Explore Lake Toba in Comfort: 5 Essential Tips

For decades, Lake Toba has been acclaimed as a world-renowned destination. The world's largest volcanic lake boasts a beautiful landscape and a rich culture.

Although tourism in this area had sort of waned, it has recently regained popularity, especially after being declared a super priority destination by Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy.

If you're looking to experience the beauty of Lake Toba, TRAC has compiled a list of 5 tips to make your trip more comfortable.

5 Tips for a Comfortable Journey to the Beautiful Lake Toba

Familiarize Yourself with the Area

You can reach the touristy and picturesque area of Lake Toba through several routes. One option is to fly directly to Silangit Airport in Siborong-borong and hop on a boat from the port of Balige to reach Samosir Island.

For those who want to enjoy the stunning views of Lake Toba from the mainland first, consider crossing from Ajibata Harbor. Alternatively, you can also reach the area by taking a 2-hour drive from the airport and crossing the Aek Tano Ponggol Bridge.

However, there are only a handful of flights to Silangit Airport, so if you want to be more flexible, opt to fly to Kualanamu Airport and drive for 3-4 hours to Tigaras Port. If you want to drive all the way to Samosir, keep in mind that crossing the Aek Tano Ponggol Bridge will take longer.

If your final destination is Samosir Island, it’s important to plan ahead and check the boat schedules from the nearest port. Rather, you can also take the time to enjoy the beautiful Aek Tano Ponggol Bridge on your way there.

Before visiting Samosir Island directly, you should first look for information regarding the ship schedule for crossing from the nearest port.

Decide on Your Destinations

Lake Toba offers a vast range of tourist destinations beyond just Samosir Island. To indulge in the breathtaking panoramic views of the lake, climb up the Tele View Tower located close to the Aek Tano Ponggol Bridge. You can also stop at Simarjarunjung for a glimpse of the lake before crossing from Tigaras Port.

If you have the chance to explore the outer regions of Lake Toba, make sure to add several must-visit spots to your itinerary such as Tara Bunga Hill, TB SIlalahi Batak Museum, Bul-bul Beach or Lumban Bul-bul, and Meat Village.

On Samosir Island, the Sigale-gale show at the Tomok Tourism Village is not to be missed. To gain a deeper understanding of Batak history, go back in time and visit the famous Huta Siallagan and its trial stones.

Indulge in Local Culinary Hotspots

When it comes to culinary tourism, the Lake Toba area has many hidden gems to discover. Start your day with ombus-ombus, a sweet snack made from sticky rice flour and brown sugar.

Then it's incomplete if you visit Lake Toba without tasting Arsik, one of the typical dishes of the Batak community. Arsik is processed fish that is fried dry, then poured with spices or yellow sauce that is rich in spices. It's guaranteed to be addictive.

For something more unique, try na Niurna, also known as Batak style sashimi. Fresh carp is seasoned and can be eaten raw. And don't forget to try the sambal tuktuk with Andaliman.

This chili sauce is not only spicy, but it also packs a punch. Andaliman, also known as Batak pepper, is said to have a stinging effect on the lips and tongue, similar to Szechuan pepper or mala.

Plan Ahead for Your Accommodation

It's always a good idea to book your accommodation in advance prior to your Lake Toba trip. Finding a place to stay in this area is relatively easy, except during peak season when it can be more challenging.

However, some highly sought-after accommodations can book up quickly anytime, so it's best to check availability in advance. This includes popular accommodations such as Taman Simalem Resort, Toba Beach Hotel, Tongging Point, and other family-friendly hotels.

So in order not to run out of cool lodging places, TRAC pals should make reservations in advance. After all, in the end, comfortable lodging will also make the vacation more memorable. Uuuhhh soo sweat!

Dress Appropriately and Comfortably

Lake Toba is located in a highland area, which means the air can be quite breezy and cold. However, some areas can get quite sunny and you will likely be doing a lot of walking.

To ensure a comfortable experience, it's important to wear clothing that can wick away sweat and protect you from the breeze. Keep in mind to always dress modestly and appropriately for the area, but still comfortably, especially when visiting traditional villages and the tombs of kings and ancestors.

Aside from the five tips mentioned above, there's one more thing to keep in mind when planning your trip to Lake Toba: don't forget to book a car rental. A car rental from Medan can make getting around Lake Toba a lot easier.

If you're visiting the Lake Toba area, TRAC also offers electric car rentals at several locations. Experience driving around Tuktuk, Tomok, Batu Hoda, Parbaba, and Lumban Suhi in the eco-friendly Toyota C+Pod.

Additionally, you can explore Parapat, Caldera, Sibea-bea, Padang Tele, Efrata, and the surrounding areas with the versatile Toyota Prius PHEV.

For easy bus rental booking, TRAC pals can do it through the TRACtoGo application. Immediately install the TRACtoGo application through the Google Play Store or Apple App Store and get a variety of attractive promos in it.

Oh yes, for the latest information, don't forget to follow TRAC's social media through Instagram @trac_astra, Facebook TRAC-Astra Rent a Car and Twitter @TRACastra.

Wherever the track, just use TRAC!