☰Lake Toba

Welcome to Lake Toba

Lake Toba is beautiful area full of lake side traditional villages and rich local architecture culture. It's relaxing, relatively inexpensive, cool and pleasant area for walking and bike riding.

Good Food around Prapat

Prapat is the main area on Lake Toba, filled with hotels, bars, shops and restaurants. Be aware that accommodations can be a bit more expensive here than in Samosir. There's an admission fee to enter Prapat, even if you're just passing by. It's always a good idea to make the first stop at the Batak Cultural Center to check the schedule of future events such as the entertaining Batak style singing and dancing.

The cheapest food that you can find on Lake Toba are at the Chinese and Indonesian restaurants along the main highway (Jl. Sisingamangaraja), where you can eat at places such as the Brastagi, Asia, Hong Kong, Paten and Sehat. At the Asia restaurant, customers usually share plates because the portions are very generous. The Bali Restaurant, next to the Hong Kong, specializes in Chinese cuisine and offers superior food at the same prices of the others. The Singgalang Hotel serves a nice ham omelette and good natural juices. There is also good food at B Karo on Jl. Haranggaol. Along Jl. Haranggaol, try the different nasi padang places, each one has a particular way of cooking the same dish. Finally, the market by Tigaraja dock, along Jl. Sisingamangaraja, offers a wide selection of fresh fruit, produce and souvenirs at good prices.

Great Bars at Lake Toba Hotels

Most bars around Lake Toba can be found in hotels. The bar of the Danau Toba International Hotel is one of the best value. On Jl. P. Samosir 9, it features beautiful views of the lake from the top a hill. The outside bar is a great spot for people watching and enjoying local and international drinks.

Other hotels with good bars are located on Jalan Pulau Samosir. Try the Wiman Danau Toba, the Atsari Hotel and Bungalow, and the Budi Mulia.

Finally, make a stop at the bar from the Hotel Prapat because it often holds different events on holidays and special occasions.

Contributors December 28, 2009

**The Lakeside Resorts of Prapat

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A busy, congested lakeside resort mostly spoiled by tourism. It has a cool, dry climate, pine covered beaches, and spectacular views. Evenings are pleasant, whether sitting on a balcony or walking back from the cinema. Prapat is difficult to avoid as it's the main town on Lake Toba and the principal embarkation point for ferries to Samosir.

Upon entering Prapat, you must pay Rp300 even if you only want to go to Samosir. A tourist office is located near the arched entrance. Drop in at the Batak Cultural Center, Jl. Josep Sinaga 19, to see what's brewing; dances and musical performances are usually staged on Saturday night. Enthusiastic Batak singing and other forms of entertainment are staged on ocassion at Hotel Prapat.

Most of the upscale tourists are Indonesians and Chinese from Medan and Singapore, while the international travelers come from the post hippie budget set. Thus Prapat is a place where affluent locals stay in the higher priced hotels lining the lakefront while the foreigners look for the cheap hostels along the main highway.

**Waterfalls with Great Sunbathing Areas

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Northeast of the southern shore of Lake Toba, upriver from Balige and 30 kilometers from Porsea, is the impressive Siguragura Falls on the Asahan River, the only one of several rivers in these highlands with its source in Lake Toba. At 200 meters, Siguragura is one of the highest natural falls in Southeast Asia. You have to obtain a surat ijin from Inalum Co., Jl. Palang Merah (fourth floor), Medan, to see it.

Sipisopiso Waterfall lies at the northern end of Lake Toba. From the 120 meter high lookout point above this beautiful falls is a 360 degree panorama of the waterfall, the precipitous valley below, Tongging, Lake Toba, and mountains (an unforgettable sight). From Brastagi take a bemo to Kabanjahe, then ask for the bus to Situnggaling (about 30 minutes). From there it's a 1 hour walk to the falls.

Once you arrive to the falls, you'll be rewarded with some great cool water areas where you will be able to refresh, eat some snacks, and grab some sun. If the trekking logistics sound challenging, consider hiring the services of Butar Sinaga (a.k.a. Mr. Jungle), who conducts trekking tours of the area. You can find Mr. Jungle at the Post Restaurant.

Contributors December 21, 2009

Lake Toba is one of the biggest lakes in the world. It is said that Lake Toba is greater in area that then whole city state of Singapore. Lake Toba is one of the marvels found in the country of Indonesia. There are many great day trips and ideas for Lake Toba.

The Batak People

Lake Toba is found on the northernmost part of Sumatra, Indonesia. When you began your day you will be amazed by the colorful homes of the Batak people. You will see their works such as intricate weaving and carving, aspects of their daily lives, and samples of their foods. Seeing the Batak people is one of the best ideas for day trips in Lake Toba.

Waters of Lake Toba

Many people will be surprised by the size of this lake. Some people might even think the sea is an ocean, since it is located on the crater of a huge volcano that said to be responsible for the death of almost every resident due to its eruption. The tropical setting and the sun make the place ideal. It is true that the water may be a bit too cold for swimming but the human body adjusts to the temperature once it is in the water. There are several luxurious hotels around the area where you can be pampered after a swim in this crater lake.

Boating on Lake Toba

People can also rent a boat or find a local tourist guide. There are a lot of things to see in Lake Toba. The place is virtually isolated from civilization. It takes around 4 hours to reach the lake from the nearest city. From the lake you can see the people fishing in Lake Toba. If you are lucky you might even taste their succulent tilapia fish dish. When you look at the shore you will see the green surroundings and the homes that have a curve on their roofs.

Renting a Cabin

The whole family can rent a cabin in the region of Lake Toba. This is a true cultural experience where you can not only see how people interact in their own surroundings but as the traveler you can form part of the community even if for just a moment. The cabins are very modest and lack most of the luxuries of the big hotels but give you an idea of the life in Lake Toba. The best of all day trips and ideas in Lake Toba is spending time among the locals.

Contributors January 15, 2010

January 26, 2010

If you are going to Indonesia, Lake Toba is definitely a place you want to visit. The best form of local transportation is boats, but you can hire motorcycles for the day and explore the island. While exploring the island, you will find that there are quite a few interesting and satisfying options for eating out.

Jenny’s Restaurant

Jenny’s Restaurant, which is located at the Tabo Cottages on Samosir Island, is a great eating-out haunt. As you will only find 1 or 2 roads in Tuk Tuk, you will have no trouble finding this restaurant. The restaurant is run by Jenny and her husband Rinto, and it has a simple and cozy décor as well as a beautiful view of the wonderful Lake Toba. As for the food, Jenny’s serves both Indonesian and western cuisine. If you are feeling more adventurous, you can try some of the delectable curries, but otherwise, don’t miss out on the grilled or steamed fresh fish, which comes straight from the lake. If you wish to sample the restaurant’s western offerings, you will not go wrong with the schnitzel. For dessert, there is fresh papaya and banana pancake baked to a golden brown, served with chocolate sauce and coconut sprinklings. After a satisfactory meal, Rinto brings out his guitar to entertain guests by singing some old Batak songs. Listening to the songs and his voice, you will find it hard to leave the beautiful island of Samosir.

Hotel Carolina Restaurant

Hotel Carolina is a hotel in Lake Toba that serves as one of the stops for the ferry that comes from Parapat. Not only does the hotel have beautiful gardens, it is also home to a restaurant that serves splendid food. The restaurant also offers a beautiful view of the lake.

Bagus Bay

Bagus Bay is a well-known hotel in Lake Toba and it is very popular with backpackers. It also has a restaurant that offers a great selection of both Indonesian and Western food, including homemade yoghurt, lasagna, bread, ice cream, pizzas and pies. The restaurant plays live Batak music on Wednesday and Saturday nights.

Marco Polo

The Marco Polo restaurant is another restaurant that offers excellent food. It is a great place to relax on bamboo chairs while munching down guacamole sandwiches.

With so many eating-out options in Lake Toba, you will never run out of places to go for an unforgettable dining experience. Prices of food around the lake are mostly reasonable, and the service is usually very good.

Orari Restaurant

Warmful restaurant with traditional Batak, Indonesian along with European cuisine. Missing european food. Have a spaghetti bolognese, the best in Tuk-Tuk. Like to try local food, Nasi Goreng Special is very special here. Beef Rendang is just delicious. Fish BBQ is a must. The view of the lake is breath taking. A romantic spot. Ostima and her husband Richard will treat you like family. The restaurant is open early in the morning to late in the night. You can catch the boat to Parapat from here.

type: Indonesian

tel: +62 625451093

address: Next to Anju

The most popular way to travel around Lake Toba is by boat. You can either take the cheaper school boats that operate on limited schedules or the public boats that run frequently throughout the day. The public boats cost 7,000 rupees per trip, and they travel from Tigaraja and Ajibata to Tuktuk and Tomok village in Samosir Island. Also available is a bigger boat that is used to transport buses and cars from Tigaraja to Tomok.

When you are on Samosir Island or Tuktuk, you can rent a motorcycle to get around. A full day rental costs 70,000 rupees, which includes 4 liters of petrol. Although there is little traffic on the islands, you have to be careful when you are riding your motorcycle, because there may be trucks and buses appearing on the roads occasionally, and the drivers can be rather reckless. Also, the condition of the roads in some parts of the islands is very bad, and accidents may happen if you are not careful.

Many tourists choose to travel by foot or rent a bicycle from their guesthouses. If you are walking or biking to faraway places, make sure that you have enough time to get before dark. Some parts of the islands are very quiet and dark at night, and it may be dangerous if you lose your way. In case you get lost, you can seek help from the locals. Most of the people there are very friendly, and they will do their best to help you.

Lake Toba

Lake Toba is the largest lake in Southeast Asia (1,707 square km) and one of the deepest (450 meters) in the world. Lake Toba is sometimes referred as the Lake Geneva of Southeast Asia. The mythical homeland of the Batak people, it was formed as a result of a mammoth volcanic explosion, believed to be the greatest in the history of the planet.

Getting There from Neighboring Towns

Coming from the south, your first view of Lake Toba will be from the hills above Balige, off the southeast shore of the lake 114 km north of Sibolga; Prapat is another 60 km on a good road. From Medan the direct route through Tebingtinggi and Siantar to Prapat takes about 5 hours. A longer but more interesting route (about 260 km) goes via Brastagi, Sipisopiso Waterfall, Permatang Purba (location of a raja's palace), and the Simarjarunjung Lookout. Arriving at Toba, travelers usually head straight for Tuk Tuk village on Samosir Island in the middle of the lake, where accommodations are widely available at good prices and the atmosphere is relaxed.

Getting There from Lakeside VillagesMany lakeside villages have market days. By using market ferries you can hop from village to village. Some of the losmen on Samosir Island charter excursion boats offer round trip tours of lakeside villages for around Rp10,000 per person, usually leaving Ambarita for Tomok to pick up more people, then out to the hot springs near Pangururan, and finally

Lake Toba is located in the Northern Sumatra area of Indonesia, and it is the largest volcanic lake in the world. Lake Toba is vast in size and comparable to the size of Hong Kong. Constant volcanic activity changes the landscape annually, and tourism has seen a real drop in recent years, due to turmoil in neighboring areas. Chinese tourists still frequent Lake Toba, especially during the Chinese New Year. With the drop in tourism, many vendors have packed up and moved to bigger touristy areas, but there are still some great finds if you are looking for local crafts in Lake Toba.

Parapat Open Market is a good place to get started with your Lake Toba shopping. The market offers an array of items from household goods to your run of the mill standard souvenirs. All prices are negotiable, so brush up on your bargaining skills before venturing into the market. Parapat market is a great place for locals to sell their fruits, vegetables, and there is a sprawling row of butchers. Not only is Parapat Open Market ideal for buying produce, general toiletries, clothes, and souvenirs, but it is an excellent venue for people watching - make sure to bring your camera (it is always polite to ask locals before taking their photo).

Deli Shopping Center in Medan is a four story retail outlet. Most of the shops within the Deli Shopping Center are clothing, and shoes stores, with a variety of mom and pop eateries. The prices here are fixed like most other shopping malls worldwide, but you can find some great bargains. Gold is relatively cheap in this area of the world, and gold is the one thing you should always bargain on for price. The Deli Shopping Center is also notorious as being a gay social center.

Local Crafts are scattered about the Lake Toba region, you might find them near your hotel, or along the side of the road, but the quality is always generally pretty good. Along the road from Simanindo to Tuk Tuk you will find some excellent woven fabrics. For about $30 US you can purchase a beautiful, hand woven rug with gold thread, a wonderful Lake Toba keepsake. Another good choice to bring back would be the traditional Batak Ulos. The Ulos are a traditional shoe that are woven with a Batak fabric. The Batak people only wear the shoes for special occasions, such as weddings, or funerals, but they are used in Batak homes as decoration.

The main activity at Lake Toba is exploring Samosir Island. At Ambarita, three sets of stone chairs dating back some 300 years served as both a council chamber and execution site for Batak kings — the guide explanations are matter-of-fact and vivid. The Museum Huta Bolon at Simanindo occupies a traditional Batak compound and hosts dance performances; it is the most accessible introduction to Batak culture on the island. The grave of King Sidabutur in Tomok draws steady visitor traffic. Hot springs at Air Panas, about 40 km from Tuk Tuk, are warm rather than scalding and good for a soak. Swimming in the lake is popular, the water cool and clear. In July the Lake Toba Festival brings dragon boat races and traditional dancing to the shoreline.

From the sky view, Lake Toba appears as a water playground with the city of Sumatra in the middle. Stretching one hundred kilometers long and thirty kilometers wide, this is not just any typical lake. Lake Toba creation formed due to a volcanic eruption. The natural construction of the lake happened by an occasion of three eruptions. The ash from the volcano mounted the land and overlaid it rising many feet. The lake came about over time with lots of rain and nowhere for the water to go. Listed as a supervolcano, there is only one other in its likeness in Wyoming, the Yellowstone Caldera, also known as Yellowstone River.

When planning a trip to go to Lake Toba, one must take in the fact that there is still the possibility of the volcano erupting again, as it still does from time to time. The majority of the isle of Sumatra sits on the equator. The climate can change instantly, being hot and humid at one point and heavy rain the next. During the summer months, weather can reach extreme highs. From May to September, the weather is considerably the driest. The fall and winter months normally produces the most rain.

Though it is not certain when the volcano did erupt, there is belief that it happened during the summer months. An occurrence, such as this, stated could only have happened during the summer monsoon season. Due to cooler temperatures during the winter, the amount of carbon needed to create and maintain such heat, which could happen in the summer, show the best time to visit Lake Toba, is during the winter months. However, the early part of the dry season, the beginning of May, when the weather is changing from being slightly cool to warm, is also an ideal time to go.

At any point one does decide to visit the city of Sumatra and go to Lake Toba, it is wise to bring with you a raincoat, sunscreen and cool fabrics.