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Host rating
100 %
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27 Sep 2025
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Description
Hi, my name is Mr.Ger. I am the founder of an English course in Takengon, Aceh. We are school with about 100 students and 6 teachers. Takengon is an isolated city in the mountains of northern Sumatra. The mountains and the lake keep the weather here cool and enjoyable year-round. Takengon has been called the Switzerland of Aceh. Our program is still young but we have already built a lot of trust with parents and the local community. We are looking for volunteers with STRONG ENGLISH SKILLS to give our students the opportunity to converse in English. They will love to meet you and welcome you to our community. You could learn about our local language , culture, religion, food, farming of best Arabica Gayo Coffee (No.3 in the world export quality). There are many things to do here such as hiking, camping, paddling & swimming, rafting, jogging, waterfall, hot spring, museum and historical Cave. The kids normally will welcome you and teach you Local Dancing (Tari Guel & Didong). We will very much enjoy hosting you and hope that you will enjoy your time here as well.
I, with the help of our team will conduct you as VIP volunteer. We will strive to make you feel comfortable like your second home. A few of our volunteers enjoyed Takengon so much they extended their time here.
If you desire to be part of the exchange of cultures, languages, and togetherness, this is the Workaway for you . Join us as Volunteer. No specific knowledge or experience in teaching is needed because we have our regular teachers and will happily work with you. Normally students just practice their English at the level they have achieved.
HOW TO GET HERE :
1. Arrival in Banda Aceh International Airport to Takengon take overnight small bus arrive around 4 or 5 AM. Don't worry as long you keep in touch a day before arrival we will be standing by to welcome you. The bus ticket normally 170K Rupiah can book online name of bus is JRG. Normally the driver will drop you until our home or I will pick you at station.
2. Arrival in Kualanamo Airport Medan to Takengon, you can get to bus station of Harapan Indah as recommended cozy big bus overnight arrive at 7 or 8 AM. The bus ticket around 250K can book by online also. Please keep us updated so we can pick you up from the bus station.
3. Arrival in Dumai Seaport from Malaka - Malaysia. You have to connect twice bus ( from Dumai overnight bus to medan then to Takengon overnight bus).
4. From Bukit Lawang you can find the bus from Binjai or nearby ticket station to Takengon also 4 bus get here are Putra Pelangi, Simpati Star, Harapan Indah, and ATLAS).
5. From Ketambe to takengon will be 4-5 hours by small bus. The price normally 200K . The schedule only morning.
If you come to Takengon you can easy get to Banda Aceh - Pulau Weh, Singkil, Sinabang, Ketambe, Bukit Lawang, Lake Toba and Gayo Lues.
Hope the information is helped.
Thanks
Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity Work
Art Projects
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Teaching
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
Hospitality/Tourism
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
Interests
Farming
Events & social
Culture
Charity work
Plant care
Photography
Performing arts
Music
History
Languages
Gardening
DIY & crafts
Cooking & food
Books
Carpentry
Blogging
Architecture
Animals
Yoga / Wellness
Water sports
Outdoor activities
Nature
Mountain
Hiking
Dancing
Fitness
Cycling
Camping
Beach
Adventure sports
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
You will learn about :
- Cooking Class for traditional food
- Learn about traditional dance call Tari Guel & Didong
- Learn about local language (Gayonese) and Bahasa Indonesia
- Learn about coffee farming
- Learn about culture
- Historical of King Linge as gayonese
- Mountain hiking experiences ( 2617 meter above sea level)
- Camping lake side & mountain experiences
- Learn about Kerawang Gayo philosophy as traditional cloth.
- Some wild animal such as Elephant, bear, Tiger, and some kind of birds.
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It is so easy you connect and meet local people because they are nice people for any visitor. Our team is also stay in a boarding house that you also connected and talk to them any time as your stay period. They are easy going.
The local language is Gayo and also they speak Bahasa Indonesia as well. The best way when you learn bahasa from our team and the kithen also the local people will be very happy to talk to you.
Takengon is the name of the City we stay.
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HIKING INFO:
Buni Telong Mountain (also spelled "Burni Telong") is an active stratovolcano located in Aceh Province, Indonesia. It stands at approximately 2,624 meters (8,609 feet) above sea level and is one of the most popular hiking destinations in the region. The name "Burni Telong" means "Burning Mountain" in the local Gayo language, referring to its volcanic activity.
Key Facts About Buni Telong Mountain:
Location: Bener Meriah Regency, Aceh, Indonesia
Elevation: ~2,624 meters (8,609 feet)
Type: Stratovolcano
Last Eruption: Recorded in the 20th century, but still has geothermal activity
Hiking Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
Scenery: Offers stunning panoramic views, lush forests, and beautiful sunrise views from the summit
Popular With: Hikers, climbers, and nature enthusiasts
Hiking Buni Telong
The most common starting point for climbing Burni Telong is from the Kota Simpang Balik area. The trek usually takes 4-6 hours to ascend and about 3-4 hours to descend. Along the way, climbers will pass through dense tropical forests, steep inclines, and volcanic terrain. The summit offers breathtaking views of Aceh's highlands.
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Takengon and the Gayo Highlands
The Gayo Highlands consist of the mountainous central part of Aceh. It is an isolated area separated from the surrounding coastal plains by the Bukit Barisan mountain range, or Barisan Mountains, on the western side of Sumatra.
The four largest urban areas are located nearby lakes and bordered by high, forested mountain slopes. The areas around Danau Tawar (Lake Tawar) in the North are the most populated.
Takengon
Takengon is the capital of the Central Aceh Regency. It is a picturesque city with a population of 230,000, situated by the shores of Lake Tawar, a 26 km long mountain lake which gives life to many coffee and tobacco plantations. Its peace and serene landscapes make it well worth a visit, especially for the coffee enthusiasts !
The indigenous people in Takengon are the Gayonese or as they’re usually called, ‘urang Gayo’, a dynamic population with their own language, lively traditional art and highly educated. The word Gayo comes from the ancient Acehnese language, adopted from Sanskrit which means ‘mountain’.
Folkloristic traditions include Didong, probably the most popular dance in the region that was originally used by Islamic clerics for spreading the teachings. In modern times, Didong can be seen during special events such as weddings and welcoming ceremonies for important guests.
Takengon can be reached by bus from both Medan, 8 hours, and from Banda Aceh, 7 hours.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
We need you just to speak or practice in English speaking in their class by participating in activities, games, short interviews, and public speaking. Basically you just respond to what they are talking about because most of them are still with basic English skills. That's why they need to practice. There are 2 classes offered daily each 1.5 hours long in the afternoons.
Morning some program activities with teacher sharing knowledge and some times if there is any morning class could be help base on scheduled made. We do ecotourism like waste management and planting the trees to help the nature back of area and cleanest.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Beginner
Japanese: BeginnerThis host offers a language exchange
France, Spain, Italian, Mandarin & Japanese.
Accommodation
We provide you a private bedroom with lock . You will stay in a large house. I and my wife are also stay here to serve you with delicious local cooking. Some of our tutor team also stay at our house in a different wing. We share dinning room and kitchen if you wish to cook as normally we will cook together some times traditional food and it will be possible you teach us your local food or cooking from your country. We will have breakfast, lunch, and dinner together.
It is free of charge. Not charging any fees or payments .
What else ...
When you have off day we provide motorcycle and cycle and car with driver so no need to be worry.
In Time off you can do :
- Jogging or walking around the lake
- Riding a motorbike, car, or cycle (provided)
- Paddling sport at the lake
- Jet sky at Lake
- Banana boat Lake
- Take around the lake with boat
- Hiking mountain around Central Aceh ( Gayo high land, burni telong, puncak oregon, Gunung Bur Keliatan, and Pantang Terong)
- Have swim and enjoy Hotspring from Active volcano
- Camping around with bonfire
- Visit museum
- Visit legend Cave ( Putri Pukes & Gua Loyang Koro)
- Fishing
- Rafting (famous here)
- Riding a horse ( we have annual event as local & national horse event between February & September)
Our official social media you can check them out and ask us for the links.
If you have free time would like to invite you to our small village in Takengon. We will provide you accommodation & meals and local transport as well. And best moment you will exchange culture and sharing knowledge with our English club local students here.
You will stay with us, food, local transport prepared, and enjoy natural mountain , lake, local food, and Best Gayo Arabica Coffee in the world no.3 best exporter quality.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
Yes . It is very helpful
Space for parking camper vans
We have sleeping bed, blanked, pillow, and tend. Food & Drink also Cooking equipment
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
My animals / pets
Cute group Duck
We love of duck farming and they are funny and friendly.
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (14)
The… read more
They were so kind and humble and also working hard every project they did. They help us much more we expected.
Even gardening doing with tradional equipment they did it well. Make a poll of duck swim as memoriable making here for us something nice and usefull.
Frauke also… read more
Photos
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(4.8)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(4.9)
The… read more
They were so kind and humble and also working hard every project they did. They help us much more we expected.
Even gardening doing with tradional equipment they did it well. Make a poll of duck swim as memoriable making here for us something nice and usefull.
Frauke also… read more
She is gamble and respectfull.
Our students was so happy to see here.
We wish you will… read more
Mr ger took us to many places to see and learn different cultures and learn from eachother. The teacher are kind, and enthusiastic to learn the kids english in different and fun ways. Takengon is a nice place with lovely lake and mountains. But most of all we will miss the great food from Tina… read more
She was here 1 week and lovely .
But so sad she should baxk ealier cause have a new job assigment.
We love here and our students want her back one day.
Thanks a lot lili.
Ger as host
I highly recommend it — I didn’t even feel like I was working, it was just like being on vacation, chatting with children and adults. As they say, it was truly a cultural and language exchange in the end.
Mr. Ger, his wife, and all the teachers are incredibly welcoming, and the children are adorable. Tina’s cooking is… read more
We gave English class and managed to talk about Climate Change with a lot of students from O2 but also from public local schools !
Mr Ger treated us so well and we have discovered Gayo culture and Takengon culture - we went for camping, we discovered local… read more
We only stayed in Takengon for one week, but we honestly wish… read more
At first, communication was a bit open but once I asked… read more
She love some jokes and easy to adapted and the most cool one is she easy going person . She was good moment with teacher and with family and team of teachers.
She share us a best moment as period one week. We would her to get 2 weeks with us but she was having a lot of schedules. Hopely next she will come… read more
I would like to say thank you but reallllyyyy huge and big thank you.
For all. It was an amazing experience.
You and Tina have made me feel at home. I was not expecting all of this beautiful moments.
English class, camping, trekking, delicious food and coffee, learning english and Bahasa, karaoke, cycling around the… read more
Recomended for you as… read more
It was our first volunteering experience and Mr Ger, with the teachers, welcome us very warmly.
We feel that we had more than 2 weeks there in term of expercience and wonderful moment.
We will never forget the time we had together.
Karim & Douaae
