Need some help planning your dream Sumatra trip? Get yourself a copy of our North Sumatra Travel Guide & Itinerary Planner. This essential eBook is written entirely by us (no AI!) from 10+ years of hands-on travel experience in Sumatra. It's 136 pages full of essential advice, travel tips, destination guides (where to go, how to get there, what to do, where to stay and eat!) and personally crafted sample itineraries. Check it out on our site now: exploringsumatra.com/north-sumatra-travel-guide-itinerary-planner/
Thanks for that lovely feedback! We are so happy to hear that you found this video helpful - yay! Feel free to reach out if you have any specific questions that weren't answered here. You can reach us at: exploringsumatra@gmail.com
Hi! Ah that’s so great to hear you’re going to be heading this way! Glad you have found the info useful. Feel free to email if you have any questions! exploringsumatra@gmail.com
This is so helpful! And good to know about foreign credit cards on Lion Air, they wouldn't take my Canadian credit card and this is the third time that has happened. But I've never had a problem with Wise and so I used it for the flight as well.
Thank you so much! So glad that you've found it useful - and that's a massive compliment on our energy! Still feel like RU-vid newbies, so really nice to have that feedback. Hope you can make it to Sumatra soon!
HORAS! Thank you for your very interesting and helpfull videos. I wanted to know if Agung knew Ismail & Cicilia Naufal Sabita & Sanit from Berastagi? I am French and I lived many years in Sumatra and thank you for these videos that promotes this beautiful island!!! We only talk about Bali but Sumatra is for me one of the most beautiful island in the world with a welcoming population, with so much diversity in food and culture. Thanks again to both of you, good continuation... We love you... Sampai jumpa lagi :) Mylène
Hi Mylène! Thank you so much for your lovely comment. Agung doesn't know those people from Berastagi but we hope to visit there soon so maybe we can meet them! Where in Sumatra did you live? Totally agree that Sumatra is one of the most beautiful islands in the world. It deserves to much more attention than it gets! Terima kasih for watching, sampai jumpa lagi!
Thank you so much for your reply, I love your videos and thanks to you I have a lot of good memories coming back. Between 1996 and 1997 I decided to discover Indonesia. Between Sumatra, Java and Bali through the islands of Pulau Weh, Mantawai among others Siberut ... In 97 I decided to leave everything in France to live fully in Indonesia. I first worked with a Swiss in Medan who had a tour operator. I lived 2 years in Pulau Weh in Pantai Kasih near Sabang. Then I stayed quite some time in Lake Toba because I met Helga from LIBERTA guest house in Tuc Tuc. Without forgetting the great moments spent in Berastagi, Bukit Lawang etc... Wow, when I think back it was magic! And you Carly, how long ago did you discover Sumatra? Thank you again for your message which makes me very happy. I hope to read you again soon. A lot of love Mylène
@@mylenecham7944 Wow that sounds amazing! You've travelled to and lived in some incredible places. Lake Toba I imagine was so magical in the '90s! I mean, it still is magical but Tuktuk is becoming a bit different with lots of bigger hotels and buildings around now. We love the small homestays and the cute little houses. Two years in Pulau Weh must have been incredible too - such a beautiful island. I first visited Sumatra for work I think 2009? But only stayed deep in the jungle. I think it was around 2012 when I popped into Lake Toba after coming from the jungle of Jantho in Aceh. Tuktuk and the people here really cemented my love of this amazing island. I started visiting every opportunity I could until I couldn't stand to leave anymore, and came to stay in 2015. (Then finding the lovely village of Tangkahan and the lovely Agung haha). Feel very lucky to live in such an incredible place. Do you have photos from your time here?
Hi Oscar - so glad you've found the video useful! Sometimes, there are schedules for certain routes on the Traveloka or Rome2Rio websites. They are usually quite accurate for the more mainstream routes, but may be less reliable for more localised routes. The best advice is to chat to accommodation or tour providers in the areas you are planning to visit. They will know the most up to date info. There is a Facebook group called "Backpacking Sumatra (Indonesia)" which is also a wealth of knowledge that you can post in when you need a little more insight. Happy travels!
Год назад
Thank you so much for this helpful video! So useful :)
You’re so welcome! Happy to hear that it’s useful 😊😊😊
Год назад
@@ExploringSumatra We want to travel to Sumatra around August and have some concerns about moving around, but your video made us feel more relaxed about the whole thing. So, cheers!
Hello Agung and Carly, loving your videos. Great information thank you so much 🙏 I’m planning on coming to Sumatra in June for around a month, travelling alone. I am hoping to be in internet service for the majority of the time as I have duties I need to fulfil each day. lol, random question… where are the best places to visit that still have good internet reception. I’m keen to see as much as I can and do a few activities while I’m in Sumatra but mostly just want to chill and eat on a minimal budget as I’m hoping to travel throughout South East Asia for 4 to 6 months. I fly into Singapore and was planning to either catch the ferry from Singapore or to go into Malaysia and catch the ferry from Melaka to Dumai. I’m not in a rush in the time I’ll be in Sumatra but being contactable is essential. I hope to hear back from you and maybe meet you both.
Hey! We answered this in your other video comment, but just want to add that you'll definitely want to get yourself a Telkomsel SIM when you arrive. As a foreigner, you'll need to do this at a Telkomsel Grapari store - register the phone as a tourist and get a SIM that you can use for up to 90 days. These Grapari stores are only in the bigger cities, so definitely take care of it before you head out into Sumatra :)
I will be leaving the Netherlands in about 3 weeks to travel Sumatra! thank you so much for this video, I feel much more ready now! I will be visiting lake toba as well, if you are still there I would love to have a drink together :)
Hi! Aw thanks so much for this comment - we are so happy to know that we've helped you prepare for your trip a little more. We're sure you will LOVE it here! We will definitely be around for the next few months, so please do reach out when you're in the area and we'd love to meet! Send us an email at exploringsumatra@gmail.com 🙏☺
Yay! So glad you found the video useful. And how exciting you'll be visiting next year! Happy trip planning - and feel free to reach out if you have any questions. ☺
What are your top tips for travelling in Sumatra or Indonesia? Have we missed anything? Don't forget we've also got an entire website devoted to all things Sumatra! Head over to www.exploringsumatra.com for loads more information to help you plan your trip. Terima kasih - thanks for watching!
I live in Indonesia and have traveled solo around Java regularly, but this is my first time to Sumatra. Padang, Medan, Banda Aceh, Palembang, Belitung, Banda Lampung and Bengkulu over 5 weeks. Im aware of the modest clothing requirements for Aceh but anything else I need to be aware of?
Hi! Happy to hear that you'll be visiting Sumatra soon. If you are already pretty experienced with Indonesian life, I think there's not too much you need to know. We haven't been to Java, but we hear Sumatra is a little more difficult to naviagate with transportation etc, but overall, you should be fine! ☺
Thank you new subscriber here. Love Tuk Tuk it's definitely on my bucket list and I will definitely msg you guys for a catch up. Thank you for all the tips....very informative
Hello! So sorry for the late reply - this comment was stuck in our review folder! Oops! Thanks so much for subscribing - so lovely to have you here. And that's awesome that Tuktuk has made it onto your travel list! Look forward to seeing you here. 🙏😀
Very informative video, thank you! Do you have any recommendations for which part of Sumatra to visit if you you only have about 6 days (landing at Medan, Padang or Palembang)?
Hey! So glad you found the video helpful. Gosh - that's a hard question. All of those places are amazing. We don't have extensive knowledge of Padang or Palembang yet as we've been so busy in North Sumatra! I know for Padang, people rave about Bukittingi, Lake Maninjau and the Harau Valley. You could easily see those areas in 6 days if flying into or out of Padang.) North Sumatra is a little tricky as the distances between the best spots are quite large, so take a chunk of travel time. Most people start at one of the Gunung Leuser National Park villages (such as Bukit Lawang, Batu Katak, or Tangkahan), then head to Lake Toba, sometimes with a one night stop in Berastagi to see the volcano. That is doable in 6 days also, although I'm sure you'll wish you had more time no matter where you visit. Feel free to email if you have any questions or need advice! exploringsumatra@gmail.com
Thanks for the great tips! Can you please help me on one thing? I aim at visiting the Padang / Bukittinggi area (Lake Maninjau, Harau Valley) in late August or September 2024? Are the crop-burning fires really causing smog and pollution in this specific area this year? Is it better to postpone to October or even later when rains cleared the sky and the air? Thanks.
Sebentar lagi saya akan memulai seni mehndi di pulau ini dan juga di layanan rumah jadi siapa pun yang ingin menerapkan mehndi dari saya dan berlangganan saluran saya dan insya Allah ini akan menjadi cara baru menerapkan mehndi di Indonesia. Caranya tidak mahal. Saya akan menjadi orang pertama yang mengaplikasikan henna di sana, Insya Allah orang Indonesia sangat baik, budayanya sangat baik.❤❤❤❤
Thank you for this great video! Is it possible to fly into Singapur and travel through Sumatra to Java? Or would that be too complicated? Thank you in advance:)
Sure! Singapore is just a one hour flight from Medan. And then you could certainly make your way down towards Java. You'd need a decent amount of time though as the distances are pretty great.
Hi I am an Australian pensioner and I want to live in Samatra for long periods of time, what are the processes to obtain a long-term visa, and where to get cheap housing for a person paying by the month, thank you very much and a cordial greeting from Perth Australia.
Hi Antonio! The visa process is quite difficult if you want to stay in Indonesia for longer periods. The easiest option is to get a B211 Visitor Visa. That lasts for 60 days, then you have to go to immigration to renew it (I think once a month?). It can be extended for up to 6 months, then you would have to leave the country and get a new one. For longer term plans, there is a new 2nd home visa designed for people who want to retire here. However, I believe you have to have a huge amount of money in the bank and it's quite hard to get. We recommend joining the Facebook Group "Laws and Regulations Indonesia" and searching for second home visa and you'll find some good info. For rentals, you will need to either come to the place you're looking to live and ask around, or potentially join a local Facebook group, depending on the area. For Sumatra, the best option is to just come here first, stay in an affordable guesthouse where you can meet locals and find a rental. :)
Hello there!! :D I am in Indonesia since 10days now, and Sumatra by 6 :) I plan to extend my visa and stay until the end of it in Sumatra... Therefore, I would Like to know if there is an immigration office nearby Toba Lake, as I would Like to avoid Big cities. Otherwise I will have to do Kerinci province - Bukkittinggi - Banyak Island or Toba Lake Instead of doing direct Kerinci - Lake Toba or iSland Banyak (will do both, just dont know yet which one in first :) ) So I would be super interested to have some information about immigration Thanks you so much Sorry about that, I Know you're not a company but ... 😅 Much thanks 🙏
Hi! No problem at all - there is an immigration office in Siantar, which is about halfway between Medan and Lake Toba (maximum 2 hours from Toba). We had a friend recently extend her VOA there and it was nice and easy. One visit to apply, and then pick up after a few days. 😊
@@ExploringSumatra thanks a lot for your answer ! I have been noticed since that there is an immigration office in Kerinci as well I will go on monday, as it seems, extension Can be done there in one day If anyone needs to know about it, just Ask me
Hi! Thanks so much - really pleased that you've found it helpful. We can give you two great driver/guide recommendations for West Sumatra. Try Roni Putra (you can find him on FB "Roni's Tours - Sumatra Tour Guide and Ucok Sinaga. If you have trouble finding the right people on FB, send us an email and we'll connect you: exploringsumatra@gmail.com
Thanks for the really informative video! I'm thinking of coming over from Bangkok to Northern Sumatra second half of October and maybe going to lake Toba, Leuser National Park and up to Banda Aceh and Pulau Weh. You think this season is good to come over?
Hey! Thanks so much for watching and reaching out. Very cool that Sumatra is on your agenda. October is a great time to come. The wet and dry seasons aren't as defined as they used to be, especially in the North, so even though it's technically not full-on "dry season" it's also not peak wet season, and a great time to do trekking, snorkelling, or whatever you have in mind. Really, there's not a BAD time to come to Sumatra!😀
Great video, thank you. My wife and I have two weeks to visit in December. Is there an area that you could recommend for that time frame. Much appreciated.
Hi! So glad you found this video helpful. With two weeks, it's probably best to stick to one province to avoid rushing too much. The two most popular are North Sumatra and West Sumatra. You'd have enough time to spend 2-3 nights at each place, slow down and see a bit more, and maybe tag on a trip to an island at the end. For example, in North Sumatra you could do one or two jungle villages, Berastagi, lake Toba, and then plan to visit either Pulau Weh or the Banyak Islands. In West Sumatra you could explore Padang, Bukittinggi, Lake Maninjau, and find your way to a beachy area at the end! Feel free to reach out if you need more advice: exploringsumatra@gmail.com
Hi guys! Is it good idea to rent a car in Medan and go around Lake Toba? (We are very experienced moto drivers in Indonesia, but never drove a car there)
Hey! That's a tricky question. North Sumatra is notorious for having some of the most chaotic and dangerous drivers in Indonesia! Samosir Island and around Lake Toba is not so bad, but it can be a little daunting on the road from Medan to Toba. Great that you do have experience with driving in Indonesia though! Generally, we recommend against self-driving cars here unless you're very acquainted with crazy roads, just because it is really scary (even going with a driver can be hair-raising!). Personally, we'd recommend public transport or a driver to reach Toba, and then maybe renting a car or bikes once you get here. 😁
HELLO. AGAIN , i will expend 7-8 days en sumatra , going first to bukit lawang , and not sure where to go after , so how cai i get from there to padang or do you recommend me another place instead ?¿. since i need to back to Medan to take the flight back , and what is the best transport to move to another town , thank you so much !
Hello! That's excellent that you're heading to Sumatra soon! I think with only 7-8 days, you should stick to one province. It will take a full day to get to Padang, and another to get back to Medan. I would suggest Going to Bukit Lawang then maybe head to Lake Toba (stop off at Berastagi if you have time). Toba has the Batak culture, architecture etc to see and a cooler climate and very pretty scenery! It takes about 6 hours to get from Bukit Lawang to Toba, but then just 4 hours back to Medan. Feel free to email us: exploringsumatra@gmail.com and we can give you more details ☺
