|
Bukittinggi Countryside:
Minangkabau Country 5 Day • Bukittinggi
• Maninjau •
Harau Valley |
Highlights
· Drive
through the jungle scenery of Anai Valley and visit the Minangkabau
cultural centre and museum in Padang Panjang
· Explore
Koto Gadang, Lawang sugar cane village and the viewpoints over Maninjau
Lake and Sianok Canyon
· Look
for the giant Rafflesia flower in Palupuh, then taste local coffee and
discover a spice permaculture farm
· Stay
in family-run homestays in Harau Valley, between rice fields and
sandstone cliffs
· Visit Pagaruyung
Palace and the village of Pariangan, with its rice terraces, and
attend the Pacu Jawi cow race
· Trek, cycle and visit local villages in Harau Valley, including palm sugar making
ITINERARY AT A GLANCE
|
Group size |
Price per person (€) |
Notes |
|
Solo traveler |
€630 |
Private |
|
2 to 3 travellers |
€385 |
Small group |
|
4 to 6 travellers |
€310 |
Small group |
|
7 to 10 travellers |
€230 |
Full group |
Kids from 6 to 14 years old: 20% discount
Check availability with us.
ITINERARY AT A GLANCE
|
Day |
Weekday |
Programme |
Overnight |
Meals |
|
1 |
Tuesday |
Padang – Anai Valley –
Padang Panjang – Bukittinggi |
Padi Ecolodge / Santika
Hotel, Bukittinggi |
– |
|
2 |
Wednesday |
Bukittinggi market – Koto Gadang – Lawang – Maninjau view –
Sianok Canyon |
Padi Ecolodge / Santika Hotel, Bukittinggi |
B |
|
3 |
Thursday |
Palupuh (Rafflesia) – coffee
and spices – Clock Tower |
Padi Ecolodge / Santika
Hotel, Bukittinggi |
B |
|
4 |
Friday |
Bukittinggi – Harau Valley |
Homestay, Harau Valley |
B |
|
5 |
Saturday |
Pagaruyung Palace – Pacu
Jawi cow race – Pariangan - Padang |
Homestay, Harau Valley |
B |
B = breakfast, L = lunch. A dash means no meal is included. Lunches and dinners are not included unless otherwise noted; your guide will gladly recommend local restaurants.
DAY-BY-DAY PROGRAMME
|
DAY |
Padang –
Bukittinggi Tuesday |
|
|
· Start
your journey from Padang towards Bukittinggi. · On
the way, pass through the dense jungle scenery of Anai Valley. · Visit
the Minangkabau cultural centre and museum in Padang Panjang. · Arrive
in Bukittinggi and check in at your accommodation. |
||
|
Overnight: Padi Ecolodge, Santika Hotel or similar |
Meals: None |
|
|
DAY |
Bukittinggi
– Maninjau Viewpoint – Traditional Villages and Dutch Heritage Wednesday |
|
|
· After
breakfast, visit the vibrant traditional market of Bukittinggi. · Continue
to Koto Gadang, a village famous for its blend of Minangkabau culture
and heritage. · Drive
on to Lawang village, known for its old sugar cane plantations dating
back to the 18th century. On the way to Maninjau Lake, visit a local sugar
cane factory. · Enjoy
the view over Maninjau Lake from the Lawang viewpoint. · Return
to Bukittinggi and visit Sianok Canyon and the Taruko viewpoint,
with a fine panorama of the canyon. |
||
|
Overnight: Padi Ecolodge, Santika Hotel or similar |
Meals: B |
|
|
DAY |
Bukittinggi
– Palupuh Village Thursday |
|
|
· After
breakfast, visit Batang Palupuh, a nature reserve famous for the Rafflesia
flower. If the flower is in bloom, we trek to see it; allow about 1 to 2
hours, depending on your pace. · Visit
a local farmer who produces luwak (palm civet) coffee. · Continue
to a local spice permaculture farm (vanilla, cloves, cinnamon) and
taste specialty coffee from a local farmer. · Return
to Bukittinggi and see the landmark Clock Tower (Jam Gadang). · Back
at your accommodation, the rest of the day is free. |
||
|
Overnight: Padi Ecolodge, Santika Hotel or similar |
Meals: B |
|
|
DAY |
Bukittinggi
– Harau Valley Friday |
|
|
· After
breakfast and check-out, drive to Harau Valley (about 2 to 3 hours,
depending on traffic). · Check
in at your homestay and enjoy the scenery all around. · Take
a walk through the village and the rice fields. The rest of the day is free. |
||
|
Overnight: Abdi Homestay, Ekos Homestay or similar |
Meals: B |
|
|
DAY |
Harau
Valley – Pagaruyung Palace – Pacu Jawi Cow Race Saturday |
|
|
A full-day excursion to the core region of the Minangkabau. · Learn
about Minang culture and the world’s largest matrilineal system. · Stop
at a local coffee factory on the way. · Visit
the Pagaruyung Royal Palace. · Attend
the local Pacu Jawi (cow race), held every Saturday. · Continue to Pariangan, a traditional Minangkabau village with a wide view over rice terraces. · Arrival in Padang City, visit the old colonial heritage quarter and buildings, the Grand Mosque and the Padang beach viewpoint. (If we have time) · Check in at your hotel. End of tour. |
||
|
Overnight: None |
Meals: B |
|
PRICE DETAILS
A clear and detailed breakdown of what is included in the price, and what is not, so that you can plan your holiday
with confidence.
What is included
|
Transport |
Private car / MPV for the
whole programme |
|
Bukittinggi |
3 nights at Padi Ecolodge,
Santika Hotel or similar |
|
Harau Valley |
4 nights at Abdi Homestay,
Ekos Homestay or similar |
|
Entrance fees |
All entrance fees, sites and
museums |
|
Programme |
All activities as per the
itinerary |
|
Guide |
Local team and guide |
What is not included
· Accommodation
in Padang: on arrival (before Day 1) and after the tour (Day 8)
· Meals
during transfers and the tour: lunches and dinners, except the lunch on Day 6
· Travel
and medical insurance
· Medication
· Personal
expenses, such as souvenirs and alcoholic drinks
· International
and domestic flights
Accommodation summary
|
Location |
Nights |
Accommodation |
|
Padang |
– |
Night before Day 1: not
included |
|
Bukittinggi |
2 nights |
Days 1 & 2: Padi
Ecolodge, Santika Hotel or similar |
|
Harau Valley |
2 nights |
Days 3 & 4: Abdi
Homestay, Ekos Homestay or similar |
|
Padang |
– |
Not included |
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Living conditions
- In remote villages you must accept basic living conditions. Comfort and cleanliness may not meet Western standards. A little tolerance and a positive mindset are essential for enjoying the entire stay and its unique experiences.
- The programme is indicative. Activities such as the Rafflesia trek depend on whether the flower is in bloom, and the order of visits may be adjusted for weather, traffic or local events.
Climate
Sumatra
is covered in rainforest and lies on the equator, so the climate is tropical:
hot and humid all year round. The driest season normally runs from May to
September, although occasional showers can occur. Rain is abundant from
November to January. Bukittinggi and Harau Valley lie in the highlands, where
evenings are fresher than on the coast. Be ready for hot, humid and changeable
conditions.
Respect for local culture
· Show
respect for the traditional knowledge, laws, way of life, dress code and
different outlook of the local communities you visit.
· During
your trip in Minangkabau, wear trousers that cover the knees and T-shirts that
cover the shoulders, for both men and women.
· Avoid shorts, sleeveless tops, revealing tops and skirts above the knee. Loose-fitting clothes are also more comfortable in the heat.
WHAT TO BRING
Do
not overpack: keep it simple. Part of your luggage can be left at your previous
hotel or hostel.
|
Clothing |
Long trousers, long sleeves
and T-shirts (you will sweat); rain clothes or poncho |
|
Footwear |
Trekking shoes |
|
Bags |
Small backpack; waterproof
dry bag to protect your camera, documents and equipment |
|
Protection |
Mosquito repellent,
high-protection sunscreen, sun hat or cap, sunglasses |
|
Personal items |
Sleeping bag, headlamp,
toilet paper, water bottle |
|
First aid |
Paracetamol, painkillers,
anti-diarrhoea medication, disinfectant and all the medication you usually
take |
INSURANCE & ENTRY
REQUIREMENTS
· Travel
and medical insurance are not included. We strongly recommend taking out
comprehensive cover before departure.
· Please
make sure that your passports and any visas required for entry into Indonesia
are valid. We also recommend checking your government’s official travel advice
before you travel.
Thank you
for choosing Sumatra.
We look forward to welcoming you to the green highlands of West Sumatra.