Lake Toba, Bukit Lawang, Berastagi, Sibolga, Bukit Tinggi, Aceh
The small group of motor bikers had made their way across the North Sumatra plateau, through farmland, forests and villages before emerging at the precipice of the vast cauldron which embodies Lake Toba, the world’s largest volcanic lake, and its huge island named Samosir, heartland of Batak people.
The panorama was breathtaking. They had already traveled for a week, starting in the frenetic city of Medan, through the Bahorok jungle to Bukit Lawang to see the orangutans and ride the rapids, around the Berastagi volcanoes and via the Batak villages containing traditional long house, black magic shaman and relaxing hot springs but now it was time to chill out by the lake at the once famous travelers destinations of Tuktuk. The spectacular landscape makes Toba one of the world’s top 10 natural wonders, created by a series of vol
canic explosions which may have been the biggest event in the history of ancient mankind, only 70,000 years ago. It’s here after swimming or hiking that one can join the local musicians for a session and a party. This region of Sumatra is a mostly Christian area due to the missionaries who arrived about 150 years ago but the traditional beliefs still remain the strongest.
Contrary to Indonesian propaganda this place is as safe a place as one could find, as any visitors can testify, but as every biker knows, cars, trucks and buses on country roads are always a danger, particularly in Indonesia. From Lake Toba the ride continues back over the plateau for the
decent to the west coast. The Honda 200 was ideal for this rough mountain road passing friendly hillbilly villages in thick jungle terrain reputed to contain tigers though no one has actually seen one for 5 years, perhaps because the screeching monkeys guard the road but deliverance comes when the hills meet the coast at Barus, the first town of Sumatra.
Beginning about 2000 years ago traders from Egypt, Arabia, Greece, India and China came for special herbs and essential oils like camphor for embalming and incense and Marco Polo came in 1293 for the full moon equinox party. We were determined to make our own on the beautifully natural and totally undeveloped long beach just south of town. A few locals joined us and we all had a good night around the fire. The coastal road continued to Sibolga then turned inland again for the climb back up the range. At Tarutung the guesthouse was built next to the hot spring which is just what one needs after a ride back into the cool hills. The road comes back around the opposite side of Lake Toba for a different panorama, then climbs the range and descends to Siantar City where we met the local BSA Classic bike club who offered us a ride of their bikes. That night we drank the local palm wine called "Tuak", a naturally fermented alcohol. The busy main road returns to the hub of Medan.
The panorama was breathtaking. They had already traveled for a week, starting in the frenetic city of Medan, through the Bahorok jungle to Bukit Lawang to see the orangutans and ride the rapids, around the Berastagi volcanoes and via the Batak villages containing traditional long house, black magic shaman and relaxing hot springs but now it was time to chill out by the lake at the once famous travelers destinations of Tuktuk. The spectacular landscape makes Toba one of the world’s top 10 natural wonders, created by a series of vol
canic explosions which may have been the biggest event in the history of ancient mankind, only 70,000 years ago. It’s here after swimming or hiking that one can join the local musicians for a session and a party. This region of Sumatra is a mostly Christian area due to the missionaries who arrived about 150 years ago but the traditional beliefs still remain the strongest.Contrary to Indonesian propaganda this place is as safe a place as one could find, as any visitors can testify, but as every biker knows, cars, trucks and buses on country roads are always a danger, particularly in Indonesia. From Lake Toba the ride continues back over the plateau for the
decent to the west coast. The Honda 200 was ideal for this rough mountain road passing friendly hillbilly villages in thick jungle terrain reputed to contain tigers though no one has actually seen one for 5 years, perhaps because the screeching monkeys guard the road but deliverance comes when the hills meet the coast at Barus, the first town of Sumatra.Beginning about 2000 years ago traders from Egypt, Arabia, Greece, India and China came for special herbs and essential oils like camphor for embalming and incense and Marco Polo came in 1293 for the full moon equinox party. We were determined to make our own on the beautifully natural and totally undeveloped long beach just south of town. A few locals joined us and we all had a good night around the fire. The coastal road continued to Sibolga then turned inland again for the climb back up the range. At Tarutung the guesthouse was built next to the hot spring which is just what one needs after a ride back into the cool hills. The road comes back around the opposite side of Lake Toba for a different panorama, then climbs the range and descends to Siantar City where we met the local BSA Classic bike club who offered us a ride of their bikes. That night we drank the local palm wine called "Tuak", a naturally fermented alcohol. The busy main road returns to the hub of Medan.
As the first foreigner and foundation member of Sumatra Easy Riders we are offering 8 days tour :
One night in Medan
Two night in Bukit Lawang (trekking, tube, rafting, local touring optional)
Two night in Berastagi (including day tour)
Two night in Lake Toba (including day tour)
One night in Medan
One night in Medan
Two night in Bukit Lawang (trekking, tube, rafting, local touring optional)
Two night in Berastagi (including day tour)
Two night in Lake Toba (including day tour)
One night in Medan
or 13 days tour
One night in Medan
Two night in Bukit Lawang (trekking, tube, rafting, local touring optional)
Two night in Berastagi (including day tour)
Two night in Lake Toba (including day tour)
One night in Dolok Sanggul
One night in Barus beach
One night in Tarutung
One night in Balige
One night in Siantar
One night in Medan
Twin share accommodation single extra supplement 20%
10% discount for pillion couples passenger.
20% extra for passenger only with driver hire
* Australian management
* Customized tour for any amount of days available
One night in Medan
Two night in Bukit Lawang (trekking, tube, rafting, local touring optional)
Two night in Berastagi (including day tour)
Two night in Lake Toba (including day tour)
One night in Dolok Sanggul
One night in Barus beach
One night in Tarutung
One night in Balige
One night in Siantar
One night in Medan
Twin share accommodation single extra supplement 20%
10% discount for pillion couples passenger.
20% extra for passenger only with driver hire
* Australian management
* Customized tour for any amount of days available
Interested parties can contact the email :
marcusfootloose@hotmail.co.uk
marcusfootloose@hotmail.co.uk
"Sumatra Easyriders" Marcus Phillips
marcusfootloose@hotmail.co.uk
SUMATRA EASYRIDERS
Motorbike Adventure Tours cruising the high road in Indonesia
Starting/Finish Base – Siantar City
Tour destination –
Bukit lawang Orangutan Jungle/ River Tubing
Brastagi Volcanoes and Hot springs.
Lake Toba / Samosir Island.
Dolok Mountain plateau.
Barus beach, Sibolga West Coast.
Asahan river valley
Tarutung Traditional Batak village
North Sumatra is the largest Christian area of Indonesia which is politically and socially safe for tourists. Motorbikes are generally Honda 200cc considered the most practical bike for sumatra's winding mountain roads but the classic BSA touring bike is a special atraction. Accommodation included in 2 or 3 star comfortable guesthouses.
Guided tour with support truck. Touring every month on demand.
Tour Price
- 4 day/night 400USD
- 8 day/night US $ 800
Twin share accommodation single extra supplement 20%
10% discount for pillion couples passenger.
20% extra for passenger only with driver hire
* Australian management
* Customized tour for any amount of days available
Motorbike Adventure Tours cruising the high road in Indonesia
Starting/Finish Base – Siantar City
Tour destination –
Bukit lawang Orangutan Jungle/ River Tubing
Brastagi Volcanoes and Hot springs.
Lake Toba / Samosir Island.
Dolok Mountain plateau.
Barus beach, Sibolga West Coast.
Asahan river valley
Tarutung Traditional Batak village
North Sumatra is the largest Christian area of Indonesia which is politically and socially safe for tourists. Motorbikes are generally Honda 200cc considered the most practical bike for sumatra's winding mountain roads but the classic BSA touring bike is a special atraction. Accommodation included in 2 or 3 star comfortable guesthouses.
Guided tour with support truck. Touring every month on demand.
Tour Price
- 4 day/night 400USD
- 8 day/night US $ 800
Twin share accommodation single extra supplement 20%
10% discount for pillion couples passenger.
20% extra for passenger only with driver hire
* Australian management
* Customized tour for any amount of days available
Email : sumatraeasyriders@yahoo.co.id
