11 Days Tangkahan-Bukit Lawang-Lake Toba
- 11 Days
- Culture & Nature, Wildlife
Easy
North Sumatra offers an incredible journey that combines wildlife encounters and stunning natural beauty. This 11-day trip takes you from the rainforests of Tangkahan and Bukit Lawang to the serene landscapes of Lake Toba.
The journey begins in Medan, the provincial capital. From there, you will drive to your first destination, Tangkahan, known as “The Hidden Paradise.” It’s a quieter and less-developed area, famous for its elephant conservation and community-based eco-tourism initiatives.
Tangkahan’s main attraction is the opportunity to wash and feed the Sumatran elephants. It offers a unique and ethical interaction with these majestic animals. Tangkahan also offers trekking through the rainforest, where you might spot other wildlife and enjoy the pristine natural surroundings.
From Tangkahan, a journey takes you to Bukit Lawang, at the edge of Leuser National Park. This Park is the most famous place for encountering wild and semi-wild Sumatran orangutans. After a long trek, our guides will take you back to the village on inner tubes down the Bohorok River, offering a fun and refreshing way to end the day.
From Bukit Lawang, your journey continues to Lake Toba. The largest volcanic lake in the world is home to Samosir Island. Samosir is the cultural heart of the Toba Batak people. Visit traditional villages like Ambarita and Simanindo to see traditional houses, ancient stone chairs, and watch Batak dance performances.
In the morning, visit the Royal Palace of Sultan Deli, also known as Maimon Palace, which was built in 1888. Visit the Grand Mosque, “Mesjid Raya”, built in 1906, which is the largest in town, and then transfer directly to Tangkahan for an overnight stay.
Hotel Plan : Jungle Lodge, Family Room
Meal Plan : -
After breakfast, start enjoying a range of adventures to suit everybody, from the intrepid explorer to the armchair adventurer. Challenge yourself to trek through dense rainforest, over rugged terrain, and across crystal clear rivers. The path through the jungle is the perfect place to see various kinds of plant life and wildlife, including wild orangutans, elephants, a wide range of birds, and numerous insects. Then, go caving where the skilled guides will lead the way and show you the beautiful stalactites and stalagmites, and take you to a small river that runs at the bottom of the cave. Then enjoy the Batang Serangan River by riding on inner tubes that have been modified for safety. You are equipped with a safety jacket and a helmet.
Point of Interest: The amazing Ficus tree, Medicinal plants, Stalactite & Stalagmite, Hot Spring Cave. If you're lucky, you can see Orangutans, Gibbons, Macaques, Bears, etc.
Hotel Plan : Jungle Lodge, Family Room
Meal Plan : Breakfast. Lunch box
Morning Elephant Washing.
Then depart for Bukit Lawang (by jeep, 84 km). *The directions given below are approximate. Road Conditions, Temporary Road diversions, or local events on the road can affect directions! Due to the poor condition of the road, we will need about 3–4 hours more or less to reach Bukit Lawang. Lunch box on the way. Hotel check-in. In the afternoon, the first Orangutan searches in their habitat (based on luck). Then trekking through the Leuser National Park
Hotel Plan : Batu Kapal, toop room + extra bed
Meal Plan : Breakfast. Lunch box
After breakfast, your guide will collect you at 9:00 am from your guesthouse, and you will begin your journey into the jungle of Gunung Leuser National Park to observe wild orangutans. On your trek (6-7 hours), your guide will educate you on the local wildlife, flora, and fauna you may encounter in Gunung Leuser. After lunch, you will continue your trek to see other wildlife (if you’re lucky, you may see the Thomas’ leaf monkey, white-handed gibbon, Siamang, long-tailed macaque, pig-tailed macaque, hornbills, peacocks and learn about the trees/plants which can be used in traditional medicine.
Hotel Plan : Tent
Meal Plan : Breakfast. Lunch, Dinner
In the morning, you will leave the campsite by traditional Tube rafting. follow the river downstream to the village and directly to your guesthouse
Hotel Plan : Batu Kapal, toop room + extra bed
Meal Plan : Breakfast. Lunch box
Morning drives to Brastagi with an en route visit to the local market at Berastagi, where locals sell and buy fruits, flowers, and vegetables, which are plentiful in the vicinity of the town. A stop will be made at Gundaling Hill (view of Mt. Sinabung and Sibayak). Visit to Lumbini Natural Park, a Buddhist temple located in Desa Dolat Rayat, Berastagi, North Sumatra. Taman Alam Lumbini is a replica of the “Shwedagon Pagoda” in Yangon, Myanmar. The architecture is similar to that of a Thai pagoda, covered in gold.
Hotel Plan : The Hill Sibolangit, Deluxe + extra bed
Meal Plan : Breakfast
transport to the top of the trail, the easiest way. Hiking can begin at Semangat Gunung village, about 15 Km from Berastagi. It is estimated that hiking to the top takes 2 or 3 hours. Coming down via another trail through the jungles, ending at the hot springs. After hiking, rest at the hot springs, then continue driving to Samosir for an overnight.
Hotel Plan : Tabo Cottage, Junior suite + Extra bed
Meal Plan : Breakfast
Today we begin our tour in Samosir by car. First, we visit Ambarita, the village where you can see the ancient megalithic structures, among them the so-called "table cannibal." The village was an important meeting place for the Sialagana King, who, as king, rescued her and restored order in all the villages, including Simanindo, which is located at the northern end of the island and is known for its traditional houses of Batak Toba. The village is a museum, Sidauruk King. Stroll the grounds and visit souvenir shops. Then check one of the most famous landmarks - the tomb of King Sidabutara, sarcophagus which is more than 200 years. In the afternoon, we drive back to the hotel.
Hotel Plan : Tabo Cottage, Junior suite + Extra bed
Meal Plan : Breakfast
Free at leisure.
Hotel Plan : Tabo Cottage, Junior suite + Extra bed
Meal Plan : Breakfast
You will be transferred from Parapat to Samosir by ferry, and your car will accompany you on the same ferry—this transfer is based on SIC and also for the return ticket from Samosir to Parapat.
Today you will go from Parapat (Harbour) to Medan. On the way, you will drive past a winding road with the view of Samosir Lake before entering the hustle and bustle of the city of Medan.
Hotel Plan : Thong`s Inn, Deluxe Triple B
Meals Plan : Breakfast
Transfer to the airport.
Meal Plan : Breakfast
