Travel Answers

North Sumatra Province

We are a family of four (two older teens) who are interested in going to Sumatra. We have about 16 days (including travel to/from Australia) and were considering flying in Medan, seeing orangutans in Bukit Lawang and possibly trekking a bit there (son is very fit; us not as much!) or possibly saving trekking to do so with elephants in Tangkahan, which sounds amazing. We also want to fit in Lake Toba and a 5+ day beach holiday at the end. We are wondering for the beach part if we should then go up to Banda Ache and on to Pulau Weh (is there snorkelling there as well as diving and is there anything for the kids to do if they get sick of relaxing?) or fly to Padang at go to cubadak paradisovillage where there seems to be diving and snorkelling. As I write all this, I think it sounds ambitious for two weeks, so would like advice about what the best options are. We've been diving/snorkelling in Bunaken, Komodo/Flores and Barrier Reef so wonder how marine life around Sumatra compares. Also visited orangutans in Kalimantan via river boat. We are hoping that Sumatra will be different to those trips to add to our love of Indonesia and our view of how diverse the country is. Thank you for any advice you can provide!

Please can you help.me a package for 6 days 5 nightd stay

Hi, I would appreciate if any suggestion of travel guide (transportation, halal food, hotels, etc). Travel as couple on 3rd - 5th April 2013. Many thanks

Anyone interested to travel around Lake Toba & Brastagi (Medan) on around 23/5/2013 ?? Perhaps we can travel together and share the local transportation charges. Well, travel with public transports in Medan sounds inconvenient, so am thinking about sharing a pre-arranged land transfer !

Hey travellers, I'm a 23 years old female and this is my first time to travel around =) I don't have any experience so kind of stuck here. My friends canceling me off so I was thinking doing this trip to Medan, Indonesia alone. Is it dangerous there? I can speak Bahasa. How many days would u suggest for the trip? I'm doing low budget travel sort of backpacking alone. Is it costly for transportation for loner? Thank you for your time and your responses are much appreciated.

I will heading to Lake Toba in October, can some1 suggest if this is the right season to visit lake Toba. Any Precaution to be taken there, Also please let me know if any one is visiting that place during tht time, we can meet up :) Cheers to all!!

Will be travelling to Medan(4D3N in Dec 12 with family (16 adults & 4chld(7-10yrs))-budget travel. Intend to visit Lake Toba & plan to stay 1N each in Parapat, Brastagi & Medan. Please suggest decent accommodations & places on interest to visit?? Also, pls recommend transport together with tour guide with reasonable rates??

I will be heading to lake toba on December 6-December 10. Have no idea on travelling around there. Wish to have in iterinery to travel there and with the tour guide as well. thanks

Hi All, I am heading to Indonesia on 3rd of August and will be staying there till 10th of August. Due to some change of plans my friend isnt coming and i guess i have to make this vacation myself. Can anyone suggest me the places for sightseeing & nice beaches over there. As im travelling alone, i dont have much of a luggage and can travel anywhere depending on the destination. My budget is moderate. Here is what i am planning to do: Beach parties, island hopping, Day group tours, trekking, adventure & water sports..... Please let me know your suggestions. If anyone has the same travel plan do let me know... you can reply here or send me an email to np13134904@gmail.com

Can anyone advice the itinerary for Medan 6d5n? Please advise on the route too, 1st destination, and last stop. If possible, need help in transportation and hotel. Thank you,

I would be traveling alone early June to Medan, is it safe? It is my first time there and I do not know bahasa Indonesia so would language be a problem? Kinda looking forward yet nervous. What can I do in Medan? Any must go place? Last, should I go 4 or 5 or 6 days? Please help!! @_@

Dear forummers, I will be heading to Medan (2 pax trip) on 22nd May till 26th May and would appreciate some suggestions on the tentative itinerary. Unfortunately, I'll be arriving at the airport only at 9.30pm, will there be any transport directly to Parapat at that time? Or is it a better idea to stayover at Medan city and head to Parapat/Samosir the next morning? Night 1 (~10pm): Direct to Parapat from airport OR overnight in Medan Day 2: Samosir Island. Overnight Day 3: Depart to Berastagi. Si piso-piso waterfall, Gundaling Hill. Overnight in Berastagi. Day 4: Depart to Medan. Flight at 9pm Is the itinerary feasible transport & time wise for a first timer traveller in Medan. Thanks in advance for your assistance

Can anyone tell me how far is this Pasar from the airport? and how much is the fare to this place. Is this Pasar near Pasar Petisah?

first, we just backpacking..we hv flight tickets only for 4d3n n of course haven't book any rooms although i know its 2 weeks left only..we should arrive at saturday 7.30am and coming back tuesday 3.30pm..after read many blogs we decide to go to lake toba for day 1 then to berastagi day 2 and day 3 stay at medan..could anybody suggest the cheap places to stay?is the public transport there okay? Regards, Nur =)

Hi, How is the travel safety in Medan recently? Is the place safe for a lady solo traveler? Anyone else can suggest me an itinerary for my 3D2N trip? I'll be arrive in Medan around 1630, is there a bus/taxi to Parapat about 1700? How much will be the cost if i take taxi? or should i stay a night in Medan and take a bus the next day early morning to Parapat? Anyone know what time will be the 1st and last bus from/to parapat? Is anyone here going to Medan this period? Thank you Vern

Me and 2 of my friends had book to go to Medan on the 3rd till 6th of september and we are planning to go to lake toba.. Any advice on how we should get there either by public or hiring personal car's?? And also what to do in lake toba.. I already have in mind which hotel to book already and that is the Toba Cottages... = )

Hi, is anyone here going Medan, Lake Toba on 17/3/12-19/3/12? My 2 friends and I will go on 17/3/12 and plan to hire a driver to send us from airport to Parapat. We will reach at 2pm. Below is the package the driver provide to us: Package Side A : Start from Medan Package 1 : Medan – Prapat [ One Way Travel ]. Direct From Polonia Airport / Hotel to Lake Toba – Parapat = Rp. 500.000,-/van Ready Van : Toyota Kijang Innova Full Music & Air Conditioner Passenger Capacity 7 Person with 1 person Driver. Via : Tebing Tinggi – Siantar Rest Time : - Dodol Donnie Sei Buluh Perbaungan [ Bengkel ] - Double Bread Patent Cake Shop ( Teng Teng, Ting Ting ) & Original Coffee Shop Siantar - Restaurant & Food Shopping Siantar Finish : Parapat – Hotel – Tigaraja Harbor [ Boat to Tuk - Tuk ] We will travel from Parapt to Medan via Berastagi on 19/3/12, below is the package: Package Side B : Start from Parapat Package 4 : Parapat – Brastagi – Medan [ One Way Travel & Long Road]. Direct From Parapat / Hotel Tigaraja Harbor to Airport / Hotel = Rp. 700.000,-/van Ready Van : Toyota Kijang Innova Full Music & Air Conditioner Passenger Capacity 7 Person with 1 person Driver. Via : Simarjarunjung – Kabanjahe – Brastagi Rest Time : - Simarjarunjung Hill - Rumah Bolon [ King Palace ] Pematang Purba - Tongging Hill - Waterfall Sipiso – Piso - Market Fruit Brastagi - Gundaling Hill - Pecel Peceren Brastagi - Replika Pagoda “ Taman Lumbini “ Brastagi - Souvenir Market - Cake Shop Bolu Gulung Meranti - Cake Shop Zulaikha [ Cake Lapis & Bika Ambon ] - Merdeka Walk - Other Place to Visit Around Medan Finish : Airport /Hotel / Home. Anyone travel on same period as us and interested to share car with us?

Hi, 8 of us will be going for sight seeing in Medan and lake toba. We wish to get some advise how to plan our 5 day 4 night trip? Look forward for suggestion on the itinerary and hostel to stay. Thanks, Tan penang

During my visit in 2001 I used Pak Bahari Zagoto from Teluk Dalam as a guide. The telephone number I have from back then doesn't work anymore. Would like to go back in 2013 so need his contact information. Lisbet Kvistgaard

Hi I am a family of 3 thinking of travelling to Medan in December. I have heard that there are instances of political unrest and rioting in the area. Are these rumours true? Also, do you think it is safe for just a party of three to head to Medan on a private tour? Thanks

I visited Medan at least ten years ago. We had our good feast of durian at the market and bought some birdnest as gifts. Now travelling again to Medan and Lake Toba. I am wondering if there are durians available in November 2011 and whether the birdnest are still sold at reasonable price. Thank you in advance.

Please suggest intinenary for 3 days 2 night Plan A :Day 1-(Arrival 1130hrs) Medan City half day tour (2night Medan):Day 2-Medan-Sipiso waterfall-Lambini Temple Brastagi-Medan or Plan B(Toba 1 night) :Day 1-Airport-Parapat or Tuktuk 1 night (Medan 1 night):Day 2-Parapat-Sipiso waterfall-Lambini Temple Brastagi- Medan Will greatly appreciate different opinions. Thank you. Regards, Aileen

Dear Travellers, Would like to get advice on what are the good food in Medan town and also samosor Island. What are the places to see in Samosor Island othe than the lake itself. And also the places of interest in Medan. Thank you ckpeng

Dear Sir/ Mdm, I neeed help in the following questions: 1.In Samosir Island, which hotel is located near shops , restaurant and backpackers area where most of the happenings occur? 2. How far is the Medan airport to Medan town where where are many hotel and hostel. How long is the travelling time in taxi from the airport? Thank you Ckpeng

I planned to go there this coming june. but, i wondering whether we need a guide or not? This is our first time to Sibayak though.Can somebody who ever been there send me some informations(where to start climb and how to get there) or either a map. Can i ask for a local people to guide us climb the mountain? If you know more informations related to my question or know someone who can help us.please reply to my email hanz_lv@yahoo.com Thanks

Is travel safe in Medan for western family? kids are in early teens. Australian travel advice recomends not to travel. Is this just a blanket statement or should i plan to holiday somewhere else. I like the idea of Lake Toba and seeing the Orangutans. thank you for any information on Medan.

Hi all, My friend and I will be traveling to Medan at the end of April. I have read many blogs and travel notes about Medan, Parapat and Pulau Samosir. It seems fine for the activities, but, the only problem I have is now the transportation from Medan to the Parapat itself. So, we will be taking Jetsar from Singapore and ETA is at 5PM. We will most probably spend a night at Medan, and hence will be going to Parapat the next following morning. The questio, is there any public bus that can bring us there? If yes, where can we take it and how long the journey will be? We don't usually go on tour deals, as we prefer to indulge and learn about the culture, people and stuff. Thanks a lot for your help! Harry

any car rental or shared Kijang service from Berastagi to Medan? What is the cost? Thanks.

Dear friends, Happy new year 2011. Will be going to Medan Brestagi soon. Wonder I can buy mini guitars and other mini instruments like drum set , violin etc . I found those in Bali and Jakarta. Dont know I can find in Medan or not. someone please share with me the place to buy in Medan if you know. Thank you ckpeng

I will go to Medan on April, I would like to stay one night at Lake Toba and one night in Brestagi, could you tell me how to get to Lake Toba from Medan? Thanks!