Flower Fields, Turquoise Coloured Hot Springs & 4 Other Places You MUST Visit in Indonesia

Being the largest lake in Southeast Asia, Lake Toba is not just any lake, but one that sits in the caldera of a supervolcano! Sitting 900 metres above sea level, this magical place in Sumatra, Indonesia is actually bigger than Singapore weh!

Want to know what makes this area one of the most stunning natural wonders in the world? Well, just take a peek at these 6 hidden gems in and around Lake Toba and you’d be ready to pack your bags and head to Sumatra in no time!

1. Take a dip in nature’s picturesque sulphur bath at Sipoholon Hot Springs

Source: TripCanvas

Sipoholon Hot Springs is located among limestone hills that are dotted in hues of orange, yellow, and green which makes it one of the most unique and beautiful places in Lake Toba!

What to expect: 

• Vibrant blue-green coloured waters as a result of the sulphuric nature of the surrounding rocks.
• These hot springs are dubbed “soda water pools” for supposedly tasting like a carbonated beverage. Although it is quite safe to drink, we don’t recommend you trying it out!
• Go for a soak! And if you’re feeling hungry afterwards, taste some local cuisine at any of the North Tapanuli restaurants nearby.

Entrance fee: As low as RM1.50 per person to access the pools
Address: Situmeang Hasundutan, Sipoholon, North Tapanuli Regency, North Sumatra 22452, Indonesia

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by AWANDERFUL (@awanderfultrip) on Oct 23, 2018 at 8:30pm PDT

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Nana? (@rynasrg) on Sep 17, 2018 at 1:58am PDT

2. Romance season every day at Sapo Juma Tongging Garden

Source: Phinemo

Planning for that picture perfect holiday proposal or for that dream honeymoon? Sapo Juma Tongging Garden is the ideal place to keep the romance alive!

What to expect:

• A diverse variety of flowers in different colours that is sure to add a splash of vibrancy to your holiday!
• The perfect place for couples to take lovely photos, have a picnic, or even propose!

Entrance fee: RM6 per person
Address: Desa Tongging, Kecamatan Merek, Kabupaten Karo, Sumatera Utara
Contact: +62 852-7662-4993
Opening hours: 8am – 5pm daily

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by widya christiani sembiring (@widyakembaren) on Jun 9, 2018 at 9:22pm PDT

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Arya Stark ? (@myoverusedpassport) on Nov 1, 2018 at 5:44am PDT

3. Take a short hike at Bukit Holbung and bask in the stunning view!

Source: TripCanvas

Bukit Holbung is a hill located near the village of Huta Holbung in Samosir. A short 10 to 15 minutes hike, this hill is famous with locals and tourists alike!

What to expect:

• Picturesque greeneries, magnificent mountains and the crisp air.
• This is also a popular camping spot if you want to enjoy a beautiful night under the starry sky!
• It’s also known as the Teletubbies Hill due to its similarities to the landscape in the popular kids’ TV series!

Address: Dolok Raja, Harian, Samosir Regency, North Sumatra, Indonesia

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Stefanus (@stefankhub) on Aug 28, 2018 at 3:14am PDT

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Dicky Hario N (@dqhario) on Sep 4, 2018 at 9:17am PDT

4. Marvel at the natural wonders of Sipiso-Piso Waterfall

Source: TripCanvas

While a return trip to the falls may take a hefty 7 hours, it’s a must-go for hikers who also happen to love Instagramming their escapades! This gorgeous plunge waterfall is part of Sumatra’s Batak highlands and is formed by a small underground river of the Karo plateau.

What to expect:

• Sipiso-Piso waterfall is located at the northernmost tip of the Lake Toba caldera, near Tongging.
• Reaching a height of 120 metres, this stunning waterfall is barricaded by endless greeneries that make for an otherworldly view!
• Take in the breathtaking bird’s-eye view of Lake Toba!

Address: Tongging, Merek, Karo Regency, North Sumatra 22173, Indonesia

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Mardalani_net (@mardalani_net) on Nov 21, 2018 at 3:52am PST

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Leonard Wong (@leonard_wong) on Nov 26, 2018 at 6:16am PST

5. Jump inside a bird’s nest at Puncak Sidiangkat Sidikalang

Source: Pinterest

Puncak Sidiangkat is a spot in Lake Toba that’s popular on social media for the larger-than-life bird nests that hang by the edge of the hill!

What to expect:

• Larger-than-life bird nests that hang by the edge which you can actually climb in safely for pictures!
• A majestic bird’s-eye view of the surroundings from high up in the clouds!
• There are various other Insta-worthy backdrops for your followers to look at in envy such as a swing high up in the sky!

Entrance fee: RM1.50 per person
Address: Kabupaten Dairi, Jl. Subulussalam – Sidikalang No.171, Kabupaten Dairi, Sumatera Utara

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Shinta GLoria S. Bancin (@shintabancin) on Sep 23, 2017 at 6:40am PDT

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by EAS (@egiasaragih) on Aug 6, 2017 at 9:03pm PDT

6. Take one-of-a-kind pictures on top of Bukit Indah Simarjarunjung

Source: TripCanvas

Just like Puncak Sidiangkat, Bukit Indah is also one of the most sought-after photo destinations in Lake Toba with various Instagram-worthy backdrops for you to take pictures with!

What to expect:

• Snap your Instagrammable shots on a hot air balloon platform, a giant palm or even a heart suspended above the skies.
• There is also a pirate ship deck and even a motorbike against a backdrop of the ocean.
• If you’re brave enough, dare yourself to take a treehouse swing into the clouds!

Entrance fee: From RM1.50 for 5 minutes of photography, RM3 for parking
Address: Jalan Simarjarunjung, Butu Bayu Pane Raja, Dolok Pardamean, Kabupaten Simalungun, North Sumatra 21163, Indonesia

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Emia Barus (@emiabarus22) on Nov 12, 2018 at 2:08am PST

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Z.JR (@zeissjunior) on Aug 10, 2018 at 4:34am PDT

Okay, these places look incredible! And thanks to the recently opened Silangit airport, getting to Lake Toba is now easier than ever too!

Travelling from Malaysia is a breeze and if you’re keen to visit this pretty place, all you have to do is:

• Book a flight to Silangit International Airport (Lake Toba) via AirAsia.
• Flight time is only approximately 1 hour 20 minutes and available every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
• Return flight fares start at only RM234.88 per pax!

Easy as that! Moreover, getting around is pretty simple as well, whereby to enter Tuk Tuk, Samosir Island (the main tourist area of Lake Toba), you can just:

• Hop on a ferry from Ajibata Harbour in Parapat to Tomok Harbour in Tuk Tuk. The whole trip will only cost you RM2.40.
• If you’re renting a car, you can even ship your rental car (with you and your buddies inside of course) to Tuk Tuk for only RM26!

And when you’re on Samosir Island, the best mode of transportation has got to be by motorbike, which you can easily rent for RM30 per day! Itching to travel already? I know I am!

For further info about Lake Toba and other amazing places that you can visit in Indonesia, click here.