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Sail Through the Beauty of Lake Toba

Hendrie Oktaviannur

06 Aug 2019 - 6 min read

The beauty of Lake Toba is perhaps no longer stranger to anyone’s ear. Even larger than the whole island of Singapore, this massive lake is not only home to awe-inspiring natural wonders but also to the cultural heritage of the Batak Toba people, which remains closely observed to this day.

The Indonesian government has declared Lake Toba as one of the 10 priority tourist destinations, and has spent significant resources to build infrastructure to enhance visitors’ travel experience. Raja Sisingamangaraja XII International Airport (previously Silangit International Airport)—that has been operating since 2017—for instance, has reduced the travel duration to Lake Toba to 2 hours maximum, 5 hours shorter than traveling by road from Kualanamu Airport, Medan.

This time, we have gathered all the attractions that Lake Toba has to offer just for you: from scenic waterfalls, white sandy beaches by the lake, cultural inheritance that is rich in history, to the best spots for viewing the panoramic landscape of the world’s largest crater lake.

Samosir Island: a captivating island in the middle of the lake

Spanning over 630 km, this island is located right in the middle of Lake Toba and is popular among tourists. However, other than just being strategically located to explore Lake Toba and around, Samosir Island also has its own charm.

1. Watch Batak traditional dances in Huta Bolon Museum

Location: Siallagan, Samosir Island (13.1 km/30 minutes by land transport from Tomok Crossing Port)

Info:

Catch 12 traditional Batak dances including the Sigale-Gale dance.

Don’t miss the chance to participate in some of the mass dances.

Performances start at 10:30 a.m. and 11:45 a.m.

Entry ticket price: Rp50.000/pax

Tips:
Prepare some small change to give during the performance.

2.Immerse yourself in Batak Toba folktales at Batu Kursi Raja Siallagan

Location: Siallagan, Samosir Island (13.1 km/30 minutes by land transport from Tomok Crossing Port)

Info:

Discover the Batak people’s life philosophy and the architecture of their traditional houses.

Learn more about the judicial court system of the Batak people, the types of punishment given to outlaws and the philosophy behind a Batak funeral.

Tips:
Hire a local guide to tell you some Batak Toba folktales and fables (pay as you wish).

3. Enjoy water sports at Batu Hoda Beach

Location: Simanindo, Samosir Island (13.1 km/30 minutes by land transport from Tomok Crossing Port)

Info:

Entrance fee: Rp10.000/pax

Rent a banana boat and have fun along the coastline for Rp50.000/pax.

A speed boat can take you to around the lake for Rp50.000/pax.

Take pictures at the following popular photo spots along the coastal area: the treehouses, beach swings and the love stage.

4. Soak in the hot spring of Aek Rangat Pangururan

Location: Pangururan, Samosir Island (51.2 km/1h 25m by land transport from Tomok Crossing Port)

Info:

Gain entrance to the hot spring simply by purchasing food and drinks from the surrounding stalls.

Separate male and female baths are available.

Public restroom is available.

Crowded mostly through 06:00 p.m. - 08:00 p.m.

5. Dress up as a Batak king in Batak Museum

Location: 200 meters/5-minute walk from Tomok Crossing Port

Info:

Rent the complete set of Batak traditional costumes including weapons and spears for Rp10.000/pax.

Discover the Batak Toba cultural heritage such as traditional cutleries, musical instruments, weapons and many more.

Shop for souvenirs like miniature Batak houses, hasapi (traditional Batak musical instrument similar to a zither), Batak masks, customized nameplates with Batak carvings, all at varying prices.

A musholla and restrooms are available at the back of the museum.

6.Hunt for ulos at Tomok Souvenir Market

Location: Next to Tomok Crossing Port

Info:

Find one-of-a-kind souvenirs such as the ulos, bracelets and necklaces unique to Batak Toba, t-shirts and clothing with the iconic “Danau Toba” word for relatively cheaper prices.

Prices for ulos range from Rp30.000 to Rp200.000 depending on the length of the cloth and the intricacy of the pattern.

For Muslims, this market houses many halal restaurants.

Tips:

Don’t hesitate to bargain for the best price.

Ulos with embroidered sequins will be more expensive than plain ones.

7.Swim in Situmurun Waterfall

Location: Hatinggian (2-hour boat ride from Tomok Crossing Port)

Info:

Enjoy the scenic view of the only waterfall that flows directly into Lake Toba.

See if you have the guts to swim against the waterfall currents.

You can take either the fishermen’s boat or the Samosir government’s tour boat to get to the waterfall.

Best places to get a panoramic view of Lake Toba

Lake Toba is known for its picturesque natural landscape. Here are some of the best locations as well as the best ways to take in the full panoramic view of the lake.

1. Tele Viewing Tower

Location: Turpuk Limbong, Harian, Samosir Island (74.6 km/30 minutes by land transport from Pangururan, Samosir Island)

Info:

Behold the breathtaking views of the natural wonders surrounding Lake Toba and Samosir Island from the top of the 20-meter tower.

Entrance fee: Rp20.000/pax

2.Samosir government’s tourism boat

Pick up locations: Various ports such as the Tomok Port, Tigaraja Port, and several hotels around Tuk Tuk.

Info:

Bask in the serene beauty of the undulating hills surrounding Lake Toba from a unique boat designed to look like a traditional Batak house.

You can take this boat to get to many tourist destinations, such as the Situmurun Waterfall.

The boat can take up to 100 passengers.

Boat rental costs Rp1.000.000 for the first hour and Rp500.000 for every subsequent hour.

3.Sipinsur Park

Location: Humbang Hansudutan (18 km/25 minutes from Silangit Airport)

Info:

This is the closest spot from Silangit Airport where you can enjoy a panoramic view of Lake Toba.

Hundreds of pine trees grow in the park, making it look beautiful and serene.

Facilities in the park include kids’ playground and ATVs for rent.

Entrance fee: Rp2.000/pax

Transportation

Getting to Lake Toba by air

The closest airport to Lake Toba is Sisingamangaraja XII International Airport (formerly Silangit International Airport) which is located in Siborong-borong, North Sumatra.

This airport serves domestic flights to and from a few cities in Indonesia such as Jakarta, Medan, and Palembang.

If you’re flying in from Jakarta, some airlines that provide direct flights to Silangit Airport include Garuda Indonesia, Citilink, Batik Air and Sriwijaya Air.

For visitors flying from Kualanamu International Airport in Medan or the Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II International Airport in Palembang, you may opt for Wings Air.

The airport also serves international flights from Malaysia and Singapore.

From Sisingamangaraja XII Airport (Silangit) to Lake Toba

Going through Parapat is one of the best ways to get to Lake Toba. Other than it being a quicker route as compared to going through Pangururan, there are also several accommodation options in Parapat which offer scenic views of Lake Toba.

To reach Parapat, you have to rent an airport taxi which costs approximately Rp500.000 that can accommodate up to 5 passengers. It takes approximately 2 hours from the airport to Parapat. Airport taxis are available until the last flight arrives at around 5:00 p.m.

Getting to Samosir Island

To get to Samosir Island, take the boat from Tigaraja Port in Parapat to reach Tomok or the resort area in Tuk Tuk. Boat tickets are at Rp15.000/pax.

If you’re driving, you can opt to take the ferry which costs Rp115.000 for a one-way trip (including car and all passengers). However, do consider that you may need to wait in line for a while.

Where to stay?

Atsari Hotel Parapat

A hotel with a lake view and swimming pool facility.

Atsari Hotel Parapat

9/10

•

Parapat, Danau Toba, Sumatra Utara

Rp 550.000

Rp 529.652

Book Now

Anju Cottages

Budget-friendly accommodation at the lakeside.

Anju Cottage

8/10

•

Tuk Tuk, Samosir Island

Rp 355.000

Rp 346.228

Book Now

Taman Simalem Resort

An international-class resort offering a diverse choice of activities.

Taman Simalem Resort

8.6/10

•

Starts from Rp2.000.000/night

Rp 1.624.500

Rp 1.276.627

Book Now

Villa Durian Tuktuk Timbul

A villa suitable for family getaways.

Villa Durian Tuktuk Timbul

8.3/10

•

Tuk Tuk, Samosir Islan...

See Price

Book Now

Why visit Lake Toba?

“There are so many tourist destinations in Lake Toba. In total, we have 41 tourist attractions ranging from nature-based tourism to those promoting our rich culture.”

- Daulat Nainggolan, Secretary of Samosir District Tourism Board

“When you come to Lake Toba, don’t forget to try the Siborong-borong coffee. This Arabica coffee is known for its fruity aroma, strong body and its blend of caramel and spicy notes.”

- Edward Tigor Siahaan, owner of Piltik coffee shop