Guidepost Discovery & Cultural Tours in Indonesia

Sumatera In Depth 6 days - IND-T-19

KUALA NAMU - SAMOSIR - BERASTAGI - BUKIT LAWANG - MEDAN

Day 1 Kuala Namu - Samosir (Lunch: Meals incl. in itinerary (Indonesia) Dinner: Meals incl. in itinerary (Indonesia) )

Arrival in Kuala Namu

Arrive in the morning at Medan Kuala Namu International Airport (latest at 11am). Your local English speaking guide and

private vehicle with driver will meet you outside the arrival area of the airport. Leave Kuala Namu Airport and drive to

Parapat via Tebing Tinggi and Pematang Siantar. Drive over a scenic road with magnificent views over estate

plantations of rubber and palm oil. Lunch is at leisure. In the afternoon continue your drive to Parapat, a small town on

the shore of Lake Toba. In the late afternoon you will board the local ferry for the short boat trip to Samosir Island

(estimated departure time subject to change around 17pm (last ferry), 1 hour between Parapat and Tomok on Samosir

Island). This small island is located in the middle of Lake Toba, the caldera lake of the Toba Volcano, which was formed

over 75,000 years ago. It is the largest volcanic lake in the world. Direct transfer to your hotel located in Tuk Tuk Peninsula

in Samosir Island (15mn drive from Tomok) for check in and where you will have time to refresh after your journey. Dinner

at leisure. Overnight in Samosir.

Overnight in Samosir.

Day 2 Samosir (Breakfast: Hotel / Lunch: Meals incl. in itinerary (Indonesia) / Dinner: Meals incl. in itinerary

Breakfast at the hotel. Today you will spend a half day exploring Lake Toba. You'll leave Tuk Tuk with your private car

and driver accompanied by your guide and proceeds to Ambarita, Samosir's most interesting Batak Toba village known

for its unique stone chairs tribunal, execution Stones and beautiful architecture. From here drive to Simanindo where

you'll be treated to a performance of a traditional Batak Toba dance called Tor Tor (once a day at 10:30 AM - 45 min)

and visit the traditional village and its small Batak museum. On the way back to Tuk Tuk via Pangururan stop alongside

the road for observing the traditional weaving (daily except Wednesdays where the woman are attending Pangururan

weekly market). Return to your hotel in Tuk Tuk where the remainder of the day is free at leisure. You can rent a bicycle

from the hotel or just walk around Tuk Tuk village or go for a swim in the lake. Lunch and dinner are at leisure. Overnight

in Samosir.

Overnight in Samosir.

Day 3 Samosir - Berastagi (Breakfast: Hotel / Lunch: Meals incl. in itinerary (Indonesia) / Dinner: Meals incl. in itinerary

This morning after breakfast you check out from your hotel. Transfer from Tuk Tuk to Tomok for a short visit the tombs of

King Sidabutar. Cross back from Tomok to Parapat with the regular local ferry with you private vehicle, driver and guide

joining on board (Departure time subject to change is at 10.00 from Tomok arriving at 11:00 in Parapat). Upon arrival in

Parapat disembark from the ferry and continue along the northern shore of the lake to Berastagi. Again you will be

enjoying great views, passing villages and see how the local people get on with their lives. Everywhere you get to see

the strange but typical houses for this part of the island. Lunch is at leisure. In the afternoon continue your journey to

Pematang Purba where you'll visit Rumah Bolon, a 200 year old wooden house built on pile works. This used to be the

dwelling of the ancient Batak Simalungun Kings with their many wives. When we are back on the road you will make a

stop to see the 120 meter Sipiso-piso waterfall which is located in the Batak highlands. The beautiful fall is formed by a

underground river that then plunges from a cave into Lake Toba caldera. After this spectacular waterfall and final view

over the beautiful lake you drive to the nearby Dokan village, home to the Batak Karo people who still live in their

traditional houses with up to 8 families under 1 roof. You will visit one of these houses and meet with the friendly locals. In

the late afternoon you will arrive at Berastagi, a small town located at about 1,300 meters above sea level and most

known for its colorful fruit and vegetable market. Check in at the hotel and the remainder of the day is free at leisure.

Dinner at your leisure. Overnight at Grand Mutiara Berastagi.

Overnight in Berastagi.

Day 4 Berastagi - Bukit Lawang (Breakfast: Hotel / Lunch: Meals incl. in itinerary / Dinner: Meals incl. in itinerary

Breakfast at your hotel. This morning a short city tour of Berastagi including an outside visit of the St. Fransiscus Catholic

Church, with its unique Batak architecture and in the background a perfect view over Mt. Sibayak. This is followed by a

walk in the local fruit market which is swarming with activity and scenes from traditional Karo life. Here you can see,

smell and even taste many tropical fruits that are typical for this region, the most famous of which is the Marquisa, better

known as passion fruit. Leave Berastagi in the mid morning with destination Bukit Lawang, one of the gateways to

Gunung Leuser National Park at the border between North Sumatra and Aceh provinces on the banks of the Bohorok

River. Lunch is at leisure. Upon arrival at Bukit Lawang cross on foot the impressive wooden suspension bridge over the

Bohorok River for getting to the reception of the Eco Lodge. Check-in at your lodge in Bukit Lawang. Dinner is at your

leisure. Overnight in Eco Lodge Bukit Lawang Cottages.

Overnight in Bukit Lawang

Day 5 Bukit Lawang - Medan (Breakfast: Hotel / Lunch: Meals incl. in itinerary / Dinner: Meals incl. in itinerary

Bukit Lawang at the entrance to Gunung Leuser National Park and is one of the last sanctuaries of the Sumatran

orangutan. Start your trek early at 07:30 behind Eco Lodge (with an additional local English speaking Jungle guide). The

first part is an easy climb to the forest for about 30 to 45 minutes the local Guide always sends a tracker ahead to check

where the Orangutan s are. If some are seen in 1st part of the trek guide will suggest people who have difficulty to walk

to return to the lodge with the tracker while accompanying other participants deeper inside the jungle (total about 3h

up and down in the jungle it is quite challenging and can be slippery. Good shoes are recommended). After observing

Orangutans continue down to the Orangutan information Centre on the bank of the Bohorok river (30mn) cross the river

using an inflatable raft pulled by a rope (2min crossing) and walk back to Eco Lodge along the river banks and main

village of Bukit Lawang (30mn). Free time for shower and changing at the lodge before check out. Lunch at leisure. In

the afternoon cross back over the Bohorok river using the suspension bridge and continue by motorized becak to

Timbang Lawang Eco Farm. After your visit to the eco farm your main driver will be waiting with the car and your

luggage for the last part of the trip back to Medan. Upon arrival in Medan, check in at the hotel and remainder of the

day is free at leisure. Dinner at leisure.

Overnight in Medan.

Day 6 Medan (Breakfast: Hotel )

This morning after breakfast and check out we start with a short but interesting city tour of the highlights Medan has to

offer. We go to the Sultan's Deli Palace built in 1888, the Palace was considered as the centre of the town administration

before the city of Medan developed. The sultan now has merely a symbolic title and function for the Deli Malay

community. The tour continues to the Great Mosque (built in 1906 by the first sultan and still considered as one the most

beautiful mosques in the country). We end with the impressive Gunung Timur, a Chinese temple. Afterwards you will be

brought to the Medan Kuala Namu airport for your onward flight.

Hotel Var. A

Samosir Tabo Cottages 3 Batak House (No Extra Bed)

Berastagi Grand Mutiara Hotel Berastagi 4 Superior (No Extra Bed)

Bukit Lawang Bukit Lawang Eco Lodge 4 Orang Utan Room (No Extra Bed)

Medan The Aryaduta Hotel Medan 3+ Deluxe (No Extra Bed)

INCLUDED SERVICES: - Program is based on English speaking guide. For other languages a supplement charge will apply. - accommodation as mentioned above or equivalent. - meals according to itinerary / Breakfast box in lieu of ABF when early morning flight.

EXCLUDED SERVICES: - visa fees, drinks, personal expenses. ** Visa Procedures:

Prices from US$560 (per person 2 passengers), US$480 (per person 4 passengers) based on twin-sharing in double rooms - prices are subject to currency fluctuation.

We recommend checking with our office for a firm quote for dates required or for “sole room use” surcharge.

GENERAL INFORMATION ON INDONESIA IS AVAILABLE FROM OUR OFFICE

Please note: This is a private tour which operates any day with a minimum of 2 people. Discount prices are available for groups of 4 or more people travelling together on independent tours.