12 Days Trans Sumatra Tour

Day 1: Kuala Namu International Airport – Medan / 1 hr drive
Arrive at the Kuala Namu International Airport with flight… at…. At…
We will fetch you and transfer to hotel Garuda Plaza (superior) or Grand Antares (superior) or similar for overnight stay
At noon there is a city tour in Medan visiting Sultan Maimoon Palace, Grand Mosque, Chinese temple and remaining Duch colonial, Malay and Chinese architecture buildings.

Day 2: Medan – Nias island by flight
Flight to NIAS island and upon arrival at BINAKA airport – GUNUNGSITOLI will be met by  Tiara Tour Guide. Transfer to BAMBU House restaurant for lunch. Proceed to LAGUNDRI Beach   in  southern NIAS. Arrive at SORAKE Beach check in at SORAKE Beach hotel. Dinner at hotel

Day 3: Bawomataluo tour
Breakfast  at hotel. Explore to the Sun Hill village named BAWOMATALUO to see the traditional houses with the King’s house made from massive wood and observed their megalithic cultures. Stone Jumping and War Dance could be demonstrated on special request. Lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon visit HILISIMAETANO and HILIAMAETANIHA traditional villages. Dinner at hotel

Day 4: Sorake Beach – Gunung Sitoli
Breakfast at hotel. Drive  to north and visit the northern NIAS traditional houses at TUMORI village. Lunch will be served at restaurant. Check in WISMA SOLIGA or similiar accommodation. Dinner will be served at hotel or restaurant

Day 5: Gunung Sitoli – Medan by flight
Arrival Medan – Bukit Lawang / 2,5 – 3 hrs drive
After breakfast transfer to BINAKA Airport for flight return to MEDAN.
Upon arrival in Medan you start drive for about 2,5 hours passing by landscape with vast view of palm
oil and rubber plantation to Bukit Lawang, the observation point of the Orangutans located in Gunung Leuser National Park. En-route stops at of rubber, oil palm and cacao plantations with some countryside landscape. Arrive in Bukit Lawang check in to the hotel. Overnight stay in hotel Rindu Alam or Eco Lodge Bukit Lawang Cottages in Bukit Lawang/Bohorok.

Day 6: Bukit Lawang – Brastagi / 5 hrs drive
In the morning, you visit the feeding platform to see the Orangutan while being fed and prepared for release back into their natural habitat. The excursion starts with a short walk along the river bank and crossing the river with rubber boat or traditional canoe, continuing the hike amidst the thick and hilly bushes until you reach at the plat-forms where regularly, twice a day at 8.am and 3.pm. After that you continue with a 3 hours jungle trekking. Steep, slopes and dense vegetation will bring you to the excitement of the Sumatra rainforest. Here you have the opportunity to see several species of indigenous flora and fauna. Walkers must be fit and have suitable, large profile shoes.
At noon you leave for the cool and pleasant highland town of Berastagi–a mountain resort with its refreshing weather and magnificent mountain scenery which has an abundance of flowers, vegetables and fruits (most famous of which is the “Marquisa” passion fruit). The route will through winding road with lovely countryside. In Brastagi you can also visit the famous fruits market and views two active volcanoes, Sinabung and Sibayak. Overnight stay in hotel Sinabung or hotel Danau Toba Cottages in Brastagi.

Remarks:
Those who bring camera/video in the Orangutan site will be charged additional US$ 6.00 for camera and US$ 18.00 for video.

Day 7: Brastagi – Samosir island / 4 hrs drive + 1 hr ferry
After breakfast you proceed the journey to Samosir Island. Stop will be made at Dokan village, a traditional Karo Bataks village, Sipiso-piso waterfall, Long house of Simalungun Bataks. During the trip you will also pass local spices garden: coffee, cinnamon, clove etc.  In the afternoon you arrive in Parapat from where you cross the lake by ferry to Samosir island. 2 overnight stays in hotel Silintong or Toledo Inn on Samosir island.

Day 8: Samosir tour
Today you will make excursion to explore the beauty and cultural aspects of Batak visiting Ambarita village to see the stone chairs, tables and court yard of Siallagan’s clan. Simanindo to enjoy the Bataks traditional ritual dances of the Bataks Tribe. Thereafter continue to Tomok village to see the old tomb of King’s Sidabutar.
The rest is your own program, you can take a beautiful walk or ride a bicycle (optional) or take rest in hotel.

Day 9: Samosir – Sipirok/Padang Sidempuan / 6 hrs drive + 1 ur ferry
In the morning you cross the lake by ferry to Parapat from where you continue drive to Sipirok/Padangsidempuan with view of marching mountains “Bukit Barisan”. On the way, stop at Jangga Dolok; a typical Batak Toba village, pineapple farm. Balige market with traditional roof’s design and sulphur hotsprings in Sipoholon and some others interesting spots found on the driving to the southern of Lake Toba. In the afternoon arrive in Sipirok/Padangsidempuan for overnight stay. Overnight stay in hotel Torsibohi in Sipirok or Natama in Padang Sidempuan.

Day 10: Sipirok/Padang Sidempuan – Bukittinggi / 8 hrs drive
After breakfast at hotel, drive to Bukittinggi. It is the longest distance great circuit the inner part of Sumatra with the scenery of mountains, rivers, valleys and traditional villages. En-route stops to see Sijornih waterfall, Sihepeng botanical garden, gold seeker (activity subject to availability), a nature reserve called Rimba Panti for observing the charming flora, fauna and herbarium, Bonjol where a monument marking the equator. Late noon or in the evening arrive in the Minangkabau region famously for matrilineal society. 2 overnight stays in hotel Royal Denai or Pusako or similar in Bukittinggi.

Day 11: Bukittinggi tour
After breakfast at hotel, City tour to visit clock tower Jam Gadang which overlooks the colorful market  Pasar Atas, Dutch fort called De Kock, Sianok valley and Pandai Sikat, a village famous with its “Songket “ hand woven cloth and wood carving. Travel further to Padang Panjang, a site  of traditional houses in west Sumatra are alike in centuries back, at last visit Pagaruyung palace in Batusangkar. Afternoon will back to your hotel. (In the evening the traditional Minangkabau dance in the town-OPTIONAL).

Day 12: Bukittinggi – Padang airport / 3 hrs drive
Today you drive to Padang airport via Anai valley and waterfall. It takes around 2,5 hours drive.
End of your trip with us.

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