With lush rainforests, rolling waves, and delectable local cuisines, a trip to North Sumatra will be a trip you will never forget. Lake Toba, one of the world’s largest and deepest volcanic lakes, is one of this province's most beloved attractions. It offers breathtaking views of green hills and the unique Samosir Island with its bustling traditional Batak villages.

Embark on an exciting adventure into the depths of Bukit Lawang, where you can see gentle orangutans in their natural habitat, or enjoy the idyllic island life on Nias Island, which is known for its world-class surfing spots and impressive stone jumping rituals.

You can also visit Berastagi, a highland town surrounded by verdant mountains with hot springs and lively markets filled with colorful fruits and flowers, or Medan, the capital city of North Sumatra which is filled with quaint colonial architecture and diverse culinary delights.

To get to Lake Toba from Medan, you can take the Kuala Tanjung-Tebing Tinggi-Parapat Toll road. This journey will take you around 1,5 hours, depending on traffic conditions.

Known for its beautiful scenery and diverse wildlife, there are many activities that you can do here. You can go trekking in Gunung Leuser National Park, one of the largest national parks in Indonesia, which is home to a great variety of rare wildlife, including Sumatran orangutans, Sumatran tigers, Sumatran rhinoceros, and Sumatran elephants.

You can also participate in orangutan feeding sessions in the national park, do white water rafting in the Bohorok River, or visit the traditional Karo Villages.

Nias is renowned for its world-class surfing spots, attracting surfers from around the globe. The first top surfing spot is Sorake Bay, which is considered one of the best and most consistent surf breaks in Indonesia. Sorake Bay offers long, powerful, and barreling waves.

The second one is The Point, known for its fast, hollow, and challenging right-hand reef break. It provides thrilling barrels that attract advanced and professional surfers seeking an adrenaline-filled ride.

Another spot worth visiting is Afulu. Located on the northern coast of Nias, Afulu is a small and lesser-known surf break. However, this place offers a right-hand reef break that’s fast, powerful, and suitable for professional surfers.

One of North Sumatra’s charms is its delectable local cuisine. The most popular is arguably its roasted pork, a specialty of the Batak tribes.

Aside from that, there’s also bagot ni horbo (buffalo milk), saksang (minced pork meat stewed in its blood, coconut milk, and spices), ombus-ombus (cake made of brown sugar wrapped in rice flour and grated coconut), and mie gomak (spicy noodle soup dish served in coconut milk and andaliman-based broth).