Explore Indonesia

One in Diversity

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Indonesia is unique, unlike other Country; there are 34 provinces across Indonesia's archipelagos. Indonesia is one in diversity of many ethnically distinct groups.

Every ethnic has their own culture and language that most commonly used among them. Despite all the differentiation, we speak Indonesian nationwide.

Malay
Malay tribe is a name that refers to a group whose main characteristic is the narrative of Malay. Malays live in most part of Malaysia, the eastern coast of Sumatra, around the coast of Kalimantan, Southern Thailand, and small islands that stretch along the Straits of Malacca and the Strait of Karimata. In Indonesia, the number of Malays is around 15% of the entire population, most of which inhabit the provinces of North Sumatra, Riau, Riau Islands, Jambi, South Sumatra, Bangka Belitung, and West Kalimantan.

Simalungun
The Simalungun tribe or also called the Batak Simalungun is one of the indigenous tribes of the province of North Sumatra, which settled in Simalungun District and its surroundings. Some sources stated that the ancestors of this tribe came from South Indian region.

Throughout history this tribe has been divided into several kingdoms. The original clan of the population of Simalungun is Damanik, and 3 migrant clans namely, Saragih, Sinaga, and Purba. Then the clans (surname) became 4 large clans in Simalungun.

Nias
Nias tribe lives on Nias island. Nias people called themselves "Ono Niha" (Ono = child / offspring; Niha = human) and Nias island as "Tanö Niha" (Tanö = land).
The Nias tribe is a community who lives in a highly traditional and cultural environment. Nias traditional law is generally called "fondrakö" which regulates all aspects of life from birth to death.

Ancient Nias people lived in a megalithic culture as evidenced by historical relics in the form of carvings on large stones that are still found in the hinterland of the island today. The Nias tribe consists of 12 level of Castes; wherein the highest caste level is "Balugu". To reach this level, one must be able to host a large party by inviting thousands of people and slaughtering thousands of pigs for days.

Batak Samosir

The Samosir Batak tribe, lives in a small part of the Toba Samosir district whose territory is on the island of Samosir and its surroundings.

Formerly the Samosir Batak tribe was grouped into the Toba Batak tribe unit. But recently some news said that this Samosir Batak tribe was a different ethnic group and separated from the Toba Batak tribe.

What you are seeing on this post is only four different tribes of North Sumatra and there are still many tribes to come.

Thinking about exploring those tribes of Indonesia. Feel free to contact us, so we can discuss your itinerary deeply together in other to make your exploration happen. Whatsup: +62856-6814-5422

Super-Volcanic

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Lake Toba was formed in a dramatic event that, according to scientists, also had a direct impact on the development of the planet and the human race. Somewhere between 69,000 and 77,000 years ago the Toba volcano staged the world’s most powerful eruption in the past 25 million years. The “super-volcanic” or “mega-colossal” eruption left a huge, deep crater that filled with water.

Around 40,000 years later, the magma chamber beneath the lake started to move upwards, and Samosir Island emerged from the depths. Ash from the Toba eruption was dumped all over Southeast Asia in a layer ranging from 15 centimetres to several metres thick, and also covered the Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean and South China Sea. The dust in the atmosphere depressed average global temperatures by 3-5 degrees Centigrade (and up to 15 degrees in higher latitudes) and plunged the whole world into volcanic winter for a decade. Some scientists say the Toba event was responsible for a 1,000-year global cooling period that caused a human “genetic bottleneck”. Most of the world’s animal and plant life died off in droughts and other severe climate phenomena, and only 3,000 to 10,000 early humans – from whom we are all descended – remained.

As a consequence of Toba’s eruption, our ancestors were forced to devise survival strategies that kickstarted the evolution of modern man and made us who we are today, so the theory goes. Good to know Samosir lies between 900 and 1700 metres above sea level, which keeps temperatures at an average of 20 degrees Centigrade. Nights and rainy days can be cold, so bring some warm clothes. The local people are friendly and welcoming, and will greet you with a heartfelt “horas”. To toast your new Batak friends, say “lissoi”. Do not worry about being cut off from the world as it is not hard to find internet facilities on Samosir, especially in the guesthouses, hotels and cafés in Tuk Tuk.

The nearest airport is in Medan, three hours by car, From Parapat there are frequent ferries to Tuk Tuk and the neighbouring town of Tomok, on Samosir. There are also private boats for hire. If you are going to Tuk Tuk, ask the ferry master to drop you at the jetty of your hotel or guesthouse. The crossing normally takes around an hour, but the water can get choppy during the northeastern monsoon season (September to January) when strong winds sweep down the steep sides of the caldera.

Whenever you decide to explore North Sumatera, just get in touch at Explore-Sumatera. It's our pride to introduce you to the most beautiful and fascinating Lake Toba, that happened to be our home sweet home.

There are many type of accommodation available on Samosir Island, so there is nothing to worry about.
Please feel free to get in touch here, Samosir Island
You can tell us what you have in mind, to make this trip of yours happen.

But if you only want to make a short getaway to Batam Island, please feel free to contact us here Barelang,

where you can enjoy the seaside and the best seafood with best price. Feel free to contact us, we will assist you to the best of your choices.

Destination North Sumatra

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DESTINATION NORTH SUMATRA

If the spirit of adventure within you is calling for a vacation away from the muggy temperatures of summer, consider putting Samosir Island on your travel bucket list. Don't be hesitate to ask a question about travelling within Indonesia especially Sumatera. We will give you hand to the best information you can get in detail. Just give us a call, WA or email and we will response immediately.

Simalungun Museum

Just a few rough ideas for you. Everybody agree that, every trip should be created as unique as possible. However, we'd recommend that, no less than ten days to explore the entire North Sumatra; honestly, a month is just about enough!

Please be notified that, roads are rough in Sumatra. Traveling between destinations takes time, and delays are always possible, nevertheless it is enjoyable anyway.

To make this fascinating adventure of yours happened, you are advised to provide yourself enough time to see what you have for a long time been wanting to, and make this of your coming spectacular exploration worthwhile.

No trip to Sumatra would be complete without seeing the fabulous Lake Toba.

It is a large natural lake occupying the caldera of a supervolcano.

The lake is about 100 kilometres (62 miles) long, 30 kilometres (19 mi) wide, and up to 505 metres (1,657 ft) deep. Located in the middle of the northern part of Sumatra Island, with elevation of about 900 metres (2,953 ft). The lake stretches from 2.88°N 98.52°E to 2.35°N 99.1°E. It is the largest lake in Indonesia and all at once, the largest volcanic lake in the world.

The Seduction of Sumatra

Imagine a rustic island surrounded by deep blue waters and the quiet energy pulsing from a blend of hilly countryside creatures and friendly locals.
Sounds inviting, doesn’t it?
Enter Samosir Island (the world’s largest island within an island!), steeped in fascinating Batak cultural treasures and picturesque views. Take a step back in time as you admire the clusters of traditional houses and ancient stone monuments.

Now that you’ve worked up a light sweat, pull on a pair of sturdy shoes to enjoy a hike up Pusuk Buhit Mountain. The Teletower (peak of the volcanic mountain) is the best place around Samosir Island to get a bird’s eye view of Lake Toba and the island itself.

The bulk of accommodation available on Samosir is clustered around Tuk Tuk Village. Choose from a wide range of accommodation styles available to suit varying preferences. Family Home boasts a large play area and direct access to Lake Toba for the kids. Mas Cottages offers a quieter alternative beside Lake Toba, featuring traditional Batak-style exteriors perfect for a romantic getaway for two.Contact Us!

Rest your throbbing feet at "Aek Rangat" hot springs located at the base of the mountain. Touted to have healing properties, the silvery pools of water are believed to be able to relieve skin diseases or body aches.

I recommend, you should at least spend about three days around this area. Get in touch, and we will discuss further. Now, let's go to the other part of North Sumatra. Rainforest trekking

YB.PURBA

Just get in touch with us and we'll figure out together, how we're going to make your holiday happen. Please feel free to Communicate with us.

The wild habitat of the Sumatran orangutan, will be one of the most exciting moment of your exploration.

Bukit Lawang is a village in Northern Sumatra 96 km northwest of Medan. The village is situated on the banks of the Bohorok River surrounded by the Gunung Leuser National Park. The village is a great place to visit to be surrounded by nature and absorb the scenery.
Bukit Lawang used to be home to a rehabilitation centre that cared for and released captive orang-utans to the wild. The centre has been closed for some time but many semi wild females remain in the jungle near Bukit Lawang.

"Zero Kilometer" Tip point of Indonesia Archipelago in Sabang. Here you can either relax on the beach or rainforest jungle trekking, to experience the beauty of the nature.

Give us a call or WA to make this trip happen
Make your own itinerary and we will provide a vehicle and an English spoken driver.

The undisturbed world-class beaches of Aceh province where you can sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling and kite boarding

And don't forget to make time to sample all the local food and fresh fruits!

To make this spectacular trip happened, I suggest you hire a driver to make the trip with personal vehicle. In this way, you can manage your own time and decide your own itinerary without worrying being left behind. Contact Us!

Destination-Batam

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Weekend Getaway

It's always hard to plan a holiday, especially when your group is small (less than 7 person). If you and your family or colleagues wanted to spend your next weekend as a short getaway of your routinity back home, Batam is the perfect destination for you.

WELCOME

You can set one or two days tour by hiring a private car ( not with travel ). In this way, you can manage your own itinerary as free as flying bird in the sky, instead of stick to a boring itinerary package that could for sure turn your weekend be a weekday.
In this case, I could really be a help to make your getaway trip happened.
Just get in touch or WA with me, and tell me of your arrival. I will come to pick you up with private car for a group of 7 person, for only SGD$70 / day; and with a Van for a group of 14 person for only SGD$ 100 / day. For further information, please feel free to give us a call, WA or Email.

One of the reasons why people come to Batam is to spend their weekend and to enjoy the relaxation they can get in so many spot spread out in the Island. Not to mention the enticement of various spas, where they can enjoy range of soothing treatments with affordable price.

The only way to get all of this satisfactions is ofcourse, by hiring a private car by your own.

The Kelong

Take a deep breath in the late afternoon breeze along site the seashore. After long hour of roaming around the island and in the crowded, you would for sure be starving to death. This would be the right time to find one of the Kelong, where you can get the most appetizing seafood, and again with an affordable price.

Everyone seems to have reached their climax of satisfaction and unable to hide their contentedness after having supper on floating hut at the kelong. Smiling is the only sign that they can show on their faces, as an appreciation of a tremendous tour of their own.

Charter a private car or bus for your own and make your itinerary as you wish.

Resorts

A perfect getaway for families and couples. Resorts are ideally located along the shoreline beside the clear warm Sea that offer total relaxation for a good holiday. These budget Resorts are also ideal to those on a budgeted holiday since it offers an excellent value for their money.

Benefit of hiring a private car
Hotel
"As free as flying bird" That's what you are. Easy tour without worrying of time schedule, so

you can stay either downtown, just few steps away from shopping centre which is perfect for shopaholic and clubber who enjoy being in the crowd or distance away from the crowd where you can experience the beauty of the nature and enjoy the relaxation with relief. All what you have to do is just get in touch and I will take an immediate response.

Barelang Bridges

Consists of six islands in southern site of Batam. Its name derived from an acronym of three Islands, namely: Batam, Rempang and Galang. Bridge construction started in 1992 and took several years to complete as there were no roads on the islands or any other infrastructure. It takes about 40 min by car from the 1st bridge to the last one. The first bridge is as high as 40 meters above water and is very popular spot for tourists, as it provides spectacular ocean and island views. Get in touch, we'll see what we can do!