North Sumatra Travel Guide
Best places to visit, travel tips & itineraries
Welcome to incredible North Sumatra (Sumatera Utara).
North Sumatra is one of Indonesia’s most diverse and adventurous destinations.
From the wild rainforests of the Gunung Leuser National Park to the volcanic waters of Lake Toba – the largest crater lake in the world – North Sumatra offers an unforgettable mix of nature, culture, and excitement.
Travellers come here to trek through the jungle in search of orangutans at Bukit Lawang, climb the active volcano Mount Sibayak in Berastagi, experience the unique Batak and Karonese cultures, and explore the wonderfully chaotic city of Medan, famous for its incredible food scene and rich history.
How to Use This Hub
This page is a collection of our best articles, deep-dive videos, and practical travel tips gathered from a decade of exploring this rugged corner of the world.
- Browse by Destination: Scroll down to find dedicated sections for every major North Sumatra highlight.
- Plan with Ease: Use our links to map out your route and understand local customs
- Go Deeper: If you want our complete step-by-step strategy for navigating this region, don’t miss our North Sumatra Travel Guide & Itinerary Planner eBook.
Dive in below and start planning your dream trip to Sumatra.
Contents
New to North Sumatra?
Get an overview of everything on offer
Featured Guide
North Sumatra may just be one province, but it’s a big one!
At nearly 73,000 square km (28,000 square miles), it’s nearly twice as big as Denmark.
So where to begin planning your trip? Our North Sumatra overviews give you a look at the highlights to help you figure out where you want to go.
Read about them in our blog, then see them for yourself over on YouTube
Featured Video
Medan City
The bustling capital of North Sumatra
Medan is North Sumatra’s capital – and the largest city in Sumatra. Home to Kualanamu International Airport, this sprawling metropois is the main entry point for most visitors to Sumatra.
Granted, Medan is not the most attractive or organised city, and most tourists just spend a night there as they’re passing through.
But those who have a bit of time to explore will discover a city full of life, culture, and delicious food.
Visit unique attractions like Tjong A Fie Mansion, Maimun Palace and the Mesjid Raya Al Mashun (also known as the Grand Mosque).
Explore the diverse food scene – including a visit to Ucok Durian to try the famously pungent and much-loved fruit.
Featured Guide
Best Medan Stays
Airport Guide
Lake Toba & Samosir Island
Explore the world's largest volcanic crater lake
Lake Toba is the biggest volcanic lake in the world and the largest lake in Southeast Asia. In the middle of this stunning lake lies Samosir Island, where tourists head to soak up the supremely peaceful vibes of the lake.
Samosir is the size of Singapore and home to the Batak Toba people. Throughout the island, you’ll see the gorgeous Batak architecture with its curved roofs and have a chance to learn about this unique culture.
Ride a scooter around the quiet mountain roads, taking in those incredible vistas, immerse yourself in Batak culture, take a cooking or carving class, visit waterfalls or cruise across the lake – there are so many ways to enjoy this beautiful area.
Featured Guide
Get Directions
Best Stays
Things to Do
Best Eats
Waterfall Heaven
Villages of the Gunung Leuser National Park
Bukit Lawang, Batu Katak & Tangkahan
North Sumatra is home to one of the world’s most biodiverse forest areas – the Gunung Leuser National Park (part of the wider Leuser Ecosystem). This is the last place on earth where rhinos, elephants, tigers and orangutans share the same habitat – and an incredibly beautiful place to explore.
Bukit Lawang is the most famous village for those wanting to trek in the National Park, but it’s not the only option; there are several gorgeous jungle-side villages to explore.
Swim in pristine rivers, bathe under waterfalls, experience the abundance of wildlife as you trek through the rainforest, and witness some of Sumatra’s beautiful rare species.
Featured Guide
Eco Travel
Tangkahan
Batu Katak
Getting to BL
Berastagi
Chill in the cool highlands of Tanah Karo
Need somewhere to cool off from your jungle adventures? Visit the cool town of Berastagi and discover the picturesque Karo highlands surrounding it.
Here, you can see one of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes, Mount Sinabung. It’s not safe to hike directly up this mountain, but you can climb up nearby Mount Sibayak for some glorious views and minor volcanic activity.
Berastagi is the fruit and veggie basket of North Sumatra – its fertile soil creates the most delicious produce, which you can sample at the bustling fruit market in the middle of town.
Featured Guide
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