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Please help to choose from 3 Sumatra itineraries

Prague, Czech...
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Please help to choose from 3 Sumatra itineraries
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Hello to all travelers,

Please help to decide where to spend 11 days in Sumatra. We prefer not crowded, quiete places and ideally wanna combine mountains, jungle, waterfalls, treking and nice beach for rest and snorchling/diving at the end. Deciding between following options:

1) Easiest one - overland: After completing work in Bandar Lampung continue directly from there to Kota Agung to visit Bukit Barisan Selatan national park, then continue through Palau Sebesi and Krakatau to Java, Ujung Kulong NP there and after 11 days flying back home from Jakarta

2) Fly from BL to Jakarta and from there to Padang and do attractions around - Bukittingi, rafflesia, Lake Maninjau, Harau Valley... Any tip for nice budget island escape similar to overpriced Cubadak island pls? After 11 days fly back to Jakarta.

3) Fly from BL to Jakarta and from there to Medan and do attractions around - Berastagi, Gunung Leuseur NP, lake Toba... After 11 days fly back to Jakarta.

Thank you so much for all previous advices to Pamela, Laszlo and others! Just cannot decide where to concentrate to :-)

Lucie

4 replies to this topic
bukittinggi
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4 posts
1. Re: Please help to choose from 3 Sumatra itineraries
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If i am in your side i will choice :

2) Fly from BL to Jakarta and from there to Padang and do attractions around - Bukittingi, rafflesia, Lake Maninjau, Harau Valley... Any tip for nice budget island escape similar to over priced Cubadak island pls? After 11 days fly back to Jakarta.

pagang island is nice trip and lowest budget than Cubadak island,,

joe

Jakarta
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2. Re: Please help to choose from 3 Sumatra itineraries
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In my opinion the best option is the trip to Lake Toba (2 or 3 nights) then jungle trekking at Bukit Lawang or Tangkahan (2 or 3 nights) then fly to Banda Aceh and ferry to Pulau Weh for snorkelling/diving. I just returned from a Sumatra overland trip visiting both Lake Maninjau and Lake Toba and can say that the latter is more scenic. If you choose Lake Toba I suggest staying at Carolina Hotel or Tabo Cottage.

However a trip to Lake Maninjau, Bukittinggi area won't be as expensive as the Lake Toba, Tangkahan, Pulau Weh one.

Another note: about ten years ago I went to Ujung Kulon NP for jungle/beach trekking with my friends. Ujung Kulon is a perfect paradise in the crowded Java but the area is still infested with malaria so if you decide to go there please be prepared, take preventive medication, use insect repellent etc.

Edited: 12 years ago
Padang, West...
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3. Re: Please help to choose from 3 Sumatra itineraries
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I think for 11 days the Best itenerary :

From Bandar Lampung fly to Medan and overland to Padang and get Pagang Island or Sikuai Island at the end.

Route :

Medan - Bukit Lawang - Toba Lake - Samosir - Sipirok - Bukittinggi - maninjau lake - Padang - Pagang / Sikuai Island

this itenerary will enough for 11 Days trip.

Australia
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4. Re: Please help to choose from 3 Sumatra itineraries
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Hi Lucie,

I believe it is best to choose either North or West Sumatra.

Just to get from Bukit Lawang to Prapat Lake Toba can take at least 8-9 hrs by bus as you need to return to Medan.

And that is if everything goes well. Hold ups along the way like accidents etc will cause more loss of time.

Then you need to wait for the ferry and the trip can take up to 1 hr depending on where you will be staying.

Indonesia needs to be taken slowly and savoured.

11 days is not very long and by just seeing one area you have a chance to spend 2-3 days in each place and enjoy.

Just remember it is hot and humid and rushing here, there and everywhere in 11 days will just leave you tired, frustrated and very hot.

I would choose West Sumatra because you are coming from Bandar Lampung.

And do not forget to include a trip to the Harau Valley in West Sumatra and stay with Ikbal.

Here is some information I put up on another forum about Abdi Homestay.

http://forum.indahnesia.com/topic/10158/0/abdi_homestay_in_harau_valley_near_bukittinggi_west_sumatra.php

Have a wonderful trip.

Pamela

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