Unveil the Wild Beauty and Rich Culture of Sumatra
Embark on an epic journey across the vast and diverse island of Sumatra with our Sumatera Overland Package. This comprehensive tour offers a deep dive into the stunning natural landscapes, vibrant cultures, and unique wildlife that make Sumatra one of Indonesia’s most captivating destinations. Perfect for adventurous travelers, this package combines thrilling outdoor activities with cultural immersion, all while traversing Sumatra’s breathtaking scenery.
Itinerary
Day 1 :
Arrival in Medan – Bukit Lawang ( B )
Today you arrive in Medan, the main city in northern Sumatra. Then a brief city tour of Medan visiting the Maimun palace built by the Sultan of Deli in 1888, Grand Mosque AlMashum built in 1906 in Moroccan style and colorful Buddhist temple Vihara Gunung Timur. Afterwards, departure to Bukit Lawang, the orang utan rehabilitation centre located in Gunung Leuser National Park. This is one of the largest national park in the world containing over 800,000 ha of virgin rainforest. Upon arrival, check-in to hotel and relax.
Overnight at ECO LODGE, simple accommodation but nicely located by the river side on the outskirts of the park. The rooms comes up with traditional Indonesia shower with only cold water.
Day 2 :
Watch the Orang Utan – Berastagi ( B )
Breakfast and followed by a short hike up in Gunung Leuser NP to visit the feeding site where the orang utans are fed and trained to live in the wild. It is a marvelous sight to see them swinging from branch to branch to the feeding site. The sighting of orang utan not always guaranteed during the feeding time especially in fruit season but it happens rarely. After the feeding, you can take extra jungle trek deeper in the park for a few hours with local ranger to explore more tropical flora and fauna (the cost at personal expenses). Remember this jungle trek is always via small often muddy and irregular paths. You will go up and down hill (seldom flat walking). Those not wishing to take this option can relax before departure to Berastagi. Overnight at GRAND MUTIARA HOTEL
Camera/video:
Those bringing camera/video in the park will be charged Rp 50,000 for camera and Rp 150,000 for video.
Day 3 :
Berastagi – Lake Toba / Samosir Island ( B )
Scenic drive to lake Toba, one of the deepest and largest crater lake in the world with stop at Dokan, a small Batak Karo village with a number of traditional houses still being inhabited where eight families live in together in each house. Second stop at Sipiso piso waterfall located at the edge of lake Toba. Next stop at Pematang Purba, the sight of the former palace (Long House) of king Batak Simalungun. Further travel to Parapat, a resort town on shore of lake Toba. Upon arrival across onboard, by public boat to Samosir island where you will stay for two nights.
Overnight at TOLEDO INN, simple hotel but nicely located by the lake side.
Day 4 :
Discovery Samosir ( B )
Today you will explore the natural beauty and cultural aspects of Batak Toba. You will visit Ambarita village where the remnant megalithic culture of Batak Toba lies in front of wooden traditional houses. Continue to Simanindo to see the folkdance performed by the villagers. Here you also can visit a museum built in typical Batak style. On returning to hotel visiting Tomok village with its very old and nicely decorated sarchopagus.
Day 5 :
Samosir – Siporok ( B )
Across back to Parapat and drive up to Sipirok with view of marching mountains Bukit Barisan, a long but beautiful trip. First stop will be at a typical Batak village Jangga Dolok with nice traditional houses. A nice walk from the highway to the village and from the village you can continue walking via a different way to the highway again. Next stop at colourful market place in Balige and sulphur hotspring in Sipoholon. Continue drive passing by beautiful landscape (rice sawah’s) all the way till your hotel.
Overnight at TORSIBOHI HOTEL, simple accommodation
Day 6 :
Sipirok – Bukittinggi ( B )
The journey today is rather long but worthwhile to exhibits the inner part of Sumatra. The scenery of mountains, rivers, valleys and traditional villages will relieve you from weariness. Enroute stop at Sijornih waterfall and Sihepeng to see a small herb garden where several kinds of herbs are grown (kardemon, ginger, vanille etc). Here, often there is also a short tailed monkey present who are specially trained to collect coconuts. Next you will pass by a moslem school where the students are living in very small houses. Just before the city of Kotanopan you can sometimes witness the search for gold dust in the nearby river (activity subject to availability). The last stop before Bukittinggi is Bonjol where you will cross the equator. Accommodation at THE HILLS HOTEL
Day 7 :
Bukittinggi Tour ( B )
Citytour visiting the clock tower Jam Gadang which overlooks the colourful market Pasar Atas, Dutch fort called De Kock, Sianok valley and Pandai Sikat, a village famous with its hand weaving and wood carving. Travel further to Pagaruyung palace, a site of ancient Minangkabau Kingdom where women ruled in matrilineal society. Afternoon back to Bukittinggi and relax.
Day 8 :
Bukittinggi – Padang airport ( B )
Free to relax until time to leave for airport. The trip will pass by the greenery of Anai park and waterfall.
