A Toba view so iconic it made it onto the cover of our North Sumatra Travel Guide and Itinerary Planner! But honestly, whip out your phone or camera anywhere on Samosir Island and you’re going to get a shot that captures the insane beauty of Lake Toba - whether it’s a rice field, a lake view, the smile of a local shopkeeper, or a dog taking a nap in the afternoon sun. . Want to know more about this incredible part of the world? Check out our 5-star rated ebook at www.exploring.sumatra.com (or vi

Sumatra Travel Tip No. 15 Google Maps is handy when travelling Sumatra, but not always accurate here. The travel times are usually far too optimistic. We’d recommend adding anywhere from 1-3 hours to what Google says. Shortcuts often catch people out, too. What looks like a nice option to cut some time from your journey may in fact quickly turn into a rocky, muddy, trail that ends up taking twice as long OR stopping in the middle of nowhere. Follow us for daily tips this month (and check out our