The Incredible Lake Toba

Lake Toba is one of the awesome natural   wonders of the world. This is a crater lake so enormous it has an island almost the size of Singapore in its centre. At over 1,145 square kilometers, Lake Toba is actually more like an ocean than a lake. This is the largest in Southeast Asia and the deepest lake in the world with a depth of about 450 meters.

Lake Toba is a place to come and sit back, relax and absorb some beautiful pristine scenery. As you sit and take in the view of the picturesque mountains set against the cool clear lake, you will feel the worries of the world melt away. As the lake sits 900 meters above sea level there is a cooler climate here making a refreshing break from the heat, humidity and pollution of the city.

It’s hard to imagine a more scenic place to come and enjoy hiking, swimming and sailing although once you arrive it might be difficult to resist the anesthetizing effects of the lake. The cool clear water coupled with the relaxed atmosphere and friendly people is what draws visitors from all over the world to Toba.

Venture onto the island of Samosir in the middle of the lake and you will discover mountains steeped in cool mist, clear waterfalls to swim under and locals taking their water buffalo out in the fields.

This is a place to come and enjoy the legendary Batak hospitality.Say cheers and enjoy some traditional palm wine with the locals. Sit and have coffee and chat with islanders keen to practice their English. Where-ever you go, it won’t take long to make a new friend.

On the main land, there is accommodation available in town of Parapat. Parapat occupies a small, rocky peninsula jutting out into the lake. On the way down to Parapat you will get some spectacular views as the lake first comes into sight as the road winds its way down the mountain closer to the shoreline.  In Parapat live the Batak Toba and Batak Simalungun people who are known as a happy and easygoing people, famous for their lively and sentimental love songs.

Many visitors prefer to take the more scenic option and stay on the massive island of Samosir in the middle of the lake. The original home of the Batak Toba people, the island has many traces of ancient days including stone tombs and traditional villages. This is where you’ll be able to discover unique and ancient Toba culture. The natural beauty of the island means that it’s also an ideal place to come and get away from it all. Samosir is accessible by regular ferries from Parapat.

Despite being a tourist spot for many years, Samosir still remains a natural and undisturbed natural beauty. Venture away from the small villages of Tuk Tuk or Tomok and you will find yourself in the country surrounded by farmland, churches and strange tombs peppering the landscape.