If you want to trek, swim, explore traditional Batak villages, soak in hot springs, party or just chill with some cool local people, Pulau Samosir is your Eden. Your chickenbus beaten body will begin to unwind on the slow 8km ferry cruise over to this volcanic isle (it’s actually connected to the mainland by a narrow isthmus, but why quibble?) 900m above sea level. In the late ’90s, Tuk Tuk, the island’s resort town, rocked with full-moon ravers, but Thailand stole their thunder, and now empty hotels and quiet streets are the norm. Which means low prices, high value and tranquillity.
Samosir, or
Samosir Island, is a large volcanic island in
Lake Toba, located in the north of the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. Administratively, Samosir Island is governed as six of the nine districts within Samosir Regency. The lake and island were formed after the eruption of a super volcano some 75,000 years ago.
The island was originally connected to the surrounding caldera wall by a small isthmus, which was cut through to aid navigation.
At 630 km², Samosir is the largest island within an island, and the fifth largest lake island in the world. It also contains two smaller lakes, Lake Sidihoni and Lake Aek Natonang. Across the lake on the east from the island lies Uluan Peninsula. The island is linked to the mainland of Sumatra on its western part by a narrow land connecting the town of Pangururan on Samosir and Tele on mainland Sumatra. Tele consequently offers one of the best views of Lake Toba and Samosir Island.
Samosir is a popular tourist destination due to its exotic history and the vistas it offers. The tourist resorts are concentrated in the Tuktuk area. The island is the centre of the Batak culture and many of this people's artifacts remain on the island. Most of the tourist accommodations are concentrated in the small town of Tuktuk, which is located a one-hour ferry ride across the lake from the town of Parapat.
