2026 Sumatra Travel Guide: must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transport & travel experiences (updated in January)

Lake Toba is located at Sumatra Island of Indonesia. The view is very nice and feeezing cold at night time. We able to try the traditional Indonesia food with very cheap price. recommended travel with couple and family. #familytrip #laketoba #medan #indonesia #sumatra

Villa Santai Mandiri is a retro style guesthouse with a private pool overlooking the beach. This villa is located in the Pesisir Barat Regency in Lampung, precisely near the Mandiri Beach tourist area. Because of its location close to Mandiri Beach, this place is called Villa Santai Mandiri. The journey to get here is not too difficult because the beach on the west coast is not far from the West Cross Road (Jalinbar) in Sumatra. The Villa Santai Mandiri building is quite large, consisting of two external rooms (with a swimming pool background) and two internal bedrooms. As a private villa for rent to tourists, Villa Santai Mandiri features a spacious living room with a dining table, a TV viewing area, and a fully equipped kitchen. #triplocal #themepark#zoo#nationalpark#lakes#beaches

This tourist attraction is located in Nagari Aripan District X Koto SIngkarak which is ± 4 Km from Solok City via Jalan Ampang Kualo, Solok City with a travel time of ± 20 minutes. Access roads to tourist attraction locations can use a bus with 35 passengers. This tourist attraction offers panoramic views of Lake Singkarak from an altitude of 2000 feet. At the location there is also a gazebo for family rest while enjoying the natural scenery around the tourist attraction. The typical food at the tourist attraction location is grilled corn and grilled bananas, Bilih fish, Pangek bilih and Sasau Lake Singkarak fish pangek. There is also a children's play area on site. the nearest tourist attraction is aripan at a glance and the mountain without dado aripan #triplocal #sumatra #themeparks#nationalpark#lakes#beaches#infinitypool

One of the Indonesian legends originating from Sumatra, namely Malin Kundang, turned out to have a number of interesting facts from the developing legend. Malin Kundang has been known for his story about the figure of a child who disobeyed his mother until he was cursed to be a stone. The stone is ingrained in Indonesian society and is known to be located on Airsweet Beach, Padang City, West Sumatra. The Malin Kundang stone was made to attract the attention of tourists as evidence of the legendary story of a child who was cursed to be a stone for disobedience. The boulder, which is said to be lying face down in the sand, depicts the figure of Malin Kundang who was cursed by his mother and his life ended #sumatra #triplocal #springblossoms #themeparks#nationalpark#lakes#beaches#infinitypool

Kelok 9 is a winding road segment located about 30 km east of Payakumbuh City, West Sumatra to Riau Province. This road stretches for 300 meters in Jorong ulu air, Nagari harau/nagarian preparation for ulu water, Harau District, Lima Puluh Kota Regency, West Sumatra and is part of the connecting road section of the Central Cross of Sumatra and the East Coast of Sumatra. This road has a sharp bend and is about 5 meters wide, borders a ravine, and is flanked by two hills between two nature reserves: the Air Putih Nature Reserve and the Harau Nature Reserve. Around Jalan Kelok 9, a 2.5 km flyover has been built. This bridge stretches snaking along two steep hill walls with varying heights of concrete pillars reaching 58 meters. Counted, this bridge crossed six times back and forth hills. This bridge was inaugurated by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in October 2013 even though it has been opened several times to support the flow of Lebaran homecoming and the holding of the Tour de Singkarak two years earlier. #sumatra #travelguide #triplocal #themeparks#nationalpark#lakes#beaches#infinitypool

Jam Gadang is a clock tower that marks the city of Bukittinggi, West Sumatra, Indonesia. This clock tower has a large clock on four sides so it is called Jam Gadang, a Minangkabau name meaning "big clock". Jam Gadang has become a tourist attraction with the expansion of the surrounding park. The park is a space for community interaction both on weekdays and on holidays. General events are usually held here #sumatra #triplocal #themeparks#nationalpark#lakes#beaches#infinitypool

Anai Valley Waterfall (also known as Air Mancur, old spelling: Ajer Mantjoer) is a waterfall located in Tanah Datar Regency, West Sumatra. This 35-meter-high waterfall is right on the edge of the Padang-Bukittinggi Highway at the foot of Mount Singgalang. Anai Valley Waterfall is part of the Batang Lurah River, a tributary of the Batang Anai River which originates on Mount Singgalang at an altitude of 400 meters above sea level. This waterfall is located on the western boundary of the Anai Valley Nature Reserve area so the atmosphere is still natural with dense forests and lush trees. Around the waterfall there are monkeys roaming around. During the holidays, this waterfall is visited by hundreds of visitors. Its beauty makes Lembah Anai Waterfall an icon of tourism in West Sumatra Province. #sumatra #triplocal #themeparks#nationalpark#lakes#beaches#infinitypool

Firstly this is our 5th visit to the hotel so we have normally loved staying here. HOWEVER it is being renovated (they are building a top floor) so working for a few hours in my room or relaxing in the room durind the day is impossible. We were told yesterday as we checked in (when we became aware of the renovation) that the workers start later now....well I was woken up at 8.00am this morning by very loud hammering, which for me on a relaxing break is not later! Luckily we are only here for two nights. I feel cheated and very disappointed, this is an expensive hotel and had we known about this we would not have come at this time. A first world problem I know, but I am sitting here writing the review shortly before 09.00 as the hammering continues. #summervacation#beachvacation#hikingtrails#hotelstay#urbanexplorer

A huge ship with explanation about Tsunami happened in Aceh last few years back. Climb up the ship to observe relics nearby. Take a look around ship. It's easy to read about the tsunami, but seeing this huge ship, which was dragged 4 miles inland by the waves, will show you how powerful Nature can be, and how unstoppable the disaster was. Imagine a 2000 ton structure came crushing pass your home, travelling 2km inland. It is just like watching a movie, big huge tanker cruise into New York city! It crush 2 house below but wonder how many building would have been destroyed by this massive structure. There are some scientific exhibits inside but most are in Indonesian; I hope they can add more languages as more tourists visit Banda Aceh. I climbed to the top of the ship for a good view of the town. #urbanexplorer #happylaborday #maydaytrip #uniquelodging

Bukit Lawang, nestled on the edge of Gunung Leuser National Park in Sumatra, Indonesia, is your gateway to encountering the endangered Sumatran orangutan in its natural habitat. Imagine trekking through lush rainforest, the calls of exotic birds echoing around you, with the thrilling possibility of spotting these magnificent creatures swinging through the trees. Beyond orangutan trekking, Bukit Lawang offers a chance to experience the raw beauty of the Sumatran jungle. Explore the Bohorok River by traditional tube, hike to scenic waterfalls, and immerse yourself in the vibrant local culture of the village. Bukit Lawang provides an authentic and unforgettable jungle adventure. #bukitlawang #sumatra

When traveling to 🇲🇨Indonesia, most people visit Java·Indonesia. However, Sumatra·Indonesia and Borneo (Kalimantan)·Indonesia offer a more unique experience. Palembang, in particular, is less frequented by tourists. I had the opportunity to visit for work and discovered its connection to China, dating back to the voyages of Zheng He. 🇲🇨Kraton and Ampera Bridge: A Play of Light and Shadow My first stop was Kemaro Island Pagoda. I recommend arriving at 8 a.m. to avoid the harsh sun and capture the vibrant colors of this red, gold, and green pagoda, which blends Chinese and Indian Buddhist architectural styles. Inside, you can climb the steep steps to the top for a panoramic view of the city, the courtyard, and the Musi River. In the afternoon, I visited the Ampera Bridge, a red steel landmark that was once Indonesia's only lift bridge. At dusk, the bridge's reflection on the river creates a cinematic scene, reminiscent of the 🌉Golden Gate Bridge in documentaries. However, up close, the differences in size and structure are apparent. 🍲Food Recommendation: I recommend trying the Palembang fish cakes at the riverside night market, Pempek Vico. Pair them with the sweet and spicy sauce for a taste of 600 years of Minnan flavor. 🇲🇨Chinese Temples and Southeast Asian Legends Take a boat to Kemaro Island in the Musi River and visit the Hok Tjing Rio Temple. Listen to the boatman recount the poignant love story of Chinese merchant Chen Wen An and the Srivijayan princess. The Srivijaya kingdom has a rich history, as evidenced by the Al Mutaqin Mosque. The temple's upturned eaves and dragon carvings, combined with Indonesian coconut wood structures, create a unique aesthetic. In the afternoon, return to the city to visit the Cheng Ho Mosque. The Chinese-style gatehouse and octagonal pavilion with a large drum evoke the maritime history of the Ming Dynasty. Don't miss the portrait of Zheng He in the temple's scripture room. 📝Tips: 🚕Transportation: Use Grab or hire a car for a day trip (approximately IDR 900,000). ❇️Experiences: Get a fortune poem at Shuiyue Palace (interpretations available in Chinese and Indonesian). Take a night cruise on the Musi River to see the fishing lights. Book a tour with dinner on Trip.com. ❤Souvenirs: Batik cloth around Kemaro Island Pagoda and wooden statues on Kemaro Island are good choices. If you're unsure, visit Carrefour. 🔱Explore the world's most beautiful destinations🔱

Lake Singkarak is a lake that stretches across two districts in the province of West Sumatra, Indonesia, namely Solok district and Tanah Datar district. This lake has an area of ​​107.8 km² and is the second largest lake on the island of Sumatra after Lake Toba in North Sumatra #sumatra #hiking#themeparks#nationalpark#lakes#beaches#infinitypool

LAKE TOBA TOUR, NORTH SUMATRA Lake Toba tourism is one of the most famous lake tours in Indonesia. In addition to Lake Toba has stunning natural beauty, Lake Toba saves a legend that you must know. Lake Toba nature tourism is one of the lakes that has a lot of natural wealth. Until now, the beauty of Lake Toba is not inferior to other natural scenery. #coral #sea #nationalpark#lakes#beaches#infinitypool