go-explore
Car Rental

Lake Toba All Day: Your Perfect Adventure Getaway

The beauty of Lake Toba. (Photo: Ministry of Tourism) 

In just one day, you can explore several captivating destinations at Lake Toba! Lake Toba, the largest lake in Indonesia, is a volcanic lake located in North Sumatra, Indonesia. It was formed by the colossal eruption of a supervolcano approximately 75,000 years ago, creating a massive caldera that was later filled with rainwater. 

Lake Toba stretches about 100 kilometers in length and 30 kilometers in width, with depths plunging up to 500 meters. One of its distinctive features is the volcanic island at its center, known as Samosir Island.

The beauty of Lake Toba lies in its clear emerald-blue waters, encircled by lush hills and green mountains. Additionally, the lake offers various natural attractions such as waterfalls, white sandy beaches, a rich underwater ecosystem, and natural hot springs in the surrounding area, often used for therapeutic and relaxation purposes.

If you have only one day to spend at Lake Toba, here's a sample itinerary that you can follow. Feel free to customize it according to your preferences:

  • 7.30am: Arrive at Kuala Namu International Airport in Medan.

  • 7.30am -12 pm: Journey to Parapat, the gateway to Lake Toba. The overland trip from Medan to Parapat takes approximately four to five hours.

  • 12pm - 12.30pm: Have lunch at a local restaurant.

  • 12.30pm -1.15pm: Travel to Samosir Island by ferry.

    Photo source: ciburial.desa.id

  • 1.15pm - 4pm: Arrive on Samosir Island, visit Tomok Village to see the Raja Sidabutar graves, explore traditional Batak Toba life, and savor Batak cuisine.

  • 4pm - 5pm: Enjoy the breathtaking view of Lake Toba from the island's edge.
    Photo source: kompasiana.com

  • 5.45pm – 6pm: Return to Parapat by ferry.

  • 6pm: Arrive in Parapat and have dinner.

  • 6 pm – 8pm: Journey to the airport or your accommodation.

Make sure to keep a close watch on travel durations and ferry schedules so that you can return to Parapat promptly for your journey back to Medan. Find more travel inspiration to explore the beauty of Indonesia at #WonderfulIndonesia hashtags on Instagram by following @wonderfulindonesia!