Lake Toba is situated in the sumatra island of Indonesia . It is the largest volcanic lake in the whole world which is actually a caldera of a super volcano . It’s length is 100 km and width 30 km . The lake is up to 505 meter deep and situated in the 900 meter elevation from sea level . The lake is surrounded by high mountains . Inside this lake , there is a huge island called samosir island which can be reached by boat from Parapat . It is also the source of food for the local people , you can see lots of local people come here for fishing .
Origin :
At first It was not a Lake toba but Mount Toba . Four Eruption in this area changed it into this Caldera Lake . The first eruption happens almost 1.2 million years ago in the north of the Lake Toba and create a wall around the crater . Second Eruption happens 800000 years ago in the south of Lake Toba and create a wall around the crater . Then third Eruption happens almost 500000 years ago , around the area Haranggol and also create a wall around the crater . The Last and most powerful eruption happens 74000 years ago . It was a super volcanic eruption and creates a wall around it . It was such a big eruption that the volcanic cloud and ash covered the sunlight and reduce earth’s temperature by 3 degree for almost a year . At that time lots of animals and plants extinct from earth because of less sunlight . After that by the huge weight of the inner core of this volcanos , walls collapsed and created this Huge Caldera Lake . After this huge eruption volcanic activity continues and in 34000 years ago Lava accumulation in the bottom of this Lake creates P. Samosir Island .
How to reach Lake Toba ?
All around the lake there is road but this Lake is mainly accessible from the northern front and eastern front . From the northern front there is lots of small roads connecting this lake to the merek – Parapat road . If you want to come here by public transport there is two option . For both the option the journey starts from Kabanjahe .Kabanjahe is just 10 km from Berastagi which is another Tourist spot for Mount Sibayak and Sinabung (It is a dangerous active volcano) . There is direct bus from Medan to Kabanjahe .
First from the city of Kabanjahe take bus toward P Sintar which is almost 80 km and costs 25000 IDR . From there you will get bus towards Parapat and from here , there is ferry to reach the samosir island which is situated inside the Lake Toba . In North sumatra province most of the people come from Medan and kabanjahe by this route .
Medan Padang Bulan Bus Stop (PT . SAMPRI TRANSPORT MEDAN , JL Jamin Ginting)-> Terminal Bus Kabanjahe (In this toute you have minibus with 20-30 seats and rate is 20000 IDR ) -> P Sintar (Here you will get only small Van with 12-15 seat and rate is 25000 IDR)-> Parapat (It is in the beach of Lake toba )
Second option is , you have to reach Merek city which is just 27 km by bus and costs you just 7000 IDR . From there you have to arrange transport toward Tongging which is almost 10 KM . In the way you can see beautiful spiso – Piso Waterfall . There is no boat service to reach samosir Island from tongging or tour inside Lake Toba . I reach by this route to see Toba . There is also direct bus toward kabanjahe / Medan from Tongging but this bus are very infrequent .
Medan Padang Bulan Bus Stop (PT . SAMPRI TRANSPORT MEDAN , JL Jamin Ginting)-> Terminal Bus Kabanjahe (In this toute you have minibus with 20-30 seats and rate is 20000 IDR ) -> Merek junction (Here you will get only small Van with 12-15 seat and rate is 7000 IDR)-> Tongging (It is just 10 km but you have to arrange your own vehicle , there is no public transport . )
There is also another way , where you get direct bus toward Lake Toba from the Kualanamu International Airport (Medan ) but Price and timing , I don’t know .
Accommodation is also available in Tongging . I world say rather than staying in Berastagi or Kabanjahe this is better option . This place is very calm and less touristy and like village like atmosphere . I regret not to staying one night here , really great place .
Best time to visit Lake Toba is in between May and September which is the dry season .
Near by places to visit of Lake Toba :
- Mount Toba
- Mount Sibayak
- Mt Sinabung
- Air Terjun Sipiso Piso(Waterfall sipiso)
- Berastagi City
- Kabanjahe City
- Batak Museum
Summary
Lake toba is the largest volcanic caldera Lake in the whole world . inside of this lake there is a big Island Samosir Island . There is direct transport from Kabanjahe city to Lake Toba by mini bus . Best time to visit in Lake Toba is in between May and September .
