This island lies in the western most of Indonesia's archipelago. It is an island of a great natural wealth as well as great natural beauty. This immense island reserves varieties of mines, such as coal, oil, bauxite, gold and rubber. From north to southward of the island stretches mountain chain with peaks of numerous volcanoes which in between lies several like, and one of the most famous is Toba lake. Following a bit southwest on a highland, Bukit Tinggi, dominated by natural scenic beauty.

The island is known as the first island which have come in contact with the outside world. Moslem was introduced through Arab and Indian Moslem in 13th century and this influence in this area (Aceh) is still very strong. Other region of this island is known as the heartland of the Malays and the cradle of Indonesia's Malay-based national language. Sumatra island is obviously a stepping stone for outside world influence to Indonesia, like Moslem was introduced by Arabian & Indian through the northern tip of the island. The contact with India seem to have begun in the early centuries of the Christian era. Historians believe that Palembang, now the capital city of South Sumatra, was once the seat of the great Buddhist empire of Sriwijaya. According to inscription, the area around Bukit Siguntang, west of the City of Palembang had at that time a concentration of 20.000 troops of Sriwijaya, whose influence extended from part of the Indonesian archipelago to Malaysia, Thailand, and Madagaskar.

Virtually this island is inhabited by several different tribes such as Batak, with the Sub-tribes inhabit the area of blue green crater lake area of Toba. Traditional Batak houses are remarkable structures raised on stilt with tall thatched roofs that recall the shape of boat stretch north-south 500 kms and east-west 150 kms in the vicinity of Toba Lake. Minangkabau people inhabit the land of West Sumatra share the scenic beauty on the highland of Bukit Tinggi up to the western coastal of West Sumatra. This tribe is famous for their longhouses called "Rumah Gadang". The people are rich in legend and folklore make this place is interesting to visit. People of Nias, who inhabit the small island situated offshore Sumatra in the west are really remarkable, for here the people have been world apart for half - a million years, their wildlife and human inhabitants have developed in isolation. Nias people with their megalithic culture, stone jumping ritual and their life-styles is waiting to be explored. Sumatra today is the third tourist destination in Indonesia.

• 8 DAYS SUMATRA OVERLAND TOUR