From Wikitravel

Berastagi is a town in North Sumatra, Indonesia.

[edit] Get in

It is recommended that you know someone with a car in Medan, the closest biggest city in North Sumatra with an airport, because public transport to Brastagi is quite bad, often people squeeze inside a bus and some even sits on top of the roof of the bus. You could get a taxi straight there from the airport (many touts will approach you)with normal price 350000 rp/person. Use your negotiation skill to get the price down to 250000 rp/person. You can also go to Pinang Baris bus station in Medan 10k west of city centre or to Simpang Kuala where you can get a local bus for around 25000 Rp/person (Jul 07). From Polonia airport to Pinang Baris or Simpang Kuala, you can use local minivan 'Sudaco'(rarely)for a 2000-3000 rp. If you don't have enough time to wait for the 'Sudaco', you can use 'Becak Mesin' which is available just outside the airport to go to Pringgan. Pringgan is the easiest place to get 'Sudaco' to Pinang Baris, Simpang Kuala or any other places in Medan. The common price for 'Becak Mesin' from airport to Pringgan is 10000 rp/trip. Bus to Berastagi takes about 2 hours. The common bus names are Borneo, Sutra, and Sinabung Jaya.

[edit] Get around

Buses service service many of the surrounding villages as is the case in the rest of Indonesia. Prices are similar to those elsewhere in Indonesia. You may get to ride on the roof of local minibuses. Many run along the main road all the time. Central market is main stop.

[edit][add listing] See

Sibayak, Sinabung mountains, Sipiso-piso Falls, Traditional Karonese House at Lingga Village, Lake Toba (Tongging).

[edit][add listing] Do

A climb of Gunung Sibayak is a must. A guide is not required and would probably take away from the experience. Catch a bus to the bus terminal at the bottom of the mountain. If short on time you could get dropped off up higher as the lower part is road and not as scenic. Ask your hotel which bus (some leave from the flower market). The walk starts off by ascending sharply and really doesn't stop climbing until you reach the 2000m summit. It is a tough walk and water and snacks are a must, but those with a basic level of fitness should be able to complete this with rests along the way. 2hr from start to summit.

The crater of Gunung Sibayak is filled with rocks that tourists have inevitably made into all sorts of shapes and words. From here, a good way to descend the mountain is to head off over the far side of the crater (3 o clock) down some very slippery surfaces. Once these are negotiated, it is 2hr to the nearest village by the power station, where there are many hot springs. Don't be fooled into simply going into the first hot spring you see. Look at the others and see which is the best option. From here, transport back to Berastagi is as easy as jumping on the first bus seen, last one around 6pm. Watching the sun set over the volcano you just climbed from the roof of the bus is magic.

[edit][add listing] Buy

Try beetle nuts from the market. You buy the leaves, a paste, tobacco and a red nut. All are mixed on the leaf, rolled and chewed. The paste is lime so it has a kick to it.

[edit][add listing] Eat

Chinese restaurant in the main street has some good eating options and hot food. Food streets are opened along the side of main street after dark. Many type of Indonesian foods are available, mostly 'Ikan Bakar' (Grilled Fish).

For an adventure try the local specialty called babi pangang. It's pork meat in a special sauce.

[edit][add listing] Drink

Try the palm wine known as tuak at a local tuak house. Don't be surprised if someone breaks out a kecapi and starts singing. You can also snack on snake, monitor lizard, and dog meat.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

• Hotel Sibayak (Wisma Sibayak) is located on the Southern end of the main street near a giant cabbage sculpture and is quite suitably located. There are two classes of rooms and even the premium rooms are very basic. Toilets are operated by bucket and shower is using the same bucket. As the altitude of Berastagi is approximately 1300m, it can sometimes be very uncomfortable to shower with the cold water. The staff will be happy to boil a bucket of water for you for about Rp.5000. Deluxe rooms Rp.50000. This hotel option will be suitable for all but the most fussy traveller.

• CitiHoliday Stoomvaart Hotel by CitiInn Group www.citi-hotel.com is located at the historic site of Djakarta Lloyd resort house, dated from 1922. An old dutch colonial resort. It is nestled on top of a small hill. Nice view and breezy. Located next to old Bukit Kubu park. The hotel is excellent for budget traveller. Room rate is only Rp 200,000 (about 22 USD) per night for weekends & holidays. More discount for weekdays. Check out the website link for more information.

[edit] Get out

Public transport to Lake Toba is possible but tricky involving 3 minivan changes. Better to charter a taxi/minivan from the guesthouse and get there in 4 hours than whole day. You could also stop at the waterfall on the way. Bukit Lawang seems to be best reached via Medan.

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