Beaches in Lake Toba

The Lakeside Resorts of Prapat

A busy, congested lakeside resort mostly spoiled by tourism. It has a cool, dry climate, pine covered beaches, and spectacular views. Evenings are pleasant, whether sitting on a balcony or walking back from the cinema. Prapat is difficult to avoid as it's the main town on Lake Toba and the principal embarkation point for ferries to Samosir.

Upon entering Prapat, you must pay Rp300 even if you only want to go to Samosir. A tourist office is located near the arched entrance. Drop in at the Batak Cultural Center, Jl. Josep Sinaga 19, to see what's brewing; dances and musical performances are usually staged on Saturday night. Enthusiastic Batak singing and other forms of entertainment are staged on ocassion at Hotel Prapat.

Most of the upscale tourists are Indonesians and Chinese from Medan and Singapore, while the international travelers come from the post hippie budget set. Thus Prapat is a place where affluent locals stay in the higher priced hotels lining the lakefront while the foreigners look for the cheap hostels along the main highway.

Waterfalls with Great Sunbathing Areas

Northeast of the southern shore of Lake Toba, upriver from Balige and 30 kilometers from Porsea, is the impressive Siguragura Falls on the Asahan River, the only one of several rivers in these highlands with its source in Lake Toba. At 200 meters, Siguragura is one of the highest natural falls in Southeast Asia. You have to obtain a surat ijin from Inalum Co., Jl. Palang Merah (fourth floor), Medan, to see it.

Sipisopiso Waterfall lies at the northern end of Lake Toba. From the 120 meter high lookout point above this beautiful falls is a 360 degree panorama of the waterfall, the precipitous valley below, Tongging, Lake Toba, and mountains (an unforgettable sight). From Brastagi take a bemo to Kabanjahe, then ask for the bus to Situnggaling (about 30 minutes). From there it's a 1 hour walk to the falls.

Once you arrive to the falls, you'll be rewarded with some great cool water areas where you will be able to refresh, eat some snacks, and grab some sun.

If the trekking logistics sound challenging, consider hiring the services of Butar Sinaga (a.k.a. Mr. Jungle), who conducts trekking tours of the area. You can find Mr. Jungle at the Post Restaurant.