Sumatra Overland: Kerinci and Weh Island Adventure
14 days / 13 nights | North and West Sumatra, Indonesia | Private tour
Sumatra is Indonesia at its wildest. This overland journey takes you jungle trekking to find orangutans, across Lake Toba to the villages of the Batak people, over the mountains of West Sumatra to the tea gardens and rainforest of Kerinci, and finally to the beaches and reefs of Weh Island at the very top of the country.
This is an example itinerary. We can tailor the hotels, pace and inclusions to suit you.
From NZ$3,630 per person twin share, low season.
Domestic flights are not included in the tour price (Medan to Padang, Padang to Medan, and Medan to Banda Aceh). We quote these separately, along with your international flights.
Highlights
- Trek with rangers to see orangutans in Gunung Leuser National Park
- River tubing back through the jungle to Bukit Lawang
- Sipiso-piso Waterfall and the vast caldera of Lake Toba
- Batak villages, royal tombs and stone courts on Samosir Island
- Kayu Aro tea estate and Lake Kerinci in Kerinci Seblat National Park
- Two relaxing days on Weh Island, one of Indonesia’s top snorkel and dive spots
Day by Day
Your guide meets you outside arrivals at Kualanamu International Airport, Medan. From there it is about a 3.5-hour drive through Binjai town to Bukit Lawang, on the edge of Gunung Leuser National Park, one of the last strongholds of the Sumatran orangutan.
Check in to your eco-lodge beside the Bohorok River and take the rest of the day to settle in and adjust to the tropical warmth.
Meals: None today
After breakfast, head into the rainforest with experienced local rangers for a trek of around three hours deep into Leuser National Park. Keep watch for orangutans in the wild, as well as Thomas leaf monkeys, long-tailed macaques, gibbons and hornbills.
Enjoy a picnic lunch in the jungle, then ride back to Bukit Lawang the traditional way, tubing down the river. The afternoon is free to relax by the water.
River tubing is optional and is cancelled if the river is running too high. A car takes you back to the lodge either way.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
A scenic drive of about four hours through villages, forest and fruit plantations brings you to Berastagi, a cool mountain town set among fertile volcanic country. Browse the colourful local market, piled high with tropical fruit, vegetables and flowers, before checking in.
Meals: Breakfast
Head for Lake Toba, the world’s largest volcanic lake. First stop is Sipiso-piso Waterfall, which plunges 120 metres from the caldera wall with sweeping views over the lake.
Next, visit Dokan, a traditional Batak Karo village with centuries-old houses, to learn about local life and customs. Then continue to Parapat and take the ferry across to Samosir Island and your lakeside hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Spend the day on Samosir, a huge island in the middle of Lake Toba and the cultural heartland of the Batak people.
In Tomok village, see ancient megalithic tombs including that of King Sidabutar, traditional Rumah Bolon houses, and market stalls selling hand-woven Ulos cloth and woodcarvings. In Ambarita, visit the old walled compound of the Siallagan kingdom, with its 200-year-old stone chairs where kings once held tribal court.
After lunch at a lakeside restaurant, explore the quiet countryside before returning to your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Ferry back across Lake Toba, then drive the Trans-Sumatran Highway to Medan (4 to 5 hours in total), stopping at an orchid plantation on the way. The rest of the day is yours in Medan.
Meals: Breakfast
Transfer to Kualanamu Airport for your flight to Padang, capital of West Sumatra. Your new guide meets you and takes you to the hotel. Time permitting, enjoy a short orientation of Padang’s old town, Muaro Harbour, Siti Nurbaya Bridge and Padang Beach.
Meals: Breakfast
Domestic flight not included.
One of Sumatra’s most beautiful drives (about 7.5 hours) takes you past mountains, rainforest, rice terraces and traditional Minangkabau villages to Kerinci Seblat National Park.
This is Sumatra’s largest national park, home to more than 4,000 plant species including the giant Rafflesia flower, and one of the most important tiger conservation areas in the world. Check in and enjoy the cool mountain air.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Start at the historic Kayu Aro tea estate at the foot of Mount Kerinci, one of Indonesia’s oldest and said to be the second-highest tea garden in the world after Darjeeling.
Continue to Lake Kerinci and its traditional villages, and finish at one of the area’s waterfalls.
The park is one of the last refuges of the Sumatran tiger, but they are extremely elusive and sightings cannot be expected.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Return along the scenic mountain road to Padang (about 7.5 hours), arriving late afternoon. The evening is free.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Transfer to Minangkabau International Airport for your flight back to Medan, where your guide meets you and takes you to the hotel. The rest of the day is free to enjoy the hotel or explore the city.
Meals: Breakfast
Domestic flight not included.
Take a morning flight to Banda Aceh. A local representative meets you and takes you to Ulee Lheue Harbour for the one-hour fast ferry to Weh Island (Sabang). Check in to your beachfront bungalow and relax on the sand or in the clear water.
Your English-speaking guide finishes at Medan airport today. In Banda Aceh and on Weh Island, transfers are handled by a local representative.
Meals: Breakfast
Domestic flight not included.
A free day on Weh Island, one of Indonesia’s best spots for snorkelling and diving. Laze on white-sand beaches, explore by scooter, or book a snorkel or dive trip to the reefs (optional activities are paid locally).
Meals: Breakfast
Take the morning ferry back to Banda Aceh and transfer to Sultan Iskandar Muda International Airport for your onward flight.
Meals: Breakfast
Where You Stay
Comfortable 3-star hotels and lodges, chosen for their locations:
- Bukit Lawang: Eco-Lodge Bukit Lawang, Orang Utan or Thomas Leaf Room (2 nights)
- Berastagi: Sinabung Hills Berastagi, Superior Room (1 night)
- Samosir Island: Toba Cottage, Batak Villa (2 nights)
- Medan: Aryaduta Hotel, Deluxe Room (1 + 1 nights, two separate stays)
- Padang: Santika Premiere Padang, Deluxe Room (1 + 1 nights, two separate stays)
- Kerinci: Kerinci View Hotel, Standard Room (2 nights)
- Weh Island: Casa Nemo Beach Resort, Beachfront Bungalow (2 nights)
Want a higher standard where it is available? Ask us to quote upgrades.
What’s Included
- 13 nights’ accommodation, twin or double share, with daily breakfast
- Meals as listed: 13 breakfasts and 6 lunches
- Private air-conditioned vehicles for touring and transfers
- Lake Toba ferry crossings, and return fast ferry between Banda Aceh and Weh Island
- English-speaking local guides (different guides in North and West Sumatra) until your flight to Banda Aceh; local representative for transfers in Banda Aceh and Weh Island
- Entrance fees, permits, local rangers and activities as listed
Not included: domestic flights within Indonesia (Medan to Padang, Padang to Medan, Medan to Banda Aceh), international flights, visas, travel insurance, meals not listed, optional activities on Weh Island, camera or video fees, tips for guides, drivers, boat crew and porters, and personal expenses.
Good to Know
- From NZ$3,630 per person twin share, low season. Prices change with travel dates, hotel choice and exchange rates, so ask us for a current quote.
- Domestic flights are not included in the tour price (Medan to Padang, Padang to Medan, and Medan to Banda Aceh). We quote these separately, along with your international flights.
- Expect some long driving days, particularly between Padang and Kerinci (about 7.5 hours each way).
- Peak-season supplements may apply.
- The tour starts at Kualanamu International Airport, Medan, and ends at Banda Aceh airport.
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