Sumatra - Paradise on the Equator

Do you want to see everything? Cosmopolitan cities, mountain towns, lush jungle, peaking volcanoes, massive crater lakes and more? The North to West Overland tour package in Sumatra will blow you mind! From Medan down to Berastagi and Lake Toba and up to the highlands of Bukittinggi to Padang, this trip is fantastic! Lovers of nature, culture, adventure and jaw-dropping views, this Sumatra tour package is for you!

Day 01: AIRPORT/MEDAN – BERASTAGI 

Welcome to Sumatra - the island of stunning beauty, wildlife, and volcanoes. You will arrive on KNO international airport in Medan, the capital of North Sumatra, where you will be greeted by your personal guide for this unforgettable Sumatra tour. Before exchanging this cosmopolitan city for the unspoiled rural countryside, your guide will drive into the city center for a wonderful Medan tour. The Medan itinerary takes you to see the Great Mosque, the most important and most impressive mosque in all of North Sumatra and the stunning Maimoon Palace, built by the Sultan of Deli in 1888 - another great landmark in this bustling city. Ready to escape the city and find some of the freshest air to breathe? Good news, you are heading into the highlands northwest of Medan to the picturesque town of Berastagi which used to be called Dutch Scenic Hill Station. On the way, we will stop at the Church of Mary Annai Velangkanni, a colorful local fruit market and a smaller replica of the Golden Pagoda at Lumbini Park before heading towards the hotel where you can take a rest for the night.

Day 02: BERASTAGI – PARAPAT/SAMOSIR ISLAND

Wake up in the beautiful highlands of Sumatra and enjoy a scrumptious breakfast before experiencing more of this fabulous Medan Indonesia Tour Package. Today, your personal driver will take you to Lake Toba, one of the most famous tourist places on the island but not without visiting some other points of interest along the way. First stop is at the Dokan, a traditional Batak Karo village where you can admire the unique boat-like houses. From there, you will continue to Sipiso-Piso Waterfall, one of the tallest waterfalls in all of Indonesia cascading 120 meters down into the Lake Toba caldera. Really impressive to see! You will also visit Rumah Bolon (Long House) which is the old palace of the Batak Simalungun Kings and Simarjarunjung boasting magnificent views of Lake Toba. From there, it is time to drive straight to Parapat Harbour to catch the ferry to Samosir Island where you will be spending the night. Samosir Island is located in the heart of Lake Toba, the world’s largest and deepest crater lake with jaw-dropping sceneries and unique culture of the local Batak tribes. The lake was formed over 75.000 years ago as the result of a massive volcanic eruption - probably the largest explosive eruption the world has ever known. The lake is as big as Singapore and it is an amazing natural world wonder. Enjoy the natural beauty surrounding you and admire the traditional Batak houses - tomorrow it is time to see more of the island with your private Lake Toba Tour and Samosir island tour.

Day 03: LAKE TOBA CRUISE 

Wake up to wonderful views and delightful breakfast at the hotel. Today is the day that you will be going on a private Lake Toba Cruise, exploring pristine white sand coves and picturesque villages. Ambarita village is home to an important archaeological monument, the ‘stone table, and chairs’. This is the place where King Siallagan and the elders would have councils and executions. Simanindo Village is located in the north of Samosir Island and it’s got the most stunning traditional Batak houses. From there, the private Lake Toba boat cruise will take you to Tao Islet which is a famous nesting and breeding spot for exotic birds. Tomok Village is the best place to look for handicrafts and you can visit the Batak graveyard. From there, you will cruise back to your hotel to relax some more and stay overnight.

Day 04: SAMOSIR ISLAND/PARAPAT – PADANG SIDEMPUAN 

Say goodbye to beautiful Lake Toba and the heartwarming, open-minded island people and hop back on the ferry to Parapat. Your personal driver will then take you to the next destination on the Sumatra Itinerary planned out for you: Padang Sidempuan. On the way, you will stop at a smallholder’s pineapple farm and you will make a stop at the village of Jangga, home to the ‘original’ Batak People. You will also visit the market of Balige and the Sipoholon hot springs. The views are utmost scenic everywhere you travel! Have lunch at Tarutung (note: lunch is not included in the package price), located in the gorgeous Silindung Valley and from there, the driver will take you to your hotel in Padang Sidempuan where you can take a rest.

Day 05: PADANG SIDEMPUAN – BUKITTINGGI

After breakfast in the hotel, you will journey deep into the mountain range, passing charming market towns, lush river valleys, rice paddy fields and jungle-clad gorges winding up to Bukittinggi. Fresh air, mist, stunning vistas, this famous market town is a stunning place with even more lush mountain scenery to take your breath away. The rice terraces and river valleys are dotted with little huts and picturesque bridges to the backdrop of peaking volcanoes and crater lakes. Wow! You will make a stop at  Aek Sijornih Waterfall and the mini Botanical Garden of Sihepeng where you can see and scent all kinds of local herbs and spices. You will also visit Purba Village which is the center of a huge Islamic school, Usortolang Village to see the remains of typical Mandailing Batak Houses and Rimba Panti, a forest reserve where you can soak in natural hot springs. You will drive through Bonjol Village where the Trans-Sumatra Highway crosses the equator line and you will be spending the night in a hotel in beautiful Bukittinggi

Day 06: BUKITTINGGI TOUR

After breakfast at the hotel, it is time for a city sightseeing tour. Fort de Kock was built by the Dutch in the colonial times featuring ancient ruins, canons and magical views of Mount Merapi. A suspension bridge will take you from the fort to a museum where you can learn more about the Minangkabau culture. From there, you can walk to Jam Gadang, a clock tower with a miniature of the Mingang House on top and you can stroll around on the colorful, lively market. You will visit the stunning Sianok Canyon and travel south to Pandai Sikat, a traditional village where you can meet local craftsmen and buy beautiful woodwork and hand-woven 'songket' textiles woven with gold and silk. On the way back to Bukittinggi, you will stop at the coffee mills of Sungai Tarab, powered by free-flowing water. You will spend the night at your hotel in Bukittinggi.

Day 07: BUKITTINGGI – PADANG/AIRPORT

Enjoy another lovely breakfast and pack up, your driver will take you to Padang Airport to catch your flight. Getting there is another amazing adventure, driving through ravines and forests - you can already imagine the views are amazing (again!)! One of the places of interest to stop along the way is Anai Valley where you can see a dramatic 40-meter cascading waterfall and an incredible rack railway built on an arch-shaped truss bridge - a spectacular sight! 

NOTE

The departure of your flight should be later than 12.30 p.m.