Samosir Island in Sumatra: All About Vacationing

The pearls of Northern Sumatra are the world's largest volcanic lake and its adorning island, Samosir. Lake Toba is a must-see for all tourists visiting Sumatra. The lake is larger than Singapore at 1,130 square kilometers! It's no surprise that such a vast lake has its own island, and an impressive one at that, as it is the world's largest island within an island.

Depositphotos

Facts about Samosir Island

The island attracts nature lovers with its tropical pine forests, volcanic past, and stunning scenery. Samosir's landscape is magnificent! Lush greenery combines with views of the endless lake and long waterfalls cascading over cliffs. And the architecture and culture are incredibly vibrant.

• Lake Toba and Samosir Island were formed as a result of the eruption of a supervolcano about 75 thousand years ago.
• It is the largest lake island in the world.
• Samosir is the home of the Bataks, one of the peoples of Indonesia who have preserved ancient traditions.
• There are no hostels on Samosir Island.
• Traditional houses are distinguished by their whimsical boat-shaped roofs.
• The inhabitants of Samosir are Christians, so you will find churches rather than mosques on the island.
• Even 2-3 centuries ago, cannibalism was practiced on the island - the Batak tribes punished criminals by preparing food from them.
• The island grows fruits, vegetables and coffee.

Depositphotos

How to get to Samosir Island

Medan's Kualanamu International Airport offers regular flights to Singapore, Malaysia, and cities in Indonesia. Lake Toba is a 4-5-hour drive from Medan, and the best way to travel between the two is by kijang. This is a shared vehicle (usually an Avanza) in which you pay for a seat and share the ride with other passengers. The kijang will take you from the airport to the lakeside town of Parapat. From Parapat, ferries depart hourly, from 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM, in tuk-tuks. The crossing takes about 30 minutes and costs 20,000-22,000 Indonesian rupiah (1-1.3 dollars).

Depositphotos

Getting around Samosir

Renting a motorbike is the best way to explore Samosir. You can drive around the entire island along the main road. It's mostly paved and in good condition, but there are some rough trails. Scooters can be rented for around 100,000 Indonesian rupiah (US$6-7 per day + gas) throughout the island. Bicycle rentals are also available throughout the island (around US$2 per day).

Depositphotos

Things to do and see in Samosir

The island's natural beauty and unique culture attract thousands of tourists every year. Samosir is perfect for adventurers who don't seek luxury and want to experience the real Indonesia.

Water sports

During your visit to Samosir, you'll enjoy a variety of exciting water activities. Swimming in the lake, a boat tour that includes Situmurun Waterfall and Batak villages, kayaking ($6-8), banana boat rides, and jet skiing (around $20) await you. The island has several beautiful sandy beaches. If you're looking for a quiet and secluded spot, head to Sibolasi Beach, near Simanindo. For a more lively spot, check out Pantai Batuhoda or Pantai Pasir Putih.

Depositphotos

The island's colorful markets

A local market is held in Ambarita every Thursday morning, and in Tomok on Saturdays and Sundays. Tomok is a traditional village best known as the gateway to Samosir. The many shops and stalls on the main street, bordered by side streets, sell fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, various dried fish, meats, and spices.

Buy fresh dragon fruit, durian, mangosteen, and mango. Tomok is also the best place on the island to buy souvenirs and handicrafts. Dozens of souvenir shops line the main street of Tomok, and the central shopping area is tucked away in a small alley in the center of the village. You can find everything from T-shirts and sarongs to carvings, jewelry, bags, and sunglasses.

Depositphotos

Watch the Tor-Tor dance

Tor-Tor is a traditional dance of the Batak people. The island boasts restored ancient dwellings where Batak dances and Sigale Gale performances are performed. The name "Tor-Tor" derives from the sound of the dancers' feet. Tor-Tor is usually accompanied by ceremonial music using instruments such as the gondang. Each dance movement has a meaning, and the movements are primarily performed with the fingers. Each dancer wears an ulos (a special cloth) over their shoulder.

Depositphotos

Explore Batak villages

Be sure to visit the villages around Lake Toba. They are scattered among the green landscapes of Samosir. The distinctive feature of the wooden houses are the high, curved roofs (rumah bolon), modeled after ancient boats. They are decorated with intricate symbols in red, black, and white. The Batak people are known for their hospitality and friendliness. You will be happy to take a tour of the village.

Depositphotos

Royal Stone Chair

The Bataks practiced cannibalism and pagan rituals until the 1860s. The royal stone chair in the village of Ambarita still stands. It was here that criminals and traitors were tried. They were initially held in a pen-like prison. On the day of the trial, the king and his jurors took their seats on the stone chairs. If found guilty and the crime was serious enough, the criminal was beheaded on the spot. Then, they were given away to be eaten! Aside from the grim history, Ambarita is a beautiful village with beautiful wooden buildings that are worth a visit.

Depositphotos

Trekking to Simangande Waterfall

On rainy days, you can even see Simangande Falls from a tuk-tuk. After a decent downpour, the water flows down the steep hillsides. Take a bike or scooter ride to the small village of Garoga, near which the waterfall is located. Ask locals to point you to the entrance to the hiking trail to enjoy the view. The walk to the waterfall takes 30-40 minutes, but the trail can be quite slippery.

Depositphotos

Try the local cuisine

The local cuisine, of course, includes a lot of rice, coconut in all its forms, and spicy sauces.

• Lontong is a popular breakfast. It's rice pressed into a flatbread and served with egg, vegetables, tempeh, sambal (a spicy tomato paste), and a coconut-based sauce. Lontong is available at many local warungs (small eateries), usually only in the morning.
• Mee Gomak is a traditional noodle dish with curry. The noodles are pale orange, fairly thick, and square. The curry is red and aromatic, but not overly spicy. The dish is served with condiments such as kerisik (grated toasted coconut) and sambal andaliman (a chili sauce made from local peppers), and a boiled egg is sometimes added as a topping.
• Nasi bungkus is rice, vegetables and your choice of meat to take away, covered in a delicious yellow sauce and wrapped in brown paper.

Depositphotos

Lake Aek Natonang

Aek Nathonang is a lake in the center of Samosir. This body of water is surrounded by lush greenery, and next to it is a small, landscaped park with pagodas, where you can relax and enjoy the peace. The lake is a 20-minute drive past the Parkhallow viewpoint on the way to Sipiru.

Depositphotos

Aek Rangat Hot Springs

At Lake Toba, you can visit natural sulfur springs located at the foot of the sacred mountain. Mineral-rich hot water flows directly from the summit and mixes with fresh, cool water, which flows into several pools. Each pool has a different temperature, so you can find the perfect one. In the public pools, men and women are required to use separate areas, so if you're relaxing with your partner or in a mixed group, it's worth renting a private pool for an hour.

To reach the springs, drive to Pangururan and cross the bridge to the mainland. When you see a huge gray volcanic fissure in the hills, you've arrived! Admission to the public pools is free, but only if you order food and drinks from the restaurant.

Situmurun Falls (Binangalom)

Located in the village of Situmurun, the waterfall is like a hidden paradise on Lake Toba. Be sure to swim around the stunning Situmurun Falls (also known as Binangalom), where water cascades over the cliffs directly into the lake! In the heat, this spot offers heavenly coolness.

Getting to the waterfall isn't easy, as it falls directly from the mainland into Lake Toba. The only way to get there is by motorboat. There's a small concrete dock nearby where you can sit.

Batak Museum Huta Bolon

About a 30-minute drive from Tuk-Tuk is the village of Simanindo, where you can find a museum in the former home of the Batak king, who had 14 wives! The museum displays ancient weapons, household items, clothing, carvings, and sculptures.

Entrance fees are $1-2. If there are enough guests, Batak dance performances are held nearby every day at 10:30 a.m.

Depositphotos

Visit Sipiso Piso Waterfall

One of Indonesia's tallest cascades, it plunges 120 meters at the northern end of Lake Toba. Its source is an underground river flowing beneath the plateau's surface. According to local legend, the waterfall's gorge was formed after a battle between the dragon of the underground river and supernatural creatures inhabiting the lake. Enjoy the breathtaking views from one of three observation decks! Descend to truly appreciate the waterfall's power. But be mindful of your stamina—the waterfall is so tall that it will take you at least 90 minutes to descend and return. A visit costs about $1.

Depositphotos

Where to stay on Samosir Island

The main town on Samosir Island is called Tuk Tuk and is located on the central east coast opposite Parapat. Most of the affordable accommodation is concentrated around Tuk Tuk, with inexpensive guesthouses and comfortable hotels.

• Zoe’s Paradise Waterfront Hotel
• Horas Family Home
• Laster Jony's Guesthouse Tuktuk Samosir RedPartner
• Samosir Villa Resort
• Mario's Lakeside Apartments
• Gokhon Guest House
• Liberta Homestay
• Toba Beach Hotel

Zoe’s Paradise Waterfront Hotel