Lake Toba is located in the middle of the northern part of Sumatera Island. It is the largest volcanic lake in South East Asia and deepest in the world, was formed about 70,000 years ago because of Toba volcano eruption. The lake is so enermous almost the size of Singapore in its centre about 1,150 sq kms and with a depth on average 450 meters can be up to 900 meters in some places.
The lake has an island in the middle called Samosir and waterfalls, hot volcanic springs on it. In the middle of Samosir island there is a small mountain which is so easy to climb to the top, you can find guesthouses at the top of the mountain. As the lake is 900 meters above sea level there is a cooler climate can make a refreshing break from the humidity, heat, and pollution of the city. Nowadays, more people enjoy their retirement at the shores of Lake Toba. But, many tourists prefer taking option to stay on the massive island of Samosir. Most accomodations can be found at the main land in the town of Parapat. At Samosir, you will not have any trouble finding a place to stay. Tuk-Tuk is the main town to stay on Samosir. Just use the boat service not large ferry to get you directly to Tuk-Tuk resort. There are no taxis around Tuk Tuk. Most of the cottages or guesthouses at Tuk-Tuk provide bicycle for renting.
Venturing onto Samosir Island to discover the Batak heartland, clear waterfalls to chill out, beautiful mountains and lake. You can also enjoy some traditional palm wine called "tuak" with the locals. Take a trip inland and explore some of the villages like renting a scooter, cause there is no much traffic. Samosir island sells many unique wares and souvenirs with antique items to catch your interest, especially in Tomok and Ambarita. If you want to learn more about traditional Batak life and the culture, you can visit the traditional village of Jangga about 40 minutes by scooter from Tuk-Tuk.
Exploring the whole of Pulau Samosir may require a early start, alot things to see such as ancient Batak Village in the nearby village of Ambarita, Tomb of King Sidabutar which is three miles southeast of Tuk-Tuk in the village of Tomok, and try fishing, Lake Toba is filled with fish of all sizes regularly hang around the guesthouse docks and shore walls. You can ride the motorbike which is a very enjoyable. Riding on the road around the edge of the island, this offer you some spectacular views of the lake from the highest points of the island. Other choice would be going for Orang utan Trekking to catch a glimpse of the rare Sumatran Orangutan at Bukit Lawang.
The Lake Toba is a homeland to the Batak people with their own language Bataknesse, mainly religion is Christian. The Batak houses have lots of symbolism built in the design.
In July, The Batak people usually hold the Lake Toba Festival. The festival includes traditional dancing, canoe races, Dragon boat races and swim from Parapat to Tuk-Tuk. Here, you can see traditional dancing (Tordon) and puppet performances (Sigalegale). The puppet performances (Sigalegale) was only performed at Batak funerals, the puppets represent for the soul of deceased. The place is also popular during the Chinese New Year, generally around January/February of the year.
All of those above make Lake Toba became one of the awesome natural wonders of the world and the third tourist destination of Indonesia. Despite being the top destination, Lake Toba still remains a natural an undisturbed natural beauty. Many to see and to do around Lake Toba, like swimming underneath waterfall, motor boating, water skiing, canoeing, playing golf, and fishing. The climate is cool and dry with view of the beautiful lake, this is an ideal place to relax and chill out. Especially when you watch the sunset over Lake Toba, It will definitely be the perfect way to spend the time with your loved ones.
Most tourists fly to Medan Polonia International Airport and then travel onwards by land to Parapat, the town of Lake Toba. It takes approximately around 3-4 hours by car, there are number of transport options to go to the town of Parapat located on the edge of Lake Toba. There is also flight on Susi Air that fly from Medan to Silangit (12.40pm) and fly from Silangit to Medan (1.20pm). It is safer than the road trip, but the flight cost is higher. Silangit is located in the south of Lake Toba, busses are available to take you to Parapat. Parapat is also connected to Tuk-Tuk and Tomok on the Samosir Island by a ferry that runs every hour, the place to catch Tuk-Tuk is called "Tiga Raja" harbour/jetty.
Best time to go to Lake Toba is in May/June when the weather is changing from slightly cool to warm. The weather is cool but pleasent, if you are not used to cool temperatures remember to bring jacket or sweater and change all the money because the money changer can be poor to find in the Lake Toba. Get enough cash at Parapat before crossing the lake t the island. As of Sept 2012 is only one Cirrus/MasterCard ATM on the island, the ATMs do not accept VISA cards.
The lake has an island in the middle called Samosir and waterfalls, hot volcanic springs on it. In the middle of Samosir island there is a small mountain which is so easy to climb to the top, you can find guesthouses at the top of the mountain. As the lake is 900 meters above sea level there is a cooler climate can make a refreshing break from the humidity, heat, and pollution of the city. Nowadays, more people enjoy their retirement at the shores of Lake Toba. But, many tourists prefer taking option to stay on the massive island of Samosir. Most accomodations can be found at the main land in the town of Parapat. At Samosir, you will not have any trouble finding a place to stay. Tuk-Tuk is the main town to stay on Samosir. Just use the boat service not large ferry to get you directly to Tuk-Tuk resort. There are no taxis around Tuk Tuk. Most of the cottages or guesthouses at Tuk-Tuk provide bicycle for renting.
Venturing onto Samosir Island to discover the Batak heartland, clear waterfalls to chill out, beautiful mountains and lake. You can also enjoy some traditional palm wine called "tuak" with the locals. Take a trip inland and explore some of the villages like renting a scooter, cause there is no much traffic. Samosir island sells many unique wares and souvenirs with antique items to catch your interest, especially in Tomok and Ambarita. If you want to learn more about traditional Batak life and the culture, you can visit the traditional village of Jangga about 40 minutes by scooter from Tuk-Tuk.
Exploring the whole of Pulau Samosir may require a early start, alot things to see such as ancient Batak Village in the nearby village of Ambarita, Tomb of King Sidabutar which is three miles southeast of Tuk-Tuk in the village of Tomok, and try fishing, Lake Toba is filled with fish of all sizes regularly hang around the guesthouse docks and shore walls. You can ride the motorbike which is a very enjoyable. Riding on the road around the edge of the island, this offer you some spectacular views of the lake from the highest points of the island. Other choice would be going for Orang utan Trekking to catch a glimpse of the rare Sumatran Orangutan at Bukit Lawang.
The Lake Toba is a homeland to the Batak people with their own language Bataknesse, mainly religion is Christian. The Batak houses have lots of symbolism built in the design.
In July, The Batak people usually hold the Lake Toba Festival. The festival includes traditional dancing, canoe races, Dragon boat races and swim from Parapat to Tuk-Tuk. Here, you can see traditional dancing (Tordon) and puppet performances (Sigalegale). The puppet performances (Sigalegale) was only performed at Batak funerals, the puppets represent for the soul of deceased. The place is also popular during the Chinese New Year, generally around January/February of the year.
All of those above make Lake Toba became one of the awesome natural wonders of the world and the third tourist destination of Indonesia. Despite being the top destination, Lake Toba still remains a natural an undisturbed natural beauty. Many to see and to do around Lake Toba, like swimming underneath waterfall, motor boating, water skiing, canoeing, playing golf, and fishing. The climate is cool and dry with view of the beautiful lake, this is an ideal place to relax and chill out. Especially when you watch the sunset over Lake Toba, It will definitely be the perfect way to spend the time with your loved ones.
Most tourists fly to Medan Polonia International Airport and then travel onwards by land to Parapat, the town of Lake Toba. It takes approximately around 3-4 hours by car, there are number of transport options to go to the town of Parapat located on the edge of Lake Toba. There is also flight on Susi Air that fly from Medan to Silangit (12.40pm) and fly from Silangit to Medan (1.20pm). It is safer than the road trip, but the flight cost is higher. Silangit is located in the south of Lake Toba, busses are available to take you to Parapat. Parapat is also connected to Tuk-Tuk and Tomok on the Samosir Island by a ferry that runs every hour, the place to catch Tuk-Tuk is called "Tiga Raja" harbour/jetty.
Best time to go to Lake Toba is in May/June when the weather is changing from slightly cool to warm. The weather is cool but pleasent, if you are not used to cool temperatures remember to bring jacket or sweater and change all the money because the money changer can be poor to find in the Lake Toba. Get enough cash at Parapat before crossing the lake t the island. As of Sept 2012 is only one Cirrus/MasterCard ATM on the island, the ATMs do not accept VISA cards.
Batak people are amazing... and I love their traditional homes.
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