Medan to Sipiso-piso Waterfall and Tongging by Rental Car

Sipiso-piso is one of the tallest waterfalls in Indonesia. It plunges from a cliff on the Karo plateau into a valley on the northern shore of Lake Toba. The view from the upper terrace is among the most iconic in North Sumatra.

Route from Medan

The usual route is Medan → Berastagi → Kabanjahe → Merek → Sipiso-piso, a drive of about 3–3.5 hours. From Merek, the road to the waterfall terrace is paved and there is parking.

Go down, or stay at the top?

Hundreds of steps connect the upper terrace with the base of the waterfall. Going down is easy, but climbing back is tiring. For older travellers or small children, the view from the top is more than enough.

On to Tongging village

Tongging is a fishing village on the shore of Lake Toba, just below Sipiso-piso. The road down is steep and winding, so use an experienced driver. In Tongging you can eat lake fish and see the waterfall from below.

Recommended vehicles

The Merek–Tongging road needs a car with excellent brakes and transmission. A Fortuner or Innova Reborn Diesel is the best choice. Avoid taking a large minibus to Tongging, as some bends are tight.

Tips

• Leave early to arrive before the fog rolls in around midday.
• Combine it with Taman Simalem or Simarjarunjung Hill if you stay overnight.

Plan your trip

Check which vehicles are available on your travel dates on the reservation page. For an overview of routes and travel times to the Toba region, see our guide to renting a car from Medan to Lake Toba.