North Sumatra Adventure

6 Days / 5 Nights
Medan / Berastagi Villages / Lake Toba (Samosir Island) / Bukit Lawang National Park
Get the blood pumping with an active adventure around North Sumatra. Venture into the wilds to meet elephants, monkeys and orang utans and take a spectacular drive through highland landscapes. Continue to Lake Toba, the world’s largest volcanic lake, to explore ethnic villages with distinctive cultures.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

Visit Lake Toba and surroundingsSpend two nights on Samosir Island in the middle of the world’s largest volcanic lake and visit neighbouring villages.Encounter Sumatra’s wildlifeInteract with elephants at a rehabilitation centre then trek in the jungle to see orang utans in the wild.Discover Sumatra’s ethnic culturesLearn about the Karo’s traditions while visiting an authentic longhouse and see a tribal dance in a Black Toba village.

ITINERARY

North Sumatra Adventure – 6 Days / 5 Nights

Day 1. Kuala Namu Airport – Medan city center (30 km):1 hour 15 minutes

Arrival at Kuala Namu International Airport, meet with the Sumatran tour guide outside the main building for the start of the program.Recommended flights(Not included and quoted separately– Tariffs and schedule subject to change without prior notice):International:Silk Air MI234 from Singapore to Medan arriving at 08:00 (daily) and Malaysia Airlines MH860 from Kuala Lumpur to Medan arriving at 08:30 (daily).Domestic:From Jakarta to Medan by Garuda Indonesia GA180 arriving at 08:00 (daily) or GA182 arriving at 10:15. Leave Kuala Namu Airport and proceed to the city center of Medan the capital of North Sumatra and an interesting melting pot of Chinese, Malay, Indian and Batak people living together in harmony.Visit to Maimoon Sultan’s Deli Palace, built in1888 by the Sultan of Deli (the former name of Medan). This beautiful palace combines traditional elements of Malay, Islamic as well as Spanish and Indian architectural elements. Even up to present times, the palace is inhabited by the Sultan, who remains a symbolic figure of importance to Indonesian community.The tour continues to the Great Mosque (built in 1906 by the first sultan and still considered as one the most beautiful mosques in the country). Continue to the beautifully decorated mansion of Hakka Chinese businessperson, banker and Kapitan Tiong A Fie.Lunch will be served at Tip Top Restaurant which history dates back to the time of Dutch colonization andEnjoy lunch here before heading to the hotel (check-in time is 14:00). After checking in, take some time to freshen up and relax in the room.In the mid-afternoon, meet with the guide again and continue the city tour of Medan.This afternoon visit the city’s oldest Hindu temple Sri Mariamman, located in Medan’s Little India, locally referred to as Kampung Madras. It is devoted to the goddess Mariamman and other Hindu gods. The temple is a meeting point for worshippers during Thaipusam and Deevapali festivals.Next will be a stop at the impressive Vihara Gunung Timur, Southeast Asia’s biggest Buddhist temple.Do a little detour to the outskirts of Medan in order to visit Graha Anay Velangkani, a catholic church in Indo-Mogul style, which has opened only in 2005. The church is probably one of the most unusual churches established through the Tamil Catholic community.Afterwards, return to the hotel and spend the rest of the evening either relaxing or heading out for some independent exploration.Overnight in Medan.

DAY 2 – MEDAN- TO BUKIT LAWANG – VISIT ECO FARM BY BECAK

MEALS[B|L]Tangkahan – Bukit Lawang(45km) : 2 hours 30 minutes by local jeep(max 3 pax + guide)After breakfast at the Hotel leave Medan for Bukit LawangUpon arrival at Bukit Lawang cross on foot the impressive wooden suspension bridge over the Bohorok River for getting to the reception of the Eco LodgeCheck-in at the lodge in Bukit Lawang and, after settling in, enjoy lunch. After lunch, cross the bridge and be picked by a becak for a visit to the Timbang Lawang eco farm. This motorized sidecar will lead from the local village to the eco farm. afterwards hop back on the becak and explore a few other surrounding areas to see how brown sugar is made and rubber trees are tapped.Afterwards, return to the hotel and spend the rest of the evening at leisure while enjoying the tropical surroundings.Return to the hotel.Overnight in Bukit Lawang.

DAY 3 – BUKIT LAWANG – ORANGUTAN TREKKING –BERASTAGI

MEALS [B|L]Bukit Lawang – Berastagi(130 km via Medan): 4 hours 30 minutes approximatelyBreakfast at the lodge.Bukit Lawangis at the entrance to Gunung Leuser National Park and is one of the last sanctuaries of the Sumatran orangutan.Start an unforgettable trek early in the morning at 08.00 Head out behind Eco Lodge (with an additional local English speaking Jungle guide).The first part is an easy climb to the forest for about 30 to 45 minutes – the local Guide always sends a tracker ahead to check where the Orang Utans are. If some are seen in 1st part of the trek Guide will suggest people who have difficulty to walk to return to the Lodge with the tracker while accompanying other participants all the way (total trekking time is two and a half to three hours up and down in the jungle -it’s a bit more challenging and can be slippery, so good shoes are required).Note: Camera fee is not included and must be paid locally IDR 50,000/camera (around USD 4) and IDR 150,000/video (around USD 11) each time client enter the Gunung Leuser National Park After returning back at the lodge, take some time to shower and change before checking out. Lunch is served at the lodge restaurant.In the afternoon, leave Bukit Lawang to Berastagi in the Karo highlands along a scenic route driving southwards via Sembahe and Sibolangit. In the late afternoon you will arrive at Berastagi, a climate station located at some 1,400 meters above sea-level.Check in at the hotel late afternoon/early evening.Overnight in Berastagi

DAY 4 – BERASTAGI – DOKAN – PEMATANG PURBA – PARAPAT

MEALS[B|L]Berastagi – Parapat–via Dokan, Sipiso-Piso, Pematang Purba(130 km): 4 hours 30 minutesAfter breakfast and check out from the hotel, and depart around 08:00 for a short city tour of Berastagi: the tour includes an outside visit of the St. Fransiscus Catholic Church, with its unique Batak architecture and in the background a perfect view over Mount Sibayak. Continue with a walk in the local fruit market which is swarming with activity and scenes from traditional Karo life.Leave Brastagi around 09:30 and proceed to Lake Toba stopping after Berastagi for taking pictures of Mount Sinabung (2 460m).Stop for a visit of Dokan, a village home to the Batak Karo people who have unusual wedding and funeral ceremonies which can last for days and dozens of other unique traditions and rituals which they still practice. Then meet with a family in one of the longhouses where up to 6 families live together.Continue to the South towards Lake Toba and make a stop to see the 120 meter Sipiso-piso waterfall in the Batak highlands. The beautiful fall is formed by an underground river that then plunges from a cave into Lake Toba caldera. Here you will also be an impressive first-view of Toba lake.Continue the journey to Pematang Purba for a visit Rumah Bolon, a 200 year old wooden house, that used to be the dwelling of the ancient Batak Simalungun Kings.A late lunch will be served en route to Parapat at a local restaurant near Simar Jarunjung.In the afternoon, drive along the eastern shore of Lake Toba to Parapat.Arrive in Parapat, direct transfer to the hotel in Parapat for check in and have time to refresh after the journey.Overnight in Parapat

DAY 5 – PARAPAT – SAMOSIR ISLAND – PARAPAT

MEALS[B|L]Parapat – Tomok in Samosir Island by local Ferry: 1 hour TukTuk to Pangururan(60 km): 2 hours approximately each way

Breakfast at the hotel
Today spend a full day exploring Samosir Island and Lake Toba.
Leave Parapat with the private car and driver accompanied by the guide and proceed to Ambarita, Samosir’s most interesting Batak Toba village and known for its unique stone chairs tribunal and execution stones where enemies and criminals were slaughtered and parts of them eaten by this cannibalistic tribe.
Drive to Simanindo where you’ll be treated to a performance of a traditional Batak Toba dance called Tor-Tor (once a day at 10:30 – 45 minutes) and visit the traditional village and its small Batak museum.
From here we continue along the Eastern shore of Samosir Island to Pangururan the small capital of Samosir.
A picnic lunch has been prepared for by the hotel and will be served onboard the ship while cruising towards Pangururan.
On the way back to Parapat via Pangururan stop for a visit of Lumban Suhi-Suhi village for observing the traditional weaving (daily except Wednesdays where the woman are attending Pangururan weekly market)
Return to the hotel in Parapat late in the-afternoon.

DAY 6 – PARAPAT – PEMATANG SIANTAR – MEDAN

MEALS[B]Tomok in Samosir Island–Parapat by local Ferry: 1 hour Parapat–Pematang Siantar – Kuala Namu Airport(160 km): 5 hours approximately Medan city center – Kuala Namu Airport(30 km): 1 hour – 1hour 15 minutes approximately

Early wakeup call and check out from the hotel, breakfast provided by your hotel.
Drive back to Medan Kuala Namu Airport via Pematang Siantar and Tebing Tinggi with scenic views over estate plantations of rubber and palm oil.
Transfer to Medan Kuala Namu Airport for a mid or late afternoon departure flight to the next destination.

Recommended Flights

(Not included and quoted separately– Tariffs and schedule subject to change without prior notice):Domestic:

From Medan to Jakarta by Garuda Indonesia with same day connection flight to Yogyakarta, Semarang, Solo (Java) or Denpasar (Bali). Example: Domestic flight from Medan to Jakarta with GA121 departing at 16:05 and arriving 18:30 connecting with domestic flight from Jakarta to Yogyakarta with GA218 departing at 19:35 and arriving at 20:50. Please contact us for further information.

International:

By Silk Air to Singapore with MI237 departing from Medan at 20:05 and arriving in Singapore at 22:20 (daily).
By Malaysia Airlines to Kuala Lumpur with MH865 departing from Medan at 16:10 and arriving in Kuala Lumpur at 18:10 (daily)

Our Services Include:

Hotel accommodation in half-twin/double room with daily breakfast.
Meals as mentioned in the itinerary (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner).
Tours and transfers by private air-conditioned vehicles.
Service of one English speaking local guide
Local ferry between Parapat and Samosir and return
Boat trip in Samosir with private chartered boat
Elephant riding in Tangkahan
Orang Utan Trekking in Bukit Lawang
All entrance fees and tours as indicated in itinerary.

Our Services Do Not Include:

Visa arrangements
International flights and International departure tax
Domestic flight to your next destination
Meals other than mentioned above.
Camera/video entrance fees.
Personal expenses (drinks, laundry, telephone, tips etc).
Travel insurance
Other services not clearly indicated in the package inclusions above