'The Truth about Trekking'
The Sumatran jungle is a truly magical place... In all my years I’ve never met someone who on their return from the jungle didn’t comment on how moved they were by the majestic power that is nature; the towering canopy of green, the choir of jungle calls and cries, the meandering river… At every turn there’s something to ambush your senses, opening your eyes and heart to a connection to nature unlike anything before. It’s tangled beauty and strength really is quite breath taking.
However, don’t be fooled by the jungles beauty; the jungle is tough bro. It’s hot, its humid, it’s endlessly up and down, and up and down, with mosquitos hanging on your every move, and a host of other creepy crawlies itching to get at you.
Having said this, the jungle is nothing you can’t overcome, and actually that additional level of challenge brings such a heightened sense of joy and achievement to the whole experience. We truly believe that knowledge is power, and therefore having a clear set of expectations of what your time will be like will help you to persevere through those more difficult moments. With that said, read on to find out the main difficulties you will face in the jungle along with our top tips on how to overcome them.
1. The temperature
Even though Europe has just seen its hottest summer on record, the heat you will experience in the jungle is something else entirely. Our tropical jungle is located on the equator so expect it not only to be hot, but very humid. This humidity makes the air feel very thick and will cause your clothes will get wet quickly either from your own sweat or from the moisture in the air. Therefore, make sure you drink small amounts of water frequently, and let your guides know if you run out.
Even though its hot, try to wear and pack several sets of long sleeved, quick drying, light-weight clothes. We suggest long sleeves and pants to protect yourself from insects and scratches from the lower lying vegetation; please note mosquitos like the colour black, so if you can, avoid it! Additionally, you don’t want to be carrying unnecessary weight in the jungle, so make sure your backpack is efficiently packed (see our other blog post on how to do this!). Please note ‘normal towels’ will never, ever dry in the jungle and will weigh a tonne; save yourself and bring a bamboo towel, or traditional sarung.
Although the jungle is hot and humid in the day, it can be quite cold at night, so make sure you have some long ‘dry’ clothes to change into at the campsite; avoid getting your ‘campsite clothes’ wet as there won’t be enough time or direct sunlight to dry them out in the jungle. We also strongly suggest bringing and extra couple of pairs of socks along with some sliders (slip on shoes) so your feet can take a break from your boots each evening.
2. The terrain
Although many of you will be used to walking mountain trails, the beautiful, thick foliage of the jungle offers a whole new challenge. The underlying vegetation consists of lots of fallen leaves, coiling lianas, heavy undergrowth and tight tracks; this results in a potentially slippery and dense paths, where you will have to duck and dive in order to avoid low hanging branches, vines etc.
We always strongly suggest shadowing your guide; their feet, stature and posture are made for the jungle, and their years of experience means they can read the terrain to avoid slippery or unstable areas. Try to place your feet where your guide has trodden; you will conserve a lot of energy by avoiding any slips or falls. Always account for your backpack when you are passing through cramped openings, and remember your guide is always happy to stop and give you some time to rest.
When ascending any steep hills, try and keep your weight leaning forward, and only use branches or vines as support if your guide has used them too. Take your time when descending the hills, as this is where people are most likely to slip and fall. There is no point rushing when it comes to the jungle (slow and steady wins the race) so make sure you take your time, remain focused and communicate with your guide should you need any rest stops.
Finally, when walking through or along the rivers, try to avoid standing on the big stones, as these are by far the most slippy. Try and stand on the sand, shingles or pebbles as these will provide much more traction, making you less likely to slip.
3. The ‘facilities’
As with any wild camping experience, there are obviously going to be a lot of modern comforts missing in the jungle, however these are very much made up for by the tranquil energy of being at one with nature. There are no power points or wifi stations in the jungle, so make sure you pack a power bank in order to keep your cameras or phones charged. Additionally, there are no shops or vending machines in the jungle (yes, I have been asked this before!) so anything you think you might need make sure you pack enough to last you throughout your trek.
You will be pleased to hear there are toilet facilities in the jungle, however as you might imagine they are rather rudimentary. The drop toilets are situated on the outskirts of the camp, and we ask you to use these in order to limit the impact of the waste on the surrounding environment. You are welcome to use toilet paper, however biodegradable versions are obviously preferrable. Each morning and afternoon you will be able to shower in the river; here at SEE we provide you with eco-friendly, non-toxic soap for whilst you are in the jungle, once again to try and reduce our impact on the water source and dependant ecosystems. The river is obviously unheated (yes, I have also been asked that!) however it’s really does provide a lovely, fresh start and end to your day of trekking.
All our camps are fitted with semi-permanent tents, mattresses, mosquito nets and blankets, in order to make for a comfortable sleeping experience! However, please be aware, we cannot control the noise made by animals or insects; if you are a very light sleeper, we suggest bringing ear plugs and an eye mask. We personally would not want to block out the sounds and sights of our jungle at night, but everyone needs their sleep, right? Also, I apologise now if any of you go trekking with Bang Kakau; he snores like a bear, but at least it keeps the tigers away.
So, all in all, temperature, terrain and facilities (or lack of) are the three key areas of difficulty you will face during your time in the jungle. But remember you didn’t come here for a 5* plushy hotel experience, you came here to get down and dirty in the jungle and to lay your eyes on some of the most beautiful and endangered species left on our planet. We hope you take our advice, and view these difficulties as challenges that once you overcome, will make the rewards so much sweeter. Good luck out there, and have a great jungle!
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