Sumatra

Bukit Lawang is a small village on the edge of the Gunung Leuser National Park in North Sumatra—and one of the best places in the world to observe Sumatra orangutans in the wild. The national park is part of the Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra (UNESCO World Heritage) and one of the most biodiverse places on Earth.

The Sumatra orangutan is critically endangered: Only about 14,000 animals live in the wild, almost all in the Gunung Leuser ecosystem. The threat from palm oil plantations, illegal logging, and poaching is acute. In Bukit Lawang, orangutans rescued from illegal captivity were reintroduced in the 1970s—their descendants now live semi-wild in the forests around the village and are accustomed to human proximity.

Jungle Trekking

The main experience is a two- to three-day jungle trek with local guides deep into the rainforest:

• Day trek (6–8 hours): High chance of orangutan sightings, Thomas leaf monkeys, gibbons, tropical birds. Ends with a tubing ride down the river. From 400,000 IDR (€24).
• 2-day trek with camping: Deeper into the forest, overnight in a simple jungle camp, better chances of seeing elusive animals. From 1,000,000 IDR (€60).
• 3-day trek: The full program—river crossings, night hikes, cooking over an open fire. From 1,500,000 IDR (€90).

Encountering an orangutan in its natural habitat is one of the most touching wildlife experiences a traveler can have. These intelligent, gentle beings share 97% of our DNA—you look into their eyes and recognize something familiar.

The Lake Toba (Danau Toba) is the largest volcanic lake in the world—100 kilometers long, 30 kilometers wide, and up to 505 meters deep. It was formed about 74,000 years ago during the most massive volcanic eruption of the last 2 million years: The eruption of the Toba supervolcano ejected so much ash into the atmosphere that a years-long "volcanic winter" followed, possibly reducing the world population to a few thousand people.

Today, the lake is a place of silence and beauty: Crystal-clear water, surrounded by forested mountain slopes, with the mild climate of the high altitude (905 meters). In the middle lies Samosir—an island almost as large as Singapore, raised from the lakebed by volcanic activity. Samosir is the heart of the Batak culture.

The Batak — Sumatra's fascinating people

The Toba Batak are one of Indonesia's most fascinating peoples: predominantly Protestant Christians (a legacy of German missionaries in the 19th century), known for their distinctive wooden houses with upward-curving saddle roofs, their lively music, and—historically—for cannibalism, which was practiced until the 19th century.

On Samosir, you will find cozy guesthouses directly on the lake in Tuk Tuk (the main tourist town), bathing beaches, and a relaxed rhythm. The Stone Chairs of Ambarita (an old Batak meeting place with the infamous execution stone), the Royal Tombs of Tomok, and the Siallagan Village with traditional architecture are the cultural highlights.

The best way to experience the lake: Rent a motorbike and circle Samosir (about 3–4 hours). The east side is wild and little visited, with hot springs and spectacular views.

Bukittinggi (literally: "high hill") is located at 930 meters in the heart of West Sumatra and is the capital of the Minangkabau culture—the largest matrilineal people in the world. Among the Minangkabau, women inherit, and men leave the house after marriage and move to the wife's family. The distinctive houses with the buffalo horn roofs (Rumah Gadang) are the architectural symbol of West Sumatra.

The Ngarai Sianok (Sianok Gorge) is Bukittinggi's most spectacular natural attraction: a 15-kilometer-long, 120-meter-deep gorge with vertical walls, covered in tropical greenery. The Panoramic Park at the edge offers the best view, but the real pleasure is a hike through the gorge itself—past rice fields, rivers, and the Japanese tunnels from World War II.

The Jam Gadang (Great Clock)—a clock tower in the city center, built in 1926 by the Dutch—is Bukittinggi's landmark. The Pasar Atas (Upper Market) and Pasar Bawah (Lower Market) are the most authentic markets in Sumatra: mountains of spices, textiles, gold jewelry, and the best rendang in the world (the dish originates from here!).

Day trips lead to the Harau Valley (spectacular limestone cliffs with waterfalls), the Maninjau Lake (a tranquil crater lake with a hairpin-curved access road—44 curves!), and the Rafflesia flowers (the largest blooms in the world, seasonally visible in the Batang Palupuh Reserve).

The Mentawai Islands are located 150 kilometers off the west coast of Sumatra in the Indian Ocean—and are one of the top 5 surf destinations in the world. What makes the islands so special: The swells of the Indian Ocean hit hundreds of reefs here, creating perfect, machine-like consistent waves in all sizes and difficulty levels.

The most famous breaks

• Lance's Right (HTs): One of the most perfect right-handers in the world—long, hollow barrels over sharp reef. For advanced surfers.
• Macaronis: Fast, fun left wave—considered one of the most fun waves in the world. Ideal for intermediate to advanced.
• Telescopes: Powerful left wave with massive barrels. For experienced surfers.
• Lance's Left (Lances): The perfect left barrel—cover shot material.

How to get there?

Most surfers book a surf charter (liveaboard boat) from Padang—10–14 days, from about €1,500 per person including accommodation, meals, and boat trips to the breaks. Cheaper alternative: Ferry from Padang to Tuapejat (10–12 hours, from 150,000 IDR / €9) and then surf camp on the islands.

The best surf time is April to October, when the southwest monsoon delivers consistent swells. Wave heights vary from 3 to 12+ feet. Warm water (28°C), no wetsuits needed—just reef booties against the sharp reefs.

Apart from surfing, the Mentawai Islands are home to the Mentawai ethnic group, one of the most isolated peoples in Indonesia. Their traditional way of life with tattoos, loincloths, and shamanism survives in some villages—respectful visits are possible through local guides.

The Gunung Kerinci (3,805 m) is the highest volcano in Sumatra and the highest mountain in Indonesia outside Papua. It is located in the Kerinci-Seblat National Park, the largest national park in Sumatra and part of the UNESCO World Natural Heritage.

The climb takes two to three days and is a serious mountain ascent: Through dense rainforest (where, with luck, the Sumatra tiger prowls through the undergrowth—the rarest large predator on Earth), over mountain meadows, and finally to the smoking summit crater, which offers a view to the Indian Ocean in clear weather.

The Kerinci Highlands are rewarding even without a summit climb: Tea plantations as far as the eye can see, the enchanting Gunung Tujuh Lake (the highest lake in Southeast Asia, at 1,996 meters in a crater), hot springs, and a coffee culture that is second to none—Kerinci coffee is among the best in Indonesia.

The region is extremely untouristic: You will hardly meet other travelers here and experience rural Sumatra in its most original form. The journey from Padang (6–8 hours) or Jambi (5–6 hours) is arduous, but that's exactly what filters out the masses.