Sumatra

The lush island of Sumatra, fifth largest in the world, is one of Indonesia’s most important islands and perhaps its most beautiful. With its many tribes, cultures, wildlife reserves, jungles, rivers, spectacular waterfalls and crater lakes, the island is a joy for any traveller interested in natural beauty and diverse cultures. It is a truly extraordinary destination with its remarkable wealth of sights, sounds and smells, all set within some of the most beautiful landscapes to be seen anywhere.

While in Sumatra we travel south along the spine, the rugged Bukit Barisan mountain range, exploring a number of fantastic sights and cultures enroute. These include the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre (“Bukit Lawang”) in the north, as well as spectacular Lake Toba and the Batak Highlands, where the proud Batak people migrated from the Himalayan foothills of upper Burma and Thailand over 1,500 years ago. We continue south crossing the equator while enjoying the dramatically terraced Minangkabau Highlands in West Sumatra, home to one of the few remaining matrilineal societies in the world and the cultural heart of West Sumatra.

Our travelers can now choose between the Siberut Island Adventure Option (see below), or a journey to Cubadak Island. At the conclusion, both groups rendezvous in Padang for departure.

Siberut Island Adventure Option - A fascinating 3 day/ 2 night adventure option to remote Siberut Island, 60 miles off the coast of Sumatra is offered. This rugged, island national park is home to the Mentawai people, a tribal people who still maintain their traditional lifestyle of foraging, hunting and fishing. On Siberut, we hike, travel by longboats, and participate in the daily activities of the Mentawai. While on the island, there are no bathrooms and conditions are primitive.