With 18,110 islands, 6,000 of them inhabited, Indonesia is the largest archipelago in the world offering a virtually unrivalled range of holiday options. While the picturesque island of Bali remains the most well known and the most popular of Indonesia’s tourist destinations, there is so much more on offer for those willing to step off the beaten track. Pack your itinerary with visits to: the historic monuments and temples of Central Java; the world renowned dive sites of idyllically remote Raja Ampat; the extraordinary Island of Komodo, home of the unfathomably large Komodo Dragon; as well as a range of vast tropical forests providing sanctuary to incredibly diverse wildlife from Orangutans and other primates to critically endangered Javan Rhinoceros and Tigers. The range of choices is mind-boggling but, however you decide to spend your time on this remarkable group of islands, you are sure to have some truly exhilarating experiences and some unforgettable adventures.
Resting on the banks of the beautiful Bahorok River in the North Sumatra Province of Indonesia, the small tourist village of Bukit Lawang is idyllically set on the edge of the UNESCO World Heritage listed Gunung Leuser National Park. This spectacular park is home to a variety of wild plant, bird and mammal species. The main highlight of the area is most famously, the Sumatran orangutan that roam the park’s jungle wilderness. Visitors can look forward a unique once-in-a-lifetime orangutan trekking experience, soak up the serene atmosphere of the village and enjoy Bukit Lawang's vibrant jungle-village nightlife.
Berastagi is a small tourist town in the beautiful Karo highlands, surrounded by some of North Sumatra’s most spectacular scenery. The town lies only 70 km from the large provincial capital of Medan and serves as a popular overnight stop for travellers making their way to stunning Lake Toba. Visitors can look forward to exploring an array of colourful markets, sampling the famous local "Marquisa" passion fruit, and visiting the nearby Lingga Village, a unique settlement of the indigenous Batak Karo people where traditional houses remain preserved and inhabited today. Whether climbing the area’s two towering volcanoes, trekking through the lush jungle-clad hills, or visiting the renowned Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, you are sure to find plenty to keep you blissfully engaged in and around this charming little highland town.
Set in Lake Toba, a massive crater lake, the volcanic island of Samosir is said to be the heart of the local Toba Batak culture. Samosir is one of the world’s largest islands within an island. It boasts a rich heritage, laidback atmosphere, ancient stone tombs, whitewashed churches dotting the forested landscape, and traditional villages sporting curved roofs lining its magnificent shoreline. Visitors can look forward to a number of wonderful activities including learning how to dance the Tor Tor, a traditional dance of the Batak ethnic group, cycling around the scenic countryside, and climbing the majestic Pusuk Buhit Mountain to soak up panoramic views overlooking the magnificent blue volcanic lake.
