This large island in western Indonesia is one of the world's most beautiful. Elephants, monkeys, beaches and the Palace of the Sultan of Deli are just a few of the reasons to visit Sumatra. The island's most popular attraction is Lake Toba, an enormous volcanic lake set in beautiful, almost alpine scenery. The region is very quiet and fairly undeveloped, but there are pleasant organized cruises on the 80-mi-/130-km-long lake. Nearby attractions include the orangutan reserve at Mount Leuser National Park and rafting down the Alas River.
Sumatra's second must-see is the town of
Bukittinggi, home to the Minangkabau people and a region known for its fiery Padang cuisine, horn-shaped homes and matrilineal society that passes wealth through female rather than male descendants. Scenic lakes, smoking volcanoes and dense rain forests make the Bukittinggi region a superb destination for adventurous travelers.
Sumatra lies northwest of Java.