WELCOME TO SUMATRA

Sumatra has something for everyone - luxuriant tropical rainforests, an unparalleled array of exotic flora and fauna, amazingly diverse traditional ethnic groups, gleaming white sand beaches and some of the most spectacular volcanic landscapes anywhere. The fourth largest island in the world and second largest island in Indonesia at 480,700 square kilometers, just off the coast in the Sunda Straits lie the Krakatoa islands, which exploded in 1883 in the greatest natural calamity in recorded history. The longest axis of the island runs approximately northwest - southeast, crossing the equator near the center. The interior of the island is dominated by two geographical regions: the Bukit Barisan Mountains in the west and swampy plains in the east. Sumatra offers an incredible selection of national parks, from the Kerinci-Seblat National Park in West Sumatra to Leuser National Park in Northern Sumatra. Sumatra is not very heavily populated, about 85 people per sq.km The most populous regions includes most of North Sumatra and central highland in west Sumatra, while the major urban centre are Medan, Padang and Palembang.

The people are of Malay stock composed of many different tribes, speaking 52 different languages. Most of these groups, however, share many similar traditions and the different tongues are closely related. Malay-speaking people dominate the eastern coast, while people in the southern and central interior speak languages related to Malay, such as Lampung and Minangkabau. The highland of northern Sumatra is inhabited by the Bataks, while the northernmost coast is dominated by Acehs. Ethnic Chinese minorities are also present in urban centers.

Sumatra Island divided to become nine provinces. The administrative region or Province of Sumatra are;  Aceh nangroe Darussalam, North Sumatra , West Sumatra , South Sumatra , Bangka and Belitung , Riau , Jambi , Bengkulu , Lampung

NORTH SUMATRA

The people in this region can be divided into five main ethnic groups: the Coastal Malays, living along the Malacca Straits, the Bataks, consisting of the sub-tribes around Lake Toba and Samosir Island, the Pesisirs along the Indian Ocean coast, the Mandailings of southern Tapanuli, and Nias Islanders off the western coast of the province. These groups each have their own dialects, religious beliefs, arts, customs and cultures. Several ethnic groups live in Medan and other towns of North Sumatra, the largest of these being Chinese and Indian. Other parts of the archipelago are represented, notably the Acehnese, Tobanese Minangkabau and Javanese.

The diversity of arts and cultures make this region a treasure chest for social scientists and culture seekers. Ancient carved-stone graves of Batak Kings, the megalithic culture of Nias, unique dances, ceremonies, arts and crafts are just waiting for you to discover. North Sumatra is also one of the richest provinces in Indonesia for flora and fauna. And of course the jewel of North Sumatra, Lake Toba, the legendary birthplace of the mountain-dwelling Bataks and the largest inland lake in Southeast Asia.

MEDAN
The capital of the province of North Sumatra, Medan houses the government offices and business centers, effectively making it the largest city outside of the island of Java. Medan has cultural heritage of Dutch colonial and the kingdom of Deli, whose place of worship, Grand Mosque Al Ma’shum, and Sultan Deli Maimoon Palace.

BUKITLAWANG

A part of Gunung Leuser National Park, where there is a rehabilitation center for Orang utans in Bohorok Bukit Lawang. This center was inaugurated in 1973 by releasing a number of hand raised orang utans back into their natural habitat. The orang utans living here are both Sumatra and Kalimantan origin,

BRASTAGI

This is a lovely tourist town in the Karo highlands on the way from Medan to Lake Toba. Berastagi is famous for its flowers, vegetables and fruit, most famous of which is the "Marquisa" passion fruit. The local markets are swarming with activity and scenes from traditional Karo life. Days are extremely pleasant and nights can be quite cool. Gundaling Hill provides a clear view of Mt. Sibayak and Mt. Sinabung volcanoes.

LAKE TOBA

Known as the centerpiece of North Sumatra Lake Toba offers beautiful scenery and a pleasant climate. Lake Toba is the largest lake in South East Asia measuring 114 km in length; it is also one of the deepest and highest lakes in the world. The lake was formed after a prehistoric volcanic explosion; today the surrounding landscape is steep and fertile. Lake Toba has the island of Samosir.

SAMOSIR ISLAND

The large island in the center of the lake is the home of the Toba batak, considered -at least by the Toba Batak - as the original Batak tribe. One of the prominent ethnic groups in the archipelago, Bataks living in distant cities will regularly return to their ancestral island. Even people not sharing the spiritual and historic connection with the island often return to Samosir, drawn by the enchanting natural beauty and fascinating culture.

Three megalithic sites on Samosir bear witness to the glory - and horror - of Batak history. The three consist of 300-year-old stone seats and benches arrayed in a circle. The first set of ruins was used as a conference area for Batak kings. At the second site, the king would sit in judgment of a criminal or enemy prisoner. If the accused were found guilty, the assembly would move to the third set, which features the ghastly addition of a central stone execution block.

NIAS ISLAND

Situated 125 km off Sumatra mainland, lies Nias island which famous of its megalith altars, spectacular traditional architecture, and complex religious sites. These isolate island posses rolling mountainous terrain, ravines, gorges and rivers. The northern part of this island is sparsely populated.

The local call their land as Tano Niha or "land of the People", while the people calls them selves as Ono Niha. Ethnically the Niasers are involved in to the Ptoto-Malay ethnic who once ever get with the Asian Proto-mongoloid world. Niasers speak a kind of language related to Malagasy.

War dance in southern Nias is the only dance in Indonesia performing high skill of acrobatic jumps. The warrior dance is a frightening dance song with a hypnotizing sound of rattling shields, men shouting, jump frog like in to the air. Niasers also perform mock fights and armed combat. They get horned helmet, flaring shoulder plates, face's mask with protruding boar tusk, double edged sword, sharp spears, in order to struck their enemy physiologically.

One of Nias culture that still exists is the Stone jumping, or locally called “Fahombò”. Fahombò performed in the meaning of proving the readiness of man taking wife. The man should jump over a two meters high of stone board. In the past the top of the stone board is covered with spikes and sharp pointed bamboo. Tactically, this stone jumping also mean to train young warrior to clear the wall of their enemy with a torch in one hand a sword in the other hand at night. Stone jumping still take place on South Nias villages.

WEST SUMATRA

Is one of the most beautiful areas of Indonesia. It is mountainous and divided by three valleys. There are lovely lakes and spectacular volcanoes, the areas dominated by jungles, volcanoes, canyons and lakes, the Province of West Sumatra could be an enormous and magnificent nature park. It is the home of the Minangkabau, The land of the Minangkabau is very special and has the most friendly population group of Indonesia. They love to talk with visitors and will tell about their unique society which one of Indonesia's most interesting and influential ethnic groups. The Minangkabau are versatile and intelligent people who lead a community and family life based on a matrilineal system that gathers around mosque and traditional adat houses. It is the women who own property and the men who choose to wander. West Sumatra's center of culture and tourism is Bukittinggi, nestled in the highlands, north of the Provincial capital of Padang. This hinterland has a range of high mountains, which dip into picturesque valleys and lakes. Amongst them are the remains of the old Minangkabau kingdom of Pagaruyung, which is now the center of art, silver, hand weaving, embroidery and woodcarving.

BUKITTINGGI

Bukittinggi is means ‘high hill’ is stunningly located at 930 meter above sea level with views over fertile valleys to three volcanos: Tandikat, Singgalang and Merapi. It is laid out in tiers down the steep hillside, each level connected to the next by precipitous stone steps and passageways. The central landmark in Bukittinggi is the clock tower, with its stylized roof, standing in the town square as Jam Gadang. It overlooks the market square and the city's magnificent surroundings.  Bukittinggi formerly named Fort De Cock by the Dutch has a cool climate. In the outskirts of the town is the Ngarai Sianok, a Canyon separating Bukittinggi from Kota Gadang, 12 km away overland, is very pleasant to do trekking from Bukittinggi to Kota Gadang passing the Ngarai sianok and previously stop at Japan Tunnel, The tunnels made with forced of Indonesian labor by the Japanese during WW II. The middle of the tunnel was right at 6 feet in center. Each tunnel is more than 300 feet long. There are two main, ones going East/West and 3 tunnels going North/South. There are a number of other tunnels going between the main two or main three tunnels. There is one entrance from a road that goes along the south side that goes to the bottom of the canyon and it has an iron gate across it. In the far southwest corner is a barred area is used for a jail. The opening there drops about 150 feet to the bottom of canyon.

KOTO GADANG

This is renowned for its fine silver filigree and hand embroidery. Also worth visiting is the Museum, which is a Rumah Gadang, a traditional extended family house build in the 19st century.

SIANOK VALLEY

"Ngarai" (the Indonesia for canyon) Sianok lies at the outskirt of Bukittinggi. It is steep-canyon of about 100-150 meters high, very colorful and surrounded by a green valley with a winding river at its bottom. The beauty of this panoramic landscape is hard to describe as if no words can precisely express this geological wonder.

PANDAI SIKAT

The village of Pandai Sikat is 10 km from Bukittinggi with its hand weaving and carving industry. The village has 1000 looms and turns out richly interwoven cloth. Carved wooden ornaments and furniture are also made here.

LAKE SINGKARAK:

The longest lake in West Sumatra and from the lake can continuous journey up to the village of Sulit air, where there is a huge 64 meters communal house now occupied by four families.

PAGARUYUNG

An old small town, 50 km southeast of Bukittinggi, is a center of the ancient Minangkabau culture. Pagaruyung is the historical site of Minangkabau kingdom in the14th century, near Batusangkar is where some archaeological vestiges, such as the written Stone, the Stabbed Stone and some other relics can be found.

ANAI VALLEY

The surroundings of the Anai Valley are magnificent. The dense tropical forest all around is most impressive and is a nature reserve.
Below runs the river Anai with its crystal clear waters just on the side of the roads a 40 meter high waterfall.

HARAU VALLEY

Along the road to Harau Valley there is a lovely countryside. Steep granite walls shelter the fertile valley, a waterfall, and 150 meters high falls into a basin. The Harau Valley is a nature and wildlife reserve, where tapir, siamangs, bear, wild goats and tigers still roam.

LAKE MANINJAU

A winding road with 44 sharp turns descends to the mysterious lake Maninjau, 36 km from Bukittinggi, a Crater Lake, at abounds with fish.

RIMBA PANTI NATURE REVERSE

Fauna and flora of the Rimba Panti Nature reserve are protected. It is situated 103 km from Bukittinggi. Stop at Palupuh, 16km from Bukittinggi.
There, in a small reserve is the Rafflesia Arnoldi, the biggest flower in existence, which blooms only once a year. Sixty km from Bukttinggi on the road is a small monument defining the equator at the village of Bonjol. The preserves inhabitants include several species of monkeys, honey bears, tigers, flying squirrels, butterflies, etc.

KERINCI SEBLAT NATIONAL PARK

Located in the 4 provinces of Sumatra Island: West Sumatra, Jambi, Bengkulu and South Sumatra province, the park consists of 1,484, 650 hectares. Started as a game reserve for the protection of the Sumatran endemic mammals such as Sumateran tigers (Panthera tigris sumatrensis), Sumateran Rhinos (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis) etc. and was upgraded to a National Park in 1982. It is the only protected area in South East Asia, which is located in the high land. The park also functioned as an important hidro-orologis for the area surroundings with large rookeries that provide breeding grounds for a wide population of mammals. 

The beautiful tropical rainforest accompanied by the concert of birds and gibbons. Lake Danau Tujuh is a huge, mysterious lake at 1996 m above sea level and surrounded by primary rainforest and 7 hills. The pristine area around the lake is the habitat of Sumatra Tigers, Sumatra Elephants, Primates, and endemic birds of Sumatra. It is also the area where there have been many reports of an unidentified primate and the search continues for “orang Kate” small man of the jungle.

MENTAWAI ISLAND

Mentawai is only a small island, the internal variations in language, culture, life styles, and in resources is rather substantial. There is no clear indication of when the first man arrived on Mentawai, but anthropologists suggest that the Bataks of North Sumatra first settled on the island several thousand years ago. In many ways, the people of Mentawai are among the most archaic people in Indonesia. The Mentawaians are traditionally organized as patriarch groups and the social life centered on the UMA, a communal long house which held a clan of people related through a common ancestor. The UMA vary in size between 30 to 80 members divided in nuclear family units, referred to as LALEP. Because of internal friction, the clan might split up and form a new group or a single family. The Mentawaians believe that all living objects, men, plants and animals are supposed to have spirits. The only specialist in the community is the medicine man, KEREI, responsible for communication with the spirits and the souls. In case of misfortune or illness, he is called in to restore harmony within the group or in relation with the spirits in the environment. An elaborate Taboo system based on religious beliefs with respect to the environment is a dominant characteristic of traditional life on Mentawai.

Visit and stay in a Mentawaians village, trek to the jungle, learn about sago processing and bark cloth processing, and do other activities that will heighten your interest in and fascination with the natural philosophy of the Mentawaians. Mentawai Island is one part of Indonesia’s island, which is still primitive. So you must be ready of these conditions, and your purpose of visiting, we strongly believed that is to know Mentawai’s nature and culture for a true experience of a simple and primitive culture.

WEATHER AND BEST SEASON TO VISIT SUMATRA

Sumatra is clearly divided into two climatic zones as the equator has cut it in equal halves. While from October to April is the time of rain north of Equator with heaviest rains north of the equator occur October to April, The dry season takes place from May-September. South of the equator, the rainy season is December to February. The climatic condition west of the Bukit Barisan range is hot, humid, and rainy. The best time to visit this region is from September to October, at the beginning of the rainy season. This time there are no torrential rains, making the travel to the inner country quite possible.

PRIVATE TRIPS

If you are thinking of organizing your own private trip in Sumatra, you can ask our expertise and we will help you make it happen where you can choose your own dates and decide where you want to go.

Existing programs and tailor-made itineraries can be organized for party of minimum two or more.

Just inform us the destination you are interested, the suitable time frame and number of participants on your private trip. Our experience becomes your satisfaction guarantee. If you want to have some real fun and satisfaction on your vacation without being interrupted by the crowds, visit Sumatra! It is a destination for people like you. So, what are you waiting for? Now you can just relax and enjoy your holiday planning. Book your wishes with Sumatra reizen and let us do the rest for you, and take a step into your next most unforgettable holiday. For descriptive Day-to-Day itinerary, Tour Price, further information and Private trip arrangement.