The fifth largest island in the world and the second largest in Indonesia, Sumatra spans more than 1700 km. Rich in natural resources, it is home to several distinct ethnic groups, such as the devout Acehnese in the north, the Christian Batak tribes around Tapanuli and Lake Toba, and the Minangkabau in Bukittinggi and Padang in the west. In a spectacular setting, different customs and traditions create a fascinating cultural tapestry.

Adventure and Outdoor Activities
From the north to the southern tip, the island offers vast attractions to see and do. Sumatra's many mountains, volcanoes and forests are trekkers' paradise, such as in Gunung Leuser National Park, one of the largest parks in Asia. Covering more than 7750 km2, it protects more than 100 different mammals. There's also Mount Sibayak, Mount Sinabung, Mount Kerinci and Mount Merapi. Rising from Sunda Strait, the child of Krakatau, Anak Krakatau, continues to smolder and grow. It is possible to climb until the ridge in its semo dormant phases.
Avid climbers are sure to find the 100 meter vertical cliff wall at Harau Canyon a challenge. There's also unforgettable experience of mountain biking on Karimun Island west of Batam, which is mostly hilly and wooded. Along the coast, catch a whiff or fragrant cloves drying in the sun.

Wheter seasoned or amoteur, golfers are sure to find golfing in Bangka-Belitung and Batam memorable thanks to the imaginative courses and spectacular tropical setting by the sea.
For the unforgettable experience, swim and fish the world's deepest lake, Toba, at 450 m. Or in the unspoiled and peaceful Lake Maninjau, a beautiful crater lake. Equally unforgettable is the journey from Bukittinggi to the lake which passes 44 hairpin bends.

For aquatic activities, Sumatra's coastlines are bordered by pristine beaches and clear waters, abundant with an amazing variety of marine life. There are a number of fabulous diving and snorkeling spots that are fast becoming first-class surfing destinations, such as the Banyak Islands and Simeuleu Island near Aceh, a small coconut and clove producing island, located come 150 m off to shores of tapaktuan, South Aceh. Sorake Beach on the island of Nias, is an ideal surfing spot. It stretches along a perfect horse shoe shape bay, Teluk Lagundri. Other locations to challenge the waves are around the islands of Mentawai, where waves reach a height of 3 - 4 meters. River rafting on Alas and Wampu Rivers is an exhilarating experience that offers the rare chance to see local wildlife.

Nature Reserves
Sumatra is also famous for its tigers and elephants. The largest concentration of elephants, today, is at Lebong Hitam and Sebokor, South Sumatra where on the 70,000 hectares reserve, 200 or more of these species are protected. On January or February every year, Bengkaru Island in the province of Aceh is visited by a certain species of giant turtles, while green turtles can be sigthed year round.

Get up close to young and mature orangutans at the Bohorok Orangutan Rehabilitation Station near the village of Bukit Lawang in Medan. These orangutans have been rescued from illegal trade activities and are taught survival skills before being released back into the wild. The world famous giant flower, Rafflesia arnoldi, can be seen at Tebing Binjai, Bengkulu or at Pelupuh village, 16 km north of Bukittinggi, West Sumatra. Its blooming period is between August and November. The biggest ever recorded had a diameter of 120 cm.

The wealthy biodiversity and rich natural resources of Jambi are represented in four national parks contained in the province, of which one is the Kerinci-Seblat National Park, one of the most important wildlife parks in Southeast Asia and the beautiful Lake Kerinci.

Cuture
Before the arrival of Christianity, the Bataks were animists. A religious ritual is still observed by a small group of followers and can be seen at Laguboti, in Balige in the region of Toba Samosir. Batak traditional houses and relics are still carefully preserved in the Siallagan village in Ambarita. On the islands of Nias and Mentawai isolated communities still retain ancient customs and megalithic way of life. Scattered across Sumatra are thousand of years old relics from the island's earliest settklers, such as those found at Goa Sengering and on the shores of Lake Kerinci, West Sumatra. In Pasemah, at the foot of Mount Dempo, South Sumatra, mysterious megalithic statues and inscribed stone carvings are estimared to be 2000-3000 years old.
Situated on the banks of the Batanghari River, Muara Jambi Temple is considered as one of the most important Buddhist sites in Sumatra.

On the 15th-16th of the fifth month of the Chinese calender, the Chinese community in Bagansiapi-api, Riau, burn paper boats decorated with the paper statues of Raisun Ong Ya together with thousands of joss sticks during Bakar Tongkang, a thnaksgiving ceremony dedicated to the gods Ki Ong Ya and Taisun Ong Ya.

Cuisine
If your taste buds tend towards rich, hot and very spicy food the Sumatra is a gastronomic paradise! The flavors continue in the variety of snacks available. There's cassava chips liberally smothered in hot and sweet sauce, and lemang, glutinous rice steamed or roasted in bamboo tubes.

Shopping
Most traditional markets carry interesting knick-knacks where bargaining is a must. Brastagi is the place to find luscious tropical fruits. North Sumatra's Batak people are famous for their boisterous nature, their gift for music, singing and Ulos, the tradistional cloth. One of the centers for weaving is at Samosir Island in the center of Lake Toba. In West Sumatra, Pandai Sikek village near Bukittinggi is renowned for songket weaving. These are beautiful cotton or silk cloths interwoven with silver or gold threads.