Itinerary Details
Sumatra is a perfect place for all adventurers who want to get close to untamed nature and exotic culture. Follow this nine-day Sumatra Adventure, you will start an exciting excursions to the cities of Medan and Bukit Lawang, to explore Gunung Leuser National Park, one of the richest ecosystems in the world. And immerse yourself in the picturesque landscape of Lake Toba and the ancient lifestyle of Batak people. Besides, traditional tribe and typical houses, local markets and spectacular waterfall will surely offer you an amazing trip.
Welcome to Sumatra!
Upon arrival at airport, you will meet your private tour guide and transfer to hotel in Medan.
After having a rest, take a short Medan City tour. You will visit the imposing Great Mosque, a popular pilgrimage site in Medan. Founded in 1909, this majestic mosque has unique architectural style combining Middle Eastern, Indian and Spanish elements. Then walk to Sultan’s Palace, one of the most majestic palaces in Indonesia. It is the ceremonial palace of the Sultans of Deli. Afterwards, transfer back to hotel and have dinner.
Overnight in Medan.
Accommodation option:
- Santika Premiere Dyandra Hotel & Convention - Medan
- (4 Ratings)
Great Mosque
breakfast and lunch
After breakfast, you will transfer to Bahorok for your next accommodation in Bukit Lawang area.
After lunch, go trekking to the surrounding rainforest located at the Eastern edge of Gunung Leuser National Park. This national park is one of the largest untouched tropical forests in the world with a wide range of ecosystems. So, you will see various tropical plants and wild animals living in the jungle. You may have a chance to encounter many orangutans, gibbons, and monkeys. Then, walk back to the lodge for accommodation and dinner.
Overnight in Bukit Lawang.
Accommodation option:
- Ecolodge Bukit Lawang
- (4 Ratings)
Gunung Leuser National Park
breakfast and lunch
After breakfast at hotel, drive on the same road back to Medan with en-route stop at rubber and oil palm plantation. Upon arrival in Medan, have lunch in the local restaurant.
Afterwards, proceed the drive on the forested foothills of the Bukit Barisan where you can enjoy the panoramic view of picturesque Berastagi town. Through the Nature Reserved of Sibolangit and we will stop at Lau Debuk - a hot sulphur spring, you can soak and relax in the steaming sulphur water. Besides, Berastagi abounds with various tropical fruits, you will see wonderfully fresh fruits, flowers and vegetables in market.
Overnight in Berastagi.
NOTE: For visiting Lau Debuk, please bring your toiletry items, such as shampoo, towel, etc.
Accommodation option:
- Hotel Sibayak Internasional
- (4 Ratings)
Oil palm plantation
breakfast and lunch
Today we will drive to Parapat. En-route, stop at Lingga Village to see a glimpse of the way of life of the Karo Batak Tribe and their typical houses. Next, go to Tongging Hill located at the Northern rim of Toba Basin to enjoy a panoramic view over the village at the Lake’s edge and the spectacular waterfall.
Then pay a visit to Pematang Purba to see the wooden palace (Ruma Bolon) of the former Simalungun ruler built in the style of traditional adat house. It is said to be more than 200 years and has been restored as a museum now.
Afterwards, continue drive towards Parapat. You can enjoy the view of forested ridge and the lake on the way. Parapat is a small rocky peninsula jutting into the Toba Lake and is the gateway to track down the traditional Toba culture and to acquaint the Toba Batak people. On arrival at Parapat, transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in Parapat.
Accommodation option:
- Toba Village Inn
- (3 Ratings)
Pematang Purba
breakfast and lunch
After breakfast, you will cruise on Lake Toba to the central isle of Samosir where colorful Toba Batak villages cling to the shore. Land on the island, take a visit to Ambarita Village, which has an archaeologically important meeting place for the King of Siallagan that supposedly served as a kind of hall of justice.
Then proceed to the northern tip of the Samosir Island in Lake Toba to visit Simanindo Village, one of the best places to learn about Toba Batak culture in the region. There, you can see some of the best Batak Toba traditional houses particularly that of King Sidauruk, which is now a museum. Apart from nice ancient Batak artifacts, the real highlight of this museum is the Toba Batak folk dance performed by the villagers.
Next proceed by boat to Tomok Village. Walk on the road lined with souvenir shops up to a site to visit one of the Island’s most famous sights – the 200 years old boat shaped sarcophagus of King Sidabutar surrounded by his descendants. Afterwards, cruise on Lake Toba back to the hotel in Parapat.
Overnight in Parapat.
Accommodation option:
- Toba Village Inn
- (3 Ratings)
Simanindo Village
breakfast and lunch
After breakfast, proceed the drive in the highway into Bukit Barisan mountains. Along the way, you will enjoy the landscape of primary forest and rice fields dotted with small villages.
En-route, stop at local mini Botanical Garden, which features tropical plants used both as herb and spice. Then arrive at Balige, a small town located in Silindung Valley with scenic views. The market of Balige has a large pasar built in the traditional Tapanuli style.
Continue drive and you will arrive at Sipirok or Padang Sidempuan, one of the main market towns in South Tapanuli Regency and famous for its salak palm fruit (snake skin fruit). Then, direct transfer to the accommodation in Padang Sidempuan.
Overnight in Padang Sidempuan.
Accommodation option:
- Torsibohi Hotel
- (3 Ratings)
Balige
breakfast and lunch
Today you will continue your driving trip to Bukittinggi. After breakfast, continue drive on the same mountain range to Bukittinggi, the cultural capital of the Minang realm and known for spicy hot cuisine and matriarchal ways.
Stop will be made at some local villages. First stop at Usortolang Village to see the remnant of the Mandailing Batak typical houses. Then visit the Purba Village, the center of a huge Islamic Koranic School with hundreds of tiny huts. Proceed to Rimba Panti - a forest reserve with (sulphur) bubbling hot spring reputed for the medicinal properties. Afterwards, you will reach Bonjol Village where the equator line is marked by the monument called Tugu Khatulistiwa showing the division between the northern and southern hemispheres. Finally arrive at the hotel in Bukittinggi.
Overnight in Bukittinggi.
Accommodation option:
- Novotel Bukittinggi
- (4 Ratings)
Equator Monument
breakfast and lunch
Today you will take a city sightseeing tour of Bukittinggi. Pay a visit to principal landmark, a clock tower with a miniature of Minang house on top, beside is the lively and colorful Pasar Atas central market and streets. Then head to Taman Bundo Kanduang where there is a zoo and museum housed in a traditional rumahgadang house. You will also visit Fort de Kock which is known as one of the remnants of the Dutch Colonial Government.
Afterwards, proceed to Batusangkar, a lively and scenic town surrounded by majestic rice terraces. Local countryside there is dotted with Rumah Adat. Stop at the traditional village of Pariangan, you will see the picturesque valley, traditional houses, large ponds and royal tombs.
Next, arrive at Palace of Pagaruyung. Pagaruyung Palace is the royal palace (istana) of the former Pagaruyung Kingdom in West Sumatra. After destroyed by fire several times, it has been rebuilt again and now serves as a museum. Drive to Singkarak Lake passing through the charming hilltop village of Balimbing. Transfer back to hotel in Bukittinggi.
Overnight in Bukittinggi.
Accommodation option:
- Novotel Bukittinggi
- (4 Ratings)
Jam Gadang
breakfast
At the appropriate time, you tour guide will pick you up to the airport for your onward flight.