A journey through Indonesian territory often means discovering natural attractions such as beaches, volcanoes, waterfalls, and caves. Yet a stay in this archipelago is also an opportunity to visit remarkable villages. Among the destinations worth exploring is the small village of Tongging, located in the north of Sumatra, in the Karo district. This village, situated at approximately 900 meters above sea level, is primarily renowned for its fish farms and rice paddies.

Why linger in Tongging village?

The village's location is undoubtedly one of its main draws, as it sits on the shores of the famous Lake Toba. Moreover, activities here are plentiful. Here's an overview of what you can do during your visit:

• Visit the Sipiso-Piso waterfall
• Discover Lake Toba and take a kayaking excursion
• Visit Samosir Island
• Fish at Lake Toba
• Trek through the surrounding mountains
• Explore the region's fish farms
• Try paragliding

Experience an unforgettable human adventure

While in Tongging village, you can meet its inhabitants to learn about their way of life and customs. You'll notice that this small locality is populated by people from different ethnic groups (Paro, Pakpak, Batak, etc.). You may even notice language differences among residents who speak different dialects. Moreover, the people of the region live primarily from agriculture and fish farming.

As for hospitality, as in most of Indonesian territory, you will generally be welcomed with a warm smile. Some residents are a bit shyer than others, and often it will be up to you to make the first move, but once contact is established, they are equally friendly. That said, children are always curious and eager to run up to visitors to welcome them in their language.

Taste local specialties

A visit to Tongging is also an opportunity to discover some local culinary specialties. You can either go directly to one of the village restaurants to taste these delicacies, or visit a local home and see firsthand all the steps in the dish's preparation. Among the region's must-try recipes is "Ikan mas arsik." This is a Batak dish made with fish (often carp caught from Lake Toba) to which several ingredients are added, such as the famous Batak berry, turmeric, ginger, lime, curry, and more.

Climate

The Lake Toba region that is home to Tongging village has a tropical climate divided into 2 seasons: the dry season and the rainy season. If you want to enjoy favorable weather conditions and drier conditions, plan your visit between June and July. Generally, during these months, the average temperature is 32° C. Furthermore, the wettest months are April, November, and December.

To reach Tongging village, you can depart from the city of Medan, which is approximately 90 km away. From this city, you can take public transportation or rent a car. If you've chosen to travel in a private vehicle, the journey typically takes between 3 and 4 hours. By bus, the travel time is slightly longer. You can also get there by taxi.

If you prefer not to spend long hours in a car, you can opt for flying, as many flights to Silangit International Airport (in the south of Lake Toba) often depart from Kualanamu International Airport in Medan. It's always best to book your ticket in advance. From Silangit, all that's left is to rent a car to reach Tongging village, which is located