If you visit North Sumatra, take the time to see Tangkahan—a little paradise of elephants and hot springs on the edge of Gunung Leuser National Park.
Small steps leading down to the river make mornings in Tangkahan feel even fresher, with calm, greenish waters flowing gently. It’s as if you’re wrapped in a silence that never ends.
That stillness quickly washes away the fatigue from the long journey from Medan to this place. I can still recall the trip just a day earlier to this ecotourism village—starting with a flight from Jakarta to Medan, followed by a four-hour drive north toward the southern boundary of Gunung Leuser National Park (GLNP) in the province of Aceh.
The journey to Tangkahan is actually interesting, with the scenery constantly changing—from paved roads and small towns to sugarcane and rubber plantations, semi-forest areas, and small mountain ridges in the distance. Unfortunately, about half of the road is so bumpy that it’s impossible to stay still, making sore muscles inevitable.
It wasn’t until last night that I finally arrived here. By then it was already dark, so I couldn’t enjoy the first night. Only this morning did I have the chance to walk around, stopping by the river whose flowing sound had been calling to me since the night before.
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Lots of Elephants
This river also leads to the elephants’ home. Indeed, many elephants live in this tourist area—six in total.
Interacting with the elephants is fascinating because they are remarkably obedient animals. They’ll open their mouths if you offer food, lie down if you want to bathe them, and slightly lift a leg if you wish to climb onto their backs.
Sitting atop an elephant can be quite an experience, especially when you cross the river together. The six-meter-wide river feels like nothing more than a narrow canal to them. They wade across with ease, even carrying three people without the slightest sign of strain.
Tubing in Batak Land
After riding the elephants, you may want to enjoy other activities. Tubing is one option—floating down the river on an inner tube. It’s like reliving childhood memories of playing in the river, except here the tubes are larger and have netting inside so you can sit comfortably while drifting along with the current. When tubing is over, you might feel chilled. If so, make sure to try the hot springs. The warm water in Tangkahan still feels natural, with no PVC pipes or cement barriers—just pure, flowing heat.
It’s a blissful way to end the day, tasting a slice of paradise at the edge of Batak land. (Sulung Prasetyo)
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