The Sights and Sounds of Thriving Medan

The Sights and Sounds
of Thriving Medan

An unmissable hub in North Sumatra, Medan covers all angles for a historical and cultural
exploration. Merely a couple of hours travelling through this Indonesian beehive,
this royal city is a captivating destination from every angle in its own right.

WHY THIS TOUR?

One of Indonesia’s largest cities, Medan truly embodies the slogan Wonderful Indonesia. The capital of North Sumatra and a perfect starting point to explore Sumatra, this thriving city boasts lots of cultural and historical landmarks worth your attention.

A multicultural hotspot in its own right, it comes as no surprise that blending flavours and traditions from beyond the Indonesian borders continues to shape Medan as diverse and energetic. For food lovers, linked to its influences near and far, there is little comparison in Indonesia. Seeing how the locals move, live, pray and eat is captured in this half-day tour before venturing out further into unforgettable Sumatra.

TRAIL ITINERARY

The Sights and Sounds of Thriving Medan

09:00 - 13:00

You are welcomed in the morning by your English-speaking guide and designated driver who are eager to show you their “home town” for the coming hours. As you head out into the streets of Medan, the guide will thoroughly tell you the history and good-to-knows related to its Dutch-colonial history as a few protected buildings such as the Old City Hall and the Medan Post and Telegraph Office pass by. These two landmarks are reminders of an era when the Dutch East India Company used Medan as one of the Indonesian hubs for its trading and commerce activities.

Next, you head out to one of the city’s spiritual centres, the Great Mosque Al-Mashum. This religious centre was built in just three years from 1906 to 1909. Its octagonal shape and in terms of architecture, it combines Middle Eastern, Indian and Spanish styles. The mosque was designed by the Dutch architect Van Erp who also designed The Maimoon Palace, and its building materials were used imported from all over the world with the marble from Italy, the stained glass from Germany and China and the chandeliers from France.

Next, the celestial outlines of the Sultanate Palace of Malay Deli are on the agenda. Also known as Maimoon Palace, the now museum combines Malay, Islamic and Indian architecture while the interior has Spanish and Italian influences. Many tourists visit this Medan landmark to marvel at the grandness of the edifice – which is still the home to members of the Sultan family – to learn about its history and to see the lavish inauguration throne. Traditional gamelan music is played here at certain times of the day.

The half-day ends with exploring the antiques along Kesawan Street, situated near the Maimoon Palace and admire the wildlife at Medan’s Asam Kumbang Crocodile Park before returning to your Medan accommodation.

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW

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INCLUSIONS

  • A half-day tour with a professional English-speaking guide
  • Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle with professional driver.
  • All entrance fees for visits as mentioned in the description.
  • All applicable taxes and service charges

EXCLUSIONS

  • Tours, inclusions of any kind and other services that are not outlined in the tour description
  • Personal expenses such as meals, drinks, tips and gratuities, shopping, portage fees and optional tours, unless otherwise stated
  • Hotel accommodation in the destination of commencement.
  • Compulsory Christmas, country-specific festival and/or New Year dinner at included hotels
  • Single supplement charges for single travelers, where applicable
  • Any airline tickets, visa fees, additional transportation cost from and to the general meeting point
  • Supplements for transfers for customers arriving or departing from any airport or resorts located outside the general pick-up and drop-off locations
  • Hotel expenses of a personal nature, should an overnight be included: this includes mini-bar consumption, laundry, room service, any telephone or other communication cost not mentioned in the program
  • Travel insurance coverage for customers (highly recommendable)

GOOD TO KNOW

  • This tour is operated on full private basis with English-speaking guide.
  • Return transfers for this excursion apply only / are inclusive for customers staying in downtown Medan. Transfers outside these areas, including Binjai, Belawan, Perbaungan, Manado Airport and main harbour are excluded. Supplements apply for customers who want to join this excursion outside one of these regions.
  • We regret to inform you that this excursion is not suitable for wheelchair users.
  • Royal temples and palaces uphold a very strict dress code: it is essential that you dress appropriately during this excursion by wearing clothes that cover shoulders and fall below the knees.
  • Customers wearing shirts with obscene and disrespectful prints and pictures and brightly-coloured clothing may be refused entrance.
  • We always will make efforts to confirm the exact pick-up time upon reservation. For any operational issues in which are not able to confirm the exact pick-up time in advance, we reserve the right to inform you the day before the departure of the tour.
  • Please note pick-up and drop-off services may not be confirmed for customers staying at private residences, apartment complexes, or other non-registered tourism accommodations. Customers may be asked to meet at a nearby hotel for pick-up and drop off.
  • Natural elements of any kind have a destructive effect on electronic equipment. It is the customer’s own responsibility to ensure that any camera, mobile telephone or other device is properly wrapped and protected against these elements. We cannot be held responsible in any way for negligence and/or not following suggestions for any damage related to this.
  • Please ensure that you bring sunglasses, a hat /cap and sunblock with a high SPF factor when traveling with us on this tour – even when it is cloudy, the sunrays still have an immense power.
  • The protection of the country’s flora and fauna is of immense importance for us. We will not pursue any activities for guests that are not in line with our animal, wildlife and environment protection principles.
  • It is the responsibility of the customer to provide us with the correct hotel information, should pick-up and drop-off services be included in the package. Any changes in accommodation outside 24 hours will be handled accordingly: changes within 24 hours may be on request.
  • In the event of no-show or change of accommodation without prior consent and confirmation from us within 24 hours may result in the applicable cancellation charges as outlined in the terms and conditions.

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