What to expect
Indonesian island straddling the equator is home to dense jungles and volcanic mountains
When to go
August 17 for canoe races celebrating Independence Day in Palembang
What to do
Sample spicy padang cuisine, surf on Nias Island, visit the highland town of Berastagi
Local colour
Elephants, tigers, and the shy Sumatran rhinoceros at the Orangutan Rehabilitation Center
Don't miss
Terraced rice fields, rainforest canopies, and white, sandy beaches bordering Lake Toba
Don't forget
Head to Jalan Semarangs food stalls for late-night meals while in Medan