Ten Days Exploring Sumatra with a Dutch Family

   

Medan – Bukit Lawang – Berastagi – Mount Sibayak – Lake Toba – Samosir

2–11 August 2026

When I welcomed a family from the Netherlands at Kualanamu International Airport, I knew I had a ten-day journey ahead of me.

There were four of them: Edwin, Marloes, their daughter Milou, and their son Sep.

My job was simple: take care of them, guide them, and show them the best of North Sumatra.

But as the days went by, something more meaningful happened.

I stopped feeling like just their tour guide.

I felt like part of their family.

Starting the Journey in Medan

Our journey began in Medan. After picking them up at the airport, we explored the city before continuing towards Bukit Lawang.

As a Sumatra tour guide, I enjoy introducing visitors not only to famous attractions but also to the small experiences along the way — local food, traditional transportation, villages, markets and everyday life.

For me, travelling is not simply about taking guests from one destination to another.

It is about helping them understand the place they are visiting.

In Bukit Lawang, we crossed the river and entered the rainforest for a jungle trekking experience. We searched for orangutans, listened to the sounds of the forest and spent the night in a simple shelter.

It was tiring, but exciting.

And somewhere between walking through the jungle, sharing food and laughing together, we became more comfortable with each other.

A Family, Not Just Guests

One thing I really enjoyed about this family was their openness.

Sep, their son, was funny and adorable. His personality brought a lot of laughter to our journey.

And Milou...

Milou loves singing.

She often sang during our trip. Whenever the moment was right, I would ask her:

“Milou, can you sing for us?”

And she would sing.

Her voice became one of the little memories I will always remember from this journey.

For me, these moments are important because being a tour guide is not only about knowing directions, history or entrance fees.

It is also about creating a comfortable atmosphere where guests can be themselves.

Coffee, Markets and Honest Conversations in Berastagi

After Bukit Lawang, we travelled towards Berastagi, passing villages and beautiful highland landscapes.

We visited Taman Alam Lumbini, the local fruit market and Gundaling Hill.

But one of my favourite memories in Berastagi happened away from the main attractions.

Marloes invited me to have coffee with her while exploring the market.

Marloes is a teacher, and she is a very kind person. That afternoon, our conversation became more personal.

We talked about life, family, work and relationships.

We even talked openly about my life as a single woman.

It was a simple coffee and market walk, but for me, it was special.

This is one of the things I love about being a guide.

Sometimes the best part of guiding is not explaining a destination. It is listening to people's stories and sharing a little of your own.

From Mount Sibayak to Lake Toba

The following morning, we headed towards Mount Sibayak.

We started early, enjoyed the mountain scenery and later relaxed at Lau Debuk-Debuk natural hot springs.

From the highlands, our journey continued towards Lake Toba.

For me, Lake Toba is not simply another destination on a map.

It is a place I am proud to introduce to international visitors.

I want travellers to see more than the beautiful lake.

I want them to understand the Batak culture, history, food, villages and people that make the Lake Toba region special.

This is also one of the main reasons I became a tour guide: I want to make friends from different countries while promoting Lake Toba and supporting sustainable tourism.

Discovering Samosir

We crossed Lake Toba by ferry and arrived on Samosir Island.

There, we explored the countryside by bicycle, visited traditional villages and enjoyed the beautiful landscape between Ambarita and Tomok.

We also experienced local Batak food and everyday life.

This is the kind of travel I love to create.

Not just:

“Here is the place. Take a picture.”

But:

“Let me tell you why this place matters.”

With my background in journalism, feature writing, photography and reporting, I enjoy telling the stories behind the destinations I guide. My experience includes covering travel, culture, education and community stories, as well as working as a photographer and reporter.

So when I guide visitors, I don't simply show them places.

I tell their stories.

When Guests Become Friends

On the last day, it was time for the family to leave.

Ten days had passed.

Looking back, the itinerary was full of beautiful places:

Medan.
Bukit Lawang.
Berastagi.
Mount Sibayak.
Lake Toba.
Samosir.

But my most valuable memories were the moments between those destinations.

Milou singing.

Sep making us laugh.

Coffee with Marloes.

Conversations with Edwin.

Sharing meals.

Walking through markets.

Travelling long roads together.

Laughing when we were tired.

And slowly becoming comfortable enough to feel like family.

That is what I hope to give every traveller who comes to Sumatra.

Not just a tour.

Not just transportation.

Not just a list of attractions.

But a journey filled with stories, local experiences, culture, friendship and memories.

I am Damayanti, a freelance Sumatra tour guide and tour leader based in the Lake Toba region.

I guide travellers through Medan, Bukit Lawang, Berastagi, Mount Sibayak, Lake Toba and Samosir, with a special interest in Batak culture, history, local food, village life and sustainable tourism.

If you are planning to explore Sumatra, I would be happy to be more than your guide.

Let me show you Sumatra through the eyes of someone who loves this place.

Come as a traveller.
Leave as a friend.

— Damayanti
Sumatra Tour Guide | Lake Toba & North Sumatra