North Sumatra: Orangutans & Lake Toba

Arrive at Kuala Namu International Airport, where a local guide will be waiting to begin the journey. Head to Medan, capital of North Sumatra and a melting pot of Chinese, Malay, Indian and Batak communities living side by side. Visit Maimoon Palace, built in 1888 by the Sultan of Deli and still home to the sultan today, blending Malay, Islamic, Spanish and Indian architectural styles. Continue to the Great Mosque, built in 1906 and one of the country's most beautiful, then the ornate mansion of Tjong A Fie, a Hakka Chinese businessman and community leader. Lunch is served at a restaurant dating back to the Dutch colonial era, before checking in at the hotel. In the mid-afternoon, continue the city tour with a visit to Sri Mariamman, Medan's oldest Hindu temple, in the Little India district known as Kampung Madras. Continue to Vihara Gunung Timur, Southeast Asia's largest Buddhist temple, then a detour to Graha Annai Velangkanni, an unusual Catholic church built in Indo-Mogul style for Medan's Tamil Catholic community. Return to the hotel, with the rest of the evening free for relaxing or independent exploration. Overnight in Medan.

After breakfast, leave Medan for Bukit Lawang, on the edge of Gunung Leuser National Park. Cross a wooden suspension bridge over the Bohorok River to reach the lodge, checking in before lunch. In the afternoon, cross back over the bridge and travel by becak, a motorized sidecar, to the Timbang Lawang Eco Farm, then explore the surrounding area to see traditional brown sugar production and rubber tapping. Return to the lodge for the rest of the evening at leisure amid the tropical surroundings. Overnight in Bukit Lawang.

Bukit Lawang sits at the entrance to Gunung Leuser National Park, one of the last sanctuaries of the wild Sumatran orangutan. Set off early with a local jungle guide on an unforgettable trek, climbing easily into the forest for the first 30 to 45 minutes while a tracker scouts ahead for orangutans. The full trek takes two and a half to three hours up and down through the jungle, a little more challenging underfoot and occasionally slippery, so good shoes are essential; those with difficulty walking can return early with the tracker after the first sighting. After observing the orangutans, continue down to the Orangutan Information Centre on the banks of the Bohorok River, then walk back along the riverbank and through the village. Shower and change before lunch, then check out. In the afternoon, drive south to Berastagi in the Karo highlands, along a scenic route via Sembahe and Sibolangit, arriving at this cool climate station, 1,400 metres above sea level, in the late afternoon. Overnight in Berastagi.

After breakfast, check out for a short city tour of Berastagi, including an outside visit to St. Fransiscus Catholic Church, known for its distinctive Batak architecture and a backdrop view of Mount Sibayak, followed by a walk through the bustling local fruit market. Continue towards Lake Toba, stopping for photos of Mount Sinabung along the way. Visit Dokan, a Batak Karo village known for its elaborate wedding and funeral ceremonies and unique traditions, meeting a family in one of its longhouses, home to up to six families living together. Continue south to see the 120-metre Sipiso-piso waterfall, formed by an underground river plunging into the Lake Toba caldera, with a first breathtaking view over the lake. Continue to Pematang Purba to visit Rumah Bolon, a 200-year-old wooden house once home to the ancient Batak Simalungun kings, with a late lunch served en route to Parapat. In the late afternoon, board a local ferry with your vehicle, driver and guide for the hour-long crossing to Samosir Island, an island roughly the size of Singapore set in the middle of Lake Toba, the world's largest volcanic lake, formed over 75,000 years ago. Transfer to the hotel on the Tuk Tuk Peninsula, with the rest of the evening at leisure. Overnight in Samosir Island.

After breakfast, spend a full day exploring Samosir Island and Lake Toba. Visit Ambarita, one of Samosir's most fascinating Batak Toba villages, known for its stone chairs and tribunals once used for tribal judgment and, in the island's once-cannibalistic past, execution, followed by a traditional Batak dance performance. Continue to Simanindo to explore its traditional village and small Batak museum. A picnic lunch is served onboard as the boat cruises along the eastern shore to Pangururan, Samosir's small capital, where a driver will be waiting to continue by car to Tele, on the mainland's southern shore, crossing a small bridge before a 30-minute drive up the mountain to a viewpoint over Samosir Island and Lake Toba, among the best views of the entire lake. On the way back via Pangururan, stop to see traditional weaving in progress. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon. Overnight in Samosir Island.

After an early breakfast, check out and cross by local ferry from Tomok back to Parapat with your vehicle, driver and guide. Drive back towards Medan via Pematang Siantar and Tebing Tinggi, passing scenic rubber and palm oil plantations, with lunch at leisure along the way, before transferring to Kuala Namu Airport for the onward flight.