Study Focus : Crater Lake geology, geothermal springs, lake ecology and ornithology

Over 100 kilometers long and 500 meters deep, Lake Toba in central Sumatra is the world’s largest Crater Lake. When the volcano that formed it erupted 70,000 years ago it spread ash from Australia to Sri Lanka and altered the earth’s climate. Today, this stunningly beautiful caldera is a naturalists dream, providing opportunities for lessons in geology, lake ecology and ornithology.

Students will stay at a beautiful lodge on Samosir Island, the largest island on an island in the world. They will explore this idyllic isle by bicycle and charter cruise boat, visiting ancient Batak Toba villages and a dramatic hot spring issuing from a towering volcano. A second day’s cruise takes the students to the base of a waterfall plunging from the crater rim directly into the lake. The water is so oxygenated here that fish literally dance in the spray.