
Bukkitinggi, Sumatra © Judith Duk
Sumatra is the second largest island in the archipelago and is
about the size of California, formed by a longitudinal spine of
mountains including 90 volcanoes. The majority of the population
live in the foothills, plateaus and highlands of this range as
farmers. The entire island was once covered in dense rainforest,
but today most has been destroyed by the need for agricultural
land, which is the country's prime earner with exports of palm oil,
rubber, tobacco, coffee and tea.
Sumatra is a beautiful island with volcanoes and hot springs,
lakes and rivers, rolling green foothills, plantations and wild
jungle scenery. Many reserves protect the island's wealth of
indigenous wildlife, and elephants, tigers, rhinos, orang-utans and
tapirs can be seen on organised safaris within protected
reserves.
The island is home to numerous people and races, among them the
Muslim Minangkabau and the great highland people, the Batak,
inhabiting a fertile volcanic plateau, who have a language, dress,
religious belief, architectural style and culture of their own.
Lake Toba, the spiritual centre of the Batak, is lined with resorts
and is a major tourist destination. The busy hill town of
Bukittinggi is the hub of the Minang culture, surrounded by
spectacular scenery and close to Lake Maninjau, a sparkling
volcanic crater lake surrounded by the jungle-covered crater
walls.
This is an island of plenty - with its scenery, wildlife,
natural resources, cultural diversity and extraordinary
architecture Sumatra has much to offer the visitor.
Resorts
See our separate guides to the following Sumatra holiday resorts: Lake Toba
Attractions

Gunung Sibayak © James Gagen
Berastagi
A great place to stop off for travellers en route to the holiday
resort of Lake Toba, the town of Berestagi is famed not only for
its passion fruit, but also for the two active volcanoes; Gunung
Sibayak and Gunung Sinabung. Gunung Sibayak...
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View over Lake Maninjau © James Gagen
Lake Maninjau
Lake Maninjau is set like a burning sapphire stone in the crater
of the mountain and is a spectacularly beautiful place to relax and
unwind. This caldera lake located in west Sumatra and is thought to
have been formed by a volcanic eruption...
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Surfing Sorake, Nias © jenjoaquin
Nias Island
Famed for its right-hand reef breaks, Nias is a key surfing
destination for many travelling through the area, with the best
known surf spots being Sorake Bay and Lagundri Bay. But this
fascinating island also boasts a rich cultural history with
prehistoric remains which...
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Padang © A. www.viajar24h.com
Padang
The capital of Sumatra, Padang offers a compact and enjoyable
cross-section of Sumatran life and its various cultures. Many
surfers stop here on their way to the Batu or Mentawi Islands, but
the town itself boasts a few noteworthy attractions such as the
Adityawarman...
see full detailsExcursions
Bukit Lawang
The little village of Bukit Lawang is situated on the eastern
banks of the pretty Bahorok River facing one of the grandest forest
areas in South East Asia, the Mount Leuser National Park. With its
restful and pleasant setting, it was once one...
see full detailsBukittinggi
Meaning 'high place', Bukittinggi is situated on a hill and set
among majestic mountains, green plantations and rice terraces. One
of the friendliest and most easy-going towns in Sumatra, it is home
to the Minangkabau people and the area is seeped in the...
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