13D12N SUMATRA OVERLAND
Day
1–2 Airport to Tangkahan
Pick
up from the airport in Medan. Passing coconut oil- and rubber plantations you
will drive in three hours on a bad road to the hotel that is situated at the
edge of the forest.To
reach our hotel we have to cross the river on a rackety ferry and wade through
the water. This is real jungle!
Our
accommodation is run by local people and has a superb position at the junction
of two rivers. The local Batak people have concluded it is in their interest as
well to preserve the forest and, aided by a foundation, they started this
tourism project. You will be welcomed with real warmth.
You
can make jungle treks from here, on the back of an elephant if you want, but it
is also lovely to swim in the river or just to listen to the sounds of the
jungle from the terrace in front of your bungalow.
Day
3-4 Bukit Lawang
We
need a jeep to go off-road, as the road is very bad. It’s a three hours drive
through jungle and palm oil plantations. Finally you will reach Bukit Lawang on
the edge of the forest and a river. This
is the place of the famous rehabilitation center where Orang Utans that are
freed from captivity are taught to survive again in the jungle. Every morning
and afternoon these primates are fed and it is quite an experience to witness
that. Since Orang Utans do not have any natural enemies they are very curious
and it is easy to approach them at close distance. If there is time you can
walk to this spot in the afternoon. If not, there will be enough time for that
the following morning.
Day
5-7 Lake Toba
We
drive to Lake Toba via Medan. Again you will see many plantations, many of them
from colonial times. At the end of the day we reach Prapat from where we take
the public ferry to the peninsula of Tuktuk, where our hotel is. Seated in front of your room you have a fine
view over the smooth lake and the mountains behind it. At night the lights of
Prapat shine invitingly across the water.You
will have two days here to look around. Rent a bike and visit the traditional
villages of Tomok and Simanindo. The terrain is flat and the climate cool enough.
This is a good place to go for treks as well. The rough mountainous interiors
hide various traditional villages. Try
not to miss a dinner with traditional Batak songs. The Batak are renowned
throughout all Indonesia for their singing voices and cheerful nature.
Day
8 Sipirok
A
long, but beautiful day following the Bukit Barisan. Most part of the road
leads past a fast flowing river and shining rice-fields. Along the way you can
enjoy the busy market life, Islamic schools and impressive rainforest. A visit
to the local and colorful market in Balige will be a nice break during the long
drive.We
will stay the night in a hotel in Sipirok situated in the BatakMandailing
region, a very traditional tribe.
Day
9-10 Bukittinggi
Another
long, but interesting road brings us to Bukittinggi. We cross the equator and
as soon as we enter the country of the Minangkabau the style of houses changes. In
Bukittinggi you will have one day to get to know the city and its surroundings. This
is the centre of the Minangkabau, proud people with their own matrilineairadat.
This means that all property inherits from mother to daughter. Besides an
interesting culture Bukittinggi offers timeless images of picturesque villages
hiding amongst lush green scenery. Beautiful,
but taxing is a trek through the canyon, above which the town is perched.
Sometimes you have to cross the river more than 15 times! It
is fun to rent a horse cart to go to a small village, following small paved
roads. A rich meal, served in a beautiful traditional house is included.
Worth
a visit are the graceful dances of this people.
Day
11-12 Lake Maninjau
High
Lake Maninjau is a crater lake at an hour’s drive of Bukittinggi. You still
have plenty of time to relax in your hotel directly at the lake. The still
waters beckon you to swim, but if you can resist that, a bike-trip around the
lake is equally perfect.
Day
13 Padang
Transfer
to the airport of Padang.
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