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Large volcanic island in Lake Toba in North Sumatra Province, Indonesia
Photo: Ibal harun, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Samosir island is an island in the moddile of Lake Toba. This island is a large volcanic island, formed after the eruption of the Toba supervolcano around 75,000 years ago.
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At the northern tip of the island there is a Batak Museum with traditional dance performed twice daily at 10:00.
Stone chairs used for judgement and executions area of King Siallagan, in front of a line of old Batak houses (about 50-100 years old, but look older). Many houses are still in use.
Batak king grave
The Batak king who adopted Christianity is buried in Tomok, a village 5 km southeast of Tuktuk.
with a guide on-board
Private boat to Tomok or Tuktuk costs Rp 700,000 and takes 10 minutes.
Self paddle "kiddle ride" boats for Rp 40,000 per hour.
Rendangs, curries. Internet is available at a reasonable local price.
Restaurant with view of Lake Toba. Curries, fresh lake-fish, steamed or grilled, western food such as schnitzel (breaded pork or chicken chop pan fried). Desserts include fresh papaya that grows in the back-yard or a golden-brown banana pancake with chocolate sauce and a sprinkle of coconut. Once all the guests in the small place with only about 5 tables are fed and happy, Rinto will take the guitar from the wall and entertain his patrons
A family restaurant with a kind, friendly owner. Chicken à la batak Rp 25,000, banana chocolate cake Rp 80,000 (for a whole cake). Also has fresh vanilla for sale (Rp 70,000 for 100 grams) and motorbike rental.
Batak food, including pork and lake fish with local spices. Large Bintang Rp 35,000, 100 g fish Rp 8,000, served with fried potatoes (one portion of fish is 500 g normally, but they might have bigger ones, too). Family run, used to be one of the first restaurants in Tuktuk, then closed for some time and reopened in 2010 by the son of the previous owner.
Views and reasonably priced food. Make sure to try the avocado sandwich for Rp 10,000, the avocado tree can be seen from the balcony. The owners are extremely nice and helpful but don't seem to get many customers as they are past the main tourist area.
Traditional Batak and Indonesian food and a variety of Western meals such as schnitzels, real homemade burgers, pasta and roast chicken with fresh herb stuffing. Brown bread, burger buns and baguettes baked most days. English breakfast with smoked bacon is delicious. You can order a Batak feast one day (or less) in advance. Some choices are boneless fish curry, ikan na neura (very fresh raw fish marinated with candlenuts, spices & lime juice), napi nadir (a Batak style curry made with grilled chicken), saksang (chopped pork cooked with Batak spices and fresh pig's blood (blood is optional). Also available to order – delicious Lake Toba freshwater lobster (crayfish) at a very reasonable price.
Restaurant with traditional Batak, Indonesian and European cuisine. Spaghetti bolognese, nasi goreng 'special', beef rendang, BBQ fish. Restaurant has a view of the lake. Motorbike rentals also available for Rp 60,000.
Free wifi, western-styled food served, the extensive menu is possibly pricier than other options. They have baked goods and European quality natural yoghurt. Fish is caught directly from the lake.
The owner of this small cafe, Juliet, is very friendly. Main meals from Rp 20,000-35,000. Wifi for Rp 100,000 an hour.
you will provide a wonderful local Batak performance that is a mixture of traditional dances and fantastic drinking songs.
It is perched high up looking over the lake.
It is on the main street is hosted by two wonderful local girls and plays cool tunes.
Traditional Batak houses with hot water shower. Rp 40,000-50,000 per room.
Next to the lake. A dark wood and bamboo bar/restaurant gives the place a relaxed feel. The most rooms are basic. They have a restaurant and internet and WIFI.
Small quite relaxing place a few km from Tuktuk with lovely scenery and good swimming. Rooms are clean and located in several houses. Western and Indonesian style food is served in the restaurant or on the terrace. Tourist information and good tips about Sumatra.
49 rooms set in a beautiful tropical garden. It has a restaurant with a verandah overlooking the lake. Staff are very helpful. Small Batak style cottages up the hill have cold water only. Luxury rooms on the lake shore come with hot water, a bath tub and a fridge. They have a lake area for swimming with a diving board and pontoon to relax. The hotel can organize travel, trips and motorbike rental. Computer room and free Wi-Fi in the restaurant area, though the speed can be very slow.
Closer to the ancient ceremonial stone chairs than downtown Tuktuk. Variety of accommodation options all directly on the lake including suites and traditional Batak houses. Prices are a bit higher for this secluded location. Hot water unreliable. Good breakfast. No Wi-Fi or internet, and the nearby internet café seems always to be closed.
A very chilled out place on the left wing of the peninsula Tuktuk. 4 very spacious and beautifully furnished rooms with bathroom, direct access to the lake and stunning views. There's a huge Bar and restaurant with a communal room. free pool billiards, table tennis, darts. Live music, scooter rental, BBQ, laundry. Rooms between Rp 60,000 in low season and Rp 150,000 in high season (note: confirm the agreed room price in writing as it may change when you get the bill).
Small guesthouse with 12 rooms including 2 batak cottages in both a single and a 2-storey building. The rooms are clean and comfortable with attached bathroom. All rooms have a direct lake view. Good for swimming and relaxing. Local and Indonesian food including some German meals. Free Wi-Fi. Private boat dock.
Good for those who arrive late in Parapat, there is usually a representative to take them to the cottages. The waterfront is clean, and the large restaurant food and drinks. Batak music provided every Wednesday night and Saturday night. If you walk outside the hotel you can use a local cafe which may offer some more variety and cheaper prices. They also own Samosir Villa Resort 5 min drive away. Its sister resort has new rooms, free internet, a pool and a restaurant providing food and drinks.
Rooms are clean and quite modern by Sumatran standards. Free Wi-Fi. Western-styled food served in the restaurant is good.
Nice people and nice double room. Veggie taco for Rp 21,000.
Basic bungalows on the lakeshore, with a small restaurant.
Free wifi in restaurant (nok in standard room, too far but ok outside near the hamac), towel, no soap/shampoo, western toilet w bucket flush (no toilet paper or toilet gun), water fountain for refill, moto rent, tour options. Restaurant prices: Rp 15-20,000, drink Rp 5-12,000, breakfast Rp 7-15,000.
There is a one-hour ferry ride across the Lake Toba from the town of Parapat.00.30 pm. A car ferry leaves the mainland from Ajibata and lands in the small town of Tomok, about a 10-minute drive from Tuktuk until 9 pm.
Read in the guideBy motorcycle
In Tuktuk, it's possible to hire a motorcycle for a day or two and get out and about Rp 70,000 per day including full petrol.
By bicycle
Most of the cottages and guest houses at Tuktuk will rent you a very serviceable bicycle for a nominal fee (for locals, it's about Rp 100,000), this is a very much preferred way to get around there.
By foot
Exploring by foot is limited to surrounding area only.
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Beringin · International · KNO
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