Lake Toba, North Sumatra is an extraordinary natural wonder of the world. This is the largest lake in Southeast Asia and one of the deepest lakes in the world. We can say that Lake Toba is practically like an ocean. Because the lake is 900 meters above sea level, the climate here is cool, providing the respite needed to escape the heat, humidity, and pollution of the city.
In the middle of Lake Toba, there is a volcanic island called Samosir, it was connected to the caldera walls by a narrow isthmus cut through to allow boats to pass. Samosir Island is the cultural center of the Batak Toba people, the Batak people are mainly Christians. The local people who live in the Toba region are called Toba Batak. There’s so much lake Toba is to offer and here are the 6 recommendations for tourist attractions.
How was Toba Lake Formed?
Toba Lake (Danau Toba) is placed withinside the center of the northern part of the island of Sumatra and is also known as the largest volcanic lake in the world. There is also a Toba catastrophe theory, that Toba was formed by mega-volcanic eruptions 74,000 years ago, and is probably the largest resurgent caldera on earth.
It is said that according to legend, Lake Toba was formed when the secret of a princess who became a goldfish was revealed.
How to Reach Lake Toba?
If you want to reach lake Toba, there are 2 ways by air and land. The first route is from Kualanamu International Airport in Medan to Sisingamangaraja XII International Airport (formerly Silangit International Airport) in Siborong Bolong, North Tapanuli. From there you can easily reach Lake Toba by road trip and see beautiful scenery along the way.
Another option is a direct flight to Sisingamangaraja XII International Airport (Silangit airport), good thing that some provinces offer direct flights, and other countries like Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.
If you prefer by land Lake Toba, is 176 km from Medan and the entire trip can be reached within 6 hours by public bus on two routes via Medan – Parapat or Medan – Berastagi.
The travel agencies can also arrange car rentals and drivers. If coming overland from the south via Bukittinggi there are also public buses available.
Tourist Attractions Around Lake Toba
While you are enjoying Lake Toba take a swim lake there. Immerse yourself in the lake’s splendor with a picnic or lakeside walk and there are so many things to do near Lake Toba and Samosir Island. Lake Toba is one of the wonderful Indonesia that you should not miss if you are visiting here.
Sipiso Piso Waterfall
Sipiso Piso Waterfall is located in the area of Lake Toba with a height of 120 meters. To be precise, it is located in Tongging Village, Northern Sumatra. It is approximately 2.5 km from the southwestern tip of Lake Toba.
Most people who visit Sipiso Piso come on a day trip from Berastagi, or from Samosir Island on Lake Toba. Tours can be easily arranged through tour operators, guesthouses, and hotels.
Pusuk Buhit
A popular activity among tourists is trekking to the top of Pusuk Buhit. From there you can overlook the beauty of the surrounding nature and Lake Toba as a whole, it would take 5 hours of jungle trekking to the summit.
There is no official base camp, so it is safe to climb with a local guide who is familiar with the mountain climbing area. If necessary, use the tour operator’s services to save driving and save energy before climbing.
Also Read: Lake Toba Is In The World’s Spotlight As It Hosts F1H2O
Sipoholon Hot Springs
The water here is a sulfur spring. Normally the sulfur level in the water is very safe and beneficial for you. That’s why people like to bathe in such springs. Warm water is also relaxing.
The temperature of the springs can reach 70 degrees Celsius. Sometimes local tourists bring eggs to be cooked in the springs. This is an interesting attraction, especially for children.
The biggest selling point of this hot spring is not only the hot water itself but its overall beauty. A mountain of colorful layers with bluish ponds makes Sipohoron Springs a very Instagrammable spot.
In fact, many people come to this hot spring for pictures and panoramas. The colorful nature of this hot spring has even earned Pamukkale’s reputation in Sumatra.
Entrance Fee: From Rp. 10,000 per person to access the pools
Visiting Villages In Toba Samosir Regency
There’s no better way to experience Lake Toba than living like a local. Most of the people living around the Lake and Samosir island are the Batak tribe. If you are visiting there, you will see traditional Batak houses, and they are known for their distinctive roofs (curved at both ends like the hull of a boat) and colorful decorations.
Make sure to visit Ambarita village in the Simanindo district of Samosir Island is home to the ancient village of Hutasialagan, which is steeped in the unique culture of the tribe. Visit Tuktuk Village and Tomok Village where you can enjoy quiet and traditional houses at affordable prices.
The local people who live in the Toba region and they speak the local Batak language, but everyone also speaks Indonesian. Don’t forget to take a bite of the local food and play traditional games with the kids.
Binangalom Waterfall
The waterfall is also known as Situmlung Waterfall. Therefore, they should not be confused with it. The most famous is swimming. However, it is limited to professional swimmers. If you are traveling with children, they must be restricted. The current is quite strong, so it is dangerous for beginners. It is recommended to sit nearby and relax.
From Medan, you can head directly to Parapat. You only need to follow the main street. Once you reach Parapat, you may continue to Biningalom Village. It is about 2 hours from Parapat. In the village, you must use a public boat or a private boat to reach the waterfall.
It usually takes an hour from the port. Tips if you want to visit this make it a day trip, cause the boat sails through Tomok, Batu Gantung, and the waterfall before returning.
Batak Museum
You can visit the Batak Museum, housed in the traditional house where Batak King Raja Sidauruk lived before his death. In the museum, you can have an understanding of background knowledge of the Batak ethnic group, Batak culture, traditional costumes, and crafts, and watch traditional dances like the tor dance.
The Batak tribe is widely known for its festive culture. Among others, Tor-Tor Dance is considered to be the most elegant one.
