Lake Toba/South

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

Towns

• Balige, capital of Toba Regency.
• Tarutung, capital of North Tapanuli Regency.

Get in

• 1 Silangit International Airport (Bandar Udara Internasional Sisingamangaraja XII DTB ^IATA) (at Siborong-Borong in the southern side). The airport serves domestic & international flights with Batik Air from Jakarta, Citilink from Jakarta (via Halim Perdanakusuma Airport), Garuda Indonesia from Medan, Jakarta and Singapore, Wings Air from Medan and Jakarta, and Sriwijaya Air from Jakarta.  

See

• 1 Huta Ginjang Geosite (continue the road after Silangit airport until you see a sign). The highest hill in the southern side of Lake Toba where you can see the whole southern side of Lake Toba. (updated Apr 2024)
• 2 Sipinsur Geosite. A pine forest park. (updated Jan 2023)
• 3 TB Silalahi Center Museum (Museum Batak TB Silalahi Center), Jl Pagar Batu no 88, Balige. A museum complex dedicated to the former Ministry of Public Servants, TB Silalahi. The museum houses history of Batak cultures as well as history of TB Silalahi. Rp 20.000 per pax. (updated Apr 2024)
• 4 Toga Aritonang Monument (Tugu Toga Aritonang), Muara. A magnificent monument of Aritonang, one of the family in Batak Toba. (updated Jan 2023)

Do

• 1 Labersa Toba Fantasi Waterpark, ☏ +62 821 6316 1557. 9AM-5PM daily. Those with kids can try the waterpark. Weekdays: Rp 45.000, Weekends: Rp 60.000. (updated Apr 2024)
• 2 Batu Maranak, Desa Tipang. Climb the most accessible highest hill to get a specatular view of Southern Samosir and southwest Lake Toba. There's a concrete path up to near summit, with an elevation gain about 100-200 metres (around 15-30 mins). Head right through a thick bush at the clearing after the concrete path to reach the summit. Free. (updated Nov 2024)

Eat

• 1 Caldera Resto and Coffee, Jl. Siborong Borong - Parapat, Laguboti. A good nasi padang restaurant. (updated Jan 2024)
• 2 RM Fly Over Laguboti, Jl. Siborong Borong - Parapat, Laguboti (on the main road between Parapat to Balige). A restaurant specialized in pork. (updated Jan 2024)
• 3 Pizza Andaliman, Jl. Tarutung no 100, Balige. try their specialty - pizza with andaliman flavor! (updated Jan 2024)
• 4 Tepi Danau Bistro, Jl. Pemandian No 1, Balige (on the main road between Parapat to Balige). Open 11:00 daily, close on 22:00 (Monday to Thursday) & 23:00 (Friday to Sunday). A restaurant by the lakeside serving western style food. (updated Jan 2024)
• 5 Montero Coffee & Resto, Jl Raya Muara, ☏ +62 812 6477 6759. 9AM-9PM. No pork restaurant with a spectacular view at Lake Toba and Muara town. Glamping is offered as well. (updated Nov 2024)

Sleep

• 1 Nabasa Hotel, Jl. Siliwangi No 8, Balige. A nice but basic hotel by lakeside, with a restaurant overlooking the lake directly. Rp 400,000. 
• 2 Coffee Hotel Ayola Dolok Sanggul (CHADS), Jl Dolok Sanggul - Siborong-borong, Pakkat, Dolok Sanggul, ☏ +62 633 321 1396, rsv@coffeehotelayoladoloksanggul.com. 3-stars hotel with 93-rooms, swimming pool and meeting rooms managed by Topotels located near the town of Dolok Sanggul (which famous for its horse meat delicacy). Breakfast is buffet-style. Start from Rp 580.000 on non peak season. (updated Nov 2024)
• 3 Martin Anugrah Hotel, Jl Raya Bakkara Sosorgonting, ☏ +62 811 626 1820. Nice rustic hotel with separate swimming pool for adult and kid. Start from Rp 350.000 for non peak season. (updated Nov 2024)