Discover Central – Sumatra Kerinci Seblat and Kubu tribe

Arrival in Padang. Our guide is ready at the airport with a name sign. If it's possible you can explore the city before check-in and visit the harbor where you can find some nice colonial buildings in China town. Then you drive to the hotel. The evening is free to spend. Padang is best known for the food. The restaurants in there have small dishes and the eater chooses 1, 2, 3 or more dishes. Everything you eat (even if it's just one spoon) will be charged. Ask the guide where you can eat good and delicious Padang's food.

Early pick up about 07:00 am and one hour drive to Bungus bay, a fishing village with a calm sandy beach located about 20 km south of Padang. Your boat trip starts from here. You will get a private wooden boat and needs about one hour to reach the Pagang island. It is a tiny island off the coast of Bungus, in Indian ocean. On they way to Pagang you will pass by some tiny islands like Parsumbahan island, Sikuai island and Sironjong island. There are plenty of options you can do in Pagang; snorkeling (snorkeling equipment included), sun bathing, swimming, fishing or walk around the island. Packed lunch included. Afternoon, back to Bungus and return to Padang.

Scenic and winding drive about 6-7 hours via Bukit Barisan mountain range to Kersik Tuo, a small village often used by the Lake Gunung Tujuh (the highest lake in Southeast Asia) and Mt. Kerinci (the highest volcano in Indonesia) trekkers as a base. It is situated at height of 1,800 meters asl with cool weather all year round. It is a scenic drive passing by Muara Labuh. Stop at the twin lakes of lake Diatas and lake Dibawah. Other stop at Telun Berasap waterfall, which is within the national park area located just 200 meters from the highway. The waterfall, which originates from Lake Gunung Tujuh, is 20-meters high and its splashes send mist into the air. When the sun shines brightly, rainbows can surround the waterfall, creating breathtaking views. En route to your hotel you will see vast view of tea plantation where sometimes you see women at work as tea pickers.

Today you are free at own arrangement. There are two options you can do (at personal expenses):

1) Climbing Lake Gunung Tujuh (English: lake seven mountains), a spectacular caldera lake of 960 hectares located at an altitude of 1,996 meters and surrounded by seven peaks and pristine rainforest with abundant wildlife. It is the part of Kerinci Seblat National Park as well as the highest altitude fresh water lake in South East Asia. Most of the day is spent by trekking and explore the surrounding in search for animals, birds (it is a nice place for birding) and exotic plants. Around 4 hours hike up (rather steep) and 3 hours descent are needed for this option. Good physical fitness is a must.

2) Traditional canoe trip on Sangir river. You will be picked up from your hotel and drive around 30 minutes. Followed by around one hour walk to reach the starting point of you canoe trip. It is a nice walk. You will explore small villages with local people at works. Arrive by the river side, a traditional canoe waits and takes you down the river. The trip will take about 3 hours which ends at other village where your car waits. Enjoy the nature with its flora and fauna during the trip.

Drive to Bangko with stop at Sungai Penuh visiting Semurup hotsprings, historical mosque built in 1874 with its giant drum and lake Kerinci. Today is an impressive tour during which you drive through a wall of tropical rainforest.

A two hour drive will take you to the edge of the Bukit Dua Belas National Park. From here you start walking to search Kubu settlement. The exact location can never be predicted on forehand as they are semi nomads and often change their location, so it is possible that you have to drive longer/shorter or walk longer/shorter then expected. The local escort that joins you should be able to know where find a Kubu settlement. Before getting to the park, we’ll stop somewhere to buy some things or presents to be given to the Kubu. The Kubu expect it when you visit them. The gifts can be their daily needs like sugar, cigarette, medicine, etc. You would not be warm welcomed if they know you have nothing to give. Afternoon back to Bangko and relax.

Driving over trans Sumatra highway to Sawahlunto, a historical coal mining town discovered by Dutch geologist, William Hendrik de Greeve. History noted that coal mining in this town was launched on 1st December 1888 and became famous as the Ombilin mines. The town is quite small, but there is a lot to discover. And Sawahlunto today has become an attractive tourist destination that offers nostalgic traces of an old mining town.

First you will get city sightseeing of Sawahlunto. You will visit the ration warehouse museum Goedang Ransoem built in 1918, once a common kitchen for the coal miners, miners families and hospital patients. Next places to visit are the historical mining tunnel Mbah Suro, train museum with old locomotive Mak Itam together with its wooden wagons, Cultural centre building, Catholic church Santa Barbara built 1920, Santa Lucia school and Pen Sin Kek house. After sightseeings, departure to Harau valley, a nature and wildlife reserve surrounded by 100-200 meters high sandstone cliffs that like a giant wall. In the bottom of cliffs stretches vast paddy fields and green forests. Very scenic landscape! On the way you will stop at the king’s palace Pagaruyung. Arrive in Harau directly transfer to your accomodation and relax. Or visit waterfall. There are several waterfalls with pools beneath (both natural and constructed) for bathing.

In the morning you will follow a light walking 2-3 around the valley. It is a wonderful walk through the rice field paths, village and some paved roads between giant cliffs as background. The atmosphere is quiet, unpolluted, and beauty as far as eyes could see. During the walk you could see people working on rice fields, rainforest and would hear the calling of the black Siamang and gibbon. The walk ends at waterfall with swimming pool beneath. Take a swim before taken back to your accomodation.

After walking, you will follow a cooking class at a local families’ home. You will learn how to cook and experience an authentic meals so called Padang food. Not only learning to cook, you also can see the real life of Minangkabau people with its hospitality and friendliness. Leaving Harau for the highland town Bukittinggi (Indonesia for high hill), the cultural centre for the Minangkabau people located at height of 930 meter asl. On the way stop at the palace of Pagaruyung, a site of ancient Minangkabau kingdom where women ruled in matrilineal society. Also stops at a coffee making in Tabek Patah, lake Singkarak and Balimbing village with old century traditional houses that is more than 350 years old. From the city you can look up to Gunung Singgalang (2880m) and Gunung Merapi (2891m), usually the tops shrouded in mist and clouds.

Today you will visit Maninjau crater lake, one of Sumatra’s famous sight located 38km west of Bukittinggi. Enroute stop at Koto Gadang, a small village famous as producer of silver works. Then driving down to the lake through 44 hairpin bends. The views are great! Afternoon back to Bukittinggi and city tour visiting the colorful market Pasar Atas located exactly in front of Jam Gadang, a clock tower that serves as the principal landmark of the city. Then, visit the remains of Dutch fort called De Kock. Proceed to the lovely Sianok valley. This is part of a tectonic rift valley which has sheer walls and flat bottom. Then walk down into World War II era Japanese-built tunnels. Afterwards transfer to your hotel and relax.

Early in the morning departure to Padang Airport for your flight to the next destination.