When people talk about traveling to Indonesia, the top destinations are usually Bali or the marine

life of Flores. One of the most underrated travel attractions in Indonesia is the island of Sumatra.
Apart from its proximity to Malaysia, it is also home to a huge population of aboriginal natives.
The wildlife and nature of Sumatra are hidden gems, and this island is surprisingly cheaper as
compared to other more popular travel destinations in the country.
What makes Indonesia special is the fact that all of its islands have a unique aboriginal culture
and their biodiversity is sprawling. Sumatra is unique because of the flora and fauna of this part
of Indonesia unlike any other in the rest of the archipelago. Surprisingly, this diverse collection
of plants and animals is easily accessible to the curious travelers who decide to visit this
beautiful island. You will get to see tigers, rhinos, orangutans, tapirs, etc. in their natural habitat
in the wilderness of Sumatra. The island also offers lush green jungles, clear water rivers,
towering volcanoes and hot springs that will make this trip special for you. Here are few of the
ways you can truly enjoy the wildlife and nature of Sumatra.
1. Trekking in Gunung Leuser National Park
The Gunung Leuser National Park is known for its bustling wildlife. If you decide to go trekking
through the interior of the park, you are more than likely to encounter monitor lizards, various
species of monkeys, wild peacocks and many other of the park’s inhabitants. Most of these
animals are harmless and just watch your hike from a distance with curiosity like the Thomas
Leaf monkeys. Other notable residents of this park are elephants, rhinos, tapirs, etc.
However, the specialty of this park is its orangutan population. You will get to see the last
remaining wild orangutan population of the world here. This endangered species is only found in
the jungles of Sumatra and Borneo. There are casual feelings that happen regularly at the
rehabilitation center for Orangutan which is located near the river. You can also find them during
your hikes through the park.
2. Explore the Caves near Bukit Lawang
In the town of Bukit Lawang, you can find directions towards the Bat Cave. The caves are at the
end of a small trail that leads from Bukit Lawang. It is recommended to take a local guide with
you to explore these caves because these caves are huge. These caves are home to bats as well as
a variety of birds. The views from inside are simply fascinating. Just remember to bring a
lightning source of some kind to make the navigation easy for you.
3. Stay at the EcoTravel Cottages in Sumatra
Bukit Lawang is one of the towns that serve as entry points to many of the adventures you can
embark on in Sumatra. The Ecotravel Cottages in Bukit Lawang offer a beautiful ambiance,
spacious cottages that have mesmerizing views and sit over the mighty Bohorok River. They
have international standard bathrooms, hot water showers, minibar, daily cleaning room service,
safe as well as a number of complimentary perks for the guests. The room standard at the
Ecotravel Cottages is higher than any other hotel in the area.
To help the guests enjoy their ultimate holiday adventure, Ecotravel Cottages also offer tours
depending on your needs. These tours can vary from half day trips to multiple day adventures
into the wild, also depending on the difficulty level that you can manage.
4. Swimming in The Bohorok River
The beautiful waters of the Bohorok River are usually calm and clear. This river separates the
Gunung Leuser National Park from the Bukit Lawang village. You can spend time swimming in
the calmer spots, especially near the Orangutan Rehabilitation Center, which is very popular
among the visitors. This is also a great place for spotting the friendly monkeys as well as monitor
lizards.
Along with swimming, you can also try tubing in the river. This is a really fun water activity
which involves strapping a few tubes together to make a raft. The mats are placed on the tubes to
make a seat. The starting point is upriver following a small hike. Your local guides will put this
raft together for you as well as guide it with bamboo sticks as you float through the waters of the
river.
It is recommended to do tubing while you're on your way back from a jungle hike in Bukit
Lawang. There is nothing quite like floating and splashing your way to the hotel in the refreshing
water of the river following a long hike that has you all muggy and sweaty.
5. Witness Sunrise from the Mount Sibayak
A four-hour journey to the south side of Bukit Lawang will bring you to a very special place, a
town called Berastagi. This town offers quite a few interesting activities. Right next to it is the
not-so-dormant volcano mount Sibayak. There isn't any lava but it does have mud bubbles and
steam vents that are louder than a jet engine. If you are lucky and the weather is clear, you can
witness an incredible sunrise from the mount Sibayak.
The weather of Sumatra is usually warm around the year but not so much at the summit of
Mount Sibayak. A high altitude hike in the early hours of the day here will require a jacket and
other warm clothing. The vents emitting sulfurous steam are all the only sources of heat up there
if you can tolerate the stench and the loud steam engine noises.
6. Take A Dip in the Hot Springs
There are quite a few places nearby where hot springs can be found, especially when you get to
the base of the volcano. Following a chilly hike to witness the sunrise, it feels amazing to take a
dip into the warm waters of these Springs.
7. Visit the Supisopiso Waterfalls
You just cannot miss the tallest waterfall in the country. Supisopiso waterfall is one incredible
sight to watch. The cascading water dwindling and crashing from the 120 meters high top
towards the bottom is quite a spectacle. you can hike all the way towards the bottom of the
waterfall. Just keep in mind weather temperature tribes as you descend as well as there is an
increase in the humidity. This is a popular tourist spot so you can easily find food stands and
snack shops here.
8. Try Fresh Fish At the Lake Toba.
Lake Toba is located further south from the town and it is the epitome of a true natural world.
This volcanic happens to the largest of its kind in the world. The water of the lake is not like the
hot springs. The water of the lake is actually very clear and cool. The Samosir Island, which lies
in the middle of the lake is where you will not only find delicious fruits like the special egg
mangoes but also freshly caught fish that you can handpick for your lunch. There are many
restaurants on the island who offer this unique service. The scrumptious food of Samosir Island
will surely be a highlight of your trip. You can also try some of the local Indonesian dishes here
as well.