Danau Toba

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View of Lake Toba.

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Overview

Danau Toba has been part of traveller folklore for decades. This grand ocean-blue lake, found up among Sumatra’s volcanic peaks, is where the amiable Christian Batak people reside. The secret of this almost mythical place was opened up by intrepid travellers years ago. While these days Tuk Tuk – the knobby village on the lake’s inner island – is on the beaten Sumatran overland path, it's still one of the undisputed highlights of central Sumatra.

01 / Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • King Sidabutar's Grave

    King Sidabutar's Grave

    Danau Toba

    Located 5km southeast of Tuk Tuk, near the Tomok ferry terminal, is a complex of royal Batak tombs and houses. At the entrance you'll pass sarcophagi of…

  • Batak Graves

    Batak Graves

    Danau Toba

    Amid the fertile rice fields between Simanindo and Pangururan are these large multistorey graves decorated with the distinctive miniature Batak-style…

  • Museum Huta Bolon Simanindo

    Museum Huta Bolon Simanindo

    Danau Toba

    At Samosir’s northern tip, in the village of Simanindo, 15km north of Tuk Tuk, there’s a beautifully restored traditional house that now functions as a…

  • Stone Chairs

    Stone Chairs

    Danau Toba

    In the village of Ambarita, 5km north of Tuk Tuk, is a group of 300-year-old stone chairs, where important matters were discussed among village elders…

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