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12 DAYS: FASCINATING SUMATRA

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12 DAYS: FASCINATING SUMATRA

12 DAYS: FASCINATING SUMATRA

Sumatra is the biggest island in Indonesia, famous for its magnificent nature and fascinating culture. The distinguishing features of this former Dutch colony include tropical rain forest, rivers, waterfalls, picturesque paddy fields on terraces cut into the steep hillsides, and verdant, volcanic landscapes comprising mountains, crater lakes and deep gorges. This 12-day tour gives you the chance to experience the Sumatran orang-utan, the highlands of Berastagi, the tallest waterfall in Indonesia, the largest crater lake in the world, the monkeys at Sihepeng, Sianok Gorge with the Lubang Jepang tunnels, the Jam Gadang clock tower and Pagaruyung Palace. Other noteworthy attractions include the Equator and fascinating traditional villages where you will have the opportunity to witness the culture of the local population, and life in the country with ox carts and conventional crafts. Our proposed “12 Days Fascinating Sumatra”” round tour, starts in Medan and ends in Padang. Many highlights and activities are included; Elephant Bathing and Riding, Cultures, Leuser National Park, Orang-Utan, Lake Toba, crossing the equator, Bukittinggi … All under guidance of a friendly local professional English speaking tour guide. Selected accommodations in clean 3* hotels or lodges, with private bathroom and daily breakfast included. Optionally (with supplement) you may opt for another guiding language, like French, German or Dutch. Note that traveling in Sumatra requires a flexible and adventurous attitude towards unexpected situations, infrastructure and accommodations (a power cut, temporally no water, no WiFi…are all possible..). After your round tour you might extend your holiday by visiting f.e. Java and / or Bali ? Contact us for the options.

ARRIVAL IN MEDAN

Upon arrival at Airport Medan , welcome by your tour guide and then transfer to your hotel. Afternoon free at own leisure. Sample Hotel: POLONIA or similar.

Medan / One Night
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MEDAN to TANGKAHAN

After breakfast we set off to explore this impressive gigantic island. We start city tour to explore the historical city of Medan with visit to Sultan Palace, which is also known as “The Yellow Palace”. (yellow is typical for Royal Malay constructions), the palace is also known Maimoon. the palace was established in 1888 and became the centre of the Deli kingdom. The next stop is to Chinese Temple of East Mountain, a Mahayana Buddhism Temple which portrays the cultural heritage of Chinese descendants in Medan. Depart for Tangkahan / a part of the Leuser National Park / and we pass local villages were you can learn about the daily village life. Sample Hotel: MEGA INN or similar Read more

Tangkahan / Two Nights

TANGKAHAN / Elephants

HIGHLIGHT: SUMATRA ELEPHANTS After breakfast an exciting day await us. We visit the Tangkahan Elephants that have been a great help to conservation efforts especially around Tangkahan forests in the Gunung Leuser National Park area. The elephants and their tames help monitor the forest and keep the forest save from illegal logger and hunters. You can help their mahout in bathing the elephants and afterwards make an hour long trip on top of the elephant through the lush nature. Steep slopes and dense vegetation bring you the excitement of the jungle. (there are no elephant activities on Fridays). The afternoon is yours, but a suggestion is to go tubing on the local river. As it is weather permitting, ask your tour guide on the spot. Sample Hotel: MEGA INN or similar Read more

Tangkahan / Two Nights
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TANGKAHAN to BUKIT LAWANG

After breakfast we drive by 4 wheel drive car from Tangkahan to Bukit Lawang. While Tangkahan is known for its elephants, Bukit Lawang is famed to visit the Orang Utan inside the jungle. Hotel: ECO LODGE or similar

Bukit Lawang / One Night

BUKIT LAWANG to BERASTAGI

HIGHLIGHT: ORANG UTAN Today, you will be heading into the jungle to see the famous Sumatra orang-utans. You will cross Bohorok River in traditional canoes and then continue on foot for a two hour walk in the rainforest , under guidance of a local park ranger, to look for the Orang Utan. There is never a 100% guarantee that you will see the orang utan, although the chance is very high, as the local park rangers know where to look out for them.. (not included in the trek are the compulsory camera fees and tipping for the park ranger). Afterwards we make the drive to Berastagi, the inner highland area of Sumatra. The Berastagi region is well-known for its cool climate, orchids, vegetables and fruit – the most famous of which is the ‘marquisa’, more commonly called ‘passion fruit’. The region is also home to the Batak Karo people, famous for their unique traditions and rituals such as their special wedding and funeral ceremonies, which can last several days. On your way to Berastagi, you will stop at the Sembahe River and local fruit market, where you will have the opportunity to taste magnificent fresh passion fruit. Before reaching the hotel, you will stop at Guandaling, where you can see the active volcanoes Sibayak and Sinabung on a clear day. The rest of the day is yours to do with as you wish. Hotel: GRAND MUTIARA or similar Read more

Berastagi / One Night
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BERASTAGI to LAKE TOBA

HIGHLIGHTS: LOCAL CULTURE AND SIPISO-PISO WATERFALL After breakfast, it is time to drive to the town of Parapat, passing through a traditional Batak Karo village where you will see the typical ‘Siwaluh Jabu’ longhouses that are home for up to 12 families. At each end of the roofs – which are almost boat-shaped – hangs a buffalo horn. This was originally intended to protect the residents from evil spirits and to demonstrate status. Over the years, however, it has simply become a reminder of traditions from ages past. The tour then continues on to the Sipiso-piso, the tallest waterfall in Indonesia at 120 m, and to Rumah Bolon, the former royal palace from where there is an outstanding view out over the crater lake. Next stop on the tour is Simarjarunjung, where you can enjoy the fantastic panoramic view of Toba – the largest crater lake in the world, situated at an elevation of 900 masl. You will then reach Parapat, a small town on the eastern shore of the lake. From here, you will sail out to the island of Samosir, which lies like a pearl in the heart of the crater lake. Hotel: TABO COTTAGES or similar Read more

Samosir / Two Nights
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LAKE TOBA

HIGHLIGHTS: LAKE TOBA AND BATAK CULTURE Today is given over to visiting a number of Batak Toba villages along the shores of Lake Toba. For example, you will stop at Tomok to see the burial site of the old Sidabutar kings, and at Ambarita, whose residents are famous for making stone tables and chairs. The tour then continues on to Simanindo, where you will have the chance to watch the traditional Batak Toba dance ‘Tor-Tor’ and visit the Huta Bolon Simanindo Museum. This was previously the home of Rajah Simalungun – a Batak king who had 14 wives. The museum is home to a small but fascinating collection of brass kitchen utensils, weapons, Dutch and Chinese porcelain, sculptures and Batak carvings. Overnight in Samosir. Hotel: TABO COTTAGES or similar. Read more

Samosir / Two Nights
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LAKE TOBA to SIPIROK

HIGHLIGHTS: PLANTATIONS After breakfast, you will take the boat back to Parapat and then take the bus to the town of Sipirok. En route, you will stop at a coffee, clove and pineapple plantation, and visit a traditional village at Balige. You then continue on to the hot springs at Sipoholon, before taking a walk along the banks of the Sarulla River, from where you can admire the picturesque paddy fields. Overnight in Sipirok. Hotel: TORS HIBAU or similar. Read more

Sipirok / One Night
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SIPIROK to BUKITTINGGI

HIGHLIGHT: CROSS THE EQUATOR IN BONJOL Following an early breakfast, you leave Sipirok behind and head towards Bukittinggi, which is located at a height of 900 metres, surrounded by two active volcanoes: Merapi (2,891 m) and Singgalang (2,877 m). En route, you will stop to see the monkeys at Sihepeng, before passing through the tropical rainforest at the Rimba Panti nature reserve and taking time to see the small Equator monument at Bonjol. You will arrive in the charming city of Bukittinggi in the afternoon. Overnight. Hotel: ROYAL DENAI or similar. Read more

Bukittinggi / Three Nights
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BUKITTINGGI

HIGHLIGHT: MINANGKABAU CULTURES The day is given over to a tour of the city. You start on the outskirts of Bukittinggi by the verdant Sianok Gorge, which is 15 km long, 200 m wide and has a sheer drop of up to 120 m in places. During the Dutch colonial period, the gorge was known as ‘buffalo sanget’ on account of the large number of buffalo living wild at the bottom of it. The next stop on the tour is Lubang Jepang – the Japanese Tunnel – which was built during the Second World War to capture Fort de Kock. The Japanese troops forced Indonesian prisoners to dig the tunnels. Many of them died during the construction work, and the survivors were killed to prevent them from revealing the secrets of the tunnel complex. The tunnels remained a secret until the end of the war, and to this day no-one knows when the work on them started or how long it took. The tour then moves on to the Jam Gadang clock tower – the hallmark of the city – before calling in at the city museum and Pasar Atas, the biggest local market. You then head towards Batusangkar, stopping en route at the village of Baso to see the impressive traditional weaving techniques. When you reach Batusangkar, you will have time to visit Pagaruyung Palace, which was once home to the Minangkabau kings. You will return to Bukittinggi in the afternoon. Overnight. Hotel: ROYAL DENAI or similar. Read more

Bukittinggi / Three Nights
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BUKITTINGGI

HIGHLIGHT: BICYCLE TOUR The day begins with a drive to Panampuang, which is the starting point for a wonderful bike ride. There will be plenty of opportunities to stop during the ride to take photos of the magnificent countryside. The first stop is at a small workshop that produces traditional embroidery. You will then pass through several villages and past numerous picturesque paddy fields where you can see the farmers at work, using ox carts. You will even have the chance to try working in a paddy field yourself. It is then time to visit a local coffee shop, were you can taste authentic Sumatra coffee or tea. This is also a perfect opportunity to interact with the locals, because coffee shops are places where people meet to chat and enjoy each other’s company. The tour continues to Kamang, where you will visit a local family and see how the local cassava chips are made. You will, of course, have the chance to taste them as well. You will return to Bukittinggi in the afternoon. Overnight. Hotel: ROYAL DENAI or similar. Read more

Bukittinggi / Three Nights
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DEPARTURE FROM SUMATRA

The time has now come for you to bid farewell to Sumatra. You will be driven to the airport in Padang to catch your flight. END OF A FASCINATING TOUR. Extend your holiday in Indonesia by visiting JAVA and / or BALI. CONTACT US for the options.

Departure

ACCOMMODATIONS

Day in trip
Location
Hotel
Day 1
Location MEDAN
Day 2
Location TANGKAHAN
Day 4
Location BUKIT LAWANG
Day 5
Location BERASTAGI
Day 6
Location SAMOSIR
Day 8
Location SIPIROK
Hotel TORSHIBO, or similar
Day 9
Location BUKITTINGGI

TRIP PACKAGE

Package includes

  • *11 Nights accommodation in selected hotels, with daily breakfast included.
  • *Transport, guiding services, entrance fees (except the compulsory camera fees in Bukit Lawang) as per the featured itinerary.

Package excludes

  • *International and Domestic Airfares.
  • *Other meals and drinks than featured in the itinerary.
  • *Tipping for guides, drivers, park rangers, others. Tipping is never included, but expected.
  • *Compulsory camera fees in Bukit Lawang.
  • *Travel Insurance.

More information

  • *Cancellation fees apply. See our Terms & Conditions on our website.
  • *Booked hotels will will be informed four weeks before arrival in Sumatra.
  • *Featured Rates are based on per person in Double Room.
  • *Single Room Supplement is +60% on the package price.
  • *Black Out Periods: 15 June > 15 July + 24 Dec > 10 Jan.
  • *Other guiding languages available: French / German / Dutch. Supplement for an other guiding language is U$D, 75 per person.
  • *Traveling in Sumatra requires a flexible attitude towards unexpected situations and to the local infrastructure.
  • *Inform yourself regarding the visa policies for Indonesia.

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