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I'm sure it must be possible. I don't know when Pulah Weh is, but I travelled to Bukit Lawang and Lake Toba and onwards to Medan back in 1993 (!) and probably only spent a couple of nights in each (1 in Medan - the most horrible city I've ever been to). Bukit Lawang doesn't have much to do, other than seeing the Orang Utans. Lake Toba is beautiful - I once thought I could go back there to write (went to Chile instead as felt a little safer!).

Hey Jackie, welcome to Wanderlust!!!

Sorry do not know the answer to your question though.

Hi satkinson!  Thank you for your response - much appreciated.  Hopefully there may be a few more things in Bukit to do now!  And I will take note about Medan and avoid it!
Hi roovilla!  thanks for putting me on to Wanderlust!

Any more info woudl be appreciated  :)

Thanks!

Hi Jackie,

I travelled around Sumatra last summer, and went to all the places you mentioned. My friend and I took a bus from Lake Toba to Bukit Lawang, although we stopped off in Berastagi to climb some volcanoes. The bus continues from Berastagi to Bukit Lawang though, so you can just book a spot to take you from Lake Toba to Bukit Lawang in one day. We booked the bus through our hotel in Lake Toba, but there's plenty of little tourist offices that can book you a spot. It's easier if you get a group together though! I can't quite remember how long it took, but I'd bank on about a day orso...

Bukit Lawang is an amazing place, my friend and I ended up staying there for 6 weeks (we were writing up some research at the time). We spent a week at Garden Inn, which is great and always has people chilling at night, playing the guitar and singing songs. The rest of the time we spent at Rainforest, which is quite popular. Things I recommend doing in Bukit: go see the orangutan feeding, go tubing on the river, ask the boys at Rainforest (Ali and Andy, if they still work there) to take you fishing and do a jungle bbq, hike to the bat cave, do a jungle trek, go to the jungle party if you're around on a Saturday (avoid "jungle juice", aka palm wine - not good!), go to the market...there's plenty to do! 

When you're ready to leave Bukit Lawang (if you leave haha :)), you can easily catch a local bus to Medan, takes about 3 hours. From Medan you can either fly to Banda Aceh, or take an overnight bus, which takes about 12 hours. If you take the overnight bus, just ask the driver in Bukit Lawang to drop you off at the bus stand (it's just along one of the main roads) and ask the guys at the make-shift desk to call the bus driver and see if there's a spot on the bus. From Banda Aceh you can catch a ferry to Pulau Weh, there should be quite a few.

Hope you have a wonderful time in Sumatra, it is a spectacular place!

Hi Hester

Thank you so much for your response - that's really helpful.  Especially about avoiding the jungle juice!!!!  I was under the impression that Bukit only had one or two things going for it but by the sounds of it I will be more than entertained there!  And whether I leave the orangutans is another question altoghether - I cant wait to see them  (cue big cheesy grin!!)
If you can think of any paces to recommend in Pulah Weh then let me know - your answer is really appreciated and I will print it off and pop it in my LP Guide for safe keeping and reference on my journey  :)
Thanks again 

Jackie

Hi Jackie,

No worries, happy to help! As for Pulau Weh, I was only there for a few days, and spent most of my time diving. I stayed with Lumba Lumba at Gapang beach, which was really nice but there isn't much to do there besides diving. A few people I met along the way stayed at Iboih Beach, which seems to have a bit more going for it. My advice is ask around while you're in Bukit. Loads of people are either also on the way to Pulau Weh, or just on their way back, so I'm sure you'll be able to find some travel companions or some advice on stuff to do...

Also, I'm not sure to what extent you have stuff planned for Lake Toba, but I just remember a few things that might be fun to do. There's a little restaurant next to Carolina Cottages, the owner is called Juliette, and she does cooking lessons, which are really fun. She is hilarious - ask her about her experience with magic mushrooms (which you need to watch out for at Lake Toba, they're "legal" there, so if you order mushroom pizza, make sure you know which kind you're getting!). Also, you can rent scooters/motorbikes to do a tour of the island, which I highly recommend! Most people will tell you that you can't go all the way around the island because of the roads, but it's fine. My friend and I went and some of the roads are more potholes than roads, but it's really alright. There are some absolutely beautiful landscapes to see (of the lake, rice terraces, small villages, etc.) - just make sure you leave early in the morning because it will take you most of the day. Also, pack a poncho, we got stuck in a torrential rainstorm on the last bit of our tour and got back completely drenched. There's also a waterfall that you can hike to, which is pretty fun...

Hope this helps, enjoy your time in Sumatra :) 

Hester - you're an inspiration!  Thank you so much for that advice - I may well look up Juliette!
I really do appreciate all of your advice...........i cant wait to go!!

I did Lake Toba and Bukit Lawang in 5 days I think it was so i'm sure you'll be fine. Have an amazing time! Don't forget to tube down the river in Bukit Lawang!

Thanks Gemita.......I will!!!!