Lake Toba is the largest volcanic lake in the world, formed by a cataclysmic eruption around 70,000 years ago that saw ash fall as far away as East Africa. This eruption shrouded the earth in a blanket of ash for decades and contributed to the heating of the planet. Today, the lake is a serene, scenic body of water encompassed by towering mountains and a favorite resting spot on the Sumatra backpacker circuit. The lake is a perfect means to recharge. People who planned a day or two to stay could end up being there for one to two weeks.
Towards the middle of Lake Toba lies Samosir Island, where nearly all foreign visitors choose to stay. Pulau Samosir is 44 kilometers long and 20 kilometers wide, which makes it one of the most magnificent lake islands in the entire world. Running along the middle of the island is a slope which comes to life after the rain with waterfalls and hammering Heavy clouds, all visible from the lakeside city of Tuk.
While the main attraction is the relaxation, the lake, the Samosir Island along with the surrounds, offer stunning scenery that may easily be explored and valued by hired car or scooter. The interior of Samosir holds several waterfalls, and the tourist hub of Tuk provide plenty of distraction to keep you busy. Home to the Toba Batak people, there are also some minor museums and historical sites which might be of interest. However, for all, the principal attraction is simply the absolute beauty of the place. The sunsets could be magnificent. When to go to Lake Toba. As with Berastagi, Medan and Bukit Lawang, Lake Toba shares the identical weather as the rest of Sumatra; it is wet between November and March and less moist the rest of the year. If you are visiting in April, there will be heavy rain most afternoons, but the mornings enjoyed plentiful sunshine and bright blue sky. Over most weekends Lake Toba attracts a constant trade of national tourists that will outnumber international tourists in all, but peak season. This is the only time you’re likely to need a reservation, if even then. As with all of North Sumatra, the foreign tourist trade is very seasonal. The exterior of the June, July and August European summer period, the number of international tourists on the island are minimal. In the rain season, even more so. The July-August period is more than likely the only time with a booking in advance will really be prudent.