KARO, LAKE TOBA & MINANGKABAU HIGHLANDS

Discover the diverse attractions of Sumatra. The ancient secrets of Nias, the rugged nature of Sumatra. The refined culture and traditional of Sumatra. The white beaches or its tropic mountains and lush landscapes. And become a captive of time less magic Indonesia

DAY 01 : AIRPORT - HOTEL MEDAN
Meeting and greeting service at Medan airport on arrival, transfer to hotel for overnight stay.

DAY 02 : MEDAN - BUKIT LAWANG - MEDAN
After breakfast at the hotel, depart for Bukit Lawang National Park , home of the Bahorok Orang-utan Rehabilitation Centre. The centre provides a traditional environment for young Orang-utan that have spent time captivity. Although they're trained to fend for themselves, many are still dependent on hand-feeding. In the afternoon we return to Medan and overnight stay at the hotel.

DAY 03 : MEDAN - NIAS ISLAND
After breakfast at hotel, we transfer to the airport and depart Medan for Nias Island . We are met on arrival at Gunung Sitoli Binaka Airport and depart by bus or minibus for our base at Lagundri. Along the way we stop to examine ancient stone totems, intricately carved and standing enigmatically in a forest clearing. Lunch is at a beach side seafood restaurant at Lagara Beach . After our long trip on a fairly rough road, we are rewarded with an unspoilt palm fringed, white sandy beach with still undiscovered surfing spots. Overnight at the hotel in Nias Island .

DAY 04 : NIAS ISLAND
We depart for Bawomataluo and a walking tour of several traditional Nias villages. We marvel at the labour that must have been involved transporting the huge slabs of stone and massive beams used in constructing these mountain-top village. After lunch we depart for Teluk Dalam, after a tour of the town, market and port area, we visit the world-famous Sorake Beach , a surfing spot with the world's largest “right-hander”. Later, we return to Lagundri, where the remainder of the day can be spent swimming and relaxing. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Nias Island .

DAY 05 : NIAS ISLAND
After breakfast at hotel, we depart for Bohohilitano and Bawomatoluo two mountain-top village fortresses. Explore their unique architecture-massive dwellings constructed in timber and stone. Spear carrying warriors entertain us with their war dances and stone jumping. We may hear the Fanayama Dance group with its stirring harmonies and moving rhythms. We return to our hotel for take a rest. In the afternoon leaves us free for swimming or perhaps a short guided walk to the Sorake Beach surfing area. Overnight at the hotel in Nias Island .

DAY 06 : NIAS ISLAND
After breakfast the morning is free for relaxing on the beach. Late morning, we depart for Gunung Sitoli, stopping at Moale, an absolutely pristine beach,, then on to Soliga Top where there are superb views from one side of Nias to the other. Overnight at the hotel in Gunung Sitoli.

DAY 07 : NIAS ISLAND - MEDAN
After breakfast, tour to Gunung Sitoli then on to Siwahili, a traditional Northern Nias village. Here the architecture is totally different from the Southern style, but equally impressive. The friendly villagers welcome us into their distinctive oval houses. Our return flight to Medan again takes us over the scenic splendour of the Brastagi Highlands. On arrival we are transferred to the hotel. After lunch we are free to relax by the pool, play tennis or explore the city. Medan , like Singapore and Penang is noted for its excellent cuisine revealing Indonesian, Malay, Chinese and Indian influences. Tonight we dinner at a seafood restaurant and overnight at the hotel in Medan .

DAY 08 : MEDAN - PARAPAT - SAMOSIR
After breakfast at hotel, we depart Medan for the Brastagi Highlands, an extremely fertile region. Small villages set among fields of clove, coffee and a variety of fruit trees. After lunch we head for the Karo Batak village of Lingga . From Lingga, we visit the Sipiso-piso waterfall. The road provides us with some spectacular view of Lake Toba . At Pematang Purba we tour to the architecturally unique Raja's palace, now a museum. We then head for Parapat via Simarjarunjung and arrive at the beautiful Toba Lake , after that we take a ferry to Samosir Island . Overnight at the hotel in Samosir Island .

DAY 09 : SAMOSIR ISLAND
After breakfast at hotel, we depart for a tour of Samosir Island and the Toba Batak villages. At Simanindo we visit the Raja's palace. Formerly the king's residence, this traditional Huta Bolon compound is now maintained as a working museum. Here we are treated to a program of traditional of traditional Toba Batak dance and puppet performances. On to Ambarita and the ancient Batak court. Then visit Tomok, where the market provides an opportunity to purchase some interesting antique silver jewellery, woodcarving, Batak calendars, beautiful hand-woven ‘ulos' cloth and inexpensive souvenirs. Although Toba Batak is now largely Christian, stone sarcophagi of past kings and queens are adorned with animist symbolism. We return to the hotel and remainder of the day is free for shopping, exploring the town or just relaxing. Overnight at the hotel in Samosir Island .

DAY 10 : SAMOSIR ISLAND - PADANG SIPIROK
After breakfast at hotel, then a tour of Lumbanjalu, a traditional Toba Batak village. The houses are decorated with carved and painted traditional Toba motifs. On to the Sipaholon hot springs, past terrace rice fields. A fascinating feature is the large number of stone mausoleums dotting the landscape. We lunch at Ohansang. Leaving the coast, we head inland past numerous Batak Angkola villages with their many small mosques. We arrive at Padang Sipirok, tour to the city and its markets, then overnight at the hotel in Padang Sipirok.

DAY 11 : SIPIROK - P. SIDEMPUAN - BUKITTINGGI
After breakfast we travel through several busy market towns set in wide valleys amongst expanses of rice fields. Here the churches give way to mosques and the people are Mandailing Batak. As we climb higher we pass swiftly flowing rivers, vast stands of rubber trees, people working the fields or even panning for gold. Monkeys clamber across the road and hornbills fly above as we head for the Panti rain forest and hot springs . This is tiger country. We lunch at Lubuk Sikaping, a traditional Minangkabau town minutes from Equator. After lunch we cross into the southern hemisphere bound for Bukittinggi. After checking into the hotel in Bukittinggi, there is time to explore this charming town with its Dutch architecture and alpine atmosphere and later diner in the local restaurant. Overnight at hotel in Bukittinggi.

DAY 12 : HARAU VALLEY + MINANGKABAU TOUR
After breakfast at hotel a full day tour will start visiting to Harau Valley . We drive to the valley, visiting a traditional ‘krupuk' factory. Then proceed to the Harau Valley of thousand legends and many waterfalls. Then we drive to the unique land of Minangkabau kingdom, visiting Batu Sangkar, the ancient Minangkabau Kingdom , Pagaruyung the Minangkabau king's palace, a symbol of Minangkabau architecture. Enjoy the specific Padang rice table for lunch in beautiful rice fields. Proceed to Singkarak Lake , the largest lake of West Sumatra visiting Lima Kaum, Ombilin, Pandai Sikat a famous village for weaving and woodcarving.

DAY 13 : BUKITTINGGI (MANINJAU TOUR)
Sightseeing Lake Maninjau will start with Bukittinggi sightseeing visiting Sianok Canyon (Asean Grand Canyon), Fort De Kock, Zoo, Museum and Jam Gadang (Big Ben), Koto Gadang a village famous for silver filligram work. Then we drive to Lawang, at the rim of the enormous crater of the Lake Maninjau . We walk down hill to the lake, through some forest, plantations and amazing rice fields. After a swim transfer back to Bukittinggi. Overnight at hotel in Bukittinggi.

DAY 14 : MANINJAU - PADANG
After breakfast at the hotel drive to Padang for a city tour and afternoon free for own activities. Overnight at hotel in Padang .

DAY 15 : PADANG - AIRPORT
After breakfast at the hotel transfer to airport for departure flight to next destination.