Wonders North Sumatra offers a stunning blend of natural beauty, including the fantastic beach Weh Island. Weh Island, located off the northern tip of Aceh, is known for its vibrant coral reefs, diverse marine life, and unique geological features like underwater fumaroles. Sumatra’s landscapes, from mountains to beaches, provide a variety of experiences for nature lovers.
Overview Wonders North Sumatra & Fantastic Weh Island
Weh Island:
- Underwater Wonders: Weh Island is a haven for divers and snorkelers, with many sites offering unique experiences like the fabled Sea Garden in Rubiah Island.
- Geological Features: The island’s volcanic history is evident in its underwater fumaroles and volcanic seamounts, adding to its unique charm.
- Biodiversity: Weh Island is home to a mix of Pacific and Indian Ocean species, including reef fish, coral, and sea turtles.
- Landscapes: Beyond the sea, Weh Island offers a range of experiences, including hiking to waterfalls in the rainforest.
- Accessibility: Weh Island is easily accessible from Banda Aceh via ferry or speedboat.
North Sumatra’s Natural Beauty:
- Mountains and Volcanoes: Sumatra’s landscape features mountainous regions like Ngarai Sianok, as well as active volcanoes like Sibayak.
- Beaches and Islands: North Sumatra boasts a variety of beaches and islands, offering serene escapes and opportunities for water activities.
- Wildlife: Sumatra is home to various species of marine life and exotic birds, making it a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts.
- Hot Springs: Hot springs in regions like Berastagi provide relaxing experiences in a scenic mountain setting.
- Diverse Ecosystems: From rainforests to coastal areas, Sumatra offers a wide range of ecosystems for exploration.
Tour Itinerary 13D Wonders North Sumatra & Fantastic Weh Island
- Destinations: North Sumatra & Weh Island, Aceh
- Durations: 13 Days & 12 Nights
- Airport: Kualanamu International Airport, Deli Serdang & Sultan Iskandar Muda Airport, Banda Aceh
- Accomodations:
- Medan: Emerald Garden Hotel & Le Polonia Hotel or similar
- Tangkahan: Mega Inn Lodge or similar lodge
- Bukit Lawang: Ecolodge Bukit Lawang Cottage / Rindu Alam Hotel / Wisma Sibayak
- Berastagi: Mikie Holiday Resort / Sibayak International Hotel / Sinabung Hills Hotel
- Ketambe: Thousand Hill Guesthouse / Friendship Guesthouse or similar homestay
- Takengon: Grand Bayu Hills Hotel / Parkside Gayo Petro Hotel or similar hotel
- Weh Island: Casanemo Resort / Pulau Weh Paradise
Day 01: Arrival in Medan
Upon arrival at Kualanamu International Airport, picked up by our tour guide and then transfer to hotel. Afternoon free at own leisure.
Day 02: Medan City Tour – Tangkahan | B
After breakfast, city tour visiting Sultan Deli Palace, Great Mosque, Chinese Temple and then drive to Tangkahan via Stabat and Batang Serangan. Afternoon arriving at Tangkahan check-in to simple lodge.
Day 03: Tangkahan – Elephant Washing & River Safari | B,L
After breakfast walking to the elephant camp and then join with the mahout during washing the elephant, help feeding the elephant. After feeding the elephant, enjoying tubing through the river and stop will be made at waterfall where you may 13 enjoy the waterfall, take your natural shower, enjoy sun bathing or swimming in the river while enjoying picnic lunch served by the bank of the river or visit hot-springs near the waterfall.
In afternoon arriving at the village, you can get in touch with local people, where you can see the daily activities and then return to the lodge by walking.
Option:
- Elephant washing program could be switched with 03 hours trekking at Tangkahan forest – a walk through the jungle of Tangkahan to discover its beautiful flora and fauna, there will be chance to see several kinds of monkey such as Thomas-leaf, long tail and short tail macaque, birds, and several kinds of tropical plant. (this trekking will take about 03 hours)
*No elephant activities on Friday / Idul Fitri
Day 04: Tangkahan – Bukit Lawang by Jeep | B
After breakfast leave Tangkahan for Bukit Lawang by jeep 4×4 passing plantation and jungle road, on the way stop at plantation and several interesting places such as school, palm-oil factory (from its outside only) and for enjoying the panorama and witness the activities of the local people. Upon arrival at Bukit Lawang check-in to hotel.
Day 05: Bukit Lawang – Trekking | B
After breakfast walking to the jungle to start a jungle trekking to explore the nature of Leuser National Park with its flora and fauna, there will be chances to see Orang Utan living in their own natural habitat and other kinds of animal such as Thomas-leaf, long tail macaque, gibbon, black gibbon and other kind of flora and fauna of tropical rain-forest. This trekking will take about 03 hours, after trekking return back to hotel.
Afternoon free at own leisure to enjoy the nature of Bukit Lawang where you can also walk to the villages around the hotel.
Day 06: Bukit Lawang – Berastagi | B
After breakfast drive to Berastagi via new route passing several villages such as Namu Ukur, Rumah Galuh and Simpang Kuta Buluh, on the way you can enjoying the panorama of active Sinabung Volcano. At mid noon arriving in Berastagi visiting Lhumbini Park with its duplicate of Shwedagon pagoda, Fruit Market, and Gundaling Hill, afterwards check-in to hotel.
Day 07: Sibayak Volcano Sunrise Climbing | B
An early morning drive to the slope of Sibayak volcano and then hike up (about 3 hrs to go and back) to the summit of Gunung Sibayak will reward you with sweeping views of the surrounding volcano landscape. The volcano is high in geothermal activity with fuming vents spewing out crystalline sulphur which was mined on a small scale in the past.
There is a beautiful heart shaped crater lake where love wordings have been formed by visitors using the volcanic rocks. Arrival at the peak of Sibayak volcano enjoying sun rise on the peak of Sibayak volcano (weather depend) and then time for making pictures of the crater spurting out sulfur smoke and then descend to the volcano base via other side of the volcano and take a dip in one of the hot spring pools to refresh yourself. Visit the vegetables, fruits and flowers markets and savour one of its most famous produces – Markisa (passion fruits) and then return to hotel.
Day 08: Berastagi – Ketambe | B
Our destination today is Ketambe (also called Gurah), a tiny, quiet and remote village in the middle of the jungle. It is still part of Gunung Leuser National Park but administratively situated in Aceh province. On the way visit Batak Karo traditional village at Lingga and then continue drive by passing Bukit Barisan with stop at several interesting places, arrival at Ketambe check in to simple guest house.
For many years Ketambe is the starting point for short and long trekking’s for researchers, wildlife photographers, adventurers and travelers hoping to catch a glimpse of Sumatran wildlife in its natural setting. Your afternoon is free to relax and chat with other/returning trekkers. Enjoy the exciting buzz in this town there is an adventure a head of you and you can feel it in the air.
Day 09: Ketambe – Fullday Tracking | B,L
After breakfast at Hotel, walk along the main road, then we turn and head into the jungle. The game starts. You walk narrow and sometimes muddy trails to search for wild animals in their natural habitat. Usually Orang Utan, Gibbon, Siamang, Thomas leaf monkeys, Macaques, reptiles, small mammals, many kinds of birds (Eagles, Hornbills, Kingfisher etc), huge trees along with myriads of insects can be seen frequently.
A wild orang utan might also cross your path. Your guide will explain you many things about the rainforest. And he will show you many different kinds of plants and flowers. The journey will break during lunch time with a picnic lunch provided by local guide and after lunch continue to explore deeper the
jungle. Slowly head back to the hotel and have the rest of the late afternoon to relax at the lodge in Ketambe.
Day 10: Ketambe – Takengon | B
Today we drive hilly roads with endless scenic views to Takengon, the main town in Gayo highlands at an altitude of 1200 meters. Takengon is a lovely small town, featuring a large crater lake ‘Lut Tawar’ and surrounded by many coffee plantations. It has a cool climate and very famous for its coffee production. The journey to Takengon is rather long and tough but worthwhile. It offers a lot of scenic view of dense rainforest, rivers, rice fields, valleys and small villages. After a beautiful but heavy and long drive we arrive in Takengon.
Day 11: Takengkon – Free at Own Leisure | B
Here in the highlands around Takengon attend Gayo, an ethnic group with its own language and culture. The lively market is a highlight and you will be struck by the almost overwhelming friendliness of the people. It is clear that hardly any tourists come here and you’re really an attraction.
Early morning you can take the car to a viewpoint to see the beautiful sunrise over Lake Lut Tawar and Takengon. After this you walk down through coffee plantations. It is also possible to visit the local village. This fishing village has a number of good examples of traditional wooden architecture of Aceh. Here you can enjoy lunch at one of the local restaurants.
Day 12: Takengon – Banda Aceh | B
Through a winding road we leave the highlands and descend to the coast. We arrive in Banda Aceh at the end of the afternoon. Immediately you will notice how new and well looked after everything looks here. After the devastating tsunami of December 26, 2004 is with the help of the international community with might and worked on the restoration of the city.
The center of the city with the beautiful Mesjid Raya mosque you should not miss. The atmosphere in the city is very relaxed.
Day 13: Banda Aceh – Weh Island | B
The city of Banda Aceh is more than five kilometers from the coast. It is hard to imagine that the sea has been able to swallow anything far inland. Afterwards transferred to Ulee Lheue Banda Aceh harbour. With a fast boat we cross over in an hour. Arrive at Balohan harbour in Weh Island pick up by another driver and then transferred to hotel. We stay in a charming accommodation with sea views. You walk into the small sandy beach.
Day 14: Weh Island Free at Own Leisure | B
Weh Island is large and mountainous. It has some beautiful beaches and offers plenty of options to do; snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing trips, sunset cruises, sightseeing inside the peaceful island and many others.
All can be arranged with your hotel and the cost at personal account. (Transport and tour guide not provided). Please note that you at least 24 hours before your flight departs should not dive!
Day 15: Weh Island Free at Own Leisure | B
Weh Island is large and mountainous. It has some beautiful beaches and offers plenty of options to do; snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing trips, sunset cruises, sightseeing inside the peaceful island and many others. All can be arranged with your hotel and the cost at personal account. (Transport and tour guide not provided). Please note that you at least 24 hours before your flight departs should not dive!
Day 16. Weh Island – Banda Aceh / Airport | B
At 07:00 am transfer to harbor for ferry to Banda Aceh, arrival at Banda Aceh transfer to airport for your flight to next destination.
Thank you for joining the 16D Wonders of North Sumatra & Amazing Weh Island program with us.
