Discover North Sumatra, Nias island and live a volunteer experience in an Orphanage in Nias

Hosted by

Luca

07 Apr 24 → 20 Apr 24

Guided trip

14 days

11 stops

2 - 5 Mates

Indonesia

What's special?

See orangutans in their natural habitat

Volunteer experience in an Orphanage

Amazing landscapes and beaches

Indonesia is mostly known for Bali, but there is much more that is little known. On this trip we will see how local people live, and we'll discover Batak and Nias culture. In the last few days, we will go to live and help the children in an orphanage where I had the opportunity to volunteer for a year. In This trip there will be space for trekking in the forest and the possibility of seeing orangutans but also to relax on one of the most beautiful islands of Nias called Pulau Asu and for those who want you can surf in Sorake which is one of the best spots in the world

About me: Hi TripMates! I am Luca (30 years old) from Italy. I love traveling and discovering new cultures, I have visited 30 countries and since 2021 I have started to do international volunteering experiences until I had the opportunity to live a year on the island of Nias helping the children of an orphanage managed by the local Caritas. This experience gave me so much and as soon as I returned home I promised myself to return and give other people the opportunity to live part of that experience. What's the plan? I tried to create a complete trip. We will start by visiting the most famous places in North Sumatra which are Lake Toba and Bukit Lawang where We'll discover the Batak culture, take a trip into the jungle and see orangutans in their habitat. Once We'll arrive in Nias we will visit the village of Bawomataluo to discover the true culture of Nias and then we will go to Sorake which is one of the most loved areas by surfers from all over the world. We will move to Pulau Asu, a paradise island where we will have the opportunity to relax, to go snorkeling and surf. Before returning home we will spend the last days in Gunungsitoli experiencing what in my opinion is the most emotional part of this trip where we will have the opportunity to live with the local population and spend time playing with the children of the orphanage where I worked.

I'm looking from 2 to 4 TripMates in order to manage the trip at the best way During the trip we will stay in different types of structures: Hotel with shared double room in Medan, Lake Toba, Sorake and Pulau Asu. Bungalow in the jungle in Bukit Lawang House: At the orphanage in Gunungsitoli in a shared room

What's included?

Local guide and driver

Transportation between stops

Jungle Trip

Accommodation

Your Booking includes free protection from Trip cancellations.
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Gallery

Indonesia - Medan - Discover North Sumatra, Nias island and live a volunteer experience in an Orphanage in Nias

Indonesia - Lake Toba - Discover North Sumatra, Nias island and live a volunteer experience in an Orphanage in Nias - 1

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Luca

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Ciaooo! I'm Luca., born in Italy and citizen of the world 🌍

You can chat with Luca once you reserve your spot.

Medan

Day 1-2

Medan is the capital of North Sumatra Province and the third-largest city in Indonesia. We will meet to get to know each other, we will have the opportunity to relax after a long international trip and plan the following travel days.

Lake Toba

Day 2-5

With a bus from Medan, we will move to Parapat and then take a ferry to Samosir island in the center of Lake Toba. It is the best place to start our vacation in Sumatra. The world's largest volcanic lake, surrounded by steep green mountains, is absolutely beautiful. We will stay for 3 nights in a hotel with a shared double room and during the day we will travel by scooter or Becak (Indonesian motorbike taxi) to explore the wonders of this island and visit the typical Batak village where we will learn about the Batak culture. Furthermore, there will be time to swim in the lake, visit the tuk tuk village and try the local food.

Bukit Lawang

Day 5-7

Bukit Lawang is the reason many people visit Sumatra. The small village is home to the largest Sumatran orangutan sanctuary in Sumatra. The sanctuary is located in the Gunung Leuser National Park, which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will take part in a jungle trek with an expert guide, and we will have the opportunity to see orangutans in their natural habitat.

Medan

Day 7-8

We will return to Medan with a 3-hour trip, rest and enjoy a great dinner and prepare for another day of travel as flights to Nias are only in the morning.

Gunungsitoli

Day 8

From Medan with a 1-hour flight we will arrive in Gunungsitoli, the largest city on the island of Nias where our driver will be there to take us to the next stop.

Bawomataluo

Day 8

After 2 hours we will arrive at the village of Bawomataluo (King's Village), famous for the stone jump and where our guide and the local people who will tell about the culture of Nias and we will have the opportunity to witness the very famous jumps.

Sorake

Day 8-10

After 1 hour of travel, we will arrive in Sorake, a very famous place for surfing enthusiasts for its perfect waves. We will stay 2 nights in a hotel with swimming pool where we can relax.

Sirombu

Day 10

Sirombu is a coastal village located in the Nias Regency of North Sumatra, Indonesia. Known for its pristine beaches and surfing spots, it offers a tranquil escape and attracts water sports enthusiasts seeking waves and natural beauty. From Sorake our driver will take us to Sirombu where we will take the boat to get to Pulau island.

Pulau Asu

Day 10-12

Pulau island is a paradise island with crystal clear water and perfect for snorkeling and surfing. We will enjoy 3 days of total relax staying at the Mama Silvi cottage sleeping in a sea view bungalow and enjoying fresh and delicious food.

Sirombu

Day 12

After enjoying fantastic days of rest and relaxing we will return by boat to Sirombu where the driver will be waiting for us and with a 3-hour journey we will arrive at Gunungsitoli which will be our last stop.

Gunungsitoli

Day 12-14

Here we are at our last stop and the one I care about most. In Gunungsitoli I lived for a year as a volunteer in an orphanage run by the Alma nuns. I was responsible for doing entertainment and teaching activities for 40 wonderful children, some of them with disabilities. We will stay with them for 3 days, we will have our own shared room while all the other spaces will be shared. They will be excited to meet other foreigners ("bule" in Indonesian). In these days we will do many activities and games and there will certainly be a great party and lots of good food. Unfortunately, the end of this journey will come with the hope of having managed to pass on to TripMates even a small part of what Indonesia and its people have given and taught me.