Sumatra Tangkahan Lake Toba Papua Baliem Adventure

Duration: 12 Days

Overview

The island of Samosir is situated in the huge crater lake of Toba. It is the heart of the Toba Batak culture. A visit to Lake Toba is not complete without a stay on Samosir with its many traditional villages along its shoreline. On the east side of the island, the land rises steeply from a narrow strip of flat land along the lake’s water edge climbing to a central plateau that towers some 780 meters above the waters. From this height one can have a wonderful panoramic view on this magnificent blue lake.

As you step down the ferry at Tomok you will be greeted by a row of souvenir stalls selling an array of Batak handicraft, from the traditional hand-woven ulos cloths to Batak bamboo calendars and all kinds of knick-knacks. Further north of Tomok is a small peninsula, known as Tuktuk Siadong, or simply Tuktuk, best loved for its sandy beaches and beautiful lush scenery. Here the soft lapping blue waters of lake Toba blend with the green pastures. Although offering beaches and opportunities for watersports, yet the air here is cool as it is located high in the mountains. Therefore, Tuktuk become a favorite with tourists, so here you will find a plethora of small hotels and homestays, restaurants and handicrafts galore.

High up in the mountains of central Papua at an altitude of 1,600 meters above sea level, hemmed in by steep green mountain walls, lies the stunningly beautiful Baliem Valley, home of the Dani tribe. Baliem valley is 72 km long, and 15-31 km wide in places. It is cut by the Baliem River, which has its source in the northern Trikora Mountain, cascading into the Grand Valley, to meander down and further rushing south dropping 1,500 meters to become a large muddy river that slowly empties into the Arafura Sea. The first outsider to discover the valley was American Richard Archbold, who, on 23 June 1938 from his seaplane, suddenly sighted this awesome valley dotted with neat terraced green fields of sweet potatoes, set among craggy mountain peaks. The only access to the Baliem Valley is by flying to the town of Wamena from Jayapura. There are a number of carriers to Jayapura from Jakarta, Ujung Pandang and Bali.

Highlights

  • Medan city tour visiting Sultan Palace, Great Mosque, Chinese Temple and then drive to Tangkahan via Binjai and Batang Serangan
  • Walking to the elephant station and then join  with the Mahout during washing the Elephant, and then feed the elephant, after feeding the Elephant you can ride the Elephant and pass through the river and jungle, the elephant riding will take about 01 hour
  • Enjoying tubing through the river and stop will be made at Fantastic Buluh Waterfall where you may enjoy the waterfall where you can take nature shower and then you can enjoy sun bathing and swimming on the river
  • Drive to Tangkahan for Bukit Lawang by Jeep passing plantation and jungle road, on the way stop at plantation and several interesting places (school!!) for enjoying the panorama and witness the activities of the local people
  • Afternoon walking to the jungle to start a jungle tracking to explore the nature of Leuser National Park with their flora and fauna, the possibility to see Orang Utan on their own habitat and other kind of animal such as Thomas leaf monkeys, long tail macaque, gibbon, black gibbon and other kind of flora and fauna of tropical rain forest
  • Drive to Brastagi on the way stop at Sembahe River, passing Sibolangit, and arrival at Brastagi visiting Lhumbini Park with its duplicate of Shwedagon temple, traditional fruit market and then drive to Samosir, on the way visit Batak Karo traditional village at Dokan
  • Stop at Sipiso-piso waterfall, visiting “Rumah Bolon” (Long House) the old Palace of Batak Simalungun Kings and then stop at Simarjarunjung to enjoy the fantastic view of Lake Toba
  • Excursion on Samosir Island by car, visiting several Batak Toba traditional villages : Ambarita : To see stone chairs and tables the old meeting place of Sialagan Kings, Simanindo : To see Batak Toba traditional dance and museum, Pangururan : To see the view of Lake Toba and Hot springs water, Tomok : To see the old tomb of Sidabutar Kings
  • Explore Wamena area and get first impressions of another world. Napua Hills with its panoramic view of the valley, Wesaput village and its traditional hanging bridge, some Dani villages and a traditional market.
  • Sogokmo village at southern part of Papua Baliem valley, and start to have a day trek for about 4-5 hours through Dani sweet potatoes gardens and enjoy the gorgeous scenery surrounding, you get to Kurima the sub-district. Along the trail you will meet local people with friendly smile in their traditional clothes
  • Jiwika in the Northern part of Baliem valley to see the 250 years old Mummy. Then walk 10 minutes to village of Anemoigi where you can view the Dani Mock battle and Pig feast.
  • At Jayapura visit ; Mac Arthur World War II monument, Sentani lake, the Anthropology museum, Hamadi market

Itinerary

Upon arrival at Kuala Namu Int airport pick up by our tour guide and then transfer to hotel, afternoon free at own leisure. 

After breakfast, pick up by our tour guide and then transfer to town for city tour visiting Sultan Palace, Great Mosque, Chinese Temple and then drive to Tangkahan via Binjai and Batang Serangan. Afternoon arrival at Tangkahan check in MEGA INN.

After breakfast walking to the elpahant station and then join  with the Mahout during washing the Elephant, and then feed the elephant, after feeding the Elephant you can ride the Elephant and pass through the river and jungle, the elephant riding will take about 01 hour. After riding the elephant take a short rest and then enjoying tubing through the river and stop will be made at Fantastic Buluh Waterfall where you may enjoy the waterfall where you can take nature shower and then you can enjoy sun bathing and swimming on the river. Afternoon arrival at the village you can get in touch with local people, where you can see the daily activities of the local people and then return to guest house by walking for overnight.

After breakfast leave Tangkahan for Bukit Lawang by Jeep passing plantation and jungle roa, on the way stop at plantation and several interesting places (school!!) for enjoying the panorama and witness the activities of the local people. Upon arrival at Bukit Lawang check in to hotel and afternoon walking to the jungle to start a jungle tracking to explore the nature of Leuser National park with their flora and fauna, the possibility to see Orang Utan on their own habitat and other kind of animal such as Thomas leaf monkeys, long tail macaque, gibbon, black gibbon and other kind of flora and fauna of tropical rain forest. This tracking will take about 03 hours, after tracking return to hotel.

After breakfast drive to Brastagi on the way stop at Sembahe River, passing Sibolangit, and arrival at Brastagi visiting Lhumbini Park with its duplicate of Shwedagon temple, traditional fruit market and then drive to Samosir, on the way visit Batak Karo traditional village at Dokan, stop at Sipiso-piso waterfall, visiting “Rumah Bolon” (Long House) the old Palace of Batak Simalungun Kings and then stop at Simarjarunjung to enjoy the fantastic view of Lake Toba. Arrival at Parapat crossing to Samosir Island by ferry boat, arrival at Samosir Island check in to hotel.

After breakfast excursion on Samosir Island by car, visiting several Batak Toba traditional villages :

  • Ambarita : To see stone chairs and tables the old meeting place of Sialagan Kings.
  • Simanindo : To see Batak Toba traditional dance and museum.
  • Pangururan : To see the view of Lake Toba and Hot springs water.
  • Tomok : To see the old tomb of Sidabutar Kings.

Along this trip also possible to stop at school to see the activities of young children in the school, visiting the village where the people make traditional hand weaving.+ stop also at scenic places like the graves! Afternoon return back to hotel.

After breakfast drive back to Medan via Pematang Siantar and Tebing Tinggi, on the way stop at several plantation, and it will take about 5 hours driving. Arrival in Medan directly transfer to airport for flight  to Jakarta by GA 121 at 16.05.Arrive.18.40.

Transit in Jakarta and continue  for flight to Jayapura by Garuda Indonesia GA 656 at 22.45.

Upon arrival at Jayapura airport by GARUDA INDONESIA GA 656 from Jakarta  at 06.10, meet and greeting service by your guide and check in on the flight to Wamena around 11.00h, right in the heart of the Baliem Valley From Jayapura (DJJ) they will take flight to Wamena (WMX) by IL 273. Flying past vertical mountain cliffs and mist clad valleys, you will understand why the place remained isolated for so many centuries ! After passing local customs – there are alcohol restrictions in the Baliem Valley. We will explore the area and get first impressions of another world. Napua Hills with its panoramic view of the valley, Wesaput village and its traditional hanging bridge, some Dani villages and a traditional market. Afternoon check-in at your hotel, your base for further valley explorations. overnight at BALIEM PILAMO HOTEL 3* AND Dinner at Sinabung Jaya restaurant.

Today we drive in 35 minutes to Sogokmo village at southern part of Baliem valley, and start to have a day trek for about 4-5 hours through Dani sweet potatoes gardens and enjoy the gorgeous scenery surrounding, you get to Kurima the sub-district. Along the trail you will meet local people with friendly smile in their traditional clothes, After picnic lunch heading back to Sogokmo where the cars pick you up to Wamena for dinner and overnight stay at BALIEM PILAMO HOTEL. Dinner at Sinabung Jaya restaurant

After breakfast, drive 30 minutes to Jiwika in the Northern part of Baliem valley to see the 250 years old Mummy. Then walk 10 minutes to village of Anemoigi where you can view the Dani Mock battle and Pig feast. You will see how the Dani make fire traditionally, kill a pig with bow and arrow and cook them into the hot-burned stone with vegetables and sweet potatoes in the steaming pit on the ground. Lunch box will be provided or we can have grill pig and local food for our lunch.

After lunch visit the Mili Mountain to see how the Dani women make a salt in the traditional way. Afternoon drive back to BALIEM PILAMO HOTEL. Dinner at Sinabung Jaya restaurant.

After breakfast, transfer to airport for your flight back to Jayapura by Wamena (WMX) to Jayapura (DJJ) by IL 272. Arrival at airport ofJayapura You may have a full day sightseeing tour including Mac Arthur 2nd World War monument, Sentani lake by long boat to visit Assey and Ayapo villages how the Sentani tribe make the bark painting. Lunch have at Yougwa restaurant near the lake. After lunch, see the Anthropology museum (open from Monday to Saturday at 09.00-14.00), then Hamadi market & Jayapura city. Afternoon check in at GRAND ALLISON 4*  in Jayapura for overnight. Dinner at local restaurant.

After breakfast, transfer time to Sentani airport at 07.00 for flight to Bali by Garuda Indonesia GA 653 at 09.25. Upon arrival in Bali at 13.45, direct connect for  flight HOME.

More Information

Price: 2.129 / person

Inclusions

  • Air-conditioned car  during the program
  • Tour and transfer base on mentioned above program
  • 1nights accommodation + Daily breakfast based on twin share.
  • Meals as mentioned in above program
  • Entrance fees, parking fees as per program
  • Local English speaking guide during tour 

Exclusions

  • Other optional tours
  • Domestic flight :
    • Medan – Jakarta by GA 121
    • Jakarta – Jayapura/Papua by GA 656
    • Return Jayapura – Wamena by Trigana Air
    • Jayapura/Papua – Bali  by GA 653
  • Tipping for driver and guide during the program
  • Other meals not mentioned in program
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