 8am, walk through rubber and palm oil plantations.
Here, you will often see Thomas-leaf monkeys, Silver-leaf monkeys and
long-tailed macaques. We will reach the bat cave after about half walk
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​In front is the caves opening with lianas dangling down and straggling fig root. Good photo opportunity!
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Entering the cave, a hole is the rocks provides a strobe of light. Admire the stalactites and stalagmites. Squeeze through the rocks to complete darkness. You will be guided through the cave to explore the different caverns. This will take about an hour.
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The tour will continue to the hidden forests at Landak River.
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After walking through rubber plantations, you will descend into
the forest with towering limestone rocks and formations. You will walk through this interesting environment, looking at its features, insects and searching for Orangutans -
Spot animal footprints in the mud before resting under a huge over-hanging rock
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Lunch can be eaten here as its cool or at our lodge
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After lunch continue to Batu Kapal (ship rock) to explore the cave and rocks. High chance of seeing wild Orangtuns.
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TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
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Cost: from IDR 550,000 p/p
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Start Time: 8.30/9am
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Duration: 6-7 hours
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Included: Guide, local guide, bat cave entrance fee, landowner fee, lunch
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Group Size: 1 - 4
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Fitness Level: Medium
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What to Bring: Comfortable gripping shoes, head torch/torch, swimming clothes, sun-cream, insect repellant, water bottle