Sumatra Uncovered

Say ‘Halo’ because it’s time for your Sumatra tour to begin! There’s no more waiting around, you and your new TruFam are officially on their way! Once you’ve arrived, we’ll pick you up from the airport and be on your way to meet the rest of your group and your Travel Ninja. We’ll run you through the next jampacked, exciting 9 days, where we’ll explore dense rainforests, encounter majestic wildlife, soak in scenic routes, and connect with local communities. Spend the rest of your evening exploring the wonders of Medan, Sumatra has to offer before you begin your journey around Indonesia’s largest island. Stay: Karibia Boutique Hotel Medan

We hope you’re bright eyed and bushy tailed because we’re up early for our first full day! We’re off to the vibrant wilderness of Bukit Lawang, a beautiful spot nestled in the heart of Sumatra. Prepare to be captivated by the untamed beauty of nature as you set foot in this breath-taking paradise. Once we’re there, we’ll chill and grab a bite to eat before we head into the infamous Bat Caves (and we’re not talking the Christian Bale kind of bat either). You can watch in awe as the bats flutter and dance above your head and reveal their night-time rituals, it’s tru-ly an incredible experience. Get ready to start your own night-time ritual because after a full day, we’re going back to the accommodation for dinner and starting our first local night out! (B)

Hopefully you’re not feeling too rough this morning because it’s an early start! Once we’ve had breakfast and fuelled up for the day, we’re going out to spot the local wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled for orangutans, monkeys, tropical birds and more as we venture deep into the rainforest. You’ll work up an appetite from all this walking, as your local guide has prepared a delicious lunch for you to chow down on. We’re then switching up walking for boats! We’re then rubber tubing down the river straight to the hotel doorstep -try and tell us that that isn’t cool?! (B/L)

After eating breakfast we’re catching an afternoon flight to Padang City. It’s a coastal location facing the Indian Ocean and is surrounded by lush green hills -it’s simply stunning. There’s beautiful beaches, amazing swimming opportunities, and views to soak in, so take advantage of some free time in the afternoon once we’ve arrived. This evening is a slightly slower pace as we appreciate the most beautiful sunset and get plenty of rest before a busy day tomorrow! (B)

Rise and shine! We’re making our way to our very own TruExclusive today! Deep in the jungle lies the Mentawai village to spend time with the local people of Sumatra, whose warm hospitality and traditions are tru-ly incredible. This is one of those moments that you’ll cherish forever. We take a fast boat to Siberut and the heart of the village for an authentic rural experience. You’ll have a lunch prepared for the locals before exploring the surrounding farm, where our host family will welcome us with open arms and stay in huts. You can’t do this anywhere else, but you know by now that here at Tru, we don’t do things by halves. We’ll then take a trip to the market, a hub for local handicrafts, textile, and souvenirs. We end the night with a wholesome night of playing games, chatting to the host family, and hearing their stories, sipping ice cold beers, and falling asleep to the mesmerising sounds of the birds around us. (B/L/D)

It’s a very early start so make the most of the rest of your morning here before jumping into a crazy jungle adventure! It promises to awaken your senses and ignite your sense of adventure. When the clock hits 06:30 AM, get ready to dive deep into Mentawai culture as you spend your day in a traditional house called a “Uma”. This isn’t your typical visit, you’ll make genuine connections, learn foraging and hunting skills, and get to know the village’s Shaman. In the heart of nature, we’ll get to learn the wisdom of the indigenous tribe, from crafting their traditional threads, to mastering survival skills, your time in the jungle will be educational and life changing. (B/L/D)

Play Starships by Nicki Minaj because ‘let’s go the beach-beach, let’s go get a wave!’. Get packed up because it’s time to swap trees for sand. In the afternoon, we mosey down to Padang Harbour, and check out Nagari Sungai Pinang, the traditional fishing village that hugs the southern coast of Padang. We’ll spend our last few days in beach huts that are only a stone's throw away from crystal clear waters surrounded by nature -did someone say paradise?! Spend the afternoon however you want before we go to dinner and stop in a live music bar. Sit back, sip a cocktail, and watch the sun go down as we soak up the magic of our last few days in Sumatra. (B/L/D)

Island hopping time! Say ‘ahoy’ because we’ll be boarding boats and heading to the surrounding marine hotspots to jump in. Grab your snorkel and masks as we dive down and swim alongside corals, fish and even turtles! Turtle Point, Nemo Point and Snake Island are all on the agenda today, where we’ll witness the natural beauty of Indonesia’s quieter island. Feel the sand between your toes, the breeze in your hair and the sun on your face as we have a chilled afternoon before going to a turtle volunteer project. We’ll learn the importance of conservation, how Sumatra supports turtles within the ocean’s ecosystem and even bathe and release turtles back into the ocean! In the evening, we’ll travel back to the beach huts to have dinner and drinks as the sun sets. We’ll be dancing on the beach and singing along to live music, it’s our final night together so make the most of it! (B/L/D)

It’s time to say goodbye to the stunning island of Sumatra. Have a chilled check out and make the most of your final moments on this beautiful island before we say our goodbyes - for now!