🌿 Natural Soap-Making Experience in the Heart of the Rice Fields

If you’re looking for something unique to do in Bukit Lawang beyond trekking, this Natural Soap-Making Experience is the perfect way to combine creativity, relaxation, and authentic local culture. Set in the middle of lush rice fields with the majestic Gunung Leuser National Park in the background, this eco-friendly workshop offers a peaceful and inspiring escape into rural life in Sumatra.

This is not just a class — it’s a journey into a slower way of life, where you connect with nature, learn traditional knowledge, and create something beautiful to take home.

🚲 A Scenic Journey to the Rice Fields

Your adventure begins after breakfast, when your friendly guide picks you up from your guesthouse in Bukit Lawang. Together, you’ll take a short walk through the village to the entrance of town, where a traditional becak (local tuk-tuk) is waiting.

Sit back and enjoy the ride as the tuk-tuk winds its way through peaceful countryside. Along the way, you’ll pass charming wooden houses, children waving from the roadside, and green rice paddies stretching toward the horizon. This short journey is an experience in itself, offering a glimpse of daily life in rural Sumatra.

🌸 Welcome to Aini’s Organic Garden

When you arrive at Aini’s home, you’ll immediately notice the tranquility. The house is surrounded by a vibrant organic garden — a little paradise where medicinal herbs, flowers, and vegetables grow without chemicals.

Aini or her sister Sarah will greet you warmly, offering a refreshing herbal drink made from leaves and flowers freshly picked from the garden. You’ll then be invited to take a short tour of the garden, where you’ll learn about the healing properties and traditional uses of the plants that thrive here. From lemongrass and aloe vera to tropical flowers, every plant has a story.

🧼 Soap-Making Workshop: Create Your Own Natural Soap

Now it’s time for the highlight of the day: the soap-making class. Using coconut glycerin, aloe vera, and natural colors and fragrances, Aini or Sarah will guide you step-by-step in crafting your own soap.

This method is 100% safe and designed for all ages. Children will especially love the chance to add a surprise toy inside their soap, making it not only fun but also a creative way to teach about hygiene and sustainability.

You’ll get to experiment with different fragrances, textures, and natural decorations, making each bar of soap unique. By the end of the workshop, you’ll take home your very own handmade soap — a fragrant and personal souvenir from Bukit Lawang.

🍛 Optional Add-On: Lunch with a View

If you’d like to extend your stay, you can choose the optional traditional nasi campur lunch (+65,000 IDR per person). Served buffet-style, this meal includes delicious local dishes such as grilled chicken, stir-fried vegetables, tempeh, sambal, and fresh fruit.

The best part? You’ll enjoy your meal with sweeping views of the rice fields, where farmers work the land just as they have for generations. It’s the perfect way to immerse yourself in village life and taste the real flavors of Sumatra.

🛍️ Souvenirs and Natural Products

Before you leave, take a moment to explore Aini’s selection of handmade products. From naturally scented solid soaps to coconut oil and body butters, these items make wonderful gifts or personal treats. By purchasing them, you’re also supporting local women who use their skills to create sustainable income for their families.

🚶 The Journey Back

After the workshop, your tuk-tuk driver will take you back to the entrance of Bukit Lawang. From there, it’s a peaceful 15-minute walk along the river before you return to your guesthouse. With your handmade soap in hand and memories of the rice fields fresh in your mind, you’ll carry with you a meaningful piece of Sumatra.

📍 Tour Information

• Morning Session: return around 1:00 – 2:00 PM

• Afternoon Session: return around 4:00 – 5:00 PM

• Optional Add-On: Nasi Campur lunch (+65,000 IDR per person)

Why Choose This Experience?

This workshop is perfect for travelers who want more than sightseeing. It combines hands-on creativity, authentic cultural exchange, and eco-friendly values. You’ll not only learn a new skill, but also support a local family and their sustainable business.

For families, couples, or solo travelers, the Natural Soap-Making Experience in Bukit Lawang is a relaxing and rewarding way to connect with the community, nature, and yourself.

Come join us, and discover that sometimes the most meaningful souvenirs are the ones you make with your own hands.