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Most people who travel to Indonesia go to Bali, Lombok, Java or Flores. In doing so, they miss a real gem of nature and culture – Sumatra. It is the second largest island in Indonesia and even the sixth largest island in the world. In its jungles and forests live some of the rarest plants and animals in the world, including the critically endangered orangutans and Sumatran tigers.
Tips for Your Sumatra Trip
Sumatra offers beautiful landscapes and dense jungle. The island also has a lot to offer in terms of activities. Whether you want to surf, dive, hike or simply relax, Sumatra is the place for you. You can climb a volcano in the middle of the night and enjoy the sunrise from the summit. Or you can swim in hot springs, trek through the jungle, swim in a crater lake or explore the area by scooter.
It is also diverse in terms of culture. Aceh in the north is governed by strict Sharia law, while the Batak at Lake Toba are Christians and the women of the Minangkabau in West Sumatra rule over the men.
How to Get to Sumatra
The fastest way to get to Sumatra is, of course, by plane. However, there are no direct flights from Europe, so you will need to travel via Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore or Bangkok. The island has several airports, for example, in Medan, Banda Aceh or Padang. You can find flights there as well as prices, times etc., on Skyscanner.
Other options include the ferry from Java from Merak, which is located in the northwest. The crossing takes about two hours. You can also take the bus from Jakarta, which uses the same ferry for the crossing. You can find more information on this at 12go.asia.
Transport on Sumatra
Sumatra’s major cities are very well connected to the rest of Southeast Asia. The main hub is often the city of Medan, which can be reached by plane from Singapore, Penang, Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur. But Banda Aceh in the north as well as Padang, Palembang and Pekanbaru in the south also have international airports.
Traveling on Sumatra is not comparable to Thailand or Malaysia. It can be lengthy and exhausting. The island is huge, the roads are bad and full of trucks and motorbikes. Local minibuses are the cheapest way to get around, but this is anything but a comfortable journey. The minibuses have no air conditioning and can get very cramped.
Alternatively, there are so-called tourist buses (shared minivans or cars) that connect the larger tourist destinations. For groups and families, a private driver can also be a good option.
Best Time to Visit Sumatra
Sumatra offers warm tropical weather all year round. The rainy season lasts from November to April. Destinations in the interior, such as Bukit Lawang or Lake Toba are not really affected. Here it only rains occasionally in the evening. This makes Sumatra an ideal destination all year round.
Food in Sumatra
The Indonesian evergreens, such as gado-gado, nasi goreng or mie goreng, can of course also be found on Sumatra. But the island also has its very own cuisine. Popular dishes include rendang, soto, sambal and gulai.
Food in Sumatra is generally very spicy, with lots of chili, ginger, lemongrass, garlic and coriander. But there is always a milder version for tourists. You can find more tips and dishes about food in Indonesia here.
Dos and Don’ts
The people on Sumatra are polite and respectful. However, as a tourist, you should keep a few important things in mind:
- Use only your right hand for eating and shaking hands. The left hand is considered dirty throughout Indonesia and you should also avoid handing over gifts etc., with your left hand.
- You should never touch a stranger’s head, not even a child’s. This is considered very impolite.
- Hugs and kisses are a private matter on Sumatra and do not belong in public. As a tourist, you should stick to this as well.
- Take off your shoes or flip-flops when entering a house or shop. You will probably already see a lot of shoes and flip-flops in front of the venues and houses. Just follow this example.
- The daily life of locals often takes place on the floor. Standing is seen as arrogant and rude. So sit down on the floor as well.
- Especially for women, it is important to avoid revealing clothing. Depending on the area, this already includes very short shorts and tops with a low neckline. Locals tend to dress conservatively because of their religion and as a respectful tourist, you should do the same.
Activities on Sumatra
1. Jungle Trekking
The Gunung Leuser National Park is one of the most biodiverse ecosystems in the world and is home to 750 different animal species: orangutans, elephants, tigers, siamang monkeys and gibbons. The town of Bukit Lawang is the starting point for trekking in the national park, where you can see orangutans in the wild. You can take trekking tours for 1 day or up to 7 days. An overnight stay in the jungle is a very special experience. After an eventful and sweaty trek, you will spend the night here in simple accommodations and listen to the sounds of the jungle.
2. Diving and Snorkeling
Pulau Weh in the north is a true paradise for divers and snorkelers. Equipped with a mask and snorkel, you can snorkel straight from the shore at some beaches here. Divers will love the coral reefs, large schools of fish, wrecks or, for the pros, drift dives.
3. Beach Life
The islands to the west of Sumatra are a true paradise. Because they are quite time-consuming to reach, only a few tourists make it to the Banyak Islands or to Simeule. You can stay overnight in homestays, including three meals cooked by the mom of the house. Activities on the islands include snorkeling, kayaking, island-hopping or simply listening to the sound of the sea.
4. Local Life and Culture
Sumatra is probably the best place to experience local Indonesian life, as it is not very touristy. If you visit a local market on Sumatra, there is a high chance that you will be the only tourist there. The locals are very friendly and always up for a chat or a selfie.
5. Volcano Hike
The Sibayak volcano can be climbed from the town of Berastagi in just a few hours. The trail winds mostly gently uphill, which makes this climb suitable for all fitness levels. Once at the top, you will be rewarded with a spectacular view of the surroundings and the neighboring Sinabung volcano.
6. Rafting
Sumatra also offers great activities for adventure seekers. In addition to jungle trekking in Bukit Lawang, you can also go rafting nearby on the Wampu River. The approximately 3-hour tour is suitable for both beginners and experienced rafters.
7. Lake Toba: Relax at the World’s Largest Crater Lake
Lake Toba is larger than Berlin and was created by an eruption millions of years ago. On the island of Samosir, there are numerous beautiful accommodations with lake access where you can relax wonderfully. In addition, the Batak people live here, who are Christian and whose houses feature a unique architecture.
In the Batak highlands, very close to Lake Toba, you will find one of the highest waterfalls in Indonesia at 120 meters: Sipiso Piso. This is also an absolute highlight in the area and a must-visit!
About the Author
Christine has always traveled a lot, mainly in Europe. Every country is on her bucket list. After a 3-month sabbatical, she decided to quit her corporate job. She did so in 2018 and has been traveling through Southeast Asia ever since. Sumatra has particularly captured her heart, which is why she founded discover-sumatra.com.
Would you like to travel to Sumatra sometime? Or have you maybe already been there yourself and have more great tips for Sumatra?
Photos: Photo 6 (Pulau Weh): Markus V/shutterstock.com
