NINNA.ID-Lake Toba is vast, spanning eight regencies. If you only have a two-day holiday, it won’t be enough to explore everything Lake Toba has to offer. For adventurers, Samosir is the best choice to experience the exoticism of Lake Toba.
The other seven regencies also offer incredible experiences. However, if you want to pack a lot into a short amount of time, Samosir is your best option. This isn’t just promotional talk for Samosir; many friends and guests have said the same thing.
They describe Samosir as a super-complete destination. Among those are two women who work at a humanitarian organization in Jakarta.
Initially, they planned a 3-day, 2-night vacation in Parapat. However, upon arriving in Parapat, they changed their minds, possibly because they wanted to see what Samosir was like.
Capturing the Beauty of Ajibata
Even though they had already paid in full for a two-night stay, they decided to explore Samosir for 2 days and 1 night.
On the first day, they arrived in Parapat in the evening and rested. The next morning, they explored Bukit Senyum in Motung Ajibata and The Kaldera in Sibisa.
In the afternoon, they traveled to Samosir, taking a wooden boat from Tigaraja Harbor to Homestay Jabu SiRulo on Samosir Island.
Before reaching their accommodation, they thoroughly enjoyed riding motorcycles, with me monitoring them from my bike’s rearview mirror.
We stopped at Panatapan Sinapuran Simanindo, where the views were breathtaking despite the heat. Their faces showed amazement at the scenery before them.
Discovering Batak Culture
We then visited a nearby village where locals warmly welcomed us and allowed us to take pictures of traditional Batak houses. I explained why Batak houses are shaped like boats and why they often feature buffalo head carvings or lizard motifs.
After leaving Panatapan Sinapuran, we headed to the homestay for a short rest before continuing our journey to Bukit Burung (Bird Hill).
Trekking Adventures at Bukit Burung
One of the women seemed particularly strong and excited about outdoor exploration, so I decided to take them trekking at Bukit Burung.
My instincts were spot on! Both were thrilled with the location. Usually, when I bring guests here, I simply sit and admire Lake Toba’s stunning views for hours while enjoying snacks and drinks.
But this time, I had to accept the challenge of trekking. We trekked for 15 minutes along a newly opened trail. They took countless photos from various angles, fully enjoying the sunset.
Even with some rough spots on the trail, they were so captivated by the experience that they even talked about camping there if they returned to Samosir.
Relaxing at Aek Rangat Hot Springs
From Bukit Burung, we headed to the Aek Rangat Hot Springs. As it was a holiday, the place was crowded, but we managed to find a less busy spot.
While soaking in the hot springs, I shared stories about the wonders of Lake Toba. Besides its freshwater lake, the mountains around it produce hot springs that can heal various skin conditions.
Afterward, we stopped by a souvenir center in Pangururan before returning to the homestay.
Canoeing at SiRulo Beach
The next morning, their activities continued with canoeing on Lake Toba at SiRulo Beach. They paddled far beyond my sight, clearly skilled at handling the canoe.
After canoeing, they had breakfast and prepared to return to Parapat and then to Kualanamu Airport.
Even after arriving in Jakarta, they told me they had no regrets about changing their plans last minute.
Despite having paid for two nights in Parapat and spending extra for a homestay, boat transfers, and motorcycle rentals, they were satisfied.
Samosir: A Complete Adventure Package
From the three regencies they visited—Simalungun, Toba, and Samosir—they felt Samosir was the best choice.
Samosir offered a complete adventure package: exploring Batak houses in Sinapuran Simanindo, trekking at Bukit Burung, soaking in Aek Rangat hot springs, canoeing at SiRulo Beach, and exploring the island by motorcycle. They found it exhilarating and unforgettable!
Writer/Editor : Damayanti Sinaga
She is a tour guide in Lake Toba
