THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO LAKE TOBA – GETTING THERE, WHERE TO STAY, EAT AND VISIT

Why should you travel to Lake Toba?

1. Nature and tranquility – Imagine spending a week or two just doing nothing, enjoying nature and recharging from draining social interactions that are part and parcel of our daily lives. That’s the sort of tranquility you’ll find in Lake Toba!

Photo from Wonderful Indonesia

Doesn’t that sound singularly awesome?

2. Chilly weather – Sometimes we take time off for a trip overseas, just to get away from our everyday routine. We find there’s nothing better than Lake Toba’s lovely chilly weather – the perfect sweater weather for snuggling up to lovely views.

3. Breathtaking landscape – If you’re interested in ditching the urban landscape for sweeping vistas and rare fresh air – then this enormous crystal clear lake that’s almost twice the size of Singapore is what you’re looking for.

Photo Via Mentaritravelservices

You’ll find dramatic views here as it’s located on a super volcano in Northern Sumatra that has been dormant for the past 74,000 years – and situated amongst towering mountains and drifting clouds!

4. The Batak people and culture – It isn’t just a place where you get to love yourself as much as you want, though. Chances are, you’re going to fall in love with the friendly Batak people and culture, who make their home on Samosir island, a little island sitting in the centre of the lake.

Photo from Wonderful Indonesia

Although the gorgeous views that surround it have given Samosir quite a reputation, the island remains untouched in all its nature and greenery. Leave your work behind, and get on a flight – it’s high time for some mind and body healing.

Here’s an overview of our complete guide (click to scroll to the relevant section):

1. Where is it2. Best time to visit3. Getting there4. Getting around5. Things to do6. Where to stay7. Where to eat8. Other tips

1. Where is it

2. Best time to visit

A.K.A. When to ask your boss for time off
I want to have a fun-packed time	September – November* This period every year is when you get to have a blast partying it out with the locals at the Lake Toba Festival, an annual event that showcases local art, music, and sports; it includes exciting activities such as dragon boating competitions, art performances, and even fashion shows. Photo Via Intravel US Note: Be sure to check out when the festival will be held before you plan your holiday, as the dates are subject to change every year!
I just want to sit back and chill	May – September Not a fan of hanging out with crowds? The dry season occurs between May to September, when the views are at their very best and no crusty cloud is there to (literally) rain on your parade. The month of May is also the golden month when the weather is a perfect degree of warmth – we’re definitely not fans of swimming in sweat and rain.

As with everything else in this world, there are things you should do, and things you shouldn’t:

When NOT to ask your Boss for time off
I want to look like a drowned rat	Winter Rain tends to come in buckets during the winter months, so it wouldn’t be a great idea to visit Lake Toba during this period… unless you’re a fan of grey skies and umbrellas as permanent accessories.
I want to be canned sardine	Chinese New Year Chinese New Year is when tourists flock to Lake Toba and everything goes up, up, up – prices, crowds… the only thing that goes down is your satisfaction.

3. Getting there

Currently, there’s no direct way to get to Samosir – you’ll have to take a plane to Medan, travel to Parapat, and then board a ferry there to Tuk Tuk on Samosir Island.

It’s not exactly as easy as abc, but we believe some things are worth working for.

Besides, we’ve broken everything down to make things easier for you.

How to get to Lake Toba

This post is made possible by Indonesia Tourism Board

From Singapore (tap here to view)From Malaysia (tap here to view)From Perth, Australia (tap here to view)From Jakarta

Step 1 (Duration 2.5 hrs): Take a flight to Medan via Jetstar (return flights from US $125 – approximately SGD 180)

Step 2 (Duration 4 – 6 hrs): 3 ways to get to Parapat (a small town on the edge of Lake Toba) from Medan – Board a taxi/private car/bus.

1. Shared taxi		Cost: IDR $80,000/pax (Approximately US $5.75)* Note: Mini vans that seat up to seven passengers. The car will only leave when all the seats are taken up. You can book one from your hotel in Medan or at the Transportation Desk at the airport.
2. Private car		Cost: IDR$400,000 (US$28.70)
3. Public bus		Cost: IDR$35,000 – 40,000/pax (Approximately US$2.87) Note: Only for non-fussy travellers; the buses can get very crowded and smoking is allowed.

Step 3 (Duration 30 – 50 min): Catch the ferry from Parapat to Tuk Tuk, Samosir island. (most of Lake Toba’s tourism is concentrated here)

There is a regular ferry service that operates at half-hour intervals between Parapat to Tuk Tuk on Samosir island. You can buy your tickets on the boat.

Cost		IDR$7,000/pax (Approximately US$0.50)
Departure time		Parapat to Tuk Tuk: 8:30, 9:30, 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 13:30, 14:30, 15:30, 16:30, 18:00,19:00 Tuk Tuk to Parapat: 7:00, 8:00, 9:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00, 17:00 Important note: Please be reminded that the above departure time is subject to change! Don’t miss the last boat, or you’ll have to stay on Parapat for the night!

Are you still confused about what exactly Lake Toba offers? Get bite-sized information about this fascinating destination at the Indonesia Tourism Board’s Official Lake Toba page!

4. Getting around

You’re surrounded by water and scenic lake views; why would you want to do anything other than travel around by boat?

As Samosir island’s main mode of transport, boat rides are also really cheap there, costing around US$1 per trip. Compared to your usual bus rides, you might even save some money while you’re there!

Photo Via H.Y.D.E

However, if you’re more interested in being a badass and traversing those bumpy roads like nobody’s business, you can always choose to hire bicycles or motorcycles as your vehicle-of-choice.

For slightly badass people	Bicycle Rental You can get bikes at most cottages and guest houses in Tuk Tuk for a very small fee. But if you’re not planning to return home with a few more bumps on your person, you might want to watch out – road safety isn’t at its best here. Bike riding has its advantages, though. The plateau located on the east side of the island is a popular biking site, as you’ll get to pass by many traditional villages and enjoy a panoramic view of the lake.
For very badass people	Motorcycle Rental Price: IDR$100,000+ (US$7.18) per day (includes full petrol) Note: Most of the motorcycles for rent are privately owned by the renter, and you may have to return them before sunset or at the owner’s discretion. Try not to flout bike return policies, or you may end up racking up some extra charges!
For people who just don’t want to do things by themselves	Tours Some accommodations offer tour bookings that tourists can sign up for. If it’s your first time around and you’re not confident enough about making it on your own, here’s some professional help for you. 1. Carolina Hotel Offers a regular Samosir sightseeing tour visiting all the well known touristic places such as Ambarita, Tomok, Pangururan. 2. Horas Family Home Offers a full Samosir Day Trip by Car under their Credo ‘Exclusive & Excellent’. Only applicable to guests actually staying with Horas Family Home. 3. Tabo Cottages Offers much more than only regular sightseeing and includes adventurous and off the mainroad exploration of Samosir.
For people who don’t appreciate “strength through adversity”	Car Rental Some hotels and guest houses, such as Carolina Hotel, offer transportation services. If you prize comfort, this is the way to go.

5. Things to do

As much as Lake Toba is an awesome place to kick back and enjoy your privilege to do absolutely nothing, it’s always good to prepare for a rainy day.

If you ever find yourself bored and itching to find something fun to do, fret not, because Lake Toba can be an exciting place to visit as well. Aside from the annual Lake Toba Festival, the area is littered with historically rich cultural monuments and nature sites that are mind blowingly beautiful.

Whenever you wish, an adventure is waiting for you.

5-a. Samosir

Living up to its title as the centre of Lake Toba’s tourism industry, Samosir island has a myriad of activities to do and sites to visit.

5-a-1. Swim and fish around this majestic waterfall – Binangalom waterfall

This stately waterfall is one of the popular tourist attractions on the island. Water falls in majestic waves from the top of a cliff directly into the lakewater, making for an interesting sight.

Photo via rista_rohana

On hot days, you can enjoy a cool swim around this natural wonder, as well as fishing. Or, we don’t know, you could take tons of photos to show your friends.

Photo via martkristin

Binangalom waterfall

Getting there: You can rent a boat at Carolina Hotel to take you there. Boat rentals cost around IDR$500,000 – IDR$600,000.

5-a-2. Hike up a volcano for the gorgeous views! – Pusuk Buhit

Pusuk Buhit is a volcano that is located in Northern Sumatra. However, it’s not known for frightening explosions, but for a gorgeous view – rolling green hills that go on forever. Batak legend has it that the first Batak man, the Batak King, was born on Pusuk Buhit. Even now, many Batak descendants still scale the mountain in order to garner blessings from him.

If you’re fit and up for some exercise, why not try hiking up the summit? There are multiple routes to take in order to scale this volcano, and none of them are too strenuous, although it might take you seven or eight hours to reach the top.

Photo via fm_nur

But hey, you’ll be hiking amongst striking grassland and the best of nature, and you’ll even be awarded with extraordinary view of the sunset if you time your hike right. If you ask us, all the blood, sweat and tears will be worth it in the end.

Photo via Ares-Jonekson-Saragi

Pusuk Buhit

Getting there: Pusuk Buhit is located near Pangururan, west of Samosir island, an hour’s ferry ride away from Tuk Tuk. You can arrive at the starting point by taking the ferry from Medan.

5-a-3. Experience local culture – Batak Museum

If you’re interested in the rich Batak history and culture, what better place to experience it than at the Batak Museum? This grand building, before stepping into its role spread knowledge of local culture, used to be the home of the deceased Raja Sidauruk.

Photo via paulus_tampubolon, ridwanwaeleh

Now, it is a major tourist site and the place where traditional dances and the Sigale Gale puppet performance are held. The Sigale Gale puppet is a life-sized wooden puppet that is used during Batak funeral rites as a vessel for the spirit of the dead. Although its origins are a little creepy, the puppet is now a staple in dance performances that are well-known to tourists.

Photos via auroraribka, samanthaclarissa, man.tampubolon