North Sumatra Soft Adventure

📍 Kuala Namu International Airport – Parapat (160 km): 5 hrs / Parapat – Tomok in Samosir Island by local Ferry: 1 hr

Make it to Medan Kuala Namu International Airport with an early morning flight, and step outside of the airport, where an English-speaking guide and a driver await.

Together, drive down to Parapat via Pematangsiantar as the scenic road crosses magnificent estate plantations full of rubber and palm oil.

Lunch will be served at a local restaurant in Pematangsiantar, after which the drive continues to Parapat, a small inland town and the gateway to Lake Toba.

Board the local ferry in the late afternoon for a short transfer to Tomok, a village on Samosir Island. 

Note that Samosir is an island in the middle of a volcanic lake, also known as a caldera - the crater that remains after a volcanic eruption. Formed over 75,000 years ago. It is the largest volcanic lake in the world.

Continue the journey from Tomok to the hotel of the day, which is about 15 minutes of driving down the road. After checking in and a refreshing shower, feel free to explore the island independently and have dinner at leisure.

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

International: Singapore Airlines SQ990 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 arriving at 09:30 (daily) . 

Overnight in Samosir Island
 

Inclusions:

🥘 Lunch

📍 Tuk Tuk to Tele via Pangururan (60 km): 2 hrs

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, and spend an entire day exploring Samosir Island and Lake Toba.

Leave Tuk Tuk with a private car and driver, along with the guide and head for Ambarita, Samosir’s most interesting Toba village. Known for its unique Stone Chair Tribunal and execution stones that have inspired numerous adventure movies like Indiana Jones, Ambarita offers a glimpse into the island's ancient history. 

Experience the vibrant Batak culture with a captivating traditional dance performance, blending traditional music and modern technology. Following the show, journey to Simanindo to discover a traditional village and its charming Batak museum.

From Simanindo, the journey continues to the Eastern shore of Samosir Island and Pangururan, the small capital of Samosir. A picnic lunch has been prepared by the hotel and will be served onboard the ship while cruising towards Pangururan.

After meeting up with the driver, proceed to Tele, a rarely visited area located on the mainland in the Southern Shore of Lake Toba. Accessible only after crossing a small bridge followed by a 30- minute drive up the mountain, Tele offers a breathtaking view from its observatory tower, revealing the entire lake and Samosir Island. For a relaxing follow-up, there is the possibility of visiting the hot springs after seeing the Tele observatory tower.

On the way back from Pangururan, make a stop at Lumban Suhi Suhi village to witness the women demonstrate traditional weaving techniques.

Return to the hotel in Tuk Tuk late in the afternoon.

Overnight in Samosir Island

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Parapat – Berastagi via Pematang Purba, Sipiso Piso & Dokan (130 km): 6 hrs

After enjoying breakfast, proceed to check out from the hotel, and transfer from Tuk Tuk to Tomok for a short visit to the tombs of the Sidabutar Kings.

Cross the lake back to Parapat from  Tomok with the same ferry as before, and meet up with the driver and guide on board. Upon landing in Parapat, continue along the northern shore of the majestic lake to Berastagi district.

The sights along this road allow for numerous impressions of local life and the unique architecture of the residential buildings in the area. Lunch will be served en route at a local restaurant near Simarjarunjung. 

Continue the journey to Pematang Purba for a visit to Rumah Bolon, a 200-year-old Bolon house, built on decorated poles and the historical home to ancient Batak Simalungun Kings.

Continuing onwards and making a stop for the 120 metre Sipiso Piso Waterfall located in the Batak highlands. This beautiful plunge waterfall comes from an underground river that makes its way from a cave into the Lake Toba caldera.

After this spectacular waterfall, proceed to Dokan, a village home to the Batak Karo people who have unusual weddings and funeral ceremonies, lasting for days on end. Encounter a local family in one of the longhouses where occasionally up to 6 families may live together.

In the late afternoon, explore  Berastagi, the climate station located at 1,400 metres above sea level. After this experience, check in at the hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight in Berastagi

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Berastagi – Tangkahan via Binjai and Stabat (150 km): 6 hrs

After breakfast and check out from the hotel, leave 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 a background view of Mount Sibayak. Continue with a walk in the local fruit market which is swarming with activity, offering a taste of traditional Karo life. 

Taste the many tropical fruits that are typical for this region, and discover the most famous of them all, the Marquisa -more commonly known as passionfruit, it is usually processed into a refreshing drink.

Leave Berastagi in the morning and head for Tangkahan, one of the gateways to Gunung Leuser National Park, straddling the border of North Sumatra and Aceh provinces. Lunch will be served en route at a local restaurant in the city of Binjai.

In the afternoon, continue to Tangkahan Village and prepare for an adventurous last segment of the road, which is largely unpaved.

Arriving in Tangkahan requires registration at the visitor centre of Gunung Leuser National Park. After proper registration, proceed to the other side of the river towards the lodges, and marvel at the impressive suspension bridge. Check in at the lodge and spend the night in Tangkahan under a blanket of soothing jungle sounds.

Overnight in Tangkahan

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Tangkahan – Bukit Lawang (45km): 2 hrs 30 mins by local jeep

After breakfast at the lodge, start the day at 08:00 with a 30-minute walk towards the Elephant Rehabilitation Centre, and get ready for a memorable day with the Sumatran Elephant, an endemic subspecies of the Asian Elephant.

Upon arrival at the National Park's elephant rehabilitation center, guests will begin with an introductory briefing on the camp's history and vital conservation mission. Following the briefing, mahouts (elephant caretakers) will lead a short walk down to the river. Here, visitors will have the unique opportunity to observe the intimate bathing and feeding routine, as the mahout assists the elephants. For the elephants' well-being, our guest activity is limited to observation during this interaction. The experience culminates as we join the mahouts and follow from behind as they take on their daily forest patrol.

The patrol is a part of a conservation effort to monitor the jungle, prevent illegal logging and protect the habitat of endangered species in the Leuser Ecosystem. This "Ngangon Gajah" (elephant herding) is an hour-long gentle walk through the jungle before they are returned safely to the camp.

Feel free to enjoy the rest of the morning at leisure: Walk around the lodge and try to spot the strikingly beautiful Thomas Leaf Monkeys in their natural surroundings. 

After lunch at the Jungle Lodge, cross the river using the suspension bridge, as a local jeep will be waiting at the other side for an off road trip to Bukit Lawang. Expect to see beautiful jungle, interchanged with rubber plantations and mountainous landscapes at the horizon during this 3-hour drive.

Before making it to Bukit Lawang, a short stop at Coconut Park will allow for some stretching time and the pleasure of a fresh coconut drink. Upon arrival at Bukit Lawang, cross the suspension bridge towards the reception of the peaceful Eco Lodges and spend the night there.

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

Notes:
- 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 bath 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
- Elephants walk should be booked at least 1 week prior to arrival in Tangkahan

Overnight in Bukit Lawang

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Bukit Lawang – Medan city center (70 km): 2 hrs 15 mins

Enjoy a breakfast at the lodge and start the trek early at 08:00 behind the Eco Lodge (with an English speaking Jungle guide).

The first part is an easy climb through the forest for about 45 minutes, with the local guide always sending a tracker ahead to see if any Orangutans are in the area. If some are seen during the first part of the trek, the guide may suggest that the less experienced trekkers return to the lodge with the tracker, while the other participants continue on a more challenging trail (60 minutes up- and downhill with occasional slippery segments that require appropriate shoes). After observing more Orangutans, return to the hotel.

Lunch is served at Eco Lodge restaurant.

In the afternoon, cross the Bohorok River again and continue by motorized Becak to the innovative Timbang Lawan Eco Farm For an excursion in sustainable tourism. Used for educational purposes, this organic farming centre is located in the middle of a traditional farming community and serves as an example to the surrounding farms.

Check in at the hotel upon arrival in Medan and enjoy some free time to wash of the travel dust.

Make it out to Chinatown later that evening, and discover the joys of typical hawker food. Amongst South-east Asians, it is very common to pick dinner as one sees fit, while walking around and carefully examining the different foods stalls and the delicacies that are being prepared on the spot.

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

Overnight in Medan

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Medan city center – Kualanamu International Airport (30 km): 01 hr 15 mins

After breakfast and checking out, continue this morning with a short and fascinating tour of the highlights in Medan.

Visit Maimoon Sultan’s Deli Palace, built in 1888 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. Up to this day, the palace continues to be inhabited by the Sultan, who remains a symbolic figure of importance to the Indonesian community.

Continue the tour by exploring the Great Mosque, built in 1906 by the first sultan and still considered as one the most beautiful mosques in the country. After admiring this architectural masterpiece, the next visit will be at the impressive Vihara Gunung Timur, Southeast Asia’s biggest Buddhist temple. Continue to the beautifully decorated mansion of Hakka Chinese businessperson, banker and Kapitan Tiong A Fie. The building features an architectural mix of Malay, European and Tionghoa styles. At the former colonial district of Medan, where among the old post office other architectural masterpieces are located, enjoy an early lunch at Tip Top Restaurant, which dates back to the time of Dutch colonization. Be transferred to Kualanamu International Airport for a departing flight.

Recommended flights (Not included and quoted separately- Tariffs and schedule subject to change without prior notice):

International:  By Singapore Airlines from Medan (KNO) to Singapore (SIN) with SQ995 departs at 20:05 and arrives at 22:35.

Domestic:  By Garuda Indonesia from Medan(KNO) with GA193 Departure at 20:10 and Arriving in Jakarta(CGK) 22:35

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch