Medan
is remnants of Dutch colonial charm
Welcome to Medan
Sumatra’s major metropolis, and Indonesia’s third-largest city, Medan is the first (or final) port of call for many visitors to the island. Given it's not on the coast, and there's no mountain backdrop or even a grand river, Medan is much maligned among many travellers as a soulless industrialised city, a necessary evil to reach more exciting destinations. While it does have issues with traffic and pollution, it's a city with real Indonesian urban character. If you can get over the culture shock and give Medan a bit of time, you'll discover there's more than a hint of fascinating, crumbling Dutch-colonial-era charm, plus some worthwhile sightseeing and shopping, contemporary nightlife and restaurants, and old-school backstreet food stalls.
Top experiences in Medan
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Medan activities
Private Tour: Karo Highlands and Lake Toba from Medan
You will be picked up from your accommodation in Medan between 8am – 9am to begin your drive along the fascinating route through the jungle to the mountain village of Brastagi in the Karo Highlands. Spend time in Brastagi between 10am – 11am. In Brastagi you can view two active volcanoes, the Sibayak and the Sinabung. Brastagi was around during the colonial times a famous mountain resort because of its pleasant cool climate. Visit the colorful fruit market Brastagi between 11:15am -11:45am. Brastagi has volcanic fruitful soil which is ideal for growing fruits like passionfruit, mangistan, Solanum Betaceum which is locally called Terong Belanda, oranges and a variety of flowers. At 11:45am – 12:30pm drive to the traditional village of Dokan to see traditional Karo Dokan houses where people still live. In these traditional houses, named Djambur, 8 families occupy one house. Cattle, pigs and water buffaloes live below the house. You can visit a house and see their way of life. You will drive to Sipisopiso waterfall between 12:40pm – 1:40pm via beautiful rural scenery of the Karo Batak Highlands. The Sipisopiso is an impressive waterfall flowing into Lake Toba. From here you have beautiful views over the northern part of Lake Toba, the largest Crater Lake in South East Asia. You will be on the road back to Medan at 2:40pm arriving back at your accommodation by 5:40pm.
Medan to Gunung Leuser National Park Private Trekking Tour
Depart from Medan early in the morning to Bukit Lawang Gunung Leuser National Park, one of the largest national parks in the world containing over 800,000 hectares of rainforest. The journey leads past scenic rubber and palms plantations, where you can enjoy the cool mountain's air. A hike up further into the forest offers an up-close view of incredible scenery with various tropical plants including a tangle of enormous trees, twisting lianas, palms, ferns, and as well as weird and wonderful flowers. After the tour ends you will be transported back to your hotel in Medan. Expect to be back at your hotel at around 5pm. (The trek normally takes up to 3 hours both ways).
Private Full-Day Bukit Lawang Trekking Tour From Medan
Our tour guide will pick you up at 7am from your hotel centrally located Medan. Start your journey to Bukit Lawang, after 4 hour scenic journey you will reach at Bukit Lawang. Then start your trekking tour with our experienced guide. Walk through the jungle looking for orangutans, discovering medicinal plants, and learning about their use. With a lot of up and down the hills to give you an enough exercise you are guaranteed to have a best day ever doing this activity with the team. At around noon there will be a short break for lunch in the jungle, with the rest of the trek continuing after. If you feel too tired to walk back, you can combine tube rafting floating down the river back to Bukit Lawang.After finish the tour our guide will drop off you at your hotel accommodation in centrally located Medang. We may also assist you for 1 night accommodation at Bukit Lawang. It will cost you extra which you can pay cash.
Batam Private Car Charter & Transport Service
This tour is fully customizable. We are more than happy to adjust your itinerary to include or exclude anything you'd like. It is our usual policy to dive deeper into your itinerary when we pick you up from your hotel so everyone is happy with the plan for the day. With our wealth of experience heading to all the major sightseeing spots on the island, we will ensure that your journey is as smooth as possible.Inclusions • Comfortable Air-conditioned Car, • Car parking, • English Speaking Driver • Petrol. Exclusions • Meal, Drinks and Entrance Tickets Pick up :Hotel pickups commence approximately 30 - 60 minutes prior to this time, exact pickup time will be advised on reconfirmation.We can pick up you at Airport.
Sumatra Tour For School
Day 1. Medan - Bukit Lawang (LD) 12.00: Pick up at Medan airport/hotelTrip to Bukit LawangCheck in guesthouse (river view room), Bukit LawangDay 2. One day jungle trekking (BL) 07.30: Breakfast09.00: Start the jungle trekking for orangutans & other wildlife in their natural habitat (extra EUR 50/person for an overnight trek)River tubing back to Bukit LawangBack to accommodationDay 3. Bukit Lawang - Sidikalang (BLD) BreakfastTransport to SidikalangLunch stop at Gundaling hill with Sibayak volcano view (extra EUR 50/person for Sibayak sunrise trekking the next day)Berastagi traditional fruit marketContinue to Rumah Bolon (Batak-Karo old king's house)Coffee break at Sipiso-piso waterfallContinue to Sidikalang, check in guesthouse/homestay Day 4. Coffee Tour (BL) BreakfastCoffee tourBack to accommodationDay 5. Sidikalang - Lake Toba (BLD) BreakfastTransport to Lake TobaFerry to Samosir islandCheck in guesthouse (lake view room), Samosir islandDay 6. Lake Toba Full Day Tour (BL) BreakfastLake Toba landscape & culture tour; Visit Batak museum & traditional dance, tomb of the Sidabutar King, King Siallagan's Stone Chair, lunch break, visit a traditional village to see how the Bataknese clothing, Ulos, is made.Back to accommodationDay 7. Lake Toba Rest & Relax (BL) 05.00: Wake up call for Sunrise soft trekExperience local breakfast while enjoying Lake Toba sunrise from the top of the hillBiking around the island, lunchBack to accommodationFree time, rest & relax, swimming, etcDay 8. Transfer to Airport (B) 08.00: BreakfastFerry to ParapatTransfer to Medan airportTrip end
Sumatra Tour For School 3: Orangutans & Pulau Weh's Snorkeling or Diving, 8 Days
Sample of Itinerary ((The trip route and duration may vary according to local conditions, eg. bad weather, traffic jam)) Day 1. Medan - Bukit Lawang (LD) 12.00: Pick up at Medan airport/hotelTrip to Bukit LawangCheck in guesthouse (shared-room) river view, Bukit LawangDay 2. Two day jungle trekking (BLD) 07.30: Breakfast09.00: Start jungle trekking for orangutans & other wildlife in their natural habitatReach a peaceful campsite on a beautiful river bank, coffee break, dinnerDay 3. Back to Bukit Lawang (BL) BreakfastVisit a natural pool & swimBack to campsite, lunchRiver tubing back to Bukit LawangBack to accommodationDay 4. Bukit Lawang - Medan (BLD) 2 am: Transport to Medan airport07.00: Fly to Banda Aceh (own expense)09.00: Arrive in Banda Aceh AirportPick up from Banda Aceh airport/hotelBanda Aceh city tour; tsunami museum, tsunami affected area, Gayo coffee16.00: Fast boat to SabangLocal transport to IboihCheck in lodge/guesthouse (shared-room), sea view, IboihDay 5. Snorkeling/Diving all day (BL) 07.30: BreakfastSnorkeling/diving all dayBack to accommodationDay 6. Pulau Weh overland tour (BL) BreakfastPulau Weh overland tour, include visiting Sabang 0 km.Back to accommodationDay 7. Pulau Weh Snorkeling/Diving Day Tour (BL) 07.30: BreakfastSnorkeling/diving all dayBack to accommodationDay 8. Transfer to Sabang airport/harbor (BL) 08.00: BreakfastFree time12.00: Transfer to Sabang HarborFast boat to Banda AcehTransfer to Banda Aceh airportTrip end