Day 1 : Airport Kualanamu – Medan
Welcome to Indonesia! Upon arrival at Medan International Airport you will be met by your guide . On arrival at Kualanamu airport ,transfer to Medan (30km / approx. 1 hour 15 mins) for your onward flight.Enjoy a short city tour of the highlights Medan Visit the Sultan’s Deli Palace built in 1888. In former times the palace was considered the centre of the town’s administration before the city of Medan developed.Continue with a visit to the Great Mosque, built in 1906 by the first sultan this is still considered one the most beautiful mosques in the country. Finish at the impressive Chinese temple of Gunung Timur . Check in at your hotel and enjoy rest of your day is at leisure .
Day 2 : Medan – Parapat – Samosir (B)
After breakfast proceed with a scenic drive to the small town of Parapat on the edge of Lake Toba (160km / approx. 5 hoursIn the late afternoon board the local ferry for a 1 hour trip from Parapat to Tomok on Samosir island a small island located in the middle of Lake 1 Toba .You will be transferred to your hotel, located in the Tuk-Tuk peninsula .
Day 3 : Samosir City Tour (B)
Today spend a full day exploring Lake Toba and Samosir Island. Drive from Tuk Tuk to visit the traditional Batak village of Ambarita, known for its unique stone chairs and tables. Here you will also see an important historical site where the condemned were executed during the reign of King Siallagan.Drive north and stop at Simanindo to visit a traditional village, home to many well preserved Batak houses, and continue to the small but interesting Batak museum.This afternoon cross to the eastern shore of the lake to Pangururan, the capital of Samosir Island (approx. 1 hour) . Upon arrival head to the an observation area for magnificent views over Samosir Island and Lake Toba. On your drive back to the hotel (60km / approx. 2 hours) stop in Lumban Suhi Suhi village to see traditional weaving . You will also have the opportunity to visit a nearby hot spring before returning to your hotel .
Day 4 : Samosir – Parapat – Berastagi (B)
This morning after breakfast, drive to Tomok for a short visit to the tombs of King Sidabutar. Legend has it that King Sidabutar and his descendants were the first to inhabit the island, and practiced an indigenous belief called ‘Parmalim’ which missionaries later converted to Christianity in the 19th century. The king’s image is carved on his tombstone, along with those of his bodyguard and the woman he loved.Next take the local ferry back to Parapat (approx. 1 hour) and continue with a drive along the northern shore passing by local time . Continue with a short drive to Sipiso-piso waterfall, located in the Batak highlands (40km / approx. 1 hr 15 mins) Formed by an underground river, this beautiful waterfall is one of the highest in Indonesia with a dramatic drop of 120 metres. Surrounded by lush green mountains and with a rainbow forming at its base, this thundering waterfall is a magnificent natural wonder.Drive to nearby Dokan village (16km / approx. 40 mins) for a fascinating insight into the traditional lives of the local Batak Karo people who still practice unique rituals and traditions . Continue your drive (30km / approx. 1 hour) and arrive at Berastagi centre in the early evening .
Day 5 : Berastagi – Tangkahan (B)
Start today with a visit to the town’s St. Francis Catholic church with its distinctive Batak architecture, and continue on to visit Berastagi’s bustling fruit market to sample some exotic fruits including ‘marquisa’ otherwise known as passion fruit. Travel onwards to Tangkahan, a beautifully remote jungle settlement on the edge of Gunung Leuser National Park (81km / approx. 3 hours). Please note the last 1.5 hours of this journey is along a bumpy road.When you arrive in Tangkahan you will first have to register at the visitor centre of ‘Gunung Leuser National Park’ before crossing a bamboo suspension footbridge to reach your lodge on the other side of the river.You may wish to pack a light bag to take with you for your stay tonight. Your driver will store your main luggage until you reach Bukit Lawang .
Day 6 : Tangkahan – Bukit Lawang (B)
Depart early this morning at around 08:00 and enjoy a walk through the national park to the nearby Sumatra elephant camp (approx. 30 mins). Learn about the camp’s background before embarking on a short walk down to the river to help the mahouts bathe these impressive animals (elephant activity operates daily except Fridays). The rest of the morning is at your leisure. Perhaps explore some of the surrounding jungle and keep a look out for the cheeky Thomas Leaf Monkeys, endemic to Sumatra.Afterwards, you will be picked up by local jeep and transferred to Bukit Lawang (45km / approx. 2.5 hours) passing through plantations and dense jungle. Stop for a refreshing coconut drink at coconut park en route.Upon arrival at Bukit Lawang in the late afternoon cross the impressive wooden suspension bridge over the Bohorok River on foot to reach your lodge for the night .
Day 7 : Bukit Lawang – Medan (B)
This morning you will depart early at around 08:00 with a local guide for a moderate 3 hour trek through lush green jungle in search of wild orangutans (Note: good shoes are recommended). A tracker will be sent ahead to look out for these magnificent creatures as you trek further into the jungle.Your local guide will also search for other primates such as the Thomas Leaf Monkey and Long Tailed Macaques. If you are very lucky, you might even see a pheasant bird or mouse deer.The hike takes the same route back amidst the thick and hilly bushes along the Bohorok river to your lodge. You will have the opportunity to see several species of indigenous flora and fauna along the way.Board a motorized becak (rickshaw) to Timban Lawan Eco Farm for an interesting Agro Tourism excursion. Here the driver will be waiting with the car and your luggage for the last part of your trip back to Medan (70km / approx. 2.5 hours). Upon arrival check-in to your hotel and freshen up .
Day 8 : Medan – Airport Kualanamu (B)
Depart early and transferred to Medan International Airport (30km / approx. 1 hour 15 mins) for your onward flight .
