North Sumatra & Mentawai Islands

Discover the wild beauty of North Sumatra and the remote Mentawai Islands on this 17-day journey through Indonesia. Trek through the tropical rainforest of Bukit Lawang in search of orangutans and other wildlife, explore the volcanic landscapes of Lake Toba and Mount Sibayak, and experience the ancestral traditions of the Mentawai people on Siberut Island. The journey ends with a relaxing island escape at Aloita Resort, where pristine beaches, snorkelling, surfing and wellness activities invite you to unwind surrounded by nature. An unforgettable adventure combining wildlife, cultural encounters and tropical island life.

Arrival airport: MEDAN

Departure airport: PADANG

DAY 1: WELCOME TO INDONESIA: MEDAN – TRANSFER TO BUKIT LAWANG
Welcome to Indonesia, Sumatra! Selamat datang!

International arrival in Medan. After immigration and baggage claim, your English-speaking local guide will be waiting for you with a sign with your name to welcome you and take you to Bukit Lawang, a lively and charming village in northern Sumatra (3-hour transfer by private air-conditioned car).

In Bukit Lawang, transfer to your accommodation.

Accompanied by an English-speaking guide.

Transfer: 3 hours by car.

Meals included: none

DAY 2: JUNGLE TREKKING – DAY 1
After breakfast, our adventure in the Sumatran jungle begins with our guide. We will explore the rainforest to see its spectacular flora and fauna. The expedition will last around four to five hours. We will be in the place with more tropical flora and fauna than anywhere else in Indonesia, including orangutans, Thomas’s leaf monkeys, long-tailed macaques, gibbons, siamangs and other types of rainforest flora and fauna.

When we arrive at the camp, you can cool off in the river.

Night at the camp: very basic camp with a mattress on the floor and a mosquito net. Shared bathroom.

Accompanied by an English-speaking guide.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner

DAY 3: JUNGLE TREKKING + TUBING – DAY 2
Today we will wake up at our camp. We will have a delicious breakfast and get ready for the second day of trekking.

At the end, we will return to the village of Bukit Lawang by tubing. The rest of the day is free to relax and explore the wonderful, lively village of Bukit Lawang.

Accompanied by an English-speaking guide.

Meals included: breakfast

DAY 4: BUKIT LAWANG – BRASTAGI
Today, after breakfast and saying goodbye to Bukit Lawang, we will transfer to the village of Brastagi (approximately 5 hours by car). Brastagi is a charming mountain village located about 1,300 metres above sea level, surrounded by the two volcanoes Sinabung (2,417 m) and Sibayak (2,172 m). Thanks to its cool climate, it is a popular destination for both locals and travellers looking for a break from the tropical heat of the lowlands. In this village you can visit the local fruit market, which buzzes with activity and traditional Karo life, and also enjoy the views of the two active volcanoes, Sinabung and Sibayak.

Transfer to the Sinabung Hills accommodation.

Accompanied by an English-speaking guide.

Transfer: 5 hours by car.

Meals included: breakfast

DAY 5: SIBAYAK VOLCANO TREKKING
Today we have an early start, but for a very good reason!

We will set off before dawn to reach the summit of Sibayak volcano in time for the sunrise. Wonderful views from the top! Bring a camera and warm clothes!

Easy-level trek, approximately 2 hours.

Afterwards, we can enjoy a soak in natural hot springs. We will have breakfast when we return to the accommodation.

Free afternoon.

Accompanied by an English-speaking guide.

Meals included: breakfast

DAY 6: BRASTAGI – SIPISO PISO WATERFALL – SIANJUR MULA MULA – HUTA BALIAN – SAMOSIR
After breakfast, we leave for SAMOSIR, an island in the middle of Lake Toba (transfer of approximately 5 hours by car). Lake Toba is one of the most impressive natural treasures in Indonesia and in the world: it is the largest volcanic lake on the planet, about 100 km long and 30 km wide. Its origin is as spectacular as its scenery: it was formed around 74,000 years ago after a catastrophic supervolcanic eruption, one of the largest known to humankind.

In the centre of the lake lies Samosir Island, a natural and cultural gem. Although it is an island, it sits practically at the level of the lake, with several bridges and ferries connecting it to the lakeshore, especially to the town of Parapat.

On the way to Samosir, we will stop to see the impressive Sipiso-piso waterfall. This natural wonder drops from 120 metres in the heart of a green gorge, forming a beautiful rainbow at the base of the falls. If you would like to go down to the base of the waterfall, the path is a staircase and some sections can be quite steep. The descent takes about 30 minutes. You can go down or simply enjoy the view from above, from a lovely viewpoint.

Then, we will enjoy the views of the beautiful Sianjur Mula Mula valley and the village of Huta Balian, which lies within it.

Transfer to the accommodation on Samosir Island, in the village of Tuk Tuk.

Accompanied by an English-speaking guide.

Transfer: 5 hours by car.

Meals included: breakfast

DAY 7: SAMOSIR FREE DAY
Free day on Samosir to enjoy at your own pace. Option to explore the surroundings and go kayaking on the lake.

It is possible to add a bicycle or car tour of several traditional Lake Toba villages such as Ambarita, Simanindo, Pangururan and Tomok. Please enquire about this option.

Meals included: breakfast

DAY 8: SAMOSIR – MEDAN
Today we return to Medan, where we will spend the night before taking a flight to Padang the next day.

Accommodation in the city centre of Medan.

Accompanied by an English-speaking guide.

Transfer: 1 hour by ferry + 3 hours by car.

Meals included: breakfast

DAY 9: MEDAN – PADANG
At the agreed time, transfer to Medan airport (1 hour) and flight to Padang. In Padang, transfer to the accommodation and the rest of the day free.

Transfers without guide.

NOTE: There is only 1 direct flight per day between Medan and Padang. If this flight is cancelled, a flight with a stopover in Batam or Jakarta will be necessary.

Meals included: breakfast

DAY 10: PADANG – SIBERUT ISLAND – THE MENTAWAI VILLAGE
At 6:00 AM, transfer to the port to take the ferry to one of the Mentawai Islands: Siberut Island. The ferry journey takes about 3–4 hours. The boat usually departs at 7:00 AM.

In Mentawai, a guide specific to that area, also English-speaking, will be waiting for you on arrival.

Siberut is one of the largest islands in the Mentawai archipelago. Its inhabitants still preserve Stone Age traditions, which makes this an exceptionally archaic island, yet truly impressive and striking.

On arrival, we will register at the police office and take another small boat. We will sail for 2 more hours until we reach the village. Sailing time may vary depending on the weather. There will be a walk on a path that is usually covered in mud. Night in a local house with the tribe. Conditions are very basic: thin mattress on the floor with a mosquito net (Teo Gogok Uma).

In Mentawai, accompanied by an English-speaking guide.

IMPORTANT: Ferries only run on specific days:

Padang – Siberut: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday
Sipura – Padang: Wednesday, Friday and Sunday
ABOUT THE SIBERUT TRIP
The price includes:

Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner as per the programme
Return transfer Padang – Siberut by fast ferry
Return transfer Siberut – village by river, in a motorised canoe
Accommodation in the jungle in a local house
Licensed English- and Mentawai-speaking guide
The price does not include:

Personal expenses
Expenses outside the programme
Personal insurance
Costs caused by ferry delays or cancellation
WE PROVIDE:

Meals three times a day in the jungle
Stay in an Uma with a thin mattress and mosquito net
Guide and cook
Plus everything included in the package
WHAT TO BRING:

Camera
Sunscreen for exposed skin and insect repellent
Light clothes, sun hat or visor with a chin strap
Secure head straps for sunglasses or eyeglasses (if worn)
Comfortable, sturdy walking shoes with leech socks
Rain poncho
VISITING THE VILLAGE:

Candies/sweets as giveaways
Tobacco is still a form of currency among the locals, and they greatly appreciate cigarettes
ATTENTION:

There is plenty of thick mud all year round to wallow in, leaving us to savour this unique experience. Nevertheless, be prepared for a hard walk on muddy and slippery paths. Leeches and mosquitoes are a constant nuisance.
Please ask our guide if participants would like to take photos of the local tribe, as not all tribes like being photographed.
Meals included: breakfast and dinner

DAY 11: THE MENTAWAI VILLAGE
During this day we will see how the Mentawai live; we will be able to learn a great deal about their ancestral culture, which remains untouched by Islamic, Buddhist or Hindu cultural influences.

These people live from farming the land and from what it offers them: sago, potatoes, sweet potatoes and bananas. We will see the process the men follow to obtain sago from the tree, while the women plant bananas and taro. They also raise chickens and pigs and hunt animals with bow and arrow.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner

DAY 12: SIBERUT – SIPURA – SILABOK ISLAND – ALOITA RESORT
Today we transfer from Siberut Island to Sipura Island. The transfer is made by private local boat, as there is no ferry on this day (it only runs on Mondays and Thursdays); the journey takes approximately 2.5 hours. You will travel directly to Silabok Island, to the Aloita accommodation.

The guide ends his services here, at the time of the Siberut – Silabok transfer. Transfer without guide.

NOT INCLUDED: MENTAWAI SURF TAX: All surfers must pay a surf tax of 2,000,000 IDR to the Mentawai Tourism Office. It must be paid in cash on arrival at the resort in Mentawai. The tax is valid for 15 days.

Meals included: breakfast and dinner

DAYS 13, 14, 15: MENTAWAI FREE DAYS
Free days to enjoy Aloita Resort. Time to relax on pristine beaches, go snorkelling, surf or simply disconnect in a privileged natural setting.

Aloita Resort offers a wide variety of activities for both surfers and non-surfers: spa treatments, yoga classes in their room facing the sea, surf and stand-up paddle (SUP) lessons, snorkelling excursions, SUP outings and trekking in the nearby jungle. Use of snorkelling equipment and SUP boards is included.

Available activities:

Beginner surf lessons, intermediate surf lessons, private surf lesson (one-to-one), private intermediate surf lesson (one-to-one), full-day surf trip, board rental, jungle trekking, waterfall excursion, sunset tour, snorkelling excursion, mangrove SUP excursion, fishing trip, private yoga class, palm-leaf weaving workshop, romantic dinner, beach dinner with bonfire.

The rate includes three meals a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner), fresh coconuts all day, unlimited Wi-Fi in the common areas, access to snorkelling equipment, kayaks and stand-up paddle (SUP) boards, one free morning yoga session, as well as entertainment options such as table tennis, billiards, a TV room and a library.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner

DAY 16: ALOITA RESORT – SIPURA – PADANG
Transfer by speedboat to the port of Tua Pejat on Sipura Island. There, we will connect with the ferry back to Padang. On arrival, transfer to the hotel and free time to rest or stroll around the city.

Night in Padang.

Transfers without guide.

Meals included: breakfast

DAY 17: PADANG – RETURN
At the agreed time, your driver will take you to Padang airport, where you will board your international flight home.

End of this adventure through Sumatra. Terima kasih banyak!

Transfer without guide.

Meals included: breakfast