North Sumatra

The gateway province of northern Sumatra, with Lake Toba, the orangutans of Bukit Lawang and a volcanic highland, each distinctive.

North Sumatra lies in the northern part of Sumatra, and its capital, Medan, is the island's largest city. Lake Toba is the world's largest volcanic crater lake, and Samosir Island in the lake preserves Batak architecture and culture. Bukit Lawang, on the edge of Gunung Leuser National Park, offers jungle treks to see Sumatran orangutans. The highland town of Berastagi has volcanoes to climb, and Nias Island off the west coast is a surfing destination. The dry season runs roughly May–Sep. The main gateway is Kualanamu International Airport in Medan.

Destinations

• Lake Toba
• Bukit Lawang
• Medan
• Berastagi

Itineraries

• North Sumatra Rainforest, Volcano & Lake – A loop from Medan covering Bukit Lawang, Tangkahan, Berastagi, and Lake Toba to see orangutans and volcanic lakes.
• Lake Toba Caldera Loop – Enter via Berastagi and exit via Parapat, looping around the western shore of Lake Toba to Samosir Island to see waterf…
• Sumatra Overland: Medan to Padang – Travel south from Medan to Padang along the Trans-Sumatran Highway, connecting rainforests, Lake Toba, the Minangkabau…