North Sumatra classic

Highlights

- Lake Toba, one of the largest crater lakes in the world
- Batak culture and meeting with this tribe
- Meeting with orangutans in their natural habitat

Description:

A stunning island in the middle of this vast fresh water lake, Samosir is the spiritual heartland of the Toba Batak people.

To the north of the city of Medan, encounter the endangered orangutan. Meet the rangers of the Gunung Leuser national park; some of them also raise the wild animals in the park.

Day 1: Arrival Medan – Samosir island

Morning arrival at Kuala Namu, New Medan International airport, welcome by our local guide who then lead you to the capital of Medan for a short city tour.

The tour commences with the visit to the Sultanate Palace of Malay Deli – Maimoon and the historical Great Mosque Al-Mashum.

Afterward continue drive to Lake Toba, one of the deepest and largest crater lakes in the world, for about four hours’ drive through enormous government-owned estate of oil palm and rubber plantation.

Arrive at Parapat, a little town at the edge of the lake Toba, we cross the lake by motor boat (ferry boat for about an hour) to reach Samosir Island the homeland of Batak people.

Rest of day is free at leisure.

Day 2: Samosir island – Boat excursion

We spend a day cruising by boat around Samosir Island to Ambarita to see the traditional Batak village with its ancient megalith furniture.

Then continue to Simanindo to see the Batak Toba traditional houses and to see Folk dance. Proceed by boat to Tomok Village with its historical old tombs of king Sidabutar.

Arrival at the hotel and enjoy the rest of the afternoon free at your own leisure.

Optional program’ meet the family of king Sidabutar’

You have the chance to visit and meeting in person with the family of the King Sidabutar before leaving Tomok. After the visit, each member of the group will get souvenir and usually a piece of Ulos. Ulos is a typical hand weaving cloth of Batak tribe.

Day 3: Samosir island – Berastagi

Cross over by ferry boat for about an hour back to Parapat and scenic drive to the cool and pleasant highland town of Berastagi.

En route will stop at the long house of King Simalungun, continue to Sipiso piso waterfall and Dokan, a Karo village with a number of traditional houses still being used where eight families live in together in each house.

Arrive at Berastagi, stop and wander around local fruit market before check-in hotel.

Day 4: Berastagi – Bukit Lawang – Medan

Drive to Bukit Lawang, where the Orangutan located in Gunung Leuser Park. This is one of the largest national parks in the world containing over 800,000 ha of virgin rainforest.

Arrive at Bukit Lawang, take a short rest into followed by a hike in Gunung Leuser National Park Then following the same quite steep trail through the forest we back down crossing by a cable and pulley driven dugout canoe.

You have the chance to take an optional jungle walk for a few hours with a local ranger to explore more tropical flora and fauna. Those who do not wish to take this option can have time for relaxing before driving back to Medan.

Afterward continue driving east through vast rubber and oil palm plantation to Binjai, which is then proceed driving on the same road back to Medan.

Day 5: Medan – Departure

Morning is free at leisure for relaxing until the check-out time at 12:00pm.

At appropriate time departure from the hotel to the airport to catch the flight for your onward destination.

All our tours are customizable.
Do not hesitate to contact us if you wish to discover Sumatra

Included:

- Transportation in air-conditioned car / minibus / coach
- Transportation from/to your accommodation
- All entrance fees to visits
- Guide
- Double room with air conditioning in selected or similar rooms
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Not included:

- Personal expenses
- Gratuity

Useful information:

- Please contact us by email via the contact form if you wish to get more information about this tour