Tour Code: 017DASNSA
Reisen
DAY 01: ARRIVAL IN MEDAN – BINJAI
Upon arrival at Kualanamu International Airport Medan you will be picked up by our tour guide and we will start for a small city tour in Medan by visiting Sultan Palace, Great Mosque, Chinese Temple. Later we will arrive at Binjai. Check-in at the Homestay Depary in Binjai. The afternoon will be at your free disposal.Overnight stay at the homestay.
DAY 02: BINJAI – TANGKAHAN (B)
After breakfast we will drive to Tangkahn for about 3 hours ride located on the edge of the Gunung Leuser National Park.Enjoy the impressive journey through the unique landscape of North Sumatra. We will stop at BatangSerangan market for a coffee break.
Check-in at the Mountain View Cottages. The rest of the day is at your free disposal, and you may want to take a short walk to the brigdes Isabel and Nini Galang to enjoy the scenery of Gunung Leuser National Park. Through the bridge you can see the Elephant Camp or just relax (why not swim on BatangRiver?).
Overnight stay at the cottages.
DAY 03: TANGKAHAN – Elephant Washing – Buluh River Exploring (B-L)
After breakfast we will be walking to the elephant station and then join the Mahout washing and feeding the elephants. After that let’s enjoy tubing on the river and a stop will be made at the fantastic Buluh waterfall where you may enjoy a natural shower, and swim in the river and enjoy the picnic lunch by the bank of the river. In the afternoon, once we arrive at the village you can get in touch with local people, where you can see their daily activities. Then return to the guest house by walking. The afternoon is at your free disposal.Overnight stay at the cottages.
DAY 04: TANGKAHAN – BERASTAGI (B)
After breakfast we will drive to Berastagi. On the way we will stop at Pamah Village to view nice panorama, passing Kutarayat with panorama of Sinabung Volcano, then at the arrival at Berastagi visiting Lhumbini Park with its duplicate of Shwedagon pagoda.
Afternoon check-in at the hotel.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 05: Sibayak Volcano Climbing (B)
An early morning drive to the slope of Sibayak volcano and then hike up (~3 hrs to go and back) to the summit of Gunung Sibayak where it will reward you with sweeping views of the surrounding volcano landscape. The volcano is high in geothermal activity with fuming vents spewing out crystalline sulphur which was mined on a small scale in the past. There is a beautiful heart shaped crater lake where love wordings have been formed by visitors using the volcanic rocks. When we arrive at the peak of Sibayak volcano let’s enjoy the sunrise and you can take pictures of the crater spurting out sulfur smoke and why not take a dip in one of the hot spring pools to refresh yourself.
After descending we will visit the vegetable, fruit and flower market and savor one of its most famous produces – Markisa (passion fruits) and then we will return to the hotel.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 06: BERASTAGI–LAKE TOBA – SAMOSIR ISLAND (B)
After breakfast depart from Berastagi to Parapat where you will be transferred by public ferry to Samosir Island. It is home to the friendly Toba Batak people. It’s a perfect place to relax, swim and ride a (motor) bike. Beaches at Lake Toba are lined with pine trees and scenic mountains surrounding the lake. Check-in at the hotel.Overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 07: SAMOSIR ISLAND (B)
That day will be at your free disposal. You can relax at the hotel or explore the surroundings by visiting some objects, taking boat touring, etc.
DAY 08: SAMOSIR ISLAND -SIDIKALANG - KETAMBE (B)
After breakfast we will drive by passing Bukit Barisan to Ketambe and we will stop at several interesting places. After arrival check-in for two nights at a simple guesthouse located at the Alas river. Ketambe is situated in the province of Aceh and is governed according to Sharia (Islamic jurisprudence), but you will not notice that much of it. In this part of Aceh lives many Christians so you will see next to many churches and mosques unveiled women. Incidentally, you'll find out in Aceh that the sharia is not very strict. Unveiled women walking into their own property, and in many places as a non-Muslim you could get alcohol.
Ketambe is situated in the Gunung Leuser National Park. The difference to Bukit Lawang is that there’re no plantations. The rain forest here is very pristine and you have a greater chance of spotting wild Orang Utans here.
Overnight stay at the guesthouse.
DAY 09: KETAMBE TRACKING (B-L)
After breakfast we will drive to the starting point for tracking at Gunung Leuser National Park, exploring the wildlife. There is a possibility to see wild animals such as wild pig, Orang Utans, the Thomas-Leaf Monkeys, the Black Gibbons, Maccaque, exotic lizards, snakes and many birds (notably the Hornbill, if you are lucky), big trees in the jungle and several tropical plants. The trip is interrupted at lunchtime with a picnic provided by the local guide and after lunch we will continue to explore deeper in the jungle.
In the afternoon we will return to the guesthouse.
Overnight stay at the guesthouse.
DAY 10: KETAMBE – TAKENGON (B)
After breakfast the road will lead through the impenetrable interior of Aceh. Constantly we meander through the mountains, and we have views of villages, valleys with rice fields and pieces of pristine rainforest. At Blangkejeren City we will stop for a coffee break. After a beautiful long drive, we will arrive in Takengon.
Check in at the hotel on the shore of Laut Tawar Lake.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 11: TAKENGON (B)
Here in the highlands around Takengon awaits us Gayo, an ethnic group with its own language and culture. Takengon is famous for its central coffee plantation where you can pick coffee beans and have a cup of the special Gayo Coffee. You will be taken around Laut Tawar Lake to see Burtelege and Bintang Village, which lively market is a highlight, and you will be struck by the overwhelming kindness of the people. Hardly any tourists find their way there and you will certainly be an attraction for them. We will return to the hotel and the afternoon will be at your free disposal.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 12: TAKENGON – BANDA ACEH (B)
Through a winding road we will leave the highlands after breakfast and descend to the coast. We will arrive in Banda Aceh at the end of the afternoon. Immediately you will notice how new and well maintained it is after the devastating tsunami of December 26, 2004. With the help of the international community and hard work the people there were able to restore the devastated city. In the center you should not miss the beautiful Mesjid Raya mosque. The atmosphere in the city is very relaxed. Check in at the hotel.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 13: BANDA ACEH – PULAU WEH (B)
The city of Banda Aceh is more than five kilometers from the coast. It is hard to imagine that the sea has been able to swallow anything far inland. During the ride to Ulee ferry harbor you will see many traces of the devastation that caused by the tsunami. The passenger terminal where the boat to Pulau Weh leaves is brand new. With a fast boat we will cross over in an hour. Upon arrival at Sabang the staff of the hotel will pick you up and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 14-16: PULAU WEH - At Your Free Disposal (B)
Weh Island is large and mountainous. It has some beautiful beaches and offers excellent snorkeling and diving.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 17: PULAU WEH – BANDA ACEH – AIRPORT (B)
After breakfast, we will take the ferry to Banda Aceh and drive to the airport for your flight to your next destination or home.
End of program.
(F = Frühstück, M = Mittagessen, A = Abendessen)