Overland from North to West Sumatra

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

Arrival at Kuala Namu International Airport. For domestic flights, pick up your luggage and meet with your English speaking Sumatran tour guide outside the main building for the start of your 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 GA182 departing at 07:50 and arriving at 10:15 (daily) or GA184 departing at 09:00 and arriving at 11:25 (daily).

Leave Kuala Namu Airport and proceed Medan the capital of North Sumatra and an interesting melting pot of Chinese, Malay, Indian and Batak people living together in harmony.

Proceed to Merdeka square in the center of the city for a walk in the old colonial part of the town which has retained its Dutch colonial architecture: the old Post office and Medan city hall and passing by Kesawan Street.

End your walk at Tip Top restaurant which history dates back to the time of Dutch colonization and where you will enjoy lunch.

Afterwards, check in at your hotel (legal check in time is 14:00) and time at leisure for refreshing.

In the mid-afternoon proceed with a city tour of Medan, you will visit Masjid Raya or the Great Mosque built in 1906 by the first sultan and still considered as one the most beautiful mosques in the country.

Note:

• Visit not possible during praying time and appropriate dress code is required

Not too far from there continue with a visit of Maimoon Sultan Palace built in 1888 by the Sultan of Deli (the former name of Medan). This beautiful palace is combining traditional elements of Malay, Islam as well as Spanish and Indian, architectural elements. The palace is until present day inhabited by the Sultan who remain a symbolic figures for the Malay community.

The tour ends with a visit to an impressive Chinese temple, Vihara Gunung Timur.

Return to your hotel

Dinner at leisure and overnight in your hotel.

Inclusions:

🥘 Lunch

📍 Medan city center - Tangkahan via Binjai & Stabat (100 km): 4 hours 30 minutes.

After an early breakfast and check out we depart for Tangkahan via Binjai and Stabat: the last portion of the journey is a bad un-asphalted road (for about 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes)

Upon arrival in Tangkahan you first have to register at the “Gunung Leuser National Park” visitor center before walking to your lodge located on the other side of the river: Access to the lodge is through a nice and impressive Suspension Bridge (15 minutes safe walk)+

Check in at your lodge in Tangkahan after which lunch is served. 

Around 14:00 you are picked up from the lodge by the elephant for a 1 hour elephant ride from the lodge along the river camp; through the Jungle to the Rehabilitation Centre (2 pax/elephant + local Mahout).

Upon arrival there you have time to watch all the elephants and afterwards it is time to help bathe the elephants.

When all is done you make an easy 30 minutes walk back to the lodge.

Remainder of the day is at leisure. You can walk around the lodge and have plenty of opportunity to observe the cheeky Thomas Leaf Monkey in their natural surroundings.

Or take a refreshing dip in the clear river. (Ask the hotel staff where in the river is the hidden hot spring as that is the best spot for a swim).

Note:

• Access not possible for vehicles bigger than ELF as the last 1h to 1h30m part is a bad road and a bridge does not allow to be crossed by bus so this can only be offered for FIT.
• Please take a light bag with you only for tonight, the accommodation is basic with no hot water or AC. The driver will proceed with your main luggage to Bukit Lawang.
• On Friday, the elephant ride cannot be done because all elephants are on patrol in the park with the rangers. Advance booking is needed as only 5 elephants operate.
• We do recommend participants to wear short pants, Tee Shirt and sandals for the activity and bring a change with you for changing when returning to the lodge

Dinner is served in the hotel.

Overnight in Tangkahan.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Tangkahan - Bukit Lawang: 45km - 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes approximately by local jeep (max 3 pax + guide)

After breakfast at the lodge, cross back to the other side of the river using the suspension A local jeep will be waiting for you in the other side for your off-road trip to Bukit Lawang (approximately 2 hours - 2 hours 30 minutes) passing through rubber plantations and with beautiful jungle and mountain landscapes at the horizon.

Before arriving in Bukit Lawang a short stop to stretch your legs and enjoy a fresh coconut drink at Coconut Park.

Upon arrival at Bukit Lawang cross on foot the impressive wooden suspension bridge over the Bohorok River for getting to the reception of the Eco Lodge

Check-in at your lodge in Bukit Lawang where lunch is served.

After lunch we cross the bridge again where we are picked by a becak for the visit to the Timbang Lawang eco farm. This motorized sidecar will drive us through the local village to the eco farm which we first visit and afterwards to some more places where we can see such things as the making of brown sugar, rubber tapping.

Return to the hotel.

Dinner at leisure.

Overnight in Bukit Lawang.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Bukit Lawang - Berastagi (130 km via Medan): 4 hours 30 minutes approximately

Breakfast at the lodge.

Bukit Lawang at the entrance to Gunung Leuser National Park and is one of the last sanctuary of the Sumatran orangutan.

Start your trek early at 07:30 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 send a tracker ahead to check where the orangutans 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 is 2,5 hours -3 hours up & down in the jungle more challenging & can be slippery good shoes are requested).

After observing orang Utan continue  down to the Orang Utan information Centre on the bank of the Bohorok river (30mn) – cross the river using a pneumatic raft pulled by a rope (2mn crossing) and walk back to Eco Lodge along the river bank and main village of Bukit Lawang (30mn).

Note: Camera fee is not included and must be paid locally IDR 50,000/camera (around USD 5) and IDR 150,000/video (around USD 15) each time client enter the Gunung Leuser National Park

Time for shower and changing at the lodge 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 about 1,400 meters above sea-level.

Check in at the hotel late afternoon/early evening.

Dinner is served at the hotel.

Overnight in Berastagi

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Berastagi - Parapat -via Dokan, Sipiso-Piso, Pematang Purba (130 km): 4 hours 30 minutes Parapat - Tomok in Samosir Island by local Ferry: 1 hour

After breakfast and check out from your hotel, depart from your hotel 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 (2,460 m).

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. We will 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 which is located 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 get your first impressive view of this amazing lake.

Continue your journey to Pematang Purba where you will visit Rumah Bolon, a 200 year old wooden house, built on pile works, 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.

Board a local ferry with your private vehicle, driver and guide for a one hour boat trip between Parapat and Tomok on Samosir Island (Estimated departure from Parapat at 17:30 - subject to change).

The island of Samosir is located in the middle of Lake Toba, the caldera lake of the Toba Volcano, which was formed over 75,000 years ago. It is the largest volcanic lake in the world.

Direct transfer to your hotel located in Tuk Tuk Peninsula in Samosir Island (15mn drive from Tomok) for check in and where you will have time to refresh after your journey.

Dinner at leisure

Overnight in Samosir.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Tuk Tuk to Tele via Pangururan (60 km): 2 hours approximately each way

Breakfast at the hotel.

Today you will spend a full day exploring Samosir Island and Lake Toba.

You‘ll leave Tuk Tuk with your private car and driver accompanied by your 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 - 45minutes) and visit the traditional village and its small Batak museum.

From there we continue along the Eastern shore of Samosir Island to Pangururan the small capital of Samosir. 

A picnic lunch has been prepared for you by the hotel and will be served onboard the ship while cruising towards Pangururan.

Your driver and vehicle will wait where your boat arrives and you will continue by car to Tele a rarely visited area located on the mainland in the Southern Shore of Lake Toba accessible after crossing a small bridge followed by a 30 minutes drive up the mountain: The view over Samosir Island and Lake Toba from the Observatory tower in Tele is simply breathtaking and the best one you can get over Lake Toba 

Note:

• For those who would like to enjoy a relaxing bath, there is a possibility to visit the hot springs after the visit to Tele.

On the way back to Tuk Tuk via Pangururan stop alongside the road for observing the traditional weaving.

You’ll return to your hotel in Tuk Tuk late in the afternoon.

Dinner is at leisure.

Overnight in Samosir.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Parapat - Jangga Dolok - Balige (60 km): 2 hour drive + stops for visits Balige - Lintong coffee plantation - Taruntung (50km): 1 hour 40 minutes + stops for visits Taruntung - Padang Sidempuan (100km): approximately 3 hours 15 minutes

Early wake-up call and breakfast before check out and transfer to nearby Tomok for boarding the local ferry from Samosir Island and Parapat (estimated departure time at 07:00 - subject to change)

From Parapat you continue by car to Padang Sidempuan.

On the way there we make stops at Jangga Dolok a typical Batak Toba village surrounded by rice fields.

Also we go to Balige where you can walk around the daily local market and see all local products and maybe buy some snacks for on the road.

From here you continue the drive to Lintong district for visiting a coffee plantation. You will get a chance to observe the drying and grinding process of the coffee bean before enjoying some freshly brewed coffee with the coffee tasting.

Next stop will be Tarutung town for a late lunch at a local Chinese restaurant. In Tarutung a Batak Protestant Church can be seen.

After lunch you continue the drive to Padang Sidempuan, the small capital of the Batak Mandheling regency.

Check in to your hotel and dinner is served in the hotel.

Overnight in Padang Sidempuan.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Padang Sidempuan to Sihepeng (40km): 1 hour 15 minutes + stops for visits Sihepeng to Kotanopan (71km): 2 hours 15 minutes + stops for visits Kotanopan - Rimba Panti natural reserve (50 km): 1 hour 50 minutes + stops for visits Rimba Panti to Bonjol (45km): 1 hour 30 minutes + stop at a moment marking the equator line at Bonjol Bonjol to Palupuh Raflesia sanctuary (33km): 1 hour Palupuh - Bukittinggi (30km): 1 hour

Wake up early this morning and depart at 07:00 to Padang Sidempuan for a long day of driving to reach Bukittinggi in the West Sumatra Province, a 285 km drive passing through the winding roads of the Bukit Barisan Mountain range offering beautiful scenery of mountains, rivers, valleys and traditional villages.

We make a stop at Sihepeng, a small botanical garden where you can learn about all kind of spices like pepper, saffron, lemon grass, nutmeg, bay leaf… and also observe the local monkeys plucking coconut fruits before enjoying this refreshing natural drink.

We also make a photo-stop outside of Purba Baru where you can see the Musthafawiyah Islamic school, one of the oldest and largest boarding schools in Sumatra founded in 1912.

Continue towards Kotanopan for an early lunch at local restaurant.

Depart from Kotanopan and enter the province of West Sumatra and you will notice that the landscape is now changing into tropical rain forest. We take time to make a short 30 minutes walk in the beautiful natural environment while stopping at the Rimba Panti Nature reserve.

From here the drive takes you to Bonjol where you will pass the Equator and where a monument marks the imaginary Equator line. Urban legend says that crossing the line backwards will bring good luck, so give it a try.

Last stop today before reaching Bukittinggi is Palupuh Rafflesia sanctuary and if you are lucky this could be the most rewarding one of this day.

The small 3.4 hectare conservation center is focused on conserving the rare giant Rafflesia flower. This unique flower is the largest in the world and is native to Sumatra. Palupuh is a sanctuary for three types of Rafflesia: Rafflesia Arnoldi, the largest species that can reach a diameter of 1,5 meters wide when blossoming, Raflesia Arizentis (15cm diameter) and Raflesia Oumor Pupolus Titanum. The generic name is Rafflesia and was given in honour of Sir Thomas Raffles

Depart from the nearby village for a trekking of approximately 1 hour into the local rain forest where you have a chance to see and smell the famous giant Rafflesia flower.

Note:

• You should be aware that the blooming of a Rafflesia is a rare and unpredicted event and depends on many specific factors. The flower usually blossoms during wet season from mid to end of year (the best chances are between July and December) but since the Rafflesia is unisexual it also requires the vital proximity of male and female flowers for successful pollination. Also, the buds take many months to develop and the flower only lasts for just a few days. Therefore whatever the season, there is no guarantee that you will see the Rafflesia but if you do, it really is a once in a lifetime experience.

During this activity you will also see some tropical plants and local coffee plants. If possible you will also see local coffee processing.

Arrive in the evening in Bukittinggi and check in at your hotel.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Bukittinggi

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Bukittinggi - Payakumbuh - Harau Valley (45km): 1 hour 30 minutes + stops for visits) : Harau Valley - Payakumbuh - Tabek Path (40 km): 1 hour 20 minutes. Tabek Patah - Rao Rao - Batusangkar - Pagaryung palace (35 km): 1 hour 15 minutes. Pagaruyung Palace - Bukittinggi via the Northen shore Lake Singkarak (65 km): 2 hours.

After breakfast you depart from your hotel to the west passing the small town of Payakumbuh to reach the beautiful Harau Valley, here lush green ricefields are hemmed in between huge granite cliffs.

Here enjoy a 1-hour walk through the village and rice fields to observe the daily life and activities of the villagers ending the walk at a local homestay for drinks and refreshments.

From Harau valley you continue your drive in the direction of Batusangkar with a stop at Tabek Patah for a lunch at the charming Pondok Flora local restaurant serving traditional Minang food.

In the afternoon you continue to the nearby local village of Rao Rao known for its beautiful traditional Minangkabau houses, locally known as Rumah Gadang.

Note:

• The Minangkabau ethnic group, also known as Minang is indigenous to the Minangkabau Highlands of West Sumatra, in Indonesia. Their culture is matrilineal and patriarchal, with property and land passing down from mother to daughter, while religious and political affairs are the responsibility of men (although some women also play important roles in these areas. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriarchy>
• The Rumah Gadang are large elegant houses built is solid wood and beautifully carved. They are easily recognizable by their sweeping roofs with pointed eaves. The Minang believe that the pointed roof is reminiscent of the legend of the water buffalo, who won for Sumatra in a fight against a large Javanese bull. 

Next stop will be at Pagaruyung Palace located in the village of Tanjung Emas near Batusangkar: The palace is a replica of the original Pagaruyung royal palace which was set on fire by the nation’s Dutch colonists in 1804 and it has only recently been entirely restored using traditional materials with its 3 storeys and its 5 stacked sweeping roofs ending with eleven sharp horns and covered with over 26 tons of palm fibers.

Pagarayung is the most beautiful example of the Traditional Minangkabau Architecture. Pagaruyung is the name of the Minangkabau kingdom that ruled the central region of Sumatra and was the seat of a large kingdom where the Minangkabau culture flourished. Return to Bukittinggi passing by the picturesque Lake Singkarak.

Return to the hotel.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Bukittinggi

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Bukittinggi - Puncak Lawang (20km): 45mn Zalino Waterfront restaurant in Lake Maninjau - Pandai Sikat (42 km): 1h30mn Pandai Sikat - Kota Gadang – Maninjau (21Km): 1 hour

After breakfast you leave the hotel with your driver and tour guide to Puncak Lawang, located on the hills with great views over Maninjau Lake. Here you do short and soft trekking down to the lake. The trek goes down through the forest towards the mysterious Lake Maninjau. During the trek you will stop at the local coffee shop to rest while enjoying the beautiful scenery.

Upon arrival in the lake side village you will be picked up by the car and transferred to a local restaurant, named Zalino restaurant located on the shore of the lake for lunch.

After lunch you return to Bukittinggi via Kota Gadang, well-known for silver works and visit Pandai Sikat village to see Minangkabau traditional hand weaving and wood carving.

You will spend the afternoon exploring Bukittinggi and its surroundings. The main town sites will be seen on foot, as Bukittinggi is very small and everything is located close together, with a car nearby to take you to the further locations.

You will visit the impressive Sianok Canyon which is known for its network of underground bunkers and tunnels built by the Japanese during World War II. There is a two-story observation tower that overlooks the Sianok Canyon, which you may climb to the top for panoramic views of the area.

Note: We advise to skip the Japanese tunnel due to security reason

You will also see Fort De Kock, built by the Dutch during the Padri Wars. Although little remains of the original fortifications, it provides fine views over the town from its hilltop position.

In town, you see the town’s large clock tower ‘Jam Gadang’ and walk around the Pasar Atas Market. The market is open daily but on Wednesdays and Saturdays it is especially busy with people coming from neighboring villages to buy and sell their wares.

Back to your hotel and time for refreshing.

After that you go to local restaurants for dinner. At 20:15 transfer to town to enjoy a traditional Minangkabau dance performance at the center of Bukittinggi town.

Overnight at the hotel in Bukittinggi.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Bukittinggi - Padang Panjang (20km): 40 minutes + stops for visits Padang Panjang - Anai Valley and Waterfall (15km): 30 minutes + stops for visits Anai Valley - Padang (60km): 1 hour 30 minutes. Padang - Cibudak Island (60 km): 2 hours 30 minutes by road + 15 minutes by boat

After breakfast you depart to Padang via the Anai valley.

On the way stop at Padang Panjang for a visit Minangkabau Documentation Centre housed in a large and beautiful “Rumah Gadang” that is used as a museum of cultural and historical documents of Minangkabau.

Continue to Padang passing through the beautiful Anai Valley with its green forest and valley with a crystal clear rocky river. Stop along the way for viewing the picturesque 30m high Anai Valley Waterfall.

Arrive in Padang where lunch is served in restaurant Nelayan.

After lunch we do a short sightseeing around the city of Padang with the Old Dutch colonial district located beside the Muaro River. Walk along the river banks with a row of Old Dutch colonial buildings ending at the historical harbour of Padang built by Dutch full of colorful little boats. There’s also a beautiful bridge on the river, Sitti Nurbaya Bridge which at night is beautifully lit.

You driver and guide will drop you at the representative office of Cubadak Paradiso Village resort in Padang where you will first register before being transferred by the hotel representative. It takes about 2 hours by road + 15 minutes by boat to reach the resort located on Cubadak Island off the coast south of Padang.

Check in for a 3 night stay in full board at Cubadak Paradiso Village Resort.

Dinner and overnight in Cubadak Paradiso Village Resort.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

Breakfast, lunch and dinner served at the resort.

There is no car or tour guide present during your stay.

Activities included at no extra charge are snorkeling, picnics to neighboring islands several times a week, canoeing and fun sailing.

Optional activities to be arranged locally and at extra charge are scuba diving, water skiing, wake or knee boarding.

Overnight at Cubadak Paradiso Village Resort.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

Breakfast, lunch and dinner served at the resort.

There is no car or tour guide present during your stay.

Activities included at no extra charge are snorkeling, picnics to neighboring islands several times a week, canoeing and fun sailing.

Optional activities to be arranged locally and at extra charge are scuba diving, water skiing, wake or knee boarding.

Overnight at Cubadak Paradiso Village Resort.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Cubadak Island to Padang Airport (85km): 2 hours 30 minutes by road + 15 minutes by boat.

Breakfast and lunch are served at the resort.

Time at leisure until time for departure to Padang Airport for your domestic flight to your next destination in Indonesia.

Recommended flights (Not included and quoted separately- Tariffs and schedule subject to change without prior notice): Garuda Indonesia from Padang to Jakarta GA169, departing at 18:40 and arriving at 20:35.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast