Sumatra Adventure , 24-Day Wonderful Sumatra Overland Eco Tour

Day 1 – Arrival in Medan (Kuala Namu International Airport)

Welcome to Sumatra!.

• Upon arrival, you’ll be warmly greeted by our representative and transferred to your hotel for a relaxing evening after your flight.

• Overnight at Garuda Plaza Hotel or similar.

Day 2 – Medan → Tangkahan (Gunung Leuser National Park) – 4 hrs drive

• After breakfast, enjoy a short Medan city tour visiting the Sultan Maimoon Palace, Grand Mosque, Chinese Temple, and old Dutch colonial buildings.

• Then depart for Tangkahan, known as the Elephant Conservation Village — a hidden paradise where rivers meet jungle. Cross the Batang River by bamboo raft or bridge to your eco-lodge surrounded by rainforest.

• 2 nights at Jungle Lodge / Linnea Resort / Mega Inn (eco-lodges built in harmony with nature).

> Note: Accommodation here is simple but charming — solar-powered, with cold-water showers and mosquito nets.

Day 3 – Elephant Conservation & Jungle River Experience

• This morning, visit the Elephant Camp to watch or join in bathing rescued elephants — a responsible and educational experience that supports local conservation.

• Afterwards, enjoy a gentle elephant walk through the forest (1.5–2 hours).

• Afternoon free to swim in the Buluh River, visit waterfalls, or simply relax among butterflies and jungle sounds.

> Elephant activity unavailable on Fridays (rest day for the elephants).

Day 4 – Tangkahan → Bukit Lawang (Off-Road Jeep Adventure) – 3 hrs drive

• Cross the river and board a local jeep for an exciting off-road ride through rubber plantations and jungle hills to Bukit Lawang, the gateway to Gunung Leuser National Park.

• Stop for fresh coconuts before arriving at your eco-lodge.

• 2 nights at Orangutan Villa / Rindu Ecolodge / Jungle Inn.

Day 5 – Ethical Orangutan Jungle Trek (Half Day)

• After breakfast, begin your eco-friendly guided trek in Gunung Leuser National Park, home to wild orangutans, Thomas leaf monkeys, gibbons, hornbills, and more.

• Learn about the forest ecosystem, medicinal plants, and local traditions from your experienced guides.

• Enjoy a jungle lunch before floating back to Bukit Lawang by river tubing — an exhilarating and eco-friendly way to end the trek.

• Includes lunch and water.

• Duration: 4 hours | Difficulty: Easy | Small group (2–4 people).

Day 6 – Bukit Lawang → Brastagi (Highlands) – 4.5 hrs drive

• After a relaxing morning, travel to the cool mountain town of Brastagi, famous for its fruits, flowers, and volcanic scenery.

• Stop at local viewpoints before arriving. Visit the colorful fruit market and Gundaling Hill, offering views of Mt. Sinabung and Mt. Sibayak.

• 2 nights at Sinabung Hill Resort / Danau Toba Cottages.

Day 7 – Brastagi Volcano & Village Life

• Optional early morning hike (4:00 AM) to Mt. Sibayak for sunrise views and steaming volcanic craters.

• After descending, soak in the natural Lau Debuk-Debuk hot springs.

• Later, visit Lingga Village, home of the traditional Karo Batak tribe, and experience daily local life and warm hospitality.

Day 8 – Brastagi → Samosir Island (Lake Toba) – 4.5 hrs drive + 1 hr ferry

• Travel south via Sipiso-Piso Waterfall, Simarjarunjung Hill, and scenic coffee and clove plantations before crossing by ferry to Samosir Island, located in the middle of Lake Toba, one of the world’s largest volcanic lakes.

• 4 nights at Tabo Cottages / Zoe Paradise.

Day 9 – Samosir Island: Batak Culture Tour

• Explore traditional Batak Toba villages:

• Ambarita – ancient stone chairs & royal courts

• Simanindo – traditional Batak dance performance

• Tomok – visit the old tomb of King Sidabutar

• Learn about local beliefs, architecture, and crafts.

Day 10 – Samosir Island: Hot Springs & Local Life

• Drive to Pangururan to see volcanic hot springs and the village of Lumban Suhi Suhi, known for handwoven ulos textiles.

• Evening free to relax by the lake or enjoy a café overlooking the water.

Day 11 – Samosir → Padang Sidempuan – 7 hrs drive

• Ferry back to Parapat and drive through mountain scenery and spice gardens.

• Stop at Balige Market and Jangga Dolok, a traditional Batak Toba village.

• Overnight at Natama Hotel or Mega Permata.

Day 12 – Padang Sidempuan → Bukittinggi – 8 hrs drive

• A long but beautiful drive through mountains, rivers, and rainforest valleys.

• Stop at Sijornih Waterfall, Sihepeng Botanical Garden, and Rimba Panti Nature Reserve. Cross the equator monument at Bonjol before arriving in Bukittinggi, cultural heart of the Minangkabau Highlands.

• 2 nights at Royal Denai / Gran Malindo.

Day 13 – Harau Valley & Traditional Minangkabau Village.

• Discover the scenic Harau Valley, with cliffs, rice fields, and friendly locals. Enjoy a short village walk and stop for refreshments at a local homestay.

• Visit Pagaruyung Palace, a grand replica of the Minangkabau royal palace, and admire the dramatic Rumah Gadang architecture with buffalo-horn roofs.

• Return to Bukittinggi via Lake Singkarak.

Optional: evening traditional Minangkabau dance performance.

Day 14 – Bukit tinggi & Lake Maninjau

• Visit Puncak Lawang viewpoint, then trek downhill through forest to Lake Maninjau. Stop at a local coffee shop to rest and enjoy panoramic views.

• Back in Bukittinggi, explore Sianok Canyon, Fort de Kock, and the famous Jam Gadang Clock Tower. Stroll through Pasar Atas Market, full of colorful textiles and handicrafts.

• Overnight in Bukittinggi.

Day 15 – Bukittinggi → Sawahlunto (Historic Mining Town) – 3 hrs drive

• Drive to Sawahlunto, a fascinating old coal mining town filled with Dutch colonial heritage. Visit the Mining Museum, Lubang Tambang Mbah Suro, and Steam Locomotive Museum.

• Overnight at Hotel Ombilin.

Day 16 – Sawahlunto → Kerinci National Park (Kersik Tuo) – 6 hrs drive

• Drive along the twin volcanic lakes Danau Diatas and Danau Dibawah, with stops at Talun Barasap Waterfall.

• Arrive in Kersik Tuo, surrounded by vast tea plantations at the edge of Kerinci Seblat National Park.

• 3 nights at Subandy Homestay (simple but warm local experience).

Day 17–18 – Trekking in Kerinci National Park

Choose from:

• Trekking to Lake Gunung Tujuh, the highest lake in Southeast Asia (1,995m).

• Climbing Mount Kerinci (3,805m), Indonesia’s highest volcano (overnight optional).

• Spot rare wildlife such as Sumatran tigers, hornbills, and endemic birds.

• All guided by Mr. Subandy, an experienced local guide supporting community tourism.

Day 19 – Kersik Tuo → Lubuk Linggau (Transit) – 8 hrs drive

• Drive through rural landscapes near Bukit Dua Belas National Park, home of the Orang Rimba forest people.

• Overnight at Hotel Lintas Sumatra.

Day 20 – Lubuk Linggau → Palembang – 7 hrs drive

• Travel to Palembang, the ancient capital of the Sriwijaya Kingdom.

• 2 nights at Grand Zuri Hotel.

Day 21 – Palembang City & Musi River Cruise

• Explore Musi River by boat, pass the iconic Ampera Bridge, and visit Kemaro Island with its Buddhist temple.

• Continue to Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II Museum and Songket Art Market, where gold-thread sarongs and handicrafts are made by local artisans.

Day 22 – Palembang → Way Kambas National Park – 7 hrs drive

• Drive south to Way Kambas, a sanctuary for Sumatran elephants, rhinos, and tigers.

• 2 nights at Satwa Ecolodge (simple, eco-friendly accommodation supporting conservation).

Day 23 – Way Kambas Wildlife Safari (Boat & Night Walk)

• Early morning, take a boat trip to Kali Biru River for birdwatching and wildlife spotting (monkeys, crocodiles, wild elephants).

• In the evening, join a night walk with rangers to spot nocturnal animals like slow loris, owls, and wild cats.

Day 24 – Way Kambas → Bandar Lampung Airport – 3 hrs drive

• Transfer to Bandar Lampung Airport for your onward flight to Java.

• End of your Wonderful Sumatra Eco-Adventure.

• Bukit Lawang: Orangutan Trek’s Villa / EcoLodge / Garden Inn / Jungle Inn

• Berastagi: Kalang Ulu Exclusive Hotel / Sinabung Hill Resort

• Lake Toba (Samosir Island): Tabo Cottages / Zoe’s Paradise Waterfront / Labersa Hotel & Convention

• ✔️ Accommodation with daily breakfast

• ✔️ Private AC transport with driver & fuel

• ✔️ English/German-speaking local guides

• ✔️ Entrance & parking fees

• ✔️ National Park permits

• ✔️ Elephant & orangutan ethical experiences

• ✔️ Public ferry to Samosir (return)

• ✔️ Boat tours (Musi River & Kali Biru)

• ✔️ Night jungle walk in Way Kambas

• Flights & airport taxes

• Meals not mentioned

• Tips & personal expenses

• Travel insurance

• Optional tours