What you'll do
As a super-priority tourist destination designated by the Ministry of Tourism, Lake Toba is a favorite destination for tourists. Not only those from within the country but also from abroad. There, you can find many interesting things. Not just the natural scenery, but also its rich culture, history, and cuisine. Before you pack your bags and head to Lake Toba, it's good to know the following important things. What are they?
As a super-priority tourist destination designated by the Ministry of Tourism, Lake Toba is a favorite destination for tourists. Not only those from within the country but also from abroad. There, you can find many interesting things. Not just the natural scenery, but also its rich culture, history, and cuisine. Before you pack your bags and head to Lake Toba, it's good to know the following important things. What are they?
Your itinerary
1. Route to Lake Toba
For those of you living in North Sumatra, the overland route to Lake Toba is certainly familiar. However, if you want to travel by air, you can first take a flight from Kualanamu Airport to Ferdinand Lumban Tobing Airport in Sibolga. Since Silangit Airport in Siborong-borong, South Tapanuli, is now operational, direct flights from various cities in Indonesia can be chosen to reach Lake Toba. The national airline, Garuda Indonesia, has even opened direct flight routes from Singapore to facilitate foreign tourists. If you choose to travel to Lake Toba by land, you can take a car directly from Kualanamu, Deli Serdang Regency. Through the Tebing Tinggi Toll Road, the journey from Kualanamu to Lake Toba takes only 2.5 hours. Meanwhile, from Medan, you will have to travel between 3-4 hours.
2. Accommodation Options
As the top tourist destination in North Sumatra, accommodation options in Lake Toba are also very diverse. There are many choices of accommodations around Lake Toba, including some with direct views of the lake. The price range varies from tens of thousands to millions of rupiah. You can choose according to your budget. Some popular accommodations around Lake Toba include The Parapat View Hotel, Samosir Cottage Resort, Toba Beach Hotel, and Hotel Niagara.
3. Popular Destinations
As mentioned at the beginning of the article, Lake Toba offers a variety of tourist attractions. Besides the blue lake view, you can see waterfalls in several places, including Naga Waterfall and Binanga Bolon Waterfall. If you are a fan of contemporary tourist spots, you can visit Sapo Juma Tongging Flower Garden, Sidiangkat Peak, and Khas Parapat. For historical tourism, there are Tomok Museum and Huta Bolon Museum that you can visit.
4. How to Cross to Samosir
Samosir Island is an attraction that should not be missed at Lake Toba. This volcanic island can be reached in several ways, depending on where you are departing from. If you are in the southern part, you can take the KMP SUMUT II ferry with a travel time of 45 minutes to 1 hour. However, this route is less popular because it is quite far from popular tourist destinations in Samosir. The most popular crossing is from Ajibata Harbor. There are fast boats and ferries that you can choose from. You can also cross with your own motorboat, taking about 30 minutes.
5. Culinary Tourism and Souvenir Shopping
A trip to Lake Toba would not be complete without hunting for delicious food and souvenirs. For culinary tourism, there are dozens of local restaurants around the Ajibata Harbor area. For Muslim tourists, it’s best to inquire about halal menus first! Before going home, take the time to shop for souvenirs. Around the lake, there are many street vendors selling souvenirs. Along the road from Tomok Harbor to Raja Sidauruk's House, there are also many souvenir shops offering items and foods that you can bring home.
6. Prohibitions in the Lake Toba Area
Lake Toba is closely tied to the legend of its formation. It’s no surprise that many mystical stories are experienced by locals and visiting tourists. Therefore, make sure you behave politely and do not litter the places you visit! Ready to explore Lake Toba? Prepare your tickets, suitcase, and itinerary now!
