Exploring Lake Toba – The World’s Largest Volcanic Lake

Lake Toba is an exotic destination –rich in natural beauty as well as a thrilling, yet devastating history. Located on the Northern end of the island of Sumatra, Lake Toba is the largest volcanic lake in the world.

The lake is actually the enormous crater of a super-volcano which last erupted 75,000 years ago. An island formed by volcanic activity can be found in the center of the lake. The crater island is nearly the size of Singapore and houses a population of about 100,000.

To get there, one must first fly to Medan, the capital city of North Sumatra. From the airport, you can rent a car to get to Parapat, one of Lake Toba’s coastal towns. Cars may be rented with or without a driver. If you choose with, you can also have him pick you up again once you’re ready to head back.

The Drive to Parapat, North Sumatra

The scenic drive to Parapat covers about 160 kilometers of winding mountain trail, and takes between 4-6 hours. (If anyone tells you that you can do that drive in 1 ½ hours, or even 3 hours, they’re lying.) Along the way you’ll pass acres of plantations – rubber trees, paper farms, and of course, Sumatra’s fabled oil palm plantations. You’ll also spot some Jabu scattered along the way; these are traditional stilted houses, boasting intricately carved designs and enormous boat-shaped roofs.

The scenic route. (only route)

As you drive higher and higher, you’ll feel the temperatures begin to drop. When you finally reach the top of the mountain, 900 meters above sea level, you’ll get your first view of Lake Toba.

It’s even more fascinating when you realize the history of the lake, and that that entire, sprawling body of water is the remnant of a cataclysmic event that nearly wiped the human race off the face of the earth.

An awesome view of Lake Toba.

This part of the road is dotted with cliff-side restaurants where you can stop marvel at the sheer magnificence that is Lake Toba. Take a break from the long drive with a simple meal, a cold beer, and an absolutely breathtaking view.

There are several hotels, resorts and homestays around this area. To be more adventurous, you can choose instead to spend your stay on Samosir Island – the island in the center of Lake Toba.

From the top of the crater, it’s just a few more minutes to the point where you can catch the ferry to Samosir. The ferry ride costs 15,000 rupiah (about USD $1.20) per person, and takes about an hour.

Welcome to Samosir, Lake Toba's crater Island

If you caught a morning flight into Medan, you’ll likely arrive at Samosir by nightfall. The island’s coast is lined with an assortment of hotels and homestays, ranging from about 200,000 – 1,500,000 Rupiah (USD $15 – USD $100) per night. While it’s possible to book on the spot, it’s much easier to get it sorted out before hand and save yourself the trouble of wandering the island in the dark!

Welcome to Samosir

 Hotels are positioned along the coast, offering easy access to water activities. Most of the hotels are
self-sufficient, complete with anything you might need for your stay: restaurants, boat tours, island
tours, car rentals, fishing equipment, and more.

Exploring Samosir Island in Lake Toba

During the day, you can roam about and explore the island. On the center of this island within a lake,
there’s another mountain. If you climb to its peak, you’ll find another lake! A mountain with a lake on top, with an island inside, with a mountain inside, with a lake on top – if you’re into that sorta thing.

The island in a lake on an island in a lake. - Lake Toba.

You’ll also see several churches scattered across Samosir’s hilly slopes. Although Indonesia is a majority Muslim country, Medan and Toba are largely Christian.

Along the trails, you’ll encounter several friendly four-footed friends, including buffalo, pigs, monkeys, and more! This dog is a true island dog, capable of catching his own fish!

The Lake Toba Fish-dog.

Cows.

Hire a boat and sail across the World's largest Volcanic Lake

Once you’ve had your fill of hiking around, you can hire a boat and see what interesting things you can find on the waters.

The Waterfall.

This is just one of several waterfalls around Lake Toba. Here, the water is shallow enough to jump in for a dip, even if you can’t swim. If you can’t swim, or happen to be scared of abnormally deep water, definitely don’t jump in at other parts of the lake, as Toba reaches astonishing depths of over 500 meters – deeper than many seas.
 
Another waterfall you can visit is Sipisopiso, located at the north end of Lake Toba. Sipisopiso, which means “like a knife,” crashes into the lake from 120 meters above, making it not only the highest waterfall in Lake Toba, but the highest in Indonesia.

While on your boat tour, you can also rent fishing equipment to take with you on your adventure. Many of the hotels will even happily cook up your catch of the day for a fresh and tasty dinner!

After Dark in the Crater-Lake Island

On this (volcanic)lake-side city, there’s plenty to do even after the sun goes down. If you chose not to go fishing, that won’t stop you from sampling some fresh sea-food (lake-food) at any of the restaurants around the island.

In case you’re up for a few drinks after dinner, you’ll even find a few bars on the island. Although they’re nothing fancy, they’ve got drinks and you may even be surprised by some pretty decent live bands!

From relaxation, to nature, to adventure, to science and history, this mysterious volcanic lake has
something to offer for everyone.

Sunset on Toba's Crater Island.

If you’re planning a trip to Sumatra, be sure to add Toba to your itinerary. Knock one off your bucket list, and add one to your list of unforgettable adventures.

Samosir Hotel Recommendations

The View from Bagus Bay, Samosir Island.

Bagus Bay Homestay & Restaurant is a lovely family-run hotel with a beautiful lake view. The rooms are clean and comfortable, surrounded by lush green gardens and opening out to the lake. Visitors can choose between the regular rooms, or traditional Batak House villas. The restaurant serves both local and western dishes, and there’s a bar too!

"Batak House" Villas at Bagus Bay, Samosir Island.

As with many of the accommodations on Samosir, you can get them to arrange various activities for you, such as cultural excursions around the island, fishing trips, and more.

Price Range: IDR 75,000 – IDR 300,000 (US$ 6 – $23) / night. 

Awesome Indonesia Traveller Tips for Toba

• Catch an early flight to Medan, or plan to overnight in Parapat. 
• Lake Toba is located 900 meters above sea level. As such, it can get a little cold. Bring a sweater.
• Street lights are minimal on the island. If you arrive at night, book your accommodations before hand. (This will also help you avoid getting ripped off while in search of a last-minute place to stay.) 
• Read a little about the location before visiting. (This will help you appreciate it more!)
• Don't forget your: camera, swimwear, mosquito repellant, flashlight.  

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