- ✓ Explore Medan’s kampungs & local life
- ✓ Trek deep into Gunung Leuser to spot wild orangutans
- ✓ Climb Sibayak Volcano for smoking crater views
- ✓ Unwind on Lake Toba’s Samosir Island with Batak culture
Explore the remote rainforest of Sumatra, watch cheeky orangutans, float gently down the emerald green river on a tube and climb steaming volcanoes before relaxing in hot springs. Raw, untouched and rarely-visited, it’s secluded and steeped in mystery. Packed with wildlife, traditional tribes and staggering landscapes, its way off the beaten tourist track.
Day 1 - Arrive in Medan
Your Sumatra adventure begins in Medan - the island’s bustling capital and the gateway to North Sumatra. You’ll be met on arrival at the airport and transferred to your hotel. We have picked a small hotel just outside the city centre in a peaceful Kampung area with a swimming pool so you can relax and unwind after your international flight.
Day 2 - Motorised becak tour of Medan
For today we’ve arranged a motorised becak tour in Medan, a fun and authentic way to experience the city. Climb aboard a local rickshaw and soak up the sights, sounds and smells of everyday life as you explore the bustling streets. Depending on the day, you’ll visit two local families or combine a family visit with a trip to a traditional market. Get a glimpse into daily kampung life and try your hand at making local treats, from banana and cassava chips to traditional sweets and cakes.
Day 3 - Travel into the jungles of Bukit Lawang
It’s time to discover the wilds of Sumatra. You’ll travel by private car to Bukit Lawang, a convenient base for treks into the jungle. The drive gives you a first feel for Sumatra’s greener, more rugged landscapes, that are very different from other Indonesian islands. By afternoon you’ll arrive at a simple eco-lodge overlooking the jungle, where you’ll sleep for the next two nights. The lodge is around a 20-minute walk from the drop-off point, and porters are on hand to help carry your bags.
Day 4 - Guided jungle trek & orangutan spotting
Today you’ll head out early for a guided jungle trek. Take a small boat across the river and walk to the orangutan feeding platform on the edge of the rainforest. This site was set up to support orangutan rehabilitation, and at set times rangers put out fruit which can draw semi-wild orangutans out of the trees. It’s a great opportunity to (hopefully) spot orangutans at close range.
Afterward, you’ll continue deeper into the hilly rainforest, following narrow trails and scrambling over roots. Your knowledgeable local guide will be scanning the jungle for wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled for wild orangutans moving through the treetops. Return to your lodge in the afternoon.
Day 5 - Travel deeper into the rainforest to Tangkahan
This morning jump in a 4WD and travel deeper into the rainforest. After around 4–5 hours, you’ll arrive in Tangkahan, a small, remote riverside community known for its strong focus on conservation and low-impact travel. You’ll sleep in a rustic wooden bungalow surrounded by forest, with limited electricity and cold-water showers, but that’s all part of the experience. Staying here is all about feeling properly immersed in Sumatra’s rainforest.
Day 6 - River tubing in Tangkahan
After breakfast, you’ll head down to the river with your guide, where an inflatable tube is waiting. The tubes are linked together like a small raft, or you can float along on your own, drifting gently through calm water rather than rapids. As you go, keep an eye on the riverbanks and treetops for monkeys and tropical birds. At a shallow stretch of river, you’ll climb out for a refreshing swim before walking back to your lodge along the river bank. The rest of the day is yours to relax in a hammock, visit the hot spring or spend time chatting with the local villagers.
If you’d prefer not to include the tubing experience we can arrange another guided trek deep into the jungle with a local guide. The trekking is organised by the local community. You’ll notice this immediately in the enthusiasm and expertise of your guide. He grew up here and takes great pride in ‘his’ rainforest. His knowledge of nature comes from his family, and he’s eager to share stories about his life in the jungle. Despite his limited English, he’s had lessons and tries his best to communicate. Ask your Travel Specialist to add this to your travel plan.
Day 7 - Travel to Berastagi
From Tangkahan you will take a three hour drive to Berastagi. Head for the cool emerald hills where volcanoes puff smoke rings into the sky and lush fields stretch into the horizon, leaving the steamy lowland heat behind. While not a beautiful place itself, Berastagi is surrounded by some of Sumatra’s most breathtaking scenery.
Arriving in Berastagi in the afternoon, you can visit the local market in the town centre, spilling over with fruit, fish, vegetables and almost everything else under the sun. You’ll stay in a simple hotel with views across the green fields. Get some rest in preparation for your volcano trek tomorrow …
Day 8 - Climb Sibayak Volcano...
After an early breakfast, your guide will pick you up and drive you to the slopes of Gunung Sibayak, one of North Sumatra’s most accessible volcanoes. The trail winds upwards through lush mountain scenery, gradually becoming steeper as you approach the volcanic crater. You’ll notice the landscape changing as you climb, with steam vents and the distinctive smell of sulphur reminding you that this is still an active volcanic area. After around two hours, you’ll reach the summit, where you can take in sweeping views across the surrounding highlands and, on a clear day, towards neighbouring Mount Sinabung. On the way back down, you’ll stop at the Lau Debuk-Debuk hot springs for a relaxing soak before your driver takes you on to your next destination.
As Berastagi is a quiet place, we usually recommend staying for just one night. Please note that this is a fairly strenuous trek and a good level of fitness is required.
...and continue to Samosir Island
Continue your journey to Parapat where you’ll board the ferry to Samosir Island. The deep, dark lake is surrounded by densely wooded mountains, with traditional Batak houses sticking out above the green treetops. Your accommodation for the next three nights is situated directly on the banks of Lake Toba in a room with a breezy balcony and wonderful views across the lake.
Days 9 & 10 - Free time to explore independently
As you explore the island over the next couple of days, you’ll find typical Batak houses and get an idea of how the local people live. Tomok is the most important village on the island and a brilliant place to see wooden Batak houses with ritual graves and unique tombs. For local culture, pay a visit to Simanindo village, where you can watch the daily Batak dance performances accompanied by homemade instruments. Bicycles are available for hire on the island if you’d like to use pedal power to get around. In the evenings, try some local Indonesian specialities in one of the little restaurants lining the roads of Tuk-Tuk, before sitting back and watching the sun go down over the lake.
Days 11 & 12 - Return to Medan & depart
You will then take a ferry back to the mainland, where your driver will pick you up and drop you at your hotel in Medan. You’ll spend one more night in the bustling capital before saying goodbye to Sumatran life and heading to the airport for your international flight back home.
Accommodation
