Ketambe is the name of the District in the Southeast Aceh District, Aceh. The area is directly adjacent to Gunung Leuser National Park (GLNP), and is known as a mainstay natural tourist attraction in Southeast Aceh.
The forest is natural. Various animals live peacefully here such as birds, squirrels, and orangutans hanging from trees. Alas River is also suitable for white water rafting.
Azhari, Ketambe Community who works as a tour guide, said that currently there are many foreign tourists visiting. "They stayed a few days to see first hand the world of TNGL's paradise," he said.
To watch the Sumatran orangutan, tourists do not need to go far along the forest. These orangutans can be found on the roadside that connects Southeast Aceh Regency with Gayo Lues.
Tourists from England, Stephen admitted, had visited Ketambe several times. The reason is, the forest is still natural, lots of animals, and the place is not too crowded. "Here, I play white water rafting with challenging currents."
Stephen hopes that the Indonesian Government can protect TNGL from damage so that it can be used as a mainstay tour.
Rafting
For rafting enthusiasts, you can test your guts on the Alas River or local people call it Lawe Alas. The longest river in Aceh, in addition to splitting GLNP, also crosses several districts in Aceh and North Sumatra.
The river whose name comes from the Alas Tribe that inhabits the Southeast Aceh District, in addition to the swift currents, the curve is also sharp so that it adrenaline.
To attract tourists, the Aceh Provincial Government and the Southeast Aceh District Government, held a river rafting competition as an annual agenda.
Head of Marketing for the Aceh Culture and Tourism Agency Ramadhani during the Aceh Leuser International Rafting Championship title some time ago mentioned that the Alas River included in GLNP continues to be developed as a mainstay tourist attraction of the Aceh Province.
"We strive, every year there will be an international rafting race on the Alas River. Besides rafting, participants can also enjoy the beauty of GLNP with a variety of plants and animals that exist. "
Ramadhani said that other benefits from tourists coming to Ketambe would open up employment opportunities for the local community. "By itself, its sustainability will be maintained."
