Explore Lake Toba and Samosir Island: Best 1-Day Tour from Medan

The solo Chinese traveler I met on the ferry managed to find a local guide at the hotel front desk for 1 million rupiah per day, which was a bit more affordable than the 1.2 million rupiah per day I had found through Google and WhatsApp.

Itinerary:
1. **Tomok Morning Market (Pasar Tomok)**: Just 3 kilometers from Tuk Tuk, where our hotel was located, this charming little town hosts a bustling market selling everything from colorful clothes to fresh fish and vegetables.
2. **Stone Chair (Batu Kursi Raja Siallagan)**: This historical site is home to traditional wooden houses of the Batik tribe, a grand stone chair under a massive tree used for community meetings, and intriguing stone tables and chairs once used for punishing criminals.

The area also includes the king’s tomb, adding a touch of mystique.
3. **Batuhoda Beach (Pantai Batuhoda)**: A sprawling beach park with a variety of facilities, including cozy coffee shops, quaint cabins, and picturesque windmill houses perfect for photo ops. You can even rent car inner tubes for a fun and unique swimming experience.

4. **Efrata Waterfall**: After crossing the Red Bridge and leaving Samosir Island, we embarked on a scenic drive through winding mountain roads, passing by charming villages and lush terraced fields. Our journey culminated at the breathtaking Efrata Waterfall, where we enjoyed splashing in the refreshing waters and exploring the stream below.

5. **Lunch at BPK ARISMON BRE SITEPU**: Following our waterfall adventure, we made our way down to a small, rustic restaurant by the lakeside, nestled behind Bukit Sibeabea. The menu featured delicious roasted pork and grilled fish, with the roasted pork and boiled pig’s feet being particularly memorable.

6. **Jesus Statue (Bukit Sibeabea)**: Standing tall at 61 meters, this impressive statue of Jesus is one of the tallest in the world, surpassing the famous Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, which stands at 39 meters.
7. **Hiking Bukit Holbung Samosir**: This area offers several hills that are perfect for a leisurely hike.

From the parking lot, a series of steps lead up to the first hilltop, offering panoramic views of Lake Toba and the towering Jesus statue. Higher up, you’ll find campers setting up tents to enjoy the serene surroundings.
8. **Ferry back to the island**: Instead of retracing our steps via the Red Bridge, we opted for a relaxing ferry ride back to Samosir Island, enjoying the tranquil waters and the beautiful sunset.

9. **Roadside Durian**: On our way back, we passed through a quaint village where a roadside cart offered fresh durians. We couldn’t resist and bought one for 50,000 rupiah, savoring the sweet and creamy fruit.
10. **Waterfront City Pangururan** (we did not stop): This vibrant city features scenic walkways and elegant fountains, making it a popular spot for both locals and tourists.

11. **Aek Rangat Hot Springs**: Nestled in the mountains, these natural hot springs offer a rejuvenating experience. The site has separate pools for men and women, and while they charge for parking, entry is free. You can also purchase drinks and raw eggs to cook in the hot springs, adding a unique twist to your visit.

Places I wanted to visit but didn’t have time for:
1. **Lake within a lake (Danau Aek Natonang)**: Unfortunately, part of the road was under construction, so we visited the next day by motorcycle. Half of the area was fenced off for a park, and there was an entrance fee, but the roads inside were still incomplete.

On the opposite side, there’s a lovely spot where you can walk to the lakeside and enjoy the stunning view. When we arrived, a group of Korean girls had just left, each riding a motorcycle, guided by a Korean-speaking local.
2. **Weaving workshop**: We tried to visit, but it was closed on the day we went.