Get to West Sumatra. This will probably be the toughest part of the trip. The simplest way to do this is by flying to Minangkabau International Airport, and that will ease your entry into West Sumatra greatly. Flights are available from Jakarta and Medan within Indonesia. You can get foreign connections from Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. If you are already in Sumatra, however, you may choose to take the bus. If you go that route, please remember that the main highways over the spine of Sumatra's highlands are a slow and unreliable way to go. Get the best bus available if you cannot fly.
Explore Bukittinggi. If you arrived by bus, this is where you will be. It is the crossroads town between South and North Sumatra. Go wandering in the Japanese Caves (used as bunkers by the wartime Japanese Army) and Sianok Canyon. Go to the villages beyond to see giant Sumatran bats and shop for local silver handicrafts.
Take in culture of the Minangkabau, the world's largest matriarchal culture. Bukittinggi tour agencies will have a package available for doing this.
Visit the scenic crater lake of Maninjau. Just getting there will take you to one of the world's more interesting sites. The road down to Lake Maninjau goes through 44 hairpin turns, one right after the other. The lake itself is a beauty, and it is so infrequently visited these days that you can find much serenity at this lake.
Go stand in both hemispheres at the same time by taking the local bus from Bukittinggi to Bonjol. Stand on its monument marking the location of the equator.
Eat in Padang. Padang is famous worldwide for its spicy style of cooking. The way of serving is unique too: simply sit down. Whatever is available that day will be served to you in small bowls. You get charged for whatever you eat.
Surf on the Mentawai Islands. This surfing location, in the water near Padang, is excellent.
