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
Amazing hotels and hostels
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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.
Private Tour: Gunung Leuser National Park Trekking Tour with Orangutan Viewing from Medan
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.
6D5N Highlights of North Sumatra
Day 1: Medan ArrivalUpon arrival at Kuala Namu Int airport you’ll be picked up by our tour guide and then transfer to hotel. In the afternoon you go on a city tour visiting the Sultan Palace, Grand Mosque, Chinese temple and Kesawan Area “The old center of Medan city”.Day 2: Bukit LawangAfter breakfast, you will be met by our guide and driver at hotel lobby. Today you will be driven to Bukit Lawang. Firstly, visit the Orangutan Conservation office in Medan city center to learn about Orangutan and this conservation projest. Have a small discussion with the experts there before we continue our journey.After 4 hours’ drive through rubber and oil plantation, you will arrive at your lodge in Bukit Lawang. Check in to your hotel and rest of the day is free at leisureDay 3: Bukit LawangAfter breakfast you take a walk through the bank of the river, then crossing the river by traditional canoe and continue climbing up to the jungle to see Orang Uran in their natural habitat, walk deeper into the jungle for 6 hours where you can discover the unique flora and fauna of an intact tropical rain forest. A tasty picnic lunch will be provided in the jungle.Afterwards, In the afternoon arrive at river banks where you prepare tube for nice trip through the river back to Bukit Lawang. The captain (the man in charge to steer the tubes) prepares all the necessary equipment such as big inner tubes combined into one. Although the current is not very strong but life jackets and helmets are available for safety. Floating on rubber tubes is very convenient. The clean river flows through Bukit Lawang offering scenic view of the jungle and village. It takes around 40 - 50 minutes until you reach Bukit Lawang. Arrive at hotel, relax and overnightDay 4: Lake TobaWhole day transfer from Bukit Lawang to Samosir island with stops to Sipiso-piso waterfall in Brastagi, Simarjarunjung to see the view of Lake Toba.Upon arrival at Parapt, cross to Samosir Island by ferry boat. Check in to your hotel and rest of the day is free at leisure.(Please be noted on this day would be around About 8 – 9 hours driveDay 5: Lake TobaAfter breakfast, you will do today’s excursion on Lake Toba by car. Visit several Batak Toba traditional villages, such as Tomok to see the old tom of Sidabutar kings, Ambarita to see stone chairs and tables the execution place od Sialagan Kings, and Simanindo to see Batak Toba traditional dance (Tor-Tor).Relax in the afternoon when you return to your hotel.Day 6: Lake Toba DepartureBreakfast at the hotel. Meet our guide and driver at your hotel lobby. Today you will be transferred to airport in Medan to catch your flight to your next destination.
3 days Medan Orangutan Bukit Lawang
3 days Medan – Orangutan Bukit Lawang (AVTJ3) Day 1Arrive at Kuala Namo airport of Medan with … …(please advise us your flight number and arrival time). We will fetch you from the airport and transfer to Hotel Deli River in a tropical garden. Hereafter you will make a city tour of Medan taking in the remaining original Dutch, English, Chinese and Malay architecture for 3 hours. In the late afternoon you go back to Hotel Deli River. Day 2Medan – Bukit Lawang (3,5 hours drive). In the morning depart to Bohorok/Bukit Lawang, the orang utan rehabilitation centre via many rubber and palmoil plantations. It takes around 3 ½ hours driving from Medan to Bohorok/Bukit Lawang, part of Gunung Leuser nature reservation in North Sumatra province. After lunch (optional) you start for 3 hours jungle trekking with an experienced local guide in the tropical primary rainforest to see orang utans, Siamang (long arm apes), Thomas Leave Monkeys, long tail macaque and varieties of birds and others wildlife. In the afternoon you return to Bohorok. Overnight stay in Bukit Lawang. Your accommodation in Bukit Lawang is located on the banks of Bohorok river. Option for accommodation: Ecolodge Bukit Lawang Cottage Sam’s Bungalow Eriono Guesthouse Batu Mandi Guesthouse Day 3Bukit Lawang – Medan /Airport Kuala Namu. It takes 5 hours to reach kuala Namu airport from Bukit LawangToday we will transfer you to your hotel in Medan or to the airport to catch your flight the next destination. End of our services.Included - 2 overnights accommodation in good medium class hotels in double/twin share room+ daily breakfast - transport in airconditioned car + fuel - driver, his meals and overnight accommodation costs- permit and local guide for 3 hours jungle trekking in Bohorok/Bukit Lawang - entrance- and parking fees Excluded - air tickets - personal expenses such as: drinks, souvenirs, lunch, dinner etc. - donations and tips