Traveling to Toba Lake

Vacation in North Sumatra is the right choice for you who crave the exotic nature combined with culture. One of the best attractions is Lake Toba. The natural beauty of this one is fairly perfect, because in addition to radiant natural phenomenon, you will be treated with the wealth of the surrounding culture.

Location
Lake Toba is one of the mainstay attractions of our country which is located in the province of North Sumatra exactly 176 km from the city of Medan. Lake Toba with Samosir island has natural attractions, historical tours, spiritual tours, or architectural and culinary tour. With the expanse of the crystal clear lake water and green mountain scenery that only a small thing that can describe the natural beauty of Lake Toba.

According to the study, Toba lake formed from a super volcano eruption (Toba mountain) which erupted around 73000-75000 years ago. The eruption caused the death of millions of people and extinction of various species in the vicinity. The eruption was also influenced world civilization with the weather changes and the onset of an ice age. Lake Toba is the largest in Asia and the most in the world with a depth of 505 meters. This type of volcanic lake is the second largest lake in the world after Lake Victoria in Africa.

In the middle of the lake there is a volcanic island Toba Samosir island is located at an altitude of 1,000 meters above sea level. Uniquely in Samosir island itself there are two beautiful lakes namely Lake Sidihoni and Lake Aek Natonang. When traveled here, you can find some stunning waterfalls and also a baths Aek Balerang efficacious in healing various skin diseases. The area around Lake Toba has forest - pine forest neat and beautiful. There can also visit my friend Camel Cape, named like that because the land jutting into the lake and shaped camel back. In addition to panoramic lake and island Samosir, you can enjoy the natural beauty of the countryside is still beautiful.

The beauty of Lake Toba is already legendary, it no doubt. This is proven by the height of the local and foreign tourists who want to see the perfection of nature and the environment is still beautiful.

How to get there

Most visitors fly to Medan Polonia International Airport and then travel onwards by land to Parapat, the town by Lake Toba. Parapat is about 4 hr by car from Medan or 4-6 hr by public bus.

You can also go from Berastagi or Bukit Lawang to Parapat.

As of Sep 2012 here is only one Cirrus/MasterCard ATM on the island (at the white beach entrance) so you should get enough cash at Parapat before crossing the lake to the island. This ATM DOES NOT ACCEPT VISA Cards. So please ensure you take sufficient cash from the many ATMs in Parapat before you come to Samosir.

By car
The road signs are pretty much useless, as is asking the locals for directions. Anyway, if you are going to Tuk Tuk keep going, even though it may seem to be taking forever and you have been in the Kijang for 8 hr with 10 other people, but you will get there and the hosts will be wonderful.

Do not try to drive out of Samosir Island by going up and over the top to the land bridge. The road is very bad. It is also possible to go to Parapat from Dumai by mini-van, leaving in the afternoon. The trip takes around 11 hr and costs Rp 150,000.

By bus
You can get from Medan airport to Lake Toba entirely by public transport if you wish. First, you must go from the airport to Amplas bus terminal. Walk through the car park and go out of the main car exit of the airport. Cross the road and turn left after the petrol station, and then turn right (about a 10-15 min walk altogether). There, you can catch a yellow public bus, number 64, or number 63, to Amplas Terminal for Rp 3,000.

From Amplas terminal, you can get a public bus to Parapat for Rp 25,000. So you can get from Medan airport to Parapat for a total of Rp 28,000 (June 2013), and then get a ferry out to Samosir island for Rp 10,000/person. The boat drops you at your hotel.