USEFUL INFORMATION:

VISAS - INDONESIAN EMBBASIES IN YOUR COUNTRY

Please follow this link http://www.embassiesabroad.com/embassies-of/Indonesia to find Indonesian embassies/consulate offices in your country. There are different types of visit visas to Indonesia, please make sure you applied for the correct one for the type of visa you need. Usually you can apply for tourist visa upon arrival at the airport, but they only normally grant visa up to 30 days, if applying this way. For stay duration longer than 30 days, please contact Indonesian consulate in your country for full details.

YOUR FIRST ARRIVAL

When you arrived in Lake Toba, the first town you come across with is a small town called Parapat (pronounced Prapat) located on the edge of Lake Toba, on the Uluan Peninsula where it forms the narrowest eastern link to Samosir Island. It is the primary transit point by ferry for visitors going to Samosir Island, and connected via Trans-Sumatran Highway to Pematang Siantar by a 48 km road. Administratively it is part of Simalungun Regency.

Please be aware that there is an entrance fee to enter Samosir island, but the cost is only approximately Rp. 3000 (three thousand rupiah = 30 cents US or 20 p UK). So, don't get cheated by anyone who might asked you for a huge amount of money to get to the island.

Once you are landed in Tomok, you will be welcomed by people posing as tour-guides.  Please be prepared to communicate clearly, as English is not a second language in this part of the world. If you do need a tour guide, please make sure you understand the deal e.g. the cost, the route, the length of time they will spend with you. Make sure that the person offering this service really do speak English, or you might find yourself disappointed or annoyed.

TRANSPORT SYSTEM AVAILABLE IN THE AREA

Bicycling is a fantastic way to tour the island. There are a few bike hire shops which will cost as little as Rp.25,000,- (US$ 3/day). The traffic in the island is fairly quiet, makes it an ideal spot for bicycling.

If you are not a bicycle lover, then go for the motorbike. I am not 100% sure what it cost, varies depending on the type of bike you are hiring, apparently you can hire one from as little as Rp.65,000/full tank, but do bargain and bargain hard if you can. This is a great and fast way of touring the island if you only have a short holiday in the region.

Going around in cars isn't cheap in this part of the world, so do shop around before deciding to hire one. Sadly, the choice of cars are not as good as Bali or Jakarta, but again why go by car, if you could enjoy a bicycle or motorbike, breath in fresh air and reduce global warming. You will feel better.

CLIK HERE FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT IFORMATION IN THE REGION

WHATEVER MODE OF TRANSPORT YOU ARE GOING FOR, IF YOU ARE HIRING THE VEHICLE PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU ARE CLEAR ABOUT THE DEAL AND THE CONTRACT INVOLVE. HAVE A PLEASANT HOLIDAY.

CURRENCY/MONEY

Official currency in Indonesia is Rupiah (Rp). Credit/Debit card payment are widely used in large cities and tourist resorts. PLEASE BE AWARE OF CREDIT CARD THEFT, NEVER ALLOW ANYONE TO TAKE YOUR CREDIT CARD OUT OF YOUR SIGHT!!! Traveller cheques are great ways to keep your money secure, however you might find local money changers are not prepared to change these for you, so make sure cash your travellers cheque in large cities, like Medan where you can find large banks to give you a good rate. Keep all your cash in a safe place.

LANGUAGES

In Samosir and the surrounding areas, Batak Toba is the local language, but Indonesian is the national language which widely spoken by most people. The are other Batak languages in the region, such as Simalungun, Mandailing, Karo, Dairi, and Angkola, but most people will understand Indonesian, and perhaps a few people will also understand English. Indonesians are now embracing English due the popularity of Internet technology the country.

THE BATAK PEOPLE

The Batak tribes are known to be a little rough compare to many other tribes in Indonesia, however this is often perceived incorrectly by people. The Bataks are very hard working people, speak rather loud due to the nature of their languages, hence people often perceived them as angry people. They are very direct always speak their minds. The Bataks are very proud of their culture, languages and tradition, so if you respect these you will have a happy time in the region. Try to learn their languages, just a few words is good enough, believe me, you guaranteed the Batak smiles. They are really friendly and kind people.

Horas (pronounced as it is written with the strong S at the end), is the greeting in the Samosir Island and surrounding area. Even other Batak tribes will accept this greeting now. Try to say Horas whenever you meet people, this is a "Good morning, Good day and good evening & How are you" for the the Bataks. Is like saying "Salut" in French.

Don't be surprised to see a group of people in a cafe/public places singing songs in a group, this is a very well known tradition of the Batak People. Singing is part of their everyday's life, particularly if someone can play guitar or flute. In fact, they will be very happy if you want to join in, the more the merrier.

THE FOOD AND DRINK

Batak Toba are majority Christians (Catholics or Protestants), but there are a lot of Muslims live in the region, particularly Batak Mandailing and Dairi. In Toba and Samosir, the majority are Christians, therefore you will find a lot of dishes made of pork in this region. 

The Bataks love their alcoholic drinks. There is a traditional alcoholic drinks locally produced in the region called "Tuak".  Tuak is the sap of palm tree which is milked by cutting the "dates like" fruits and the milk is collected and fermented traditionally. Other alcoholic drinks such as gin, beer, wine, Chinese wine (called anggur vigour), Chinese gin called Samsu are also widely available.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

PUBLIC FERRY BOAT SCHEDULE TO AND FROM SAMOSIR ISLAND

(Sources: The Samosir Government website)
(Unfortunately, no specific time stated for departure time, normally when the boat is full, it will depart accordingly)

FROM	TO	FREQUENCY
Onan Runggu	Balige	Only one trip daily.
Onan Runggu	Ajibata	5 trips/day
Nainggolan	Balige	Only one trip aday
Nainggolan	Ajibata	Only one trip aday with an extra trip on Mondays (Market day)
Mogang	Balige	Only one trip aday
Mogang	Ajibata	Only one trip aday
Simanindo	Haranggaol	Only one trip aday
Pangururan	Haranggaol	Only one trip aday
Tomok	Lopo Parindo,  Tiga Raja	10 trips/day

TOURIST BOAT SCHEDULE
(Sources: The Samosir Government website)
(Unfortunately, no specific time stated for departure time, normally when the boat is full, it will depart accordingly)

Back to top

FROM	TO	FREQUENCY
Tomok Tour	Ajibata	14 trips/daily
Tuktuk	Tiga Raja	8 trips / daily

PUBLIC TRANSPORT SCHEDULE FROM SAMOSIR ISLAND TO OTHER NEARBY REGIONS:
(Sources: The Samosir Government website)

From	To	Bus Schedule	Type of Bus
Pangururan	Medan	Hourly from 7.00 – 17.00	18 seats Minibus
Pangururan	Sidikalang	Hourly from 7.00 – 17.00	18 seats Minibus
Pangururan	Medan	Hourly from 7.00 – 14.00	8 seats passengers
Pangururan	Balige	Hourly from 8.00 – 17.00	8 seats passengers

PUBLIC TRANSPORT SCHEDULE WITHIN SAMOSIR ISLAND
(Sources: The Samosir Government website)

From	To	Bus Schedule	Type of Bus
Pangururan	Tomok	Hourly from 7.00 – 17.00	14 seats Minibus
Pangururan	Tomok	Hourly from 7.00 – 17.00	8 seats Minibus
Pangururan	Tomok	Hourly from 7.00 – 14.00	18 seats passengers
Pangururan	Nainggolan	Hourly from 8.00 – 17.00	18 seats passengers

PLACES TO VISIT IN AND ROUND THE ISLAND: (please visit the GALLERY to give some ideas of the beautiful places to visit). Please see also PLACES TO VISIT.

Back to top

IMPORTANT: As you travelling in a developing country, please be prepared to encounter over-crowded buses.  18 seats bus could be boarded by up to 20 passengers carrying extra goods on their laps. Beware of pick-pockets, as in many countries, particulary developing countries, pick pockets are operating regularly in crowded areas such as market, bus stations, ferry boat stations, etc. Please hold on to your valuables tightly. Have a save trip and look after your belonging.