Samosir is approximately 50 km long and 15 km wide island in Lake Toba , almost as big as Singapore . It is often described as the hearthland of Batak culture. Samosir is actually a peninsula and not an island, as it is divided from Sumatera only by a narrow man-made canal, the Pusuk Buhit Canal between Samosir and mainland, onece made by the Dutch. Samosir is a perfect place to relax and cool down. It is beautiful and scenic and very relaxing. The island is small enough for visiting everything of interest from any place you choose to stay in.

Tuktuk - Samosir Island is accessible by ferry from Ajibata or Parapat. One of the main inhabited areas on the island. People come here to relax, enjoy the sceneries, eat well and cool down from tougher travelling in other areas. Culture is available on certain days and in other nearby villages anyway. Western tunes have replaced the harmonic popular songs of the well-singing Bataks.

Jangga Village - A traditional Batak village 24 km from Parapat. Here visitors can watch the weaving of the traditional Batak ulos textiles and wander amongst traditional houses and historical monuments of the old Batak kings.

Tomok - A traditional village with beautiful houses and ancient tombs. Tomok is gateway to Samosir and one of the main landing-points on the island. Rows of stalls sell an array of handicraft, traditional ulos cloth and Batak musical instruments. The 200-year-old stone sarcophagus of King Sidabutar built in the shape of a ship is its most famous sight. It is located a short walk away from the lake. Tomok is also known for the Sigale-gale dance

Simanindo - is a picturesque village and has some of the best-kept traditional houses, incl the house of Raja Sidauruk, now a museum. This nice museum also has daily cultural performances. The market and the boat landing are 150 metres before the Museum, down to the right coming from Tuktuk. Opposite Simanindo is the island Maulau, or more commonly known Tao island. The island is 800 metres from the boat landing below the museum but you need a boat to get there. Several boats go there from the hotels on Tuktuk. The clan Maulau owns the island according to adat (traditions), but the clan Sidauruk is living there and they built the restaurant and the hotel and changed the name to Pulau Tao. The Maulau clan protested and after negotiations an agreement was reached in June 2001. The islands belong to the Maulau clan, but is managed by Sidauruk. The proper name is Maulau island.