A permit, valid one day, must be obtained from the PHPA office at Bukit Lawang, before visiting the rehabilitation center. To reach the rehabilitation center from Bukit Lawang requires a 2 km walk along the river followed by a river crossing in a dugout canoe and a short climb along a steep muddy trail through the jungle. Bukit Lawang is situated about 80 km to the north-west of Medan. Don't take the public bus as this will double the journey time. You also need a permit but this is just a formality to obtain.
Guides tout for business at all the guesthouses, prices are negotiable.
Lots of guesthouses dotted along the Bohorok river, upstream places have cleaner water. Mostly disappointing, a few restaurants are better than the rest. Meals cost between Rp10,000 to Rp20,000. Lots of places hire out the inner tubes. If it has been raining heavily than the river becomes swollen, this makes rafting very exciting and also very dangerous.