Gunung Sibayak at 2070 m (6,790 ft) and Gunung Sinabung at 2417 m (7,930 ft) are the highest and can be seen from many locations as we explore the area. There are many volcanoes in the area, some of them still steaming. The five Karo Batak clans and 83 subclans inhabit a high, lush plateau of mountain slopes and rich volcanic valleys in the area between Lake Toba and Medan.

The area to the north of Lake Toba is known as Karoland, or the Karo Highlands, as it is where the Karo Batak tribal people live.

From the viewpoint at the top of the falls there is a 360-degree panoramic view over Lake Toba and the surrounding countryside. At the northern end of Lake Toba we stop to see the impressive 120 m (394 ft) high Si Piso-Piso Waterfalls. This region of North Sumatra is volcanic in nature and many sulfurous hot springs are to be found. This morning we take a long, leisurely drive toward Berastagi, starting across the narrow land bridge that connects the 'island' to the mainland. We continue back to our hotel on Samosir Island for the night. Our stops today include a visit to the King Sidabutar Tomb in Tomok, a stop at the 300-year old stone chairs, site of village discussions and decisions, and we explore the museum at Simanindo, converted from a traditional house lived in by Rajah Simalungun, a Batak king. Today they maintain a tight-knit and distinctive culture. According to tradition, all Bataks are descendants of Si Raja Batak, a hero-ancestor of super-natural parentage born on a holy mountain adjacent to Lake Toba.

The Batak were formerly head-hunters and cannibals, and due to their isolation in the high mountains, they have retained many of the ancient proto-Malay cultural traditions. We will learn about the animist culture of the Batak people with visits to the cultural centre and some unusual houses, with roofs shaped like boats. Here, traditional houses are made of wood with high roofs the main posts, walls, and gable ends carry carved decorations of buffalo horns. The island is the centre of Batak culture, and has several villages of historical interest.

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