Place of Interest around Lake Toba

1. Samosir Island

Samosir is approximately 50 km long and 15 km wide island in Lake Toba, almost as big as Singapore. It is often described as the hearthland of Batak culture. Samosir is actually a peninsula and not an island, as it is divided from Sumatera only by a narrow man-made canal, the Pusuk Buhit Canal between Samosir and mainland, onece made by the Dutch. Samosir is a perfect place to relax and cool down. It is beautiful and scenic and very relaxing. Accommodation is extremely cheap, but food rather expensive (according to Indonesian standard). In the end it evens out compared to other major tourist destinations in Indonesia. The island is small enough for visiting everything of interest from any place you choose to stay in.


2. Jangga Village

A traditional Batak village 24 km from Parapat. Here visitors can watch the weavingof the traditional Batak ulos textiles and wander amongst traditional houses and historical monuments of the olf Batak kings.



3. Tuktuk

Samosir Island is accessible by ferry from Ajibata or Parapat. One of the main inhabited areas on the island, Tuktuk has been described as Samosir's answer to Bali's Kuta Beach. This popular destination offers scenic views at very low prices. People come here to relax, enjoy the sceneries, eat well and cool down fronm tougher travelling in other areas. Culture is available on certain days and in other nearby villages anyway. Western tunes have replaced the harmonic popular songs of the well-singing Bataks. The whole little peninsula is full of restaurants, hotels and souvenir shops. There are a few discotheques, bars and hotels, one of the best hotel in Tuktuk is Toledo Inn.


4. Tomok

A traditional village with beautiful houses and ancient tombs. Tomok is gateway to Samosir and one of the main landing-points on the island. Rows of stalls sell an array of handicraft, traditional ulos cloth and Batak musical instruments. The 200-year-old stone sarcophagus of King Sidabutar built in the shape of a ship is its most famous sight. It is located a short walk away from the lake. Tomok is also known for the Sigale-gale dance.


5. Ambarita

Ambarita, just north of Tuktuk is one of the musts when visiting Samosir. The traditional village with King Siallagan's stone chairs is of interest, There are many souvenir stands between this historical object and the boat landing. There are however not so many boats anymore, but now and then there are direct connections with Parapat, normally early morning. Ambarita is also a good starting point for treks across the island. There are many nice and quiet places to stay between Tuktuk and Ambarita and along the coast north of Ambarita.


6. Simanindo

Simanindo is a picturesque village and has some of the best-kept traditional houses, incl the house of Raja Sidauruk, now a museum. This nice museum also has daily cultural performances. The market and the boat landing are 150 metres before the Museum, down to the right coming from Tuktuk. There are some nice local coffee shops here. Opposite Simanindo is the island Pulau Maulau, or more commonly known Pulau Tao. There is a restaurant on the island. The island is 800 metres from the boat landing below the museum but you need a boat to get there. Several boats go there from the hotels on Tuktuk. The clan Maulau owns the island according to adat (traditions), but the clan Sidauruk is living there and they built the restaurant and the hotel and changed the name to Pulau Tao. The Maulau clan protested and after negotiations an agreement was reached in June 2001. The islands belong to the Maulau clan, but is managed by Sidauruk. The proper name is Pulau Maulau.


7. Pangururan

Pangururan is the only proper town on Samosir and also the administrative center of the island. There are a few hotels here. The town has a strategic location next to the bridge between Samosir and the mainland. Most foreigners just pass through on their drive around the island or on their visit to the hot springs an the mainland. The town itself is nicely located along the shore of Lake Toba. There are a few nice old colonial buildings to admire. Besides the hot springs a visit to the summit of Pusuk Buhit can also be nice.

Hotels In Lake Toba

HOTELS IN LAKE TOBA

HOTEL NIAGARA 4 STARS
JLN.PEMBANGUNAN Phone : +62-625-41028 Fax : +62-625-41233
178 ROOMS
Standart : 3
Deluxe : 75
Superior : 34
Bungalow : 35
Suite : 4

HOTEL PARAPAT 3 STARS
Jln. Marihat No. 1 Phone : +62-625-41018
97 ROOMS
Standart : 16
Deluxe : 20
Superior : 61


HOTEL ATSARI 2 STARS
Jln. P.Samosir No. 9 Phone : +62-625-41219
54 ROOMS
Standart: 12
Deluxe : -
Superior: 34
Family : 22
Suite : 5


HOTEL PATRA JASA 2 STARS
Jln.Siuhan Penun Sula Phone : +62-625-41186
54 ROOMS
Standart : 16
Deluxe : 1
Superior : 18
Suite : 19


HOTEL PARAPAT 2 STARS
Jln. Sihuda Pintu Phone : +62-625-41375
74 ROOMS

SIANTAR HOTEL 3 STARS
Jln. Sisingamangaraja Phone : +62-625-41564
46 ROOMS
Standart : 15
Deluxe : 15
Superior : 16


HOTEL DANAU TOBA COTTAGE 2 STARS
Jln. Nelson Purba Phone : +62-625-41172
112 ROOMS
Tipe Cattage : 31
Standart A : 61
Standart B : 20


HOTEL WISMA DANAU TOBA 2 STARS
JLN.P. Samosir No 3
51 ROOMS
Deluxe : 2
A Class : 18
B Class : 20
Suite : 11



CHEAP HOTELS

Cendrawasih
Jln. P. Samosir No 21 Phone : +62-625-41589
20 ROOMS
Facilites :
- Bar
- Restoran
- Panti Pijat

G.M Panggabean
Jln. Bukit Barisan Phone : +62-625-41315
12 ROOMS

Hotel Toba
Jln. P. Samosir No 10 Phone : +62-625-41073
20 ROOMS
Facilities :
- Bar
- Restorant
- Bank SBU

Maduma Indah
Jln. Bukit Barisan No. 2
20 ROOMS


Toba Hill
Jln.K.Napitupulu
18 ROOMS
Facilities :
- Bar
- Restorant
- Diskotik

Tobali
Jln. Haranggaol 20 Kamar
Fasilitas: Souvenir Shop

Airlines and Travel Agent in Medan

Airlines Operating in Medan
Flights operating to and from Medan and their contact telephone numbers are:

Garuda Indonesia (GA) +6261 4556777 / 0807-1-807-807
Mandala Airlines (RI) +6261 4579100 / 4534337
Merpati Nusantara (MZ) +6261 4551888
Lion Airlines (JT) +6261 7351168
Malaysia Airlines System (MAS) +6261 4514300 / Fax 4147400
Silkair (MI)+6261 4537744 / 4147196 / 4511266
Air Asia www.AirAsia.com

Medan Travel Agents
- Avia Interliner Tour & Travel Jl. Sisingamangaraja No.28. Medan;
- Al Wijaya Wisata Mandiri Jl. Sutomo No.3 Medan
- Asia Mewah Wisata Jl. H.A.R.Syihab No.5H Medan
- Awana Sukses Wisata Jl. Thamrin No.89 Medan
- Best Holiday Jl. Prof.HM.Yamin SH II No.5 Medan
- Bisonmas Safari Jl. Surabaya No.1 Medan
- Bonansa Travel Jl. Jend.Gatot Subroto No.221 Medan
- Citra Insan Wisata Jl. Palang Merah No.68 Medan
- Eka Sukma Wisata Jl. Sisingamangaraja No.92a Medan
- Eric Dirgantara Jl. KH.Wahid Hasyim No.92 Medan
- Ever Prompt Travel Jl. Sutomo No.450-452 Medan
- Four Seas Holidays Jl. MH.Thamrin No.75ii Medan
- Garuda Qhievva Wisata Jl. SM.Raja No.27/29 Medan
- Golden Arrow Jl. Letjen.Suprapto No.2m Medan
- Jumbo Holidays Jl. Jend.Gatot Subroto No.147 Medan
- Kania Cipta Nusa Travel Jl. Ir.H.Juanda No.14 Medan
- King Star Travel Jl. Pemuda medan
- Mega Wisata Indah Jl. Pemuda Baru II No.26
- Marco Travel Jl. Brigjend.Katamso
- Mitra Travel Jl. Jend.A.Yani No.11
- Moale Travel Jl. Brigjend.Katamso No.45M
- Mutiara Holidays Jl. Brigjen.Katamsi No.43-K
- Natrabu Tour & Travel Jl. Letjen.Jamin Ginting No.102
- Nittour Inc. Jl. Prof.HM.Yamin SH No.21E
- Overland Holidays Jl. Brigjen.Katamso No.198G
- Pacto Travel Jl. Brigjend.Katamso No.35G
- Perdana Express Jl. Brigjen.Katamso No.35C
- Ratu Wisata Jl. H.Adam Malik No.5
- Ravelino Wisata Jl. Halat No. 19
- Satriavi Leisure Management Jl. DR.Cipto No.25
- Sembada Citra Persada Jl. Letjen.Jamin Ginting No.56
- Sigura-gura Indah Jl. Brigjen.Katamso No.251
- Trans Travel Jl. Iskandar Muda No.251/155
- Trans Travel Jl. Iskanda Muda No.22C/155
- Trophy Tour & Travel Jl. Brigjend.Katamso
- Worta Holidays Jl. Brigjend.Katamso

Traveling guide

There are many available flights to and from Medan (Polonia International Airport ) the Capital City of North Sumatera Province. International flights daily like from Singapore(Silk Air, ValuAir), Kuala Lumpur and Penang (Malaysia Airlines, Air Asia, Lion Air) are directly available to Medan.

Domestic fligts from around the city in Indonesia is also available with many airlines like Garuda Airlines, Batavia Air, Lion Air, Mandala Air, Air Asia.

If you have arrived in Polonia International Airport, you can directly go to Parapat one of the tourism city in Lake Toba by riding Paradep Taxi. Contact this number (+62617361185) and they will be pick you up directly from the airport. The fare is around 150.000 in Rupiah per trip ( Januari 2009).

There is an alternative transportation route from Medan to Parapat. If you want feel the more chalanging adventure, you can ride "becak mesin" from airport to "Terminal Amplas" the busses terminal in Medan. But you must to go out from the airport to looking for the "becak mesin" because becak mesin is not allowed enter to the airport area, but it will be a new and good experience for you to riding "becak mesin" in Medan (fare around Rp. 20.000).

From terminal amplas you must ride a bus go to Parapat. There are two busses company that you can pick, they are Po. Sejahtera and Po. Sentosa. The fare is 25.000 in rupiah.

Karo Simalem Resort and Hotel, The Pearl of Lake Toba

Karo Simalem Resort and Hotel is an international class resort that located in Merek Karo Regency North Sumatera Indonesia, it is about 25 km away from Berastagi. If you been arrived in Berastagi let your self to continue your travel to visit Karo Simalem Resort and enjoying the views of The Pearl of Lake Toba. If you get staying at Sibayak Hotel in Berastagi, you can get a lot of information about Karo Simalem Resort and also great discount to staying in there.

Karo Simalem Resort and Hotel is also easy geting from Parapat, you will have a good views of lake toba and tropical jungle background a long your travel from parapat to Karo Simalem Resort via Simarjarungnung.

Travel Tips

You have to rent a car for enjoying and comforting your traveling from Parapat to Karo Simalem Resort because there is no a direct public transportation can applied in that route, the rental is about Rp. 350.000 per day (Januari 2009).

All of the hotels and resort in Berastagi and Medan have prepare the travel tips and all facility that you need if you want to go to Karo Simalem Resort or another intresting place in North Sumatera Indonesia.