Sumatra Adventure

Day 1  Medan      
Arrive in Medan and transfer to your hotel. Meet with your tour leader and fellow travellers at a welcome meeting this evening. Later, head to grab some street food with your group at one of the night markets in town.      

Day 2  Medan to Bukit Lawang      
Head to Bukit Lawang this morning through some very heavy traffic, however brace yourself for a bit of an adventure as the roads get bumpy and windy the closer you get to Bukit Lawang.  Arrive at a peaceful village on the banks of the Bohorok River near Gunung Leuser National Park. The afternoon is free to spend as you wish and there will be ample time to prepare for your jungle trek.      

Day 3  Bukit Lawang to Gunung Leuser NP      
Set off on your trekking adventure with an experienced guide through Gunung Leuser National Park. One of the world’s most diverse eco systems and is home to many endangered species including the Sumatran tiger, rhinoceros and elephants. Whilst it’s extremely rare to spot these animals, you will get the opportunity to go in search for wild orangutans. Today’s hike is hilly and can be muddy, you will carry your own lunch and stop off for a break along the way. Continue onto your campsite where you’ll be spending the night. Your guides will be cooking dinner for you tonight..  

Day 4  Gunung Leuser NP to Berastagi    
Awake early to the sound of gibbons and continue your trek down river. Head back to Bukit Lawang, where day rooms will be made available to freshen up and shower before you get on the bus. Depart for Berastagi in the afternoon, home of the Karo people, a Batak sub-group with traditional villages (long houses), and your destination for the night.    

Day 5  Mount Sibayak      
Take a short drive to the starting point of your hike, today you will hike up to the top of Sibayak Volcano. The climb is quite steep, muddy and can get slippery in the wet season, follow a shady jungle path which opens up to a more alpine setting. Once on top, enjoy a traditional bungkus lunch and take in the spectacular views. It’s about an hour for the descent, after which you head straight to the nearby hot springs for a soothing soak, well deserved after a few days of trekking.    

Day 6  Berastagi to Lake Toba      
Continue on to Tongging Village on the banks of Lake Toba. Stop off at Sipiso-Piso waterfall and watch as water cascades from a cave in the side of the Lake Toba caldera. The lake itself is surrounded by mountains and is a relaxing spot in which to stay. Your home for tonight is right next to the lake boasting amazing views of the lake, mountains and rice fields.      

Day 7  Lake Toba    
Visit Samosir Island, created by a volcanic eruption over 50,000 years ago in the middle of Lake Toba, travel up to the viewpoint on the island which gives you a panoramic vista of the below Lake and the surrounding Sumatran countryside. Enjoy a traditional lunch at a local Batak house. You’ll also have the chance to enjoy a traditional Batak dance performance.    

Day 8  Lake Toba to Medan      
Journey back to Medan today, stopping at a traditional Dokan Village along the way. Here you’ll find a handful of traditional houses which are still the homes of local Batak families. Arrive in Medan and spend the rest of the day as you wish.  

Day 9  Medan      
Your tour comes to an end after breakfast this morning.