Indonesia
The province of West Sumatra is home to an ethnic group that is known for its matrilineal and matrilocal traditions: the Minangkabau.
Everything is effectively owned by the women, who pass on the inheritance to their daughters. This is why men are often forced to emigrate to other islands in the Indonesian archipelago.
Through preserved nature and unique encounters, this circuit offers you the opportunity to better understand the habits and customs of these very special Minangkabau populations.
Day 1Welcome to West Sumatra
Day 1Welcome to West Sumatra
Reception at Padang airport and transfer to Harau Valley.
Day 2Discovery of the Harau valley
Day 2Discovery of the Harau valley
After breakfast, we go hiking through the impressive Harau Canyon. Lunch in a local restaurant then continuation of the walk. Possibility to visit a traditional potato chip factory (krupuk), a school, villagers making palm sugar, to finish at a pretty waterfall.
Day 3An enchanting place
Day 3An enchanting place
Morning transfer to the surroundings of Limapuluh Kota (1 hour), from where you begin a hike (around 4 hours) towards the Mahat cirque, a little-visited site which will leave you with a strong memory: several hundred strangely rounded stones lie in this natural basin, in a magical atmosphere.
Day 4Approaching Lake Maninjau
Day 4Approaching Lake Maninjau
The morning is devoted to a lovely walk at the bottom of an impressive canyon, through a jungle crisscrossed by waterways.
At the beginning of the afternoon, you head towards “Puncak Lawang”, a high point which overlooks Lake Maninjau and which gives off a very romantic atmosphere.
You then begin a lovely walk towards the shores of the lake (2-3 hours of walking), through the tropical forest. At sunset, the silhouettes of fishermen collecting their nets are reflected on the purple waters.
Return to Bukittinggi at the end of the afternoon.
Day 5See you soon in Sumatra (and Indonesia)
Day 5See you soon in Sumatra (and Indonesia)
Visit to Bukittinggi in the morning (traditional market, Jam Gadang square, Japanese tunnel), then transfer to Padang airport.
