Lake Toba/East

Eastern side of Lake Toba is a region within Lake Toba.

Towns

• Kisaran, capital of Asahan Regency.
• Raya, capital of Simalungun Regency.

Understand

The majority of the people who live in this area are Batak Simalugun; although some residents have tribes from other areas such as Batak Toba, Karo, Pakpak, and Mandailing. The people in Simalugun adhere to Islam, Christianity, and Protestantism.

See

• 1 Hill of Gibeon (Bukit Gibeon), Sibisa (continue the main road from Parapat to Balige and you will see a sign, just follow the sign). Puprle-roof complex of church popular for locals and the Christians to pray. The church only open on weekend. There's a small waterfall and swimming pool opened for public every day. (updated Jan 2023)
• 2 Ponot Falls (Air Terjun Ponot), Desa Tangga (about 15 minutes after passing the bridge of the Asahan River at the small village, there is a Y fork; take a left fork heading down). A 3-step waterfall, one of the highest in Indonesia, around 200 m. (updated Nov 2021)
• 3 Sigura-gura Falls & Dam (Air Terjun dan Waduk Sigura-Gura), Desa Pintu Pohan Dolok. Said to be the highest waterfall in Indonesia at 250 m, the Sigura-Gura Falls and the nearby dam are part of the Sigura-Gura hydro power plant complex that powers most of North Sumatra. It is operated by the state-owned PT Inalum. The dam is said to be the 2nd largest in Indonesia. Access is limited, but there's a lookout from the main street to view the falls, the dam and the power plant complex. (updated Nov 2021)
• 4 Simarjarunjung hill (Bukit Indah Simarjarunjung), Jl. Simarjarunjung (between main road of Parapat and Merek). Another spot to view the eastern side of Lake Toba. (updated Apr 2018)
• There is a path leading up the mountains to the north of Parapat about 100 m out of the buildings down the main road. This leads up to an attractive pine forest.

Do

• 1 World Heritage Minimini (10 km from Lake Toba), ☏ +62 81370181202. The government has promoted development of several fish farms, using dugout lakes, far from Lake Toba, to prevent its contamination. One of these new farms uses a unique sustainable development technique, using the surplus of plankton to fertilize the 5,000 fruit trees planted around the 26 dugout lakes. Camping sites, gardens, golf 19-20, badminton, mölkky, geocaching, a heliport and world heritage replicas have been laid out around the lakes without cutting the pre-existing trees in this valley. Actually, the Government already controls the situation and many new fish farms are opening away from Lake Toba. One of these new farms "World Heritage minimini" which is managed by a Community Organism welcome ecotourism tourism. World Heritage minimini uses, for fish farming, a sustainable-development technique (1000 years), unique in the world, taking excess-plankton-annually-to-fertilize-fruit-trees. 5,000 fruit trees were planted around the 26 dugout lakes. (updated Aug 2018)
• Rafting. Rafting in Parhitean: Asahan River is a river in North Sumatra which flows from Lake Toba. This river passes Porsea, district Asahan, and ends at Nibung Gulf, the Strait of Malacca. The river is 150 km in length and passes through the valleys of the Barisan Mountains. The Asahan River, especially around the Tangga village, flows around 120 m/sec with grade IV-V + and has an average depth of 5 m: it is considered very challenging by whitewater rafting enthusiasts. (updated Feb 2015)

Buy

• 2 Parapat Saturday moring market, Jl. Harangaol, Parapat. Sa 05:30~11:00. Early on Saterday moring there is food market: fruits, vegetables, fresh fish (or stil alive). You can get everything very cheap (compared to western standards). It is packed with people and food. Go before 09:00 then there is still plenty of choice. free. (updated Feb 2024)

Eat

Many restaurants in this region are concentrated around Parapat. Outside of Parapat, it's quite hard to find decent places. In Parapat, most restaurants are located either on the main road or in hotels. The hotels offer some western dishes, whereas the local restaurants are either Batak (pork may be present) or Minang/Padang (which will be the only option for Muslim). Many hotels will include a basic Indonesian breakfast of coffee and either fried rice (nasi goreng) or fried noodles (mie goreng)

• 1 La Pinus Damasus. 10:00-21:00. Try Lake Toba crayfish dishes. (updated Jul 2024)
• 2 Warung Risna, Jl Josep Sinaga. Serves lontong sayur also mie gomak for breakfast. (updated Jul 2024)

Drink

• b.caro coffe shop, Jl. Haranggaol 114, Parapat (5 minutes from down town, 2 minutes from Tigaraja harbour), ☏ +62 62541306. Good coffee. Rp 3,000 per cup. 

Sleep

• Charlie's Guesthouse, Parapat. cheap and central. Overlooks the market (therefore a bit noisy, especially on Saturday) and is very close to the ferry station. Rooms are about Rp 70,000, pretty clean and with shower (updated Feb 2015)
• 1 Danau Toba Cottage, Parapat. Offers spacious rooms, Wifi and cable TV and a swimming pool. rooms Rp 260,000-400,000. (updated Feb 2015)
• 2 My Nasha Hotel, Tigaras, ☏ +62 81809351766, +62 81534534383, mynashatigaras@gmail.com. A bit expensive by Lake Toba standard, but it offers a very splendid view to Lake Toba especially the Junior Family room type. Food from hotel are expensive, it's recommended to eat outside of hotel. Has swimming pool for adults and kids (separated). start from Rp 500.000. (updated Dec 2019)

• 3 Niagara Hotel and Resort, Parapat. One of the better hotels, although only 2 to 3 stars. Can be crowded with families and Indonesians at weekends and on public holidays.