Indonesia: Sumatra highlights roundtrip

Travel right through the green and rugged Sumatra

About this tour

Sumatra; tropical rainforest, wildlife, authentic cultures, traditional villages, volcanoes and lots of countryside. The journey starts in Medan, North Sumatra and ends in Padang, West Sumatra.

What will you do
  • search for orangutans
  • Dive into Lake Toba
  • Meet the locals of Sumatra: the Batak and the Minang
  • Eat the best rendang in the world in West Sumatra
  • Drive along the Trans Sumatra Highway
Where

Sumatra is one of the largest islands in the Indonesian archipelago and therefore also one of the most varied. During a journey across the island you will meet a couple of totally different population groups, Batak in the north and Minang in the west. Sumatra still consists for a large part of virgin rainforest and because it is very mountainous, some 'big' animals still live here in the wild; elephants, rhinos, tigers and of course the orang-utan. The perfect island where 'Nature meets Culture'.

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Medan, transfer to Bukit Lawang | After arrival in Medan on to Bukit Lawang.

Day 2

Bukit Lawang | Trekking through the jungle to spot orangutans.

Day 3

Bukit Lawang to Brastagi | via Medan to the cool mountain resort Brastagi, at the foot of 2 volcanoes.

Day 4

Brastagi to Samosir/Lake Toba By car through the Karo highlands with a visit to the Sipisopiso waterfall and on to Lake Toba

Day 6

Samosir/Lake Toba | Explore the Samosir Island: walking, cycling, or by motorcycle or car with driver.

Day 7

Samosir/Lake Toba to Padang Sidempuan | Beautiful ride on the Trans Sumatra Highway to Padang Sidempuan.

Day 9

Padang Sidempuan to Bukittinggi | second day on the 'highway', ending at Bukittinggi.

Day 10

Bukittinggi - trekking Sianok Gorge | Hike with a local guide through the Sianok Gorge to the silvermaking village Kota Gadang

Day 15

Rimba Ecolodge to Padang Airport | Transfer from Rimba Ecolodge to Padang airport

Day 5

Samosir/Lake Toba - cycling | Today, a local guide will take you on a fun bike ride around the island.

Day 8

Padang Sidempuan - Baruman Elephant Sanctuary | By jeep you will make a beautiful trip through the Baruman Nagari elephant sanctuary. A place where elephants are taken care of that come from captivity

Day 11

Bukittinggi - Harau Valley, including bicycle tour | In the morning you will make a scenic bicycle tour at the Minang countryside. Afterwards by car to the Harau Valley

Day 12

Harau Valley - cooking and walking | You start today with a cooking class. After lunch you will make a walk with a local guide through the Harau Valley

Day 13

Harau - Rimba Ecolodge | Today our driver will bring you to the coast. Here you stay at a simple, but relaxed resort for the last few nights

Day 14

Rimba Ecolodge | Enjoy the beach and the sea. You can also make nice snorkelling trips in the area

Additional info

The price of this trip is based on 2 travellers, low season, subject to availability of scheduled hotels and including CO2 compensation. We have assumed standard hotels. For this trip it is quite possible to choose more luxurious hotels. The trip can always be adjusted in many ways.

 

This trip is connected to a trip to the Mentawai Islands or to the West Sumatra trip. Of course you can also easily from Padang to Java.