Berastagi Travel Guide
Berastagi is one of the rare towns on Sumatra that has all of the rustic charm of the island, but without the touts and overzealous guides. The key is an economy that depends on agricultural rather than tourism.
- Worth It?
- Berastagi is a great change of pace for tourists who don't mind the quiet life of the highlands.
- What to Do
- visit the volcanoes, peruse the markets.
- Best Time to Go
- before the monsoons, ideally May to October.
- How Long?
- Two days is enough to appreciate the relaxed atmosphere.
- Trivia
- Berastagi's climate can be cooler than expected, and a light jacket may be appreciated after hours (especially in the cool season).
Beyond the town center are the Karo Highlands, an expanse of green fields poised at well over 4,000 feet in elevation. While Berastagi lacks touts, tourists will still be able to find guides who can lead treks into the highlands or to neighboring volcanoes. Another great aspect of town is the market atmosphere. Locals come from the countryside to buy and sell anything from produce to dated pop music.
But the main attractions in Berastagi are the volcanoes perched just outside of town. A trip to one or both of these volcanoes is invariably first on tourists' to-do lists. Both can be visited on their own day hikes. The mountains are easily the most accessible volcanoes on Sumatra.
Travel to Berastagi - Getting There
Medan is the local transportation hub, receiving virtually all of the tourists to and from Sumatra. To reach Berastagi, fly into Medan's international airport (either from Jakarta or another hub in Southeast Asia) and then connect to Berastagi by bus or hire car (2 hours, 30 minutes).
Berastagi Things to Do
Berastagi Attractions
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