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Sumatra Travel Guide
Experience the magic of Sumatra
Sumatra is the second-largest island in Indonesia and the sixth-largest island worldwide. Its jungles and forests are home to some of the world’s most rare plants and animals, including the endangered Sumatran orangutan and tiger. Learn all about them while jungle trekking in Bukit Lawang.
Sumatra offers beautiful landscapes and thick jungles. The forests are home to the endangered Sumatran Tiger, Sumatran Elephants, Sumatran Rhinos and the cute orangutans.
Besides that it is also diverse regarding its cultre. Aceh up north is ruled under the strict Shariah law, while the Batak people living around Lake Toba are Christians and the woman of the Minangkabau rule over the men.
Read also: Why you should go to Sumatra
Hard facts about Sumatra
Area: 473,481 km2 (182,812 sq mi)
Highest elevation: Kerinci volcano
Provinces: Aceh, Bengkulu, Jambi, Lampung, Riau, West Sumatra, South Sumatra, North Sumatra
Main city: Medan
Population: 50,180,000 (2014)
Ethnic groups: Acehnese, Batak, Chinese, Indian, Javanese, Malay, Mentawai, Minangkabau, Nias etc.
Languages: Bahasa Indonesia, but there are more than 52 languages spoken (such as Chamic, Malayic, Batak, Gayo, Lampungic or Bornean
Religion: Islam 87.1%, Christianity 10.7%, Buddhism 1.4%, Hinduism 0.3%
Things to do on Sumatra
Looking to explore something beyond ordinary? Want to switch on to the adventurous side of you and move past the magnificent rainforests and wildlife? We help fulfil your dreams and offer treks and tours around Sumatra. Sumatra is such a place which demands to be explored. On our website you find more information about Sumatra, it’s beautiful places, best travel time, weather, food and activities etc.
Sumatra is the largest island in Indonesia and the sixth largest island in the world. It’s an amalgamation of beauty and mystery, magnificence and adventure, surrounding the lush green jungles, majestic volcanoes and spell bounding beaches. It’s an island of extraordinary beauty, abundant wildlife and tremendous opportunities. We take you on the intrepid expedition with all our might. We give you the chance to explore and observe, learn and indulge in its splendid views.
Read also: What is Sumatra famous for?
- Jungle Trekking in Bukit Lawang
- Canyoning
- Snorkeling&diving
- Boat tours on Lake Toba
- Village Tours
- Surfing
- Cooking Classes
Must See Places on Sumatra
Most of the popular tourism destinations are located in North Sumatra. In Bukit Lawang you can go jungle trekking and spot wild orangutans or see elephants near Tangkahan. Lake Toba is the biggest crater lake in the world, where you can spend days unwinding on the shore of Samosir island.
The islands on the west of Sumatra are famous for its waves drawing attention to surfers worldwide. The Mentawai Islands for example offer some of the best surfing breaks in the world. Further up norht on Pulau Weh you can find one of the best diving spots in Indonesia.
The utterly captivating beauty of Sumatra is real and raw in its own sense which is nestled with beautiful islands, lush jungles, steaming volcanoes and magnanimous mountains. Let’s look at the list of places it has to offer.
- Visit the small village of Bukit Lawang and enjoy its magical view. It’s National Park is one of the richest tropical forests and is home to numerous species. You can opt for a one- or multiple-day jungle trek to see orangutans and other animals in the wild.
Read also: Top 10 activities in Bukit Lawang - Lake Toba is another magnificent place which is the largest lake in Southeast Asia. Its island is almost the size of a Singapore. You can go there, relax and absorb its pristine beauty with all your senses wide awake. Here you can also go fishing, visit the Batak Museum and ancient Batak villages.
- Town of Berastagi is another great spot with stunning views of volcanoes. Not many travellers come here, but those who do never regret. Here you should also Visit Sipiso-Piso waterfall, Gundaling viewpoint and local hot springs. Things to do in Berastagi
- On Pulau Weh in the north of the island, you can enjoy great sandy beaches and go snorkelling.
- In Padang and Bukittingi in the west, you can marvel at the traditional Minangkabau houses and go hiking in Haurau Valley.
Apart from these, there are numerous other tourist spots that need to be explored and enjoyed at their best. Which includes;
- Banyak Islands
- The Mentawai Islands
- Banda Aceh
- Pualau Nias
- Belitung Island
- And the list goes on…
Read also: How to get around on Sumatra
Best travel time to visit
The best time for a vacation in Sumatra is spring and autumn. These seasons tend to be the most favourable considering the weather and hotel prices. Most travellers prefer travelling in summer which hence crowds the place and results in the escalation of prices.
The scrumptious food of Sumatra
If you want to enjoy the food alongside the pristine beaches and taste a different cuisine that is spicier, more flavourful then Sumatra is definitely the place for you. You can munch on the famous Beef Rendang and sip through the yummiest coffee while you’re at Sumatra. The typical flavours here include garlic, chilli, coriander and lemongrass. Read also: Sumatra for foodies
More info: The ultimate travel guide for Sumatra
Getting to and around Sumatra
Medan is the main hub for flights onto the island of Sumatra. Besides that you can also come to Sumatra by ferry or even bus from Jakarta. Read here how to get to Sumatra.
Getting around on Sumatra can be a bit tricky. Traffic is crazy, roads are bad. A well functioning bus system like in Thailand or Malaysia does not exist here. There are local buses, but proper timetables are rare. Booking bus tickets online is not possible. Besides that there are tourists busses (shared cars) which can be easily booked by your accommodation or private drivers for more convenience. Read here how to get around Sumatra.
Get in touch
For questions and bookings please contact us
We started as a tour operator not only because we love the island and the nature, but also to connect and help the locals. We work with a selected bunch of locals for trekking, transport an guiding and also help local NGOs. More about us
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