Lake Toba/North

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

Towns

• Kabanjahe, capital of Karo Regency.
• Raya, capital of Simalungun Regency.

See

• 1 Hill of Gajah Bobok (Bukit Gajah Bobok), Merek (follow the sign after the gate to Sipiso-piso falls). A hill overlooking the view of northern side of Lake Toba. You need to climb a bit to reach the top hill, of which you can see even Sinabung & Sibayak volcanoes on a very clear day. (updated Jan 2024)
• 2 Sipiso-piso falls (Air terjun Sipisopiso), Tongging, Merek (30 min drive from Merek, turns right when you see the sign; continue until you meet a gate to pay entrance fee). 24 hours. Highest waterfall in North Sumatra. You can climb down to get near to the waterfall or just enjoy the vista from top. (updated Apr 2018)
• 3 Tomb of King Silalahi (Tugu Makam Raja Silahisabungan), Silalahi, Paropo (continue down the main road along the lake from Tongging village (not back to Merek road) until Silalahi village, on the left side of the road). A grave of Batak King Silalahi, contains well-preserved Batak traditional house. (updated Apr 2018)

Do

• 1 Mount Sibuatan (Gunung Sibuatan), Merek (from Merek, head to village of Naga Lingga as start point). Highest mountain in North Sumatra with a height of 2457 m. Located in northern part of Lake Toba, the mountain is covered in thick rainforest. A guide is needed and the climb is hard. Not very popular with climbers. Usual climb will take 2 days. (updated Apr 2018)

Eat

• 1 RM Muslim Suroboyo, Tongging (roadside of the winding road heading down to Tongging). 10:00-17:30. An alternative to Sitopsi if the latter is packed full. Offer more or less similar menu, price and services. (updated Dec 2018)
• 2 Sitopsi, Tongging (from Tongging market, turn to left and follow the small road). Offer fresh seafood with a very cheap price. You can choose either grilled or fried. Do try the lobster! Very packed with people around lunch time and serving time seems to take forever. (updated Jun 2018)

Sleep

• 1 Morent'z Pool & Cafe, Merek (from Merek head to Tongging direction and skip the fork to Tongging; continue ahead about 8 km until you see the sign on left side), ☏ +62 81 988 1718. Check-in: 14.00, check-out: 11.00. A hotel that imitates Santorini house style, they have 6-rooms in the swimming pool area, 2-glamping tents and several wooden cottages. The swimming pool is a salt water pool with they claimed has therapeutic effect when swimming. Can be very cold at night. Rp 550,000 per room. (updated Jan 2024)
• 2 Sapo Juma, Merek (from the gate to Sipiso-piso waterfall/Tongging village, turn right where signboard mention Bukit Gajah Bobok and Sapo Jumma; follow the road passing flower garden until reaching Sapo Jumma about 15 min), ☏ +62 812 6293 1331. A home-stay consists of 8 standard rooms, this can be a very cheap alternative to Simalem Resort if you want to enjoy the same view as this is located adjacent hill of Simalem Resort. The owner also has extensive flower garden just across the hotel. Staff are very friendly. There's a camping ground as well. Rp 450,000 per room. (updated Jun 2018)
• 3 Taman Simalem Resort, Jl. Raya Merek - Sidikalang Km. 9, ☏ +62-61-4577616 (marketing office), +62-811-6077-616, info@tamansimalem.com. Taman Simalem Resort is Indonesia's first agro-eco-tourism destination that has the magnificent Lake Toba as the backdrop at some 1400 m above sea level. Some unique features of the resort comprise Indonesia's largest loquat farm, an organic vegetables farm, a 9-hole golf course set in a tea and coffee estate and a twin waterfall in the 130-ha jungle that surrounds the resort. The resort is still under development but accommodation is available; ranging from the 4-bedded rooms with detached bathrooms to villas set in the jungle. For the more adventurous, camping packages are also available. A minimum 2-night stay is recommended to be able to enjoy most of the resort's facilities. Windbreakers and sweaters are recommended as the temperature averages below 20°C year round. Start from Rp 1,900,000. (updated Apr 2018)