toba in 3 days, 2 nights

A long travel day to the lake, a full day on Samosir for a Batak village and a swim, and the royal tombs at Tomok on the way back to the ferry and the flight home.

1. Day 1

   To the lake

   Morning

   Fly from KL to Medan's Kualanamu airport, about an hour; North Sumatra is an hour behind Malaysia. Then drive to Parapat on the lake shore, about 4 hours.

   Lunch

   Lunch on the way or in Parapat, where halal and Muslim-run eateries are easier to find.

   Afternoon

   Take the ferry from Parapat across to Tuktuk on Samosir, about 30–60 minutes, and check in at a guesthouse on the water.

   Evening

   Dinner at the guesthouse and an early night. It's cooler up here than in Medan, so bring a light jacket.

2. Day 2

   Around Samosir

   Morning

   A swim off the guesthouse jetty, then a short ride north to Huta Siallagan in Ambarita, the Batak village with stone chairs where elders once held trials.

   Lunch

   Mie gomak, thick Batak noodles in a spiced coconut gravy or fried.

   Afternoon

   Back to Tuktuk for a slow afternoon. Kayak, read, or swim again in the clear, cool water.

   Evening

   Ikan arsik for dinner: freshwater fish in a yellow spice paste with andaliman, the local tongue-tingling pepper.

3. Day 3

   Tomok and home

   Morning

   Check out and ride south to Tomok for the old Batak royal tombs and the souvenir market by the pier. Take the ferry back across to Parapat from there.

   Lunch

   Lunch in Parapat before the long drive.

   Afternoon

   Drive back to Kualanamu, about 4 hours, and fly home. Book a late flight so you're not rushing.