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Indonesia
Things to do in Sumatra — Medan and Lake Toba
5 activity ideas, with how long they take, an indicative price and the best time of day. Best time to visit: from May to September.
Things to do
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The orangutans of Bukit Lawang
A jungle walk in Gunung Leuser National Park, home to Sumatran orangutans. On Wikipedia
Nature and sceneryNature8 hr≈ €50takes the whole day
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Lake Toba and Samosir Island
The world’s largest volcanic lake, its Batak houses with horn-shaped roofs, and a night on the island. On Wikipedia
RelaxationNature1 day≈ €40takes the whole day
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Maimun Palace
The yellow palace of the Sultan of Deli, somewhere between Malaysia, India and Italy. On Wikipedia
Culture and historyMonument1 hr≈ €2best in the morning
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The Great Mosque of Medan
An octagonal mosque from 1909 with stained glass and imported marble. On Wikipedia
Culture and historyMonument30 minFreebest in the afternoon
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Medan’s durians
The fearsomely smelly fruit the city calls itself the capital of, eaten on plastic stools. On Wikipedia
FoodRelaxation1 hr≈ €5best in the evening
When to go
The most pleasant months in Sumatra — Medan and Lake Toba: from May to September, taking weather and crowds into account.
More ideas for those months: where to go in May, where to go in June, where to go in July, where to go in August, where to go in September.
Averages measured over recent years: mean temperatures and number of rainy days, month by month.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29 °C / 84 °F | 23 °C / 73 °F | 29 |
| February | 30 °C / 86 °F | 23 °C / 73 °F | 25 |
| March | 30 °C / 86 °F | 23 °C / 73 °F | 28 |
| April | 31 °C / 88 °F | 24 °C / 75 °F | 28 |
| May ideal | 31 °C / 88 °F | 24 °C / 75 °F | 28 |
| June ideal | 31 °C / 88 °F | 24 °C / 75 °F | 25 |
| July ideal | 32 °C / 90 °F | 24 °C / 75 °F | 22 |
| August ideal | 30 °C / 86 °F | 23 °C / 73 °F | 28 |
| September ideal | 30 °C / 86 °F | 23 °C / 73 °F | 28 |
| October | 30 °C / 86 °F | 23 °C / 73 °F | 29 |
| November | 29 °C / 84 °F | 23 °C / 73 °F | 30 |
| December | 29 °C / 84 °F | 23 °C / 73 °F | 29 |
What budget on the ground?
Per person and per day, including accommodation, meals, local transport and visits — excluding the round trip. An estimate calculated the same way as in the app, from the local cost of living.
- Budget
- €20
- Mid-range
- €40
- Comfort
- €75
Getting there from Paris: the carbon footprint
Per person, round trip, in kilograms of CO₂ equivalent — manufacturing, energy and, for flights, contrails included.
- Plane
- 3.6 t
Factors from ADEME (Impact CO₂); outside France, rail uses the European average published by the European Environment Agency.
Book on the ground
Tours and tickets
- Go City Multi-attraction passes for big cities
- KKday Activities and tours, especially in Asia
- Klook Tours, tickets and excursions
- Tiqets Museums and monuments, skip-the-line tickets
- WeGoTrip Self-paced audio tours
Internet on site (eSIM)
- Airalo Data eSIM, by country or region
- Drimsim SIM card that works in almost every country
- Saily Data eSIM
- Yesim Data eSIM
From the airport
- GetTransfer Drivers make an offer for your ride
- Intui Private transfers at a fixed price
- Kiwitaxi Booked transfers, from taxi to minibus
- Welcome Pickups Driver waiting on arrival, price fixed in advance
Rent a car
- Auto Europe Rental comparison
- EconomyBookings Rental comparison
- GetRentacar Cars from rental companies and private owners
- Localrent Local rental companies, often no credit card needed
Partner links: if you book through them, Tripora may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you and without changing the order of these lists, which is alphabetical.
Good to know: Indonesia
- Plugs
- Type C, F, 230 V
- Emergencies
- 112, 110 (police), 118 (ambulance)
- Driving
- On the left
Near Sumatra — Medan and Lake Toba
- Penang Malaysia, 270 km
- Langkawi Malaysia, 330 km
- Kuala Lumpur Malaysia, 340 km
- Phuket Thailand, 480 km
- Krabi and Koh Phi Phi Thailand, 500 km
- Singapore Singapore, 620 km