Elephant Tourism Tangkahan, Time To Play With Cute Elephants

Elephant tourism Tangkahan is the most attractive destination in Leuser National Park. How comes? Well, you may often seeing elephant at the zoo. But, what if you see a group of elephants act so funny and friendly to you? Yes, this is what you can find out in Tangkahan, North Sumatra. Bringing ecotourism concept, elephant tourism Tangkahan would teach you to be nature’s friend.

Tangkahan itself got the name of ‘The Hidden Paradise’. If you come there at evening, you can stay in the hotel. There are cottage and homestay near Tangkahan with affordable prices start from IDR100k to IDR350k. But, firstly you need to report your visit at Visitor Center. If you want practical journey, you can purchase tourism package there start from IDR250k – IDR10,375k.

Picture log.viva.co.id

Location of elephant tourism Tangkahan

The elephant tourism is located at Tangkahan Village, Batang Serangan sub-district, Langkat Regency, North Sumatra. Tangkahan itself is surrounded by green hills and rich of natural panorama. If you want to get flexible journey, you are suggested to rent a car and driver because it will enable you to get the chance to enjoy your holiday. Make sure to find a good car with working windows because you will meet dusty roads.

It will take around 4 hours from Kuala Namu International Airport. To get there, you can take public transportation, i.e. bus from Pinang Barus Terminal which is only available twice a day. However, you also can take tourism bus from the airport. Along the trip, you will meet trucks bringing palm because most of the land in North Sumatra is used as palm oil plantation.

Tracking at Leuser National Park Tangkahan

Actually, there are many things you can do as you arrive there, such as tracking to Leuser National Park, visiting elephant conservation at CRU (Conservative Response Unit) and tubing in the river. Moreover, if you interested to explore the forest deeper, you can try jungle tracking with the instructors. So, if you are crazy in love to tracking, Leuser National Park must be visited. Not only offers you the beauty of nature, but you will get more knowledge about flora and fauna that exist in the national park.

To get to Leuser National Park, you have to pass  Batang Serangan River and Buluh River. You can rent a gethek or traditional boat by paying IDR3k per 3 days. During tracking, you are suggested to wear long trouser and long socks to avoid leachs beaten and suck your blood. When you explore the forest deeper, you will find Uning or the source of water for animal in the national park.

The tracking will be more fun when you get down because the small river will welcome you. There are so many fruits, such as banana and pineapple grow there. The good news is that you can eat those fruits when you take a rest before continuing the tracking. Not too far from the river, there is  Batang Serangan which is suitable for swimming. Yes sure. You definitely want to refresh yourself after the long tracking. And if you purchase tour package, you will have opportunity to enjoy the lunch at the bank of the river with incredible view.

Bathing the elephant at Tangkahan

Well, not only in Thailand, you also will have chance to bath and play with elephant at Tangkahan. Not only those activities, you even will have chance to explore the bank of river with smart elephants.

Actually elephant conservation in Tangkahan has 8 male and 7 female elephants. Those animals have their own keeper to ensure tourist that they riding elephant with professional. In this conservation, you will have chance to do many thing, such as elephant feeding, elephant riding, and elephant bathing. What makes tourist love is when they have chance to bath the elephant in the Namogeltus River. 

With a small brush, you have to bath the elephant. Dont be afraid because the elephant’s skin is very thick and it will not hurt them. While bathing and brushing the elephant, ask your friends to take the pictures. This will be unforgettable moment as you visit elephant tourism Tangkahan. After they looks cute and fresh, next you will have other duty to feed elephant.

Elephant riding is the next activity. You only need to pay IDR300k and surround the conservation area within 10 minutes and tracking by surround the forest by paying IDR10,000k. Each elephant can be ride by 3 passengers, included the keeper. However, you only have chance to do it from Monday to Thursday. Riding elephant by surrounding the forest is a favorite activity because you will get a new experience while exploring the heavy tropical forest in Sumatra.

                                                                                   

River tubing at Leuser National Park

Travelers, if you still have energy to do more, you can try river tubing at  Batang Serangan. The route is from Batang Serangan River to Buluh River. So, if you want to try rafting but afraid of strong current, river tubing in Tangkahan can be an alternative activity because while you tubing, you will witness the beauty of forest which is very clean. 

If that is still not enough, you can walk around 30 minutes to go to other spot, i.e. Namuceceng at the top of Buluh River. In this spot, you can swim and challenge the adrenaline by jumping from to cliff. After that, you can relax your body by visiting hot spring near Buluh River. Just keep in mind to hold to tube tightly and wear proper attribute. You surely don't want your sandals and the tube floating.

Combination between natural scenery and elephant conservation in Tangkahan offers something different to tourists. That is why foreign tourist interested to come and explore this area. Those are what you can do while doing elephant tourism at Tangkahan, North Sumatra? How it sounds? Don’t say that you are a real adventurer before you travel to Leuser National Park. So many fascinating activities are waiting for you.

Sorake Beach, the Best Surfing Spot in Nias, North Sumatra

Sorake Beach is one of popular beaches in Nias with big and high wave. This condition becomes a perfect spot for those who love surfing. For domestic tourist, probably Sorake Beach is a strange name. But, for professional surfer, this beach likes a paradise and God provides it for their hobby. That is why most of professional surfers curious to conquer the powerful wave. Every year, tourist from around the world comes to this beach. It is because there is surfing competition for local and foreign. People know this event as Nias open. There are hundred surfers who participate in this competition.

Pictures Sorakebeach.com

Location

Sorake Beach exists at Botohilitano Village, Teluk Dalam sub-district, South Nias Regency, North Sumatra, Indonesia. Besides that, the beach is adjacent to Lagundri Beach. The location is so remote. That is why visitor who want to come to the beach needs extra effort. However, this condition makes the beach still virgin. Hence, it is not surprise if Sorake Beach becomes favorite surfing spot for surfers. There are two alternative ways to reach Nias Island, i.e. by sea and air transportation. If you choose sea transportation, you can reach Nias Island for about 85 miles. It takes around 12 hours by ferry from Sibolga City, North Sumatera to Gunung Sitoli Port. Sitoli is the only one big city in Nias Island. From Gunung Sitoli to Teluk Dalam City, it will take around 4 hours by a car.  

If you take air transportation, you can start your journey from Polonia Airport in Medan City, North Sumatera. It will take around 1 hour to Binaka Airport. The airport exists around 20 km south of Gunung Sitoli, Nias Island. From Binaka Airport, you can hire a car or travel agent to go to Teluk Dalam City. It takes for 4 hours. In a short time, tourist who wants to visit Sorake Beach will be more comfortable because local government plan to build an airport. The location is only 3 km from the beach. This infrastructure will ease visitor when they want to enjoy the vacation in Sorake Beach. The airport will be active around August 2013.

 

Accommodations

Accommodation at Sorake Beach is quite complete. There are home stay, hotel and lodge. Besides that, you will meet one of traditional village. You can enjoy the exoticism of Bawomataluo Village in Fanayama sub-district, which is exists around 30 minutes from Sorake. In this village, you can enjoy war dancing, jumping stone and traditional houses from South Nias. If you want to have documentation in Sorake Beach, you don’t have to worry about it. There are many photographers and videographers. They will record your action when you conquer the wave. For this service, you have to pay around IDR1,500,000 or US$155 for 100 pictures. You can see them at 07.00 – 11.00 and 16.00 – 18.30.

 

Activities

Sorake Beach is famous for the high and powerful wave. The height of wave can be 3 – 5 meters. But, when the wave is good, the height can be 15 meters. Usually, it happens around June – July. This condition challenges the professional surfers to conquer one of the best surfing spot in the world. Besides that, there are five levels of wave, which is very rare. In this beach, a surfer can ride a wave of water for about 200 meters. It happens because the character of wave in Sorake is long and big. The reason is because the beach is facing right to Indian Ocean.

The other peculiarity is that the wave is not depends to direction of wind and tide. Hence, when you come here, don’t think about white sand because along the coastline, you will only see rocks. Most of surfers who want to feel the real wave in Sorake Beach will come on June to July. If you want to surf, you don’t need to swim to the middle of ocean. You only need to walk along the coastline and swim for about 2 – 3 toward the ocean. Next, you only need to wait the rolling of wave. If you are lucky, you can find hollow wave. This wave is the most wanted wave and professional surfer will love to challenge this type.

When you come at weekend and holiday, the beach will be full by tourist local. They want to enjoy the beauty of beach from distance. Some of them try to learn surfing. If you want to meet the best wave in Sorake Beach, you can come around June – July. You will never regret because the weather is good and the wave of water is powerful and high.

Lake Toba, Visiting One of Beautiful Lake in North Sumatra

Lake Toba is one of popular lake in North Sumatra, Indonesia. For Indonesian, it is strange if you never heard its lake. With beautiful scenery and fresh air, you will enjoy every second by exploring the lake. Early morning is the best time if you want to enjoy the beauty of Lake Toba. Cool and freezing air will accompany you but that is the beginning of your journey to explore one of beautiful lake in Sumatra Island.

Initially, you can climb the rock to reach the peak of mountain to watch Lake Toba from distance. At the foot of the hill, you will see an extraordinary panorama. You will have immense view there because you can see the stretch of blue water and buildings in the city. It is hard to imagine if there is a perfect spot like this unless you visit Lake Toba.

Picture Medantouristguide.blogspot.com

Lake Toba is located at North Sumatra and categorized as volcanic lake with 1.145 km². Actually, its lake is more resemble to ocean than a lake. And when you come there, you can visit the only one island that is situated in the center of lake named Samosir Island that has elevate 1.000 meters above sea water and estimated formed by the explode of Toba Mountain around 73.000 – 75.000 years ago. Because of its beauty, some people agree if the lake become one of treasure for North Sumatra because visitors can enjoy the group of hills and comfortable atmosphere.

If you start your adventure to Lake Toba from Jakarta – Medan, it takes 1 hour 45 minutes. Then, you have to continue your way to Parapat by a car for 4 hours till you arrive to the lake. Along the lakeside, you will see so many motel or guesthouse and restaurants. Those restaurants provide you local dishes along the street. Most of them using clan’s name based on where they come from. Actually Batak ethnic has many clans, such as Batak Angola, Batak Pakpak, batak Karo, batak Simalungun, Batak Mandailing, and Batak Toba. The tastes of those dishes is resemble to Padang food, rich of flavor, cooked by coconut milk, and spicy.

Visiting Toba Lake is not complete if you don’t go to Samosir Island. Samosir Island is just like a magnet and enamor for tourists. You have to cross the lake to Samosir to visit Tuktuk and Tomok. Those are subdistrict and become a popular tourist destination. Actually, there are many ways to reach its island. Firstly, you can take a boat with Rp5.000 or 50 cents for 30 minutes or by ferry. But, ferry will be available only twice a day, 08.30 and 12.00 local time. If you take a boat you will be entertained by music. When you arrive at Tomok port at Samosir Island, you will be welcomed by car’s owner and public transportation.

Hiring a car is the best choice because you can travel around the island. But, you have bargain because sometime they will charge you more expensive. For 3 hours, you can bargain IDR120.000 or US$14. In Tomok, you have to go to 3 places, Batak Museum, Tomb of King Sidabutar, and Si Gale-gale Puppet. The performance of puppet will be showed together by tor-tor dancing and it will be performed by children with music instrument. You have to pay IDR80.000 or US$9. According to the legend, Si Gale-gale puppet made to memorize son of King Harahap named Si Manggale. This puppets was made in order to make the king did not desperate and sad. Long time ago, Batak ethnic considered a son as golden boy because he would continue the family clan.

The next destination is visiting Tomb of King Sidabutar. What is the uniqueness of its place? This tomb is made from big rocks and carved with the shape resemble to the king’s face, included his long hair. There, most of tourist takes the picture because few tombs are made with this condition. After you feel enough with the tomb, next you can explore Batak Museum. The building adopted traditional house of Batak ethnic with red to black color and featured by Batak’s carving style. Inside the museum, you can see traditional clothes, traditional weapons, daily utensils, and traditional calendar. The atmosphere is rather dark and it describes the uniqueness of Batak Museum.

After satisfied visiting Tomok, you can go straight to Tuktuk. Tuktuk is dominated by guesthouses which is offers you tranquility. There, you will see an art village that has beautiful view direct to Lake Toba. You will pass rice field and villages that sell handy craft. If you want to spend the night there, you have to pay IDR350.000 – IDR500.000 or US$35 – US$50. You can stop by and strolling to take the picture with the background of Lake Toba.

By speed boat, you can try to go to other sides of its lake. This time, you will see pieces of big rock which is hanging on the high cliffs. The magic impression will appear around the Batu Gantung (Hanging Rock). When you come to this spot, maybe you will see lot of kids on their boat waiting the visitors. Do you think what are they doing? Try to throw your coins and you will see the next because they will jump into water, diving and take the coins. Is it sounds simple for you? Surely it is not because the depth of Lake Toba is 900 meters. It would be not easy to take the coins. Lot of tourist enjoy to watch those boys diving and that is why they doing it.