The Long Way Round Asia 20263 views
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Step 35/60: Indonesia - Bukittinggi

Bukittinggi photo by Jantine De jong

About Bukittinggi

Bukittinggi is a city in the middle of Sumatra. It is known as a backpackers spot, because it's a starting point to other places in Sumatra. But I didn't think it was that great. There was not a whole lot to do in Bukittinggi itself. There is a zoo, but I didn't go there. Panorama Park is a downer and the city center isn't booming either. But around Bukittinggi the scenery is absolutely amazing! There are multiple volcano's, lakes, villages and great folklore architecture. Definitely go outside of Bukittinggi, and just use the city as base camp.
Plane icon
How I got here ?

Price: 54 €

Traveling time: 8 hours

Price: flight €43, taxi €5, van €6, time: one way. I flew from Singapore to Pekanbaru in 45 minutes. Then took a taxi to the bus station and a van from there to Bukittinggi.

Tips & Tricks

  • Negotiate on the 'van' tickets. It's easy for them to rip you off!
  • Let the locals take you places, it's more fun that way!

Things to see

Panorama Park 4 /10
0 €
Panorama Park photo by Jantine De jong

User's opinion
Very crowded with people (and kleptomaniac monkeys) who all want to talk to you. The view is of a gorge or canyon or something, but I thought it wasn't that great... There were also some 'Japanese Caves', but I didn't go in.
Minangkabau Tour 9 /10
11 €
Minangkabau Tour photo by Jantine De jong

User's opinion
This tour was amazing! I saw the Indonesia I thought it would look like; rice paddies, palm trees, people working, nice folklore architecture... The tour was extensive. We had 3 guides driving us around on motobikes. We went to a coffee-plantation, we visited a few Minangkabau houses, a lake and an area full of craftsmen and artists. At night they took us for karaoke. Money's worth!
Hiking to Lake Maninjau (Day 1) 8 /10
32 €
Hiking to Lake Maninjau (Day 1) photo by Jantine De jong

User's opinion
A 2-day 'jungle'-trek to the crater of Maninjau. Pretty divers trek. We started in Bukittinggi, from where we walked through some jungle and streams, until we popped out of the jungle onto a tarmac road leading uphill to a small village. Here we had great lunch! After that we kept walking on tarmac, even took a motobike uphill! We stayed overnight at Anas Homestay and had the best dinner ever!!
Hiking to Lake Maninjau (Day 2) 8 /10
- €
Hiking to Lake Maninjau (Day 2) photo by Jantine De jong

User's opinion
Waking up in Anas Homestay (which is very primitive: no bathroom, running water, heat or electricity) with jungle noises in the background. From the window we could see Lake Maninjau. After a great breakfast we made our way down towards the lake. After a while we hit the lake and walked all the way to the 'resort', where our bags were dropped off. Great tour, but not a 'jungle'-trek...more a 'nature'-trek.

Practical

Asia hotel 5/10
Price 8 €
Address

Jalan Kesehatan 38
Bukittinggi

User's opinion:

Small room with tv (Indonesian only). Only one outlet, so tv+fan had to be unplugged when you needed it. Shared bath. Hot water never worked. But had to pay for it! Wake-up 'call' at 4.30 by mosque.


Breakfast Included No Curfew
Bedudal cafe 7/10
Price - €
Address

95/105 Jalan Ahmad Yani
Bukittinggi

User's opinion:

Nice Indonesian food. Great gado gado. Also a good place for information about the area! They speak English very well here and they can set you up with a guided hike to Maninjau or a Minangkabau tour.


The best martabak 8/10
Price - €
Address

Jalan Ahmad Yani
Bukittinggi

User's opinion:

Tents out on the street with a cooking area sell the best Martabak!! And I mean the meat and veggie between 2 'wraps' kind (other one is a pastry). Dip it in soy sauce, yum yum! Enjoy!