5 hours with Lingga, and onwards to Toba Lake, through Simarjarunjung, Prapat, and Samosir Island.
On the way to airport in Medan, you might like to visit the famous Maimoon construction and mosque, or check out Majapahit Road for a box of bika ambon, a delicious local cake with unique spongy texture, available by various vendors there.
A major point to remember is that you have to book your accommodation in advance for weekends or longer weekend, since you will be competing with tourists with Medan, and even Singapore together with Malaysia for lodgings.
"Tourist Destination for nearly a Century"
That de development of Berastagi inside tourist destination is closely related with colonial planning. When the area around Medan was changed into plantation (one of the most successful plantation in Nederlander colonies), their need for fruits and vegetables were supplied from this fertile lands of Karo. This connection increased in 1908 when the Dutch constructed a streets directly linking Medan and Karo high plain.
That Dutch recognized Berastagi’ s potential as vacation spot. So they built bungalows, villas, lodges. Clinics, schools, and even a nine-hole golf course. In truth, many of them fell gets interested Berastagi that they opted to enjoy their retirement here.
Berastagi’ s fame being a tourist destination began to spread in the 1920s. almost a century later, the city is still attracting local and unusual tourists. Berastagi has become much more popular than Kabanjahe, the capital of Karo.
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Situated at a cool altitude of 1300m up inside hills, around two a long time from downtown Medan, Berastagi makes for a great two or three day retreat. This bustling town contains a healthy agricultural economy and it is markets are usually exciting hives of activity. Berastagi's serious attraction, however, is its mountain trekking. The area is dominated by the twin volcanoes of Gunung Sinabung to the west and Gunung Sibayak to the north. Both of these easily accessible volcanoes are a day's hike a piece and are surrounded by lush forests and god's gifts to earth. After you've tramped in place Sibayak, why not recharge your batteries at the hot springs on the main road?
Sinabung, at 2450m, is even higher than SIbayak and offers even more stunning views from its summit. You may wish to take into consideration taking a local guide with you on this one thought as you possibly can a little tricky from time to time! Buses run around the bases of these behemoths, so getting straight onto the hiking trails is not hard. The rest of the following area, known as the Karo Highlands, is also worth exploring and options traditional villages and Batak architecture aplenty.
Back in Berastagi, the colorful Tugu Perjuangan is located in the centre of town and commemorates the Batak's struggle with Dutch in the 1800s. Any time you've seen that, why don't you try some beetle nut in the market? The leaves, substance, tobacco and red nut are typically purchased together, mixed to the leaf, rolled and chewed. The paste also contains lime for a little added kick. If you're feeling much more adventurous, snake, lizard and dog meat can all be found on Berastagi's menus! batak oyna