Highlights of Sumatra

Welcome to Sumatra! Arrive at anytime.

ACTIVITY: Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

No better way to start your Sumatra adventure then a day tour of the biggest city on the island, Medan. Visit the important landmarks, starting at the biggest mosque on the entire island, Al-Mashun Great Mosque. From there, walk to the grand 30-room Maimun Palace. Drive to Vihara Gunung Timur Temple and admire the classic Chinese architecture. Then continue walking through Pajak Ikan Lama historic market before heading to lunch. Together we'll eat like the locals at a Padang restaurant. After lunch and a day of exploring, drive to Bukit Lawang and check into your hotel.

ACTIVITY: Visit the Grand mosque of Medan, Al-Mashun. Built in the early 1900's, this beautiful mosque is a mix of Middle Eastern, Spanish and Indian architecture. It was part of the Maimun Palace complex, so after visiting the mosque, walk to the palace and explore the property built by to the sultan of Deli in the year 1888 with Malay, Mogul and Italian influences.

ACTIVITY: Visit the beautiful Vihara Gunung Timur. This Chinese temple is the largest in the city of Medan and on the island of Sumatra. This temple was built in the 1962 and dedicated to Dongyue Dadi. Enjoy your visit and admire the classic Chinese architecture.

ACTIVITY: Visit the "historical jewel in Medan," a 35-room, 2-story mansion built in 1895. It is a registered historical landmark as well as a cultural heritage building and museum.

ACTIVITY: Fill up on an amazing lunch as the locals do in West Sumatra. We'll sit down together for a delicious Padang style meal, where our host will serve a large number of small platters of different dishes. The charm of Padang cuisine lies not only in its range of dishes but also in its serving style, called hidang. Diners are charged only for the platters that have been eaten from; untouched platters are taken away and served to other guests.

TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Today, head off to trek through Gunung Leuser National Park. Sumatra is one of only two islands in the entire world where you can find orangutans in the wild. Enjoy a moderate hike through the largest national park in Indonesia in search of these and other amazing animals. After working up a sweat, cool off while tubing down the river back to the starting point. This evening, join a local cooking class to make traditional cuisine from the Batak Ethnic group.

ACTIVITY: Wander through the jungle of this large national park home to endangered tigers, rhinoceroses, elephants, and orangutans. While your chances of spotting one of these elusive animals may be slim, there are plenty of primates and birds hanging around, especially orangutans. So keep your eyes peeled! The trek is easy to moderate and suitable for all hiking levels. After the 2.5-3 hour hike, enjoy 45 minutes of river tubing.

ACTIVITY: Take a becak to a local cooking class for dinner. Learn to make famous dishes from the Batak ethnic group in North Sumatra like flavorful fish stew or aromatic rendang chicken and acar campur, a local pickled vegetable salad.

Drive from Bukit Lawang to Berastagi and enjoy the scenic ride with stops at Gundaling Hill and a local fruit market. After checking into the hotel, drive to Sibayak Hot Spring for some much deserved time to relax in the volcanic hot spring.

TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

ACTIVITY: Relax in the hot springs of Mount Sibayak volcano and admire the stunning surroundings.

After breakfast, drive to Dokan Village to visit the Batak ethnic group. The Batak people are from North Sumatra, especially around Lake Toba and have been here for hundreds of year. Take a tour of the beautiful and unique village. Then continue to the breathtaking Sipiso Piso Waterfall on the way to Parapat Harbor. Load into the ferry and cross Toba Lake to arrive to the large volcanic island in the middle of the lake, Samosir Island, for the night. Settle into your hotel, then join your group for dinner together.

TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

ACTIVITY: Visit the traditional Karo Batak Village, Dokan Village. The Karo ethnic group of the Batak people are known for the exceptional conservation of their traditions and culture, more so than other Batak groups. Follow your CEO on a tour to see their unique stilted homes, learn about the Karo culture and have the opportunity to meet and talk with the locals.

ACTIVITY: Admire this stunning plunge waterfall, formed from an underground river. Grab your camera to capture the incredibly green surroundings, rock faces and beautiful plummeting waterfall.

TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

TRANSPORT: Get to the next spot on your route aboard a ferry boat.

Explore the cultural side of Samosir Island with visits to two of the more prominent Batak villages, Tomok and Ambarita. Visit the Tombs of Tomok and learn about the legend of the king. Explore the breathtaking architecture and unique way of life during a tour and dance performance in Amberita Village. In the afternoon, we'll take a ferry back to Parapat Harbor and then drive back to Medan for a free evening.

ACTIVITY: Take a trip back in time and visit the tomb of King Sidabutar in Tomok, a local Toba Batak Village. The Toba are the largest of the Batak ethnic group today. Learn more about their history, and the legend of the king. See the monument's ornate carvings, and visit others close by, including another royal tomb said to be used as a fertility shrine.

ACTIVITY: Explore the amazing Ambarita Village, and wander through the traditional Batak tongkonan houses with roofs the shape of boats. You'll see beautifully carved wooden structures, unique stone furniture and have the chance to see their traditional Batak dance performance.

TRANSPORT: Get to the next spot on your route aboard a ferry boat.

TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Depart at any time.

Additional Information: If ending your tour in Medan, book a domestic flight back to Jakarta or Bali and allow for 4 hours to transit to the international airport to catch your onward flight back to your final destination.

ACTIVITY: Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.