Explore Sumatra: Tangkahan - Bukit Lawang - Lake Toba - Bukittinggi
North Sumatra:
The province of North Sumatra stretches across the island of Sumatra
between the Indian Ocean and the Strait Malacca. It borders Aceh
province on the northwest and Riau and West Sumatra provinces in the
southeast. It has an area of 70,787 km². The province contains a
broad, low plain along the Strait of Malacca on which the provincial
capital, Medan, is located. In the south and west, the land rises to
the mountain range that runs the length of Sumatra; the mountains
here are dominated by Lake Toba, formed from the caldera of an
ancient volcano. Several large islands in the Indian Ocean off the
coast of Sumatra are part of North Sumatra, most notably Nias, and
the Batu Islands.
West Sumatera:
Bukittinggi is connected to Padang by road, though a dysfunctional
railway line also exists. For inner-city transport, Bukittinggi
employs a public transportation system known as Mersi (Merapi
Singgalang) and IKABE that connect locations within the city. The
city also still preserves the traditional horse-cart widely known in
the area as Bendi, although the use is limited and more popular to
be used as vehicle for tourist, both domestic and foreign.
It is a city popular with tourists due to the climate and central
location. Attractions within the city include:
Sianok Canyon
* Ngarai Sianok (Sianok Canyon)
* Lobang Jepang (Japanese Caves) - a network of underground bunkers
& tunnels built by the Japanese during World War II
* Jam Gadang - a large clock tower built by the Dutch in 1926.
* Pasar Atas and Pasar Bawah - traditional markets in downtown.
* Taman Bundo Kanduang park. The park includes a replica Rumah
Gadang (literally: big house, with the distinctive Minangkabau roof
architecture) used as a museum of Minangkabau culture, and a zoo.
The Dutch hilltop outpost Fort de Kock is connected to the zoo by
the Limpapeh pedestrian overpass.
* Museum Rumah Kelahiran Bung Hatta (Museum of Bung Hatta
Birthplace) - the house where Indonesian founding father Mohammad
Hatta was born, now a museum.
Notable nearby destinations include Lake Maninjau and the Harau
Valley.
13 Days / 12 Nights - Explore Sumatra
Medan - Tangkahan Bukit Lawang - Lake Toba - Bukittinggi Tours
Start/Finish: Polonia Medan Airport/Minangkabau Padang Airport
Tour Code: KNLR-ES-13D
Departure: you may arrange your own date.
Itinerary
DAY 01: ARRIVAL IN MEDAN
Upon arrival at Polonia airport pick up by our tour guide and then
Transfer to hotel, afternoon free at own leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Grand Angkasa / Tiara Hotel/ Best Western Asean Hotel
DAY 02: MEDAN – CITY TOUR – TANGKAHAN
After breakfast city tour visiting Sultan Palace, Great Mosque,
Chinese temple and then drive to Tangkahan via Binjai and Batang
Serangan. Afternoon arrival at Tangkahan check in hotel and
relaxing, free time at your own leisure.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: MEGA INN
DAY 03: TANGKAHAN – ELEPHANT SAFARI and RIVER SAFARI
After breakfast walking to the starting point for Elephant riding,
where you may join with the Mahout during washing the Elephant,
after washing the Elephant you can ride the Elephant trough the
river and jungle, the elephant riding will take about 01 hour. After
riding the elephant take a short rest and then enjoying tubing
trough the river and then stop will be made at Fantastic Buluh
Waterfall where you may enjoy the waterfall where you can take
nature shower and then you can enjoy sun bathing and swimming on the
river. Afternoon arrival at the village you can get in touch with
local people, where you can see the daily activities of the local
people and then return to guest house by walking for overnight.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: MEGA INN
DAY 04: TANGKAHAN – BUKIT LAWANG BY Motor Bike or Jeep
After breakfast leave Tangkahan for Bukit Lawang by Jeep / Motor
Bike passing plantation and jungle road, on the way stop at
Plantation and several interesting places such as school, palm oil
factory and for enjoying the panorama and witness the activities of
the local people. Upon arrival at Bukit Lawang check in to hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Bukit Lawang Cottage / Rindu Alam
DAY 05: BUKIT LAWANG – TRACKING
After breakfast walking through the bank of the river and then
crossing the river by traditional canoe and then continue climbing
up to the jungle to see Orang Uran on their feeding time, after
feeding time of Orang Utan walking deeper inside the jungle where
the posibility to see several kinds of flora and fauna at Tropical
rain foret, the tracking will take about 3 hours, after tracking
return back to hotel. Afternoon free at own leisure to enjoy the
nature of Bukit Lawang where you can also walking to the village
around the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Bukit Lawang Cottage / Rindu Alam
DAY 06: BUKIT LAWANG - BRASTAGI
After breakfast drive to Brastagi on the way stop at Sembahe River,
passing Sibolangit, and arrival at Brastagi visiting Batak Karo
Traditional village at peceren, traditional fruit market and Batak
Karo Church and Gundaling Hill.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Grand Mutiara Htl / Sinabung Hotel
DAY 07: BRASTAGI – SAMOSIR
After breakfast drive to Samosir, on the way stop at Sipiso-piso
waterfall, visiting “Rumah Bolon” (Long House) the old Palace of
Batak Simalungun Kings and stop at Simarjarunjung to enjoy the
fantastic view of Lake Toba. Arrival at Parapat crossing to Samosir
Island by ferry boat, arrival at Samosir Island check in to hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Silintong Hotel / Toledo Inn / Pandu Lake Side
DAY 08: SAMOSIR – EXCURISON BY CAR
After breakfast excursion on Samosir Island by car, visiting several
Batak Toba traditional villages :
- Ambarita : To see stone chairs and table stone the old meeting
place of Sialagan Kings.
- Simanindo : To see Batak Toba traditional dance and museum.
- Pangururan : To see the view of Lake Toba and Hot springs water.
- Tomok : To see the old tomb of Sidabutar Kings
along On this trip also possible to stop at school to see the
activities of young children in the school, visiting the village
where the people make traditional hand weaving.+ stop also at scenic
places like the graves! Afternoon return back to hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Silintong Hotel / Toledo Inn / Pandu Lake Side
DAY 09: SAMOSIR – SIPIROK
After breakfast crossing back to Parapat and arrival at Parapat
drive to Sipirok, on the way stop at Pineapple, clove, and coffee
plantation and visiting traditional market at Balige Sigur-gur and
Sipoholon Hot Springs. Before arrival at Sipirok, enjoy the nature
by walking at the bank of Sarulla river, the rice terrace and
arrival at Sipirok check in to hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Tor Sibohi Hotel
DAY 10: SIPIROK – BUKITTINGGI
Leave Sipirok for Bukittinggi by passing rain tropical forest of
Rimba Panti and stop will be made to see the attraction of monkey
picking up the coconut. Visit pepper, vanilla, cardamon and cinnamon
garden, and crossing the equator line at Bonjol, afternoon arrival
at Bukittinggi the charming towns of Minangkabau directly check in
to hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Pusako / Royal Denai Hotel
DAY 11: BUKITTINGGI – MINANGKABAU TOUR
After breakfast drive to Batu Sangkar via Tabek Patah, on the way
stop at Rao-Rao to visit Minangkabau traditional village and stop to
see traditional village and stop to see traditional coffee milling,
arrival at Batu Sangkar drive to Pagaruyung to visit the duplicate
of the Palace of Minangkabau Kingdom, afternoon return to
Bukittinggi via Padang Panjang and visit Pandai Sikat village to see
Minangkabau traditional hand weaving and wood carving, arrival at
Bukittinggi visiting city tour visiting Sianok canyon, fort De Kock,
Museum and Market. Afternoon return to hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Pusako / Royal Denai Hotel
DAY 12: VILLAGE TOUR BY BICYCLE
Drive from Hotel about 45 minutes to a village called Koto Baru
where you start bicycle passing small road to several villages on
the slope of Merapi Mountain where it is a nice spot to enjoy the
fantastic view, where you can see the town of Bukittinggi, rice
field terrace and visiting place where people working on making
knife, axe, swords etc traditionally.
Stop will be made at coffee shop in the villages where you can get
contact with local people during drinking coffee, tea etc and even
it is possible to visit the house of local people or try working on
the rice field with farmers.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Pusako / Royal Denai Hotel
The bicycle tour will be finish in the afternoon when you are
arrival at your hotel, after take a rest you may enjoy swimming at
your hotel.
DAY 13: BUKITTINGGI – PADANG / AIRPORT.
After breakfast drive to Padang via Anay Valley, on the way stop at
Anai Water Fall, arrival at Padang directly transfer to Airport.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: None

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