South East Asian Trips

Sumatra is a complete tourist destination-sunny beaches, rich flora and fauna, large rivers and great history. Sumatra has the richest wildlife in Indonesia and hence it is known as "Africa of Asia". It is full of tropical rainforests and if you are a wildlife lover then Sumatra is the ideal place for you. Trekking is another option that you can opt for in Sumatra. Sumatra attracts fewer tourists than its neighbors like Java and Bali. So if you are looking for a quiet holiday away from maddening crowds then Sumatra fits the bill perfectly.

History

The first large empire to make Sumatra its home was Sri Vijaya Empire- the first Hindu kingdom of Indonesia-in the 7th century. In 10th century the Arabs established their Sultanate of Achin (now Aceh) in a part of Indonesia. By the 14th century, most of the power of Sri Vijaya Kingdom waned and Sumatra came under the direct control of Javanese rulers. Later on, in the 17th century, the Dutch established their control over Sumatra. In 1942, during Second World War, Sumatra came under the control of Japan and remained so for a year. When Indonesia attained independence and became a republic in 1949, Sumatra became a part of Indonesia. But, the Achinese protest against the Indonesian government continued and in 1958 a full-scale rebellion was launched by the army officers. Internal struggles and problems have still not waned and it is advisable to check the current situation before going to Sumatra.

Weather

Sumatra is located on both sides of the equator in equal halves; hence it is divided in two climatic zones. In north of equator October to April is the rainy season, while May to September is the dry season. In south of equator, rainy season is from December to February.

Best Time To Visit

The best time to visit Sumatra is in September and October. It is the beginning of the rainy season and generally there are no torrential rains during this period. One can travel to inner countryside without much of a problem during this time.

Sumatra Tourist Attractions

Aceh Sumatra

Aceh, Sumatra is a special territory of Indonesia. Also known as Nanggröe Aceh Darussalam, Aceh in Sumatra was the worst affected place by the Tsunami of December 2004. However, since that disaster Aceh has slowly recovered and picked up its tourism. Located on the northern tip of Sumatra, Aceh, Sumatra constitutes one of the many tourist attractions in Sumatra. Aceh is also the center of Shi'a Islam in Indonesia. Being an important seaside province, Aceh, Sumatra was once the point where people from various parts of the world met.

Aceh, Sumatra is considered to be the seat of Islam in Southeast Asia during its early days. During the 17th century, the Sultanate of Aceh was one of the most wealthy, powerful and cultivated state in the region of Malacca Straits. The area of Aceh has a continuous history of political independence. The confrontation with the intruders was therefore a part and parcel of the lives of the inhabitants. The abundance of natural resources including oil and gas has enhanced the importance of the region manifold. Some estimates show that the gas reserves in Aceh, Sumatra is the largest in the world.

Aceh, Sumatra was the closest point to the epicenter of the 2004 earthquake. 167,736 Indonesians, most of them from Aceh were killed in the calamity. Those who survived have made a steady recovery. The area of Aceh is a strange concoction of a number of ethnic and language groups. Most of the population belong to Acehnese, while the other impressive groups are Gayo, Alas, Tamiang, Aneuk Jamee, Kluet and Simeulue. A significant part of the population belong to China and are influential in the business and financial matters.

Berastagi Sumatra

Berastagi, Sumatra is one of the towns located in the northern parts of Sumatra. The closest city to Berastagi is Medan. Situated at an altitude of 1300 meters, Berastagi in Sumatra has an extremely cool and pleasant clime. Bordered by Lake Toba in north and Bukit Lawang in the south-east, Berastagi, Sumatra is home to Sibayak and Sinabung, two main tourist attractions in Sumatra.

How to get Berastagi, Sumatra
You can avail the public bus services from Medan to the city. If you want to fly to Berastagi, you need to board off at the Medan International airport that connects the region with Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

Attractions in Berastagi, Sumatra
Berastagi is one of the chosen destinations for sightseeing in Sumatra. The two active volcanoes, Sibayak and Sinabung draw the largest crowds. Sibayak is the most easily accessible volcanoes in Indonesia. Located at an altitude of 2100 meters, it takes approximately 3 hours to climb the mountain. The hot springs at the foot of the mountain are well appraised as they are believed to contain therapeutic properties. It is advisable that the tourists to Berastagi, Sumatra take a guide to Sibayak mountains.

The other attraction of Berastagi, Sumatra is Sinabung mountains, another active volcano. Set at an high altitude of 2400 meters, scaling the mountain is all the more challenging, even to an experienced mountaineer. The Lake Toba and Sipiso-piso waterfall is located on the south of Berastagi, Sumatra. You will also like the villages near the lakes. The houses in these villages are build according to the traditional architectural designs like Karo Batak. Tahura National Park, which is just ten minutes from Berastagi, Sumatra. You can also opt for a trekking session through the plantations and jungle to Bukit Lawang.

Kerinci valley Sumatra

Kerinci valley, Sumatra is located in the Kerinci Seblat National Park, one of the most frequented tourist attractions in Sumatra. There is a large part in this national park that rises above the height of 400 meters and is relatively cool. This part is known as Kerinci valley. The Kerinci Seblat National Park has a large share of Bukit Barisan Mountain range including the highest peak, the Gunung Kerinci measuring 3,805meters, of which Kerinci valley, Sumatra is a part.

Spread over an area of 1.5 million hectare, the Kerinci valley, Sumatra is one of the popular venues of sightseeing in Sumatra. Sprawling over the areas like West Sumatra, Jambi, Bengkulu and South Sumatra, Kerinci valley is a must see among all. Situated at an altitude of 800 meters, the valley boasts of accommodating 3,00,000 people. Kerinci valley in Sumatra is a typically undulating terrain and has a number of natural marvels. In the valley, you will find a number of hot springs. These hot springs attract a lot of tourists as it is believed that bathing in these hot springs relieves you from many ailments.

The swift rivers and scenic waterfalls at the Kerinci valley, Sumatra are the other attractions. The lakes like Gunung Tujuh and Gunung Kerinci draw a number of tourists. These lakes are formed by the deposition of rainwater in the volcanic craters. At the east of Gunung Kerinci lies lake Bento. Lake Bento is the highest freshwater swampland in Sumatra. Set at an altitude of 2,000 meters, Ladeh Panjang is probably the highest swamp woodland. Kerinci valley separates the Kerinci Seblat National Park and forms the main entrance to the area that showcases the flora and fauna in Sumatra.

Lake Toba Sumatra

Lake Toba, Sumatra is the largest volcanic lake in the world and one of the best places for sightseeing in Sumatra. Created by the deposition of rainwater in a volcanic crater, Lake Toba in Sumatra is 100 kilometers long and 30 kilometers wide. The deepest point of the lake delves till 505 meters. Located on an altitude of 900 meters, Lake Toba, Sumatra is one of the premier tourist attractions in Sumatra.

Lake Toba, Sumatra is surrounded by a number of natural marvels like Toba ash, characterized by chemical "fingerprint". The Lake Toba is among the deepest crater lakes in the world. The climate around the lake is cool and dry. The steep and scenic landscape of the mountains offers spectacular vistas. Lake Toba, Sumatra is one of the best places in Indonesia that presents you with an ideal place for escapade from the urban jungles. More and more tourists throng towards the lakes as it is a better place to rest than the mosquito infested tropical jungles.

Lake Toba, Sumatra is one of the major facilitators of eco-tourism in Indonesia. Located in North Sumatra province, Lake Toba lies near a fault line which runs along the Sumatra Fracture Zone. The population that resides near the lake mostly belong to the ethnic Bataks. The houses of these traditional Bataks feature roofs that curve upwards at each end, are similar to a boat's hull. The colorful décor of these houses near Lake Toba, Sumatra makes them all the more prominent.

Mentawai Islands Sumatra

Mentawai Islands, Sumatra is one of exotic islands set in the Indian Ocean. One of the popular locales for sightseeing in Sumatra, the islands is situated at a distance of 150 kilometers from Sumatra. Mentawai Islands is a chain of about seventy islands from the west coast of Sumatra. The main islands that make up Mentawai Islands are Siberut, Sipura and North and South Pagai. Staying at the Mentawai Islands, Sumatra will give you a hands-on experience of the traditional lifestyle of Indonesia.

One of the premier tourist attractions in Sumatra, Mentawai Islands offer a fantastic site for various things to do in Sumatra, like trekking and windsurfing. The dense rainforest on the island is home to a number of species of animals and birds that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. You can also dive in the azure waters of the Indian Ocean, not only to a swim but also to explore the beautiful coral reefs. Always be alert, as Mentawai Islands, Sumatra is located on one of the extremely active and powerful earthquake zone.

The human inhabitance on the Mentawai Islands, Sumatra is one of the oldest human settlements in Indonesia. People in the Mentawai islands prefer living as a community, just like the people of the longhouses in Indonesia. People of Mentawai Islands, Sumatra prefer living in a somewhat isolated manner from the rest of the world. The rainforest of the islands is the haven to some of the rarest wildlife resources like Kloss Gibbon, Mentawai Macaque, Mentawai leaf monkey and snub nosed monkey.

Raya Mosque Sumatra

Raya Mosque, Sumatra is one of those tourist attractions in Sumatra that show the concoction of the Oriental and Occidental styles. Raya Mosque is the biggest mosque in Medan city. Medan is located on the north-east coast of Sumatra islands. Medan serves as a gateway to enter and exit the island state of Sumatra. It is for this reason that this city records a large number of footfall every year. All the travelers make sure that Raya Mosque, Sumatra features in the locales of sightseeing in Sumatra.

Also known as Grand Mosque, Raya Mosque in Sumatra was built in 1906. Designed by a Dutch architect, Dingemans, the impressive and stately building of Raya Mosque, Sumatra was built under the patronage of Sultan MaKmun Al-Rasyid. The structure of the Raya Mosque makes it truly global. Designed according to rococo style that oriented in France in 18th century, the marble was imported from Italy. The stained glass of the windows in Raya Mosque, Sumatra were brought from China while the chandelier was imported from Amsterdam.

The oldest mosque of the Pekanbaru city, the small enclosed plot in the grounds of Raya Mosque, Sumatra has the tombs of Sultan Marhum Bukit and Marhum Pekan who were the builders of the city of Pekanbaru. The Sultans resided in the Istana Maimun palace. The beautiful minarets at the Raya Mosque will certainly impress you. Admission in the Raya Mosque, Sumatra is not permitted. However, you can donate for a noble cause.

Belitung Island Sumatra

Belitung Island, Sumatra is one of the most scenic and beautiful islands in Sumatra. Formerly known as Billiton, Belitung Island in Sumatra is one of the popular destinations for sightseeing in Sumatra. Located on the eastern coast of Sumatra, Indonesia Belitung is an island in the Java Sea. Although a small island, Belitung Island, Sumatra is home to some of the finest beaches in Indonesia. It is for these beaches that the island constitutes one of the prime tourist attractions in Sumatra.

Belitung Island, Sumatra features a somewhat uneven topography and several small hills. The highest hill in the island is Mount Tajam which is less than 500 meters or 1,640 feet in height. Administrative division of Sumatra shows Belitung Island, Sumatra as a part of Bangka- Belitung Islands, a province of Indonesia. Geologically, Bangka and Belitung are separated by the Gaspar Strait. Belitung Island is famous for its pepper and tin. The island was a part of the historically famous Spice Islands that attracted traders from all across the world.

Belitung Island, Sumatra spans over an area of 4,833 square kilometers. The tin mines on the islands are owned by government. The labors in these mines are chiefly of Chinese ethnicity. Belitung Island, Sumatra bear the brunt of colonization from 1812 till the British retreated. The main town of the island is Tanjungpandan. Some of the popular destinations in Belitung Island are Tanjung Tinggi, Tanjung Kelayang, and Tanjung Binga dan Lengkuas. The granite boulder and white stones on the sandy beaches of Belitung attract a large number of sea-loving people. These beaches are favorite destinations among travelers who seek a tropical sunbath.

Berbak Wildlife Reserve Sumatra

Berbak Wildlife Reserve, Sumatra is one of the best places to explore the diverse wildlife in Sumatra. It adds a new dimension to your tours to the island state of Sumatra, Indonesia. Recently, Berbak Wildlife Reserve in Sumatra has been converted to a national park from a reserve. It is all the more famous for the peat swamp forest and freshwater swamp forest. Berbak Wildlife Reserve, Sumatra is a haven to a large number of birds and animals, some of which face the threat of extinction.

Location of Berbak Wildlife Reserve, Sumatra
You will be simply amazed by the spectacular setting of this wildlife sanctuary. Covering one-fifth of the eastern coast of Sumatra, the Berbak Wildlife Reserve is near the strait of Melaka.

When to visit Berbak Wildlife Reserve
A treasure trove of the flora and fauna in Sumatra, you can visit this national park anytime between June and October.

If you are an ardent birdwatcher, Berbak Wildlife Reserve, Sumatra is the place for you. Providing shelter to a number of avian species, the national park has 150 kinds of trees and 13 types of palms. Berbak Wildlife Reserve is home to 240 kinds birds including 11 species of kingfisher and 9 kinds of hornbills. You can also find a number of species of animals, mainly the Sumatran Tiger as well as the Tapir. Berbak Wildlife Reserve, Sumatra shelters a large number of Sumatran Rhinoceros.

Other species of mammals found in Berbak Wildlife Reserve, Sumatra include

Mouse deer

Biawak

Clouded leopard

Malayan sunbear

Leopard cat

Siamang

Hairy-nosed otter

Gibbon

Bearded pig

Otter

Barking deer

Yellow-throated marten

Turtles

Crocodiles

King Palace Sumatra

King Palace, Sumatra is one of the premier tourist attractions in Sumatra that draws a large number of tourists every year. Located in the Pagaruyung area in Bukittinggi, Sumatra, the present building of the palace is a replica of the original palace. If you are a traveler who loves to explore the history of the region, make sure that you visit King Palace, Sumatra while taking a trip of sightseeing in Sumatra.

The main building of the palace is also known as Pagaruyung palace. The current building of King Palace in Sumatra was built in 1976. The building houses a museum that displays a lot of items from the household of the royal family. For centuries, Pagaruyung has been the center for the seat of Minangkabau Kingdom and their culture. The architectural uniqueness of the King Palace, Sumatra will surely amaze you. Built according to the traditional of Indonesia, the magnificent edifice of the palace flaunts Rumah Gadang styleof Minang.

The building of the King Palace, Sumatra has been renovated on a massive scale after the Dutch have left. Recently, the roof was struck by lightning and the palace caught fire on the evening of February 27, 2007. The shape of the roof of the King Palace, Sumatra is similar to the horns of the water-buffalo, which was a symbol of prosperity for the Minang dynasty. Counted as a precious cultural heritage, King Palace, Sumatra is home to a number of fine pieces of art and history that hold immense importance in the history and culture of Indonesia.

Medan Sumatra

Medan, Sumatra is the capital of the province of North Sumatra in Indonesia. An industrial hub, Medan in Sumatra is one of the prime urban centers of the country. The city is also the repository of the rich cultural and historical heritage of Indonesia. Counted among the popular tourist attractions in Sumatra, do not miss Medan, Sumatra while you take a trip for sightseeing in Sumatra.

Medan, Sumatra is quite a big city with a population of 2.5 million. Many of the buildings in the city still retain the architectural design of the colonial period. Popular among these architectural gems are the ones built in keeping with styles like rococo, art-deco and art nouveau. The outskirts of Medan draws a lot of travelers as the lush valleys and cascading waterfalls offer a spectacular escapade from the clamorous city. Moreover, Medan, Sumatra is dotted with the historical places and architectural marvels that attract a large number of regional and international tourists.

Mejid Raya, also known as Raya Mosque is one of the landmarks in Medan, Sumatra. In keeping with rococo style, the mosque was established in 1888 by an Italian architect. Undoubtedly, it is the largest mosque in Medan. The interior of the mosque is decorated with furniture, portraits lamps, and old weaponry. Brastagi is a hill town that also serves as a good base to explore Karo Batak villages.

Explore the Gunung Leuser National Park, one of the largest national park in Asia from Medan, Sumatra. Spanning over an area of 7750 square kilometers, the park is a sanctuary to more than 100 different animals, which includes rhinoceroses, elephants, tigers and orangutans. You will also find almost 300 species of birds in this park. Other tourist destinations in Medan, Sumatra are Lake Toba, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and Samosir Island.

Mount Leuser National park Sumatra

Mount Leuser National park, Sumatra is one of the largest national parks in Indonesia. Sprawling over an area of 7,927 square kilometers, the park was established in 1980 with the aim to preserve the local ecosystem. Mount Leuser National park in Sumatra is one among the two remaining habitats for Sumatran Orangutans, known as Pongo abelii. Home to the highest point of the 3,381meters high Mount Leuser, Mount Leuser National park, Sumatra is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Sumatra.

Location of Mount Leuser National park, Sumatra
Located in the northern parts of Indonesia, the national park straddles over the borders of the provinces of North Sumatra and Aceh.

How to reach Mount Leuser National park, Sumatra
It takes approximately three to four hours from Medan to Berastagi, the latter being very close to the national park.

Attractions at Mount Leuser National park, Sumatra
If you love to explore wildlife in Sumatra, Mount Leuser National park, Sumatra is definitely a good choice. The vast area of the Mount Leuser National park provides shelter to more than 700 different species of animals. 320 species among them are birds, 176 mammals and 194 kinds of reptiles and amphibians. Bukit Lawang is a renowned orangutan rehabilitation center in Indonesia. Here you can observe the creatures in their natural habitat. You need to pay an additional charge to see a couple of orangutans in cages.

For a closer view of the orangutans out of cages, you can also take walking tours in the in the fields of the Mount Leuser National park, Sumatra before 7.30am or after 6.00pm. In the dry seasons, you can also opt for hiking along the river. If you are lucky, you may seethe orangutans and monkeys.. Tengkahan is an interesting destination but is often overlooked by the tourists. It is the home to a large number of elephants. You can also visit Kedah Village that lies in close proximity to the Mount Leuser National park, Sumatra.