Simanindo at the northern tip of Samosir contains one of the best-preserved traditional Batak house complexes on the island — a compound of beautifully carved rumah adat with the boat-shaped roof profile characteristic of Batak Toba architecture. The houses are decorated with the red, black, and white geometric patterns of Batak carving, with carved lizards and animal heads at the roof peaks.
The site stages regular performances of traditional Batak music and dance, including the gondang music played on ceremonial drums and the tortor ritual dance. Performances are timed to coincide with morning ferry arrivals and last about 30 minutes. The compound also serves as a museum of Batak material culture, with objects related to traditional medicine, weaving, and ceremonial life.
Simanindo is about 25 kilometres from Tuk Tuk — reachable in an hour by scooter on the northern lake road. The road along the north shore is spectacular, with the lake below and forested hills above, and the journey is half the point.