Bukit Lawang – part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Indonesia and as a National Park that serves as an orangutan sanctuary. The regions where we work are especially far off the beaten path, where few other travelers dare to venture. In fact, there seems to be an endless list of things to do here. Nusa Dua, Bali – Accommodations, Things to Do and more. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. During the morning is the best time to climb, and many choose to start the hike early to be there for sunrise. As well as being educated and respectful regarding the environment, they in no way enticed the orangutans by feeding them. Although we are guilty of not making it to Aceh ourselves on this occasion, it’s definitely on the list should we return? This city lies … Top 10 Things to Do in Banda Aceh. Here you will find everything from LGBTQ+ travel & lifestyle advice, to comprehensive guides and itineraries designed to make your travel planning easier. And if you are looking to explore off the beaten path in Indonesia, we can not recommend it highly enough. On a positive note, there are some efforts being made to conserve the environment. Visit Berastagi. We would be delighted to hear from you. The total journey time was approx. If you have any questions or feel we have missed anything, please reach out to us in the comment section below. Unsure of what you might need to pack for your adventures in Sumatra? Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Other than surfing and snorkelling, there’s not much else to do other than enjoy the pristine beaches. 1.1 Must Not Miss: 2 Wander Around Lake Toba. In addition to the pristine scenery and serenity, we really enjoyed learning about the mysterious traditions of the local Batak Culture. Weitere Ideen zu indonesien, bali indonesien, bali urlaub. For more places to stay in Berastagi, you can check the latest prices here. From Medan Airport: Your best option from Medan Airport is to take a shared taxi to Parapat, followed by the ferry. 19. That said, there are some questionable practices when it comes to orangutan spotting tours. Hi, we're Charlotte & Natalie, a British lesbian couple with a passion for travel and adventure. The largest island in Indonesia, Sumatra also offers great opportunities for authentic cultural experiences, and plenty of adventure. Once you reach Parapat, you can take the ferry to Samosir Island. That said, it is just as rich and vibrant. Take time to visit Banda Aceh, the town worst affected by the 2004 boxing day tsunami. By Matonagari. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Oh, wie schön ist Sumatra – Auf den Spuren den Tsunamis – Banda Aceh 2004 war kein gutes Jahr für die Einwohner der verschlafenen Küstenstadt Banda Aceh: Bei dem wohl größten Tsunami der Geschichte haben hier über 25.000 Menschen ihr Leben gelassen, ein ganzer Ort wurde innerhalb kürzester Zeit dem Boden gleichgemacht. One of the largest Indonesian islands, Sumatra is famous for a number of things. This area of Sumatra is most commonly known for its world-class surf;  however, you don’t need to be a pro surfer to enjoy what’s around. Sumatra is the ideal place to discover the incredible biodiversity of Indonesia, off the beaten path. First of all, the island hosts an abundance of rare wildlife. Lake Toba, also known as Danau Toba, is one of the most popular tourist attraction in Sumatra. They are famous for their surfing conditions, being one of the top 10 surf spots in Indonesia. At the same time, history buffs will enjoy the royal architecture and Japanese war tunnels. If you’re all about the back to basics, remote island life, I would highly encourage you to consider Asu Island during your trip to Sumatra. Furthermore, it is famous for having some of the best food in all of Indonesia. Top 10 Reasons to Travel to Sumatra When you travel to Sumatra, you’ll witness exquisite rainforests packed with fabulous animals, explore pristine beaches, coral reefs, surf breaks, and volcanoes, and be welcomed. Combine that with astonishing surrounding views, you have yourself a worthy contender for your Sumatra Itinerary. If you enjoy some food or a drink in their restaurant, the profits will go towards educational material for the children. Bukit Tabur West & Bukit Tabur East Hiking Trails in Kuala Lumpur, AN HONEST REVIEW OF PADAR ISLAND, LABUAN BAJO, DOUBLE SIX BEACH IN BALI - AN ULTIMATE GUIDE, Backpacking Flores Indonesia - The Best Flores Itinerary. The beautiful Mentawai Islands are a small archipelago that sits off the west coast of Sumatra in Indonesia. Disclosure:  Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. if you are a female travelling alone, make it absolutely clear that you want to go on a group tour when making your booking. Pay close attention to the Sumatra culture and religion section above. And you’ll be like a local celebrity with everybody wanting a picture with you. Don’t worry, we have got you covered. Tourism in Lake Toba is fairly developed, but it still holds its own quiet charm. Sumatra, the sixth largest island in the world and the largest Indonesian island, lies in the west of the country.Whilst not exactly the first stop of most travellers to Indonesia, the perhaps most famous traveller of all, Marco Polo, did visit the island in 1292.With a population of over 50 million, it is home to nearly a quarter of all Indonesians. This article by North Abroad sums up the island perfectly. Natürlich gibt es auch Wege die Insel auf eigene Faust und günstig zu bereisen. Besides Borneo, Sumatra is the only place in the world to see orangutans in the wild. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Suggested Read: 15 Best Things to do in Aceh Province. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. And located in the heart of the lake, Samosir Island is a wonderful place to spend a relaxing few days amidst your Sumatra Itinerary. Related Post: Sumatra Orangutan Treks in Bukit Lawang. Learn a little of the local language (hello and thank you is the minimum), greet the locals in a polite manner, and respect dress codes & traditions. Formed by a supervolcanic eruption 70,000 years ago, Lake Toba is an extraordinary natural wonder of the world. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. That said, be sure to check with locals where it is safe before diving in. Be sure to read, certain customs to be aware of that can avoid unintentional offence or disrespect. Eruptions, earthquakes and tsunamis are Sumatran headline-grabbers. 3.1 What Not to Miss: 4 Surf Your Heart Out in Pulau Banyak. Diving Pulau Weh (Island) West Sumatra is a little more challenging to travel than the North. While the surf beaches in Bali get busier each year, surfers here can enjoy quiet and flawless conditions. Another Tip – on route to the cave, you will walk past a children’s home. With this in mind, I bring to you, the Ultimate Backpacking Sumatra Itinerary & Guide. Trekking in Sumatra can cost around $60-$100. If you have the time, it is worth spending some time meandering the village itself. This is a common method among some guides but can be very destructive to the orangutans’ well-being. Beware of the minority of locals who will give you incorrect information regarding bus timetables etc. Be clear on your route before setting off and. Listed below are a few of our tips on the best things to see in Sumatra. And we can continue bringing you free travel tips and advice. At a height of 2,056 metres, Gunung Sibayak is said to be one of the most accessible volcanoes in Indonesia. While we only had limited time in Sumatra and didn’t spend much time here; it is said that there are some incredible things to do in Medan, including stunning cultural sites. 3 Days through the eyes of Minangkabau. Alternatively, there are tour operators dotted around the island. Toba Village Inn – Located in the heart of Tuk Tuk, this beautiful property boasts an outdoor pool and incredible views over the lake. We want to inspire you to live the life of your dreams. Here, you can climb to the summit of a volcano or encounter one of the tallest waterfalls in Asia. Once you exit the airport, turn right and look out for a company called ‘Nice-Trans’. Weh Island once was originally connected to the Sumatran mainland and became separated by sea after the volcano’s last eruption. Many flies in here to get to other locations in the northern Sumatra. As such, many surfers come to the Mentawai Islands … Continue reading "Mentawai Islands, Sumatra Travel Guide" For more places to stay in Samosir Island, you can check the latest prices here. LOCAL BUS – The local bus is your cheapest option to travel to Bukit Lawang. Welcome to Our Taste For Life. per adult. These cookies do not store any personal information. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Medan -> Berastagi -> Parapat -> Lake Toba -> Medan -> Bukit Lawang -> Pulau Weh -> Banda Aceh. Sumatra, the 6th largest island in the world, has a diverse population of 50 million people with its biggest city Medan having over 4 million people around the urban area. Suggested Read: Mentawai Islands – A guide to surfing in paradise. 06.02.2019 - Erkunde Sabrina Wirtzs Pinnwand „Indonesien Urlaub“ auf Pinterest. More info. 19.11.2018 - Laura wollte ihrem Sohn die letzten wilden Orang-Utans zeigen und ist deswegen nach Sumatra gereist. As a guideline, we paid 15,000 IDR/pax for the ferry plus 150,000 IDR/pax for the bus and you can book in advance at Parapat pier. In other words, backpacking in Sumatra screams adventure. $292.12. Don’t get me wrong, this is no Bali. Kerinci Travel Tips – Preparing for Sumatra Jungle Trekking Luke Mackin 2019-09-10T17:29:08+07:00 L ike the untamed nature of the wild rainforest, a visit to Kerinci can be unpredictable. Expect 120km of unspoilt beaches, a unique and vibrant culture, as well as epic surfing opportunities. For more information, ask at your hotel to organise a tour guide & transportation for you. Read also: Why you should go to Sumatra This website uses cookies to improve your experience. During the dry season, the rapids along the river are minimal. In this Sumatra itinerary and travel guide, we will take you through all the highlights on this wildly diverse island. Organise with your hotel or local tour companies. Find the perfect Insel Sumatra stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. The total journey time is 3 hours. © 2020 Our Taste For Life Blog - All Rights Reserved. Here they offer a direct service to Berastagi. With captivating views aplenty, renting a scooter and driving the coastal road is a great way to spend the day. Therefore, rafting or tubing on the Bohorok River is a fun way to kill some time. I'm keen to… From Bukit Lawang: A small minivan of max. This 4-hour trek in the UNESCO-listed Gunung Leuser National Park will take you into the heart of the jungle, for an encounter with not only Orangutans, but macaques, gibbons and Sumatran peacocks. Serving western and Asian food with a twist, this trendy establishment felt more like we were in Bali than Sumatra. Backpacking North Sumatra is still a raw and authentic experience. There’s no doubt that these are fertile lands. With this in mind, it’s important to be respectful of the local culture and traditions. As a guideline, we paid 230,000 IDR/pax, including the cost of the ferry. Here they offer a direct service to Parapat for around 100,000 IDR /pax. That day, an earthquake in the Indian Ocean measuring at least 9.1 on the Richter scale sent a wall of water speeding towards Sumatra, and Banda Aceh bore the full brunt of its power. More than 20 different dive spots are accessible in just 20-50 minutes by boat from Banda Aceh, the capital of the westernmost province in Indonesia, Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam. Diving will be around $60-$100 depending on where and if the day has 1 or 2 dives. Best known for its surfing conditions. While in the wet season they are known to get pretty intense. This is another reason to do your research and go with a reputable company. Dies führt dazu, dass das Backpacking in Sumatra teurer als z.B. Sumatra, Java, and West/Central Kalimantan share the GMT+7 zone. The capital of Sumatra, and the third largest city in Indonesia has little in the way of attractions for the traveller. It is a gigantic island largely unexplored. A great base for a night or 2. Related Read: Sipiso Piso Waterfall in Sumatra. Sumatra, the largest of the Indonesian islands is home to active volcanoes, orangutans and gigantic waterfalls…just to name a few cool things. in Java oder Lombok ist. Once you exit the airport, turn right and look out for a company called ‘Nice-Trans’. 19.08.2018 - Erkunde Carolin Uhlmanns Pinnwand „Indonesien“ auf Pinterest. It is a gigantic island largely unexplored. Yet, out of the 14 million foreign tourists visiting Indonesia each year, over half only visit Bali! Berastagi is a small rural town, and one certainly not quite catered for tourists yet. Meaning other than an intrepid few, you’re unlikely to bump into many other tourists. Many tourists visiting Indonesia are now considering North Sumatra as part of their itinerary. Furthermore, they also have a great coffee menu including an Avocado based Coffee and a Creme Brule latte! Top 10 Things To Do and Must See in Jakarta, Top 10 Things to Do and Must See in Batam Island, Top 10 Things to Do and What to See in Bandung, Nusa Ceningan, Bali – Guide and Accommodations, Guide to Seminyak, Bali – Beach, What to do, Nightlife and more. Visit the local villages of Tomok or Ambarita to learn more of Lake Toba’s extraordinary indigenous culture. … As well as museums and cultural sights, the surrounding islands boast pristine beaches with amazing marine life. While on Lake Toba, the Batak culture has its own belief centre altogether. 2.1 Must Not Miss: 3 Explore the Town of Berastagi. Lake Toba: The lake is great for relaxing, adventure activities, and for learning about the Batak culture found there.Tuk-tuk is the name of the tourist town on Pulau Samosir, the island in the lake. It is the largest volcanic lake in the world measuring at 1,707 sq ft. The best time to go to Sumatra You can see orangutans all year round in Sumatra, but it’s much easier if you skip the annual monsoon season. This is the cuisine of the Minangkabau people of West Sumatra, and heavily features coconut milk, spicy chili and steamed rice – all of which are viewed as vital for a traditional meal. Specifically, the Batak culture has a compelling history, involving stories of public beheadings and cannibalism. The journey time is approximately 3hrs. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. *Tip – If you do an overnight jungle trek, most of the tour agencies will include this activity as part of the package. How hair raising the experience is, will depend on the time of the year. Below you can find the bus time table and prices or check tourist buses with 12go, Asia. In addition, we will advise what to expect when travelling this undeveloped island in Indonesia. GRAB TAXI – Grab Taxi operates in the area and if you are able to find a driver the price to Bukit Lawang is around 30 euro.