Mysterious Sumatra

Meet your English-speaking (or French-speaking) guide at Medan international airport and transfer to your hotel.

In the morning, visit the Sultan's Palace, the Great Mosque and the Chinese temple.

You then head north-west towards Tangkahan. You will pass through a number of rubber tree plantations, where you can stretch your legs and learn about the methods used to extract this precious sap.

The morning is devoted to a first discovery, on foot, of the jungle of the Mt Leuser national park, where you have the opportunity to observe a very rich fauna and flora.

The afternoon is rather fun, as you go tubing down the river, i.e. you let yourself be carried by the current, "comfortably" seated on large, fully inflated inner tubes.

You then stop off at the Buluh waterfalls to relax. Back in Tangkahan, you mix with the local population.

The morning is devoted to a walk in the jungle, alongside wild elephants. 4×4 vehicles then take you through plantations and forest tracks to the village of Bukit Lawang, famous for its orangutan rehabilitation centre.

In the early morning, you will go on a hike to see the orang-utans, which are very numerous in Gunung Leuser Park. You then continue through the tropical forest to explore its thousand and one secrets. If you're lucky, you may even spot some rare black gibbons.

You continue your exploration of the Mt Leuser jungle and reach Bukit Lawang in the early afternoon (by tubing on the Bahorok river). Afternoon at leisure.

Morning transfer to Berastagi, the capital of Batak Karo country, one of the most prosperous in the region. Visit the traditional market and the Buddhist pagoda of Lumbini. Weather permitting, you will also approach the flanks of the Sinabung volcano to discover a ghost village covered in ash.

Early in the morning, you are dropped off at the foot of the Sibayak volcano, which dominates the Karo. You begin your ascent along a path lined with thick, rustling jungle. Picnic at the top of the volcano, where the panorama of the whole region is superb, and then begin the descent, by the opposite route, which takes you to the hot springs of Debuk-Debuk, where you can take advantage of the healing properties of the water in the hot and sulphurous pools. [Note: it is possible to make the ascent at night to reach the summit just before sunrise].

Then it's back on to Parapat, with a visit to the traditional village of Doka en route, as well as the famous Sipiso-Piso waterfalls, from where you get your first glimpse of Lake Toba, the largest crater lake in the world. You'll also discover an old royal palace, Simalunggung, and take the opportunity to stretch your legs as you stroll through a variety of plantations and traditional villages. At Parapat, you board a regular ferry bound for the island of Samosir, which lies right in the middle of the lake.

The day is devoted to discovering the island of Samosir, capital of the Batak Toba culture. You hike through villages and rice paddies, stopping at Ambarita to discover the stone remains of a meeting place of the ancient Sialagan kings. In Tomok, you visit the tombs of the Sidabutar kings, and end the day in the village of Simanindo, where you discover an interesting museum depicting local culture, and watch some traditional dances. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon.

Morning transfer to the little-visited centre of the island of Samosir. Isolated on a high plateau, we discover Lake Sidihoni (a lake on an island on a lake on an island!), which extends over 1 km2 and whose changing hue has forged more than one legend. You then embark on a lovely hike to Pangururan, on the island's west coast, through rich vegetation and along a path that offers breathtaking scenery. You will also come across peasants, armed with machetes, on their way to the fields. In this region, oral tradition has perpetuated many legends. In Pangururan, you can relax in the hot spring baths.

In the early morning, you take the ferry back to Parapat and then the road to Medan, via the large towns of Pematang Siantar and Tebing Tinggi, surrounded by huge rubber and oil palm plantations.

Transfer to Medan airport and flight (around 2pm) to Padang, the capital of Minangkabau country. Welcome, then transfer to the formidable Harau Valley.

A day's trek through the forest and rice fields, during which you will discover nature and the traditional life of the Minang farmers. Visit neighbouring villages by becak, local transport, waterfall bathing and picnic. You will have the opportunity to climb to the top of a hill to admire the view over the valley or to look for eels in the river. You'll discover not only a few waterfalls, but also numerous species of birds and flowers.

In the morning, you head for the former capital of Minang country, Batusangkar, and visit the palace of King Pagaruyung, now a museum of local culture. On the way, you will make a few stops, notably to admire the magnificent panorama of Tabek Patah. In Sungai Tarab, you will also visit a coffee processing factory. Arriving in the vicinity of Lake Singkarak, you visit a number of weaving and wood-carving workshops.

In the early morning, you will head first for some traditional villages, then to Puncak Lawang, a high point overlooking the sumptuous Lake Maninjau and exuding a very romantic atmosphere. You then embark on a lovely walk through the tropical forest towards the shores of the lake. You spend the afternoon by the lake, where the silhouettes of fishermen gathering their nets are reflected in the mauve waters. Return to Batusangkar in the late afternoon.

In the morning, take a walk around the hotel and visit the pretty town of Bukittinggi, situated 930m above sea level and framed by the region's two active volcanoes: Singgalang and Merapi. Visit the central square with its local Big Ben (Jam Gadang), the Sianok canyon with its view of the volcanoes, the Japanese tunnel, a relic of the war, and its two markets (pasar atas and pasar bawah) bursting with life and colour. You can also try Minang cuisine and try the famous rendang, a spicy beef dish cooked in coconut milk and a host of spices. If it's flowering time, make a short trek to Palupuh to admire the world's largest flower: the Rafflesia Arnoldi, or try Luwak coffee, prepared in a very special way.

Drive to Padang in the morning, where you will discover the old town and its old port. Visit the Adityawarman Museum, the great mosque with its Minangkabau architecture, and a walk up Padang Hill from where you will have a magnificent view of the whole city and the ocean as the sun sets.

Dinner in a fish restaurant overlooking the ocean.