The largest volcanic lake
In a supervolcano's caldera.
Elvinamonica — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Elvinamonica — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Elvinamonica — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Elvinamonica — CC BY-SA 4.0
The largest lake in Indonesia and the largest volcanic lake in the world: some hundred kilometres long and thirty wide, up to five hundred metres deep, at about nine hundred metres altitude in the heart of North Sumatra. It formed in the caldera of a supervolcano that erupted some seventy-four thousand years ago, the largest known eruption on Earth in millions of years, and it has been a UNESCO Global Geopark since 2020. In the middle of the lake is the large island of Samosir, home of the Toba Batak people, with villages of raised timber houses whose roofs curve like boats, and old stone tombs. Visitors reach it by ferry from Parapat in about an hour, and most stay on the quiet Tuktuk peninsula on its shore. The lake itself costs nothing, and the climate is mild and fresh all year thanks to the altitude. Its joys are the still water and the green mountains around it, swimming and boating, and visits to Batak villages such as Huta Siallagan and the Huta Bolon museum, and the Sipiso-piso waterfall at the northern end. The drive from Medan takes four to five hours, so allow two days at least. Note that food in Batak villages is often not halal; Parapat has more halal restaurants, so be sure to ask.
In a supervolcano's caldera.
Batak villages with boat-shaped roofs.
Since 2020.
Parapat on the east shore, about 4 hours south of Medan
Yes for nature and quiet, but Samosir's people are mostly Christian and food there is often not halal. Stay in Parapat or at a hotel serving halal food, and always ask before ordering.