Medan

Drive a few hours out of Medan and you’ll find yourself in some of the dense jungle Sumatra is known for. Base yourself at the charmingly lo-fi village of Bukit Lawang within Gunung Leuser National Park and explore the surrounding area on foot. There’s a range of different treks through the park and if you’re lucky, you’ll come across macaques, gibbons and of course, orangutans.

Lake Toba is one of the biggest volcanic crater lakes in the world. Its cool, clear waters offer incredible kayaking, spectacular fishing and a blessedly cool respite from Sumatra’s equatorial climate. The island in the middle of the lake, Samosir, is a laid-back, friendly community, and the centre of Indonesia’s indigenous Batak culture.

Medan is the gateway to north Sumatra, but there’s plenty worth exploring in the city itself. Jump on one of the ubiquitous motorised becaks and take in some of the sights. There’s Maimun Palace, the royal seat of the Sultanate of Deli and an architectural melting pot, the Medan Grand Mosque, and Tjong A Fie Mansion, a fascinating museum in a famous tycoon's 1900 residence.

Medan has a reputation for being one of Indonesia’s gastronomic capitals, with everything from bustling street-food vendors to fine dining. Make sure you try arsik, a freshwater fish dish laced with andaliman, a Sichuan-esque spice that grows in the highlands around Lake Toba. There’s also Soto Medan, a thick chicken and coconut soup, Bakso Lembu Medan meatballs, and sweet Bika Ambon cake for dessert.

This dormant volcano offers stunning sunrise views, clouds of dramatic steam, challenging jungle trekking and best of all – hot springs to soak in after a morning of strenuous activity. It’s around a 3-hour trek to the top from the town of Berastagi, and you’ll be rewarded for your efforts with incredible views of the sulphuric crater lake and the surrounding countryside.