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written by Petra Shepherd
updated 18.04.2023
North Sumatra in Western Indonesia is the sixth largest island in the world. While it doesn’t have the temples of Bali or Java, what this Indonesian island lacks in historic sites it more than makes up for. North Sumatra is an island of awesome scenery and thrilling adventure experiences. The area is steeped in tradition and fascinating culture. Here are a few reasons why you should visit North Sumatra.
This article is inspired by our Rough Guides guidebooks — your essential guides for travelling the world.
Bali's Beaches and Temples
Experience Bali's brilliant beaches and temples with this stunning trip. Marvel at ancient temples like Tanah Lot and Pura Besakih, soak in stunning sunsets, stroll bare-footed along the best beaches in Bali and haggle at local markets – experience all of this, and much more, with this unique trip!
customize ⤍Rest and Relaxation in Bali and Lombok
This unique trip will take you to some of Bali and Lombok's most traditional places. Look forward to driving through tropical landscapes and spending time in villages nestled in scenic spots of traditional luxury with infinity pools and stunning vistas over the ocean.
customize ⤍Royal Bali - Culture & Beaches
Enjoy a luxurious stay in Bali, with hand-picked 5 Star Hotels. This trip includes privately guided tours as well as leisure time, ideal for families with kids. Highlights include sea temple Tanah Lot, Jatiluwih rice terraces and Uluwatu temple with its famous Kecak dance.
customize ⤍The Best of Bali
This trip will take you from the modern-day Bali to the traditional one. Bali has many adventures to offer, tour the countryside with a Vespa or glide through the hidden canyons. You will also be able to enjoy visits to enchanting villages, where you can take in the local way of life.
customize ⤍Java and Lombok - culture and beaches
Start your trip in Yogyakarta (also called Jogja) with its rich cultural past such as the Borobudur temple. From there continue to hike Mount Bromo and explore more of East Java in Malang and Surabaya. End your trip on the dreamy beaches of Kuta/Lombok, dubbed 'the next Bali'.
customize ⤍Singapore & Bali - A Unique Exploration
Combine Southeast Asia's smallest country Singapore with its largest country: Indonesia. Spend a few days exploring the metropolis before flying to the magical island of Bali. Temples, volcanoes and ceremonies are part of your itinerary, as are the gorgeous beaches of Nusa Lembongan.
customize ⤍Culture, volcanoes and dragons - Bali, Flores & Komodo
Combine several islands on one trip - start in Bali's cultural capital Ubud before heading to the rice fields in Sidemen. A short flight to Flores allows you to explore volcanoes and local villages before hopping on a cruise around Komodo and other islands close to Labuan Bajo. Dragons included!
customize ⤍Love trip to Bali
Celebrate your love union on this magical island. Included are couples massages at relaxing spas, a blessing ceremony by a Balinese priest, an authentic cooking class and of course - a beautiful white sandy beach on Nusa Lembongan to relax towards the end of your trip.
customize ⤍Bali Yoga Retreat
Discover a new you with this rejuvenating Bali-based yoga retreat. Enjoy personalised yoga and meditation classes, together with revitalising Ayurvedic treatments, all in idyllic surroundings. The cuisine is a treat for all the senses; you will also have the chance to explore the temples of Bali.
customize ⤍Unknown Java and Bali - an overland adventure
A fast-paced itinerary packing plenty of highlights: discover the temples of Prambanan and Borobudur and sunrises at Mount Bromo and Mount Ijen before heading to Bali: a beautiful underwater world and the landscapes of Ubud and Sidemen await.
customize ⤍Spend half a day slowly snaking your way north and enjoy the extraordinary views, the bucolic landscape, the brilliant Piso Piso Waterfall (the highest in Indonesia), roadside markets, and some fine Batak villages.
From your base on Bali's renowned beaches, you'll island-hop your way around glorious Hindu temples and heritage sites. See komodo dragons, partake in a traditional Balinese ceremony, meet with a Hindu High Priest and visit local villages: this tailor-made trip to Indonesia ticks all the tropical getaway boxes.
Treks ranging from a couple of hours to several days are on offer. You venture into the heart of the jungle where it's possible to feed the orangutans, bushwhack through the undergrowth, and, if you stay overnight, wake up to an exotic dawn chorus.
Giant parasitic rafflesia flowers, Thomas Leaf monkeys, macaques and gibbons are just a handful of the thousands of species found in this thriving ecosystem.
The carved boat-like tomb of King Sidabutar is here. In an enclosure opposite the tomb are ritual statues of a buffalo sacrifice. At the end of an avenue of souvenir booths leading from the jetty are dozens of stands selling kain ulos (hand-woven fabric), two-stringed mandolins, ornate woodcarvings, Batak calendars and many other items of cultural interest.
Other boats from Parapat will take visitors directly to the dozens of attractive, waterfront guesthouses scattered in Tomok, Ambarita and on the Tuk-Tuk peninsula.
The Sipiso-Piso waterfall is about 120 metres high and feeds its waters into a small stream that flows out of the caldera of Lake Toba. The waterfall is encircled by abundant green flora and provides a breathtaking view of the surrounding landscape. Visitors can get to the waterfall's base by walking along a spiral staircase that winds its way through a dense forest.
At Dokan, a Batak village, an hour’s drive from Berastagi you are able to see inside one of the traditional houses. For a small donation, a local guide will enthusiastically tell you about his home and village.
To get a taste of their unique culture, head to a traditional Batak Toba dance called the tortor. At the Museum Huta Bolon Simanindo on the Northern tip of Samosir Island on Lake Toba, displays take place daily at 10:30 am, Monday–Saturday.
At the southern end of Medan’s longest street, Jalan Sisingamangaraja stands the magnificent Istana Maimoon, constructed by an Italian architect in rococo style in 1888. It is still the official residence of the sultan’s descendants and may be visited during the day. One block east of the palace is the imposing Mesjid Raya (Grand Mosque). Built in 1906 to complement the palace’s architectural style, it is the city’s largest mosque.
With its awesome scenery and thrilling adventure experiences, North Sumatra is perfect for a family trip. Looking for more inspiring family holiday ideas? Find some inspiration in our guide to the best places to go with kids.
Visiting Indonesia is a truly unforgettable experience. For more inspirational travel tips check our Rough Guide books.
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written by Petra Shepherd
updated 18.04.2023
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