This Trans Sumatra Classic tour is a comprehensive but efficient trip that offers everything that makes Sumatra so special: tropical rainforest, wildlife, tribal cultures, traditional villages and architecture, volcanoes and a lot of rural areas. De tour starts in Medan, North Sumatra, and finishes in Padang, West Sumatra.  

Day 1: Arrival in Medan – transfer to Bukit Lawang
After arrival in Medan, you will be transferred to Bukit Lawang, a 4 hour journey by car. It’s a long drive, but definitely worth the effort: Your hotel is located along the river and at the edge of the rainforest (Gunung Leuser National Park). It is an attractive eco-hotel, but with basic facilities (a fan room with mosquito netting, cold shower or traditional mandi bucket).

Day 2: Bukit Lawang
Today you can walk to the feeding platform in the jungle to spot some orangutans. It is also possible to join a trekking through the national park, or maybe you would want to try out some tubing (down the river, on a raft of car tires tied together). These activities can be pre-arranged with us, or you can book it yourself through the hotel reception.

Day 3: Bukit Lawang to Brastagi
Today you will travel by car from Bukit Lawang, back to Medan and then continue inlands to the hill station Brastagi. The town is located at 1300 meters above sea level, in an agricultural area. Because of the altitude, it can be chilly in the evenings. You will stay in a pleasant hotel with swimming pool. In the afternoon you could visit the local fruit market.

Day 4: Brastagi to Samosir/Lake Toba
Around Brastagi there are several traditional villages of the Karo Batak tribe that still contain the impressive local wooden houses. On the way to Prapat you can visit such a village. Also make a stop at the Sipisopiso waterfall. You will have your first view over Lake Toba from here. A local boat or ferry will bring you from Prapat to Samosir island. You will stay in a nice hotel on the edge of Lake Toba.  

Day 5: Samosir/Lake Toba
A day to explore Samosir Island: go hiking, biking, by motorbike or by car with driver (rent locally). But don’t forget to take a refreshing dip in Lake Toba at the end of the day!  

Day 6: Samosir/Lake Toba to Sipirok
The first of 2 days traveling by car, over a road that has the epic name Trans Sumatra highway: a small, 2-lane road, partly in poor condition, that will bring you through the heart of Sumatra. It is a scenic route though, with lots of opportunities to stop for local markets, authentic villages, paddy fields, plantations of rubber, coffee, pineapple, cacao and other crops. You will overnight in a simple hotel in Sipirok.  

Day 7: Sipirok to Bukittinggi
Continue your trip over the Trans Sumatra highway towards Bukittinggi. You will pass the equator today. By then, you have entered the province of West Sumatra, the land of the Minangkabau tribe. Though Islamic, this tribe still proudly keeps its matrilineal and matriarchal traditions alive. You will stay in a pleasant hotel with swimming pool in Bukittinggi.  

Day 8 and 9: Bukittinggi
You have 2 days to explore Bukittinggi and surroundings. Want to be active after 2 days in a car? Then join a 4-hour trek through the Sianok canyon, to the small village of Kota Gadang. Traditional houses and silver craftsmen are the main focus in this village (see Bukittinggi options). It is also possible to visit Kota Gadang by car and then continue to Lake Maninjau. Alternatively you could go to Harau Canyon, a 1,5-hours’ drive from Bukittinggi. Join a cooking course with a local family and then continue on a relaxed 2 to 3-hour hike through the canyon. Or visit the recently renovated Minang palace in Pagaruyung. Plenty of activities for these 2 days!

Day 10: Bukittinggi to Padang airport
A transfer from Bukittinggi to Padang airport (2 hours).

Day 1: Medon to Bukit Lawang
Day 2: Bukit Lawang
Day 3: Bukit Lawang to Brastagi
Day 4: Brastagi to Samosir/Lake Toba
Day 5: Samosir/Lake Toba
Day 6: Samosir/Lake Toba to Sipirok
Day 7: Sipirok to Bukittinggi
Day 8: Bukittinggi
Day 9: Bukittinggi
Day 10: Bukittinggi to Padang airport