"It is a home for everyone, a place where you can feel free. A place where the music of the river takes away all your stress." – Jeanie, owner of the Jungle River Trekking.

Jeanie and her husband's story began in 2008 with a small wooden café located right next to the river. Despite the tropical heat, Jeanie decided to have a cup of hot coffee, as the tropics are her home. After a few sips, a man appeared in the café. Jeanie shared a table with him, and after a bit of reflection, shared the whole story. This marked the beginning of the Jungle River Trekking.

After that reflection, Jeanie decided to move to Finland the same year, where she started a new life with her husband. After ten years of living in Finland, Jeanie and Juho dreamed of building a home in the place where they first met. The house would be small, a home for two, where their children and they could be happy. Jungle River House was completed exactly ten years after their first meeting in 2018.

Jungle River House was full of life, and the melancholy of the river calmed the mind. The jungle's residents, both big and small, from orangutans to monkeys and birds, brought joy. The sun shone brightly, warming both heart and soul. Jeanie and Juho had an idea—they wanted to share the magic of the rainforest with others. Thus began the expansion of Jungle River House. However, when the pandemic hit, their dreams also paused. The magic continued, but there were no visitors to experience it. With perseverance, they overcame the challenges. Jeanie was certain that nothing could surpass the magic of Bukit Lawang, and that people would come when the time was right.

In 2024, Jeanie and Juho now own Jungle River House in Bukit Lawang, with five rooms, and also Jungle River Resort, with seven rooms. Jungle River House consists of light green buildings with large windows, allowing guests to witness the jungle life and greetings from the jungle's residents. Jungle River Resort takes you on a journey to Greece amidst the rainforest. Jeanie was inspired by Santorini, Greece, where romance is abundant.

In addition to Jungle River House and Jungle River Resort, Jeanie and Juho also run a travel agency in Bukit Lawang. They offer a variety of services that showcase the rich offerings of the entire island of Sumatra. The most popular service is jungle trekking. In addition to accommodation and jungle trips, their services include trips to other popular destinations in Sumatra, such as the Elephant Village in Tangkahan, the crater lake Lake Toba, the mountain town of Berastagi, enjoying sunrises or sunsets over the rice fields, visiting a village to learn the secrets of tofu-making, or embarking on an adventure to the Bat Cave.

On a jungle trek, you get to experience the true atmosphere of the rainforest and witness the jungle life, which is home to many creatures. The jungle trek can last one, two, three, or even seven days. Bring a change of clothes, a flashlight, and a backpack filled with adventure spirit. This journey is full of wonders. You can design your jungle adventure exactly how you want. With Sumatra's trained and experienced guides, you are in safe hands and will receive all the tips before setting out. Upon arriving at camp, a meal prepared by the jungle's very own master chef will await you. Jungle treks are a livelihood for many people in Bukit Lawang. "It is my home, my work, and my gym," said one guide when asked about his daily life.

Jeanie and Juho are also committed to sharing part of their proceeds to protect the orangutans. The term "Orang Utan" in Indonesian means "man of the forest." Orangutans are great apes found today only on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra. There are currently only 7,000 Sumatran orangutans, and they are critically endangered. Deforestation, mining, and forest fires are destroying their habitat, and the problems have increased in recent years.

Years ago, orangutans were found in cages in Bukit Lawang. A Swiss woman didn’t let the matter rest and managed to free them back into their home, the rainforest. However, it was soon noticed that the orangutans had lost their independence and no longer knew how to behave, find food, or live in the jungle. So, the woman took on the task of giving them back their independence and teaching them how to survive in the wild again. But resources were scarce, and soon people could see the Swiss woman herself hanging from the trees, with the orangutans following her.

Our life on Earth is not a given, and sometimes we need concrete ways to save life on our planet. Come visit Bukit Lawang, experience the true atmosphere of the rainforest, wash away your worries, and most importantly, help slow climate change by preserving the rainforests. Bukit Lawang, your home in the jungle, is waiting just for you.

– Jeanie & Juho