Lake Laut Tawar in the Gayo Highlands

Laut Tawar Lake is a lake and tourist resort located in the Gayo highlands, Central Aceh district, Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam. extent of 5472 hectares approximately 17 km in length and width of 3.219 km. volume of water is approximately 2.537.483.884m3 (2.5 trillion liters).

Lake Laut Tawar have Krueng with a total of 25 stream water discharge of about 10 043 liters per second with the highest average depth is 51.13 meters and 2.92 meters high brightness in the middle of the lake. the higher the brightness the more clear.

There are some who live on the lake fauna Laut Tawar ie, three types of mollusk, a kind of annelids, 37 species of fish and 49 species of insects, while for animals that live around the lake was found 20 species of mammals, consisting of 13 families of several of them including a protected animal, between Other Binturong, pussy, tringgiling, porcupine, mouse deer, Napu, gibbon, gibbons, tanado, tiger, bobcat, deer, and antelope.

The existence of Lake Laut Tawar become the pride of the people of Aceh. He is a natural tourist attraction visited by many domestic and foreign tourists. The lake is a source of water is used not only by society in Central Aceh district, but also by people in other districts.

Traditional stories circulating about fish depik Gayo society, shaped like a slender ornamental fish glistening white scales to the size of your thumbs who live on Lake Laut Tawar. The story, derived from grain rice depik dumped into the lake. He will come to the surface at certain seasons, especially during the rainy season. Before winter arrives, depik gangs hiding in the south of the lake, at the foot of Mount Bur Kelieten. Depik is a God's gift to the community Gayo, despite constantly consumed, he never finished.

Feature

Two hills that flank the lake, the more shows the beauty of the lake. Pooling of water and plains provide livelihoods for many communities, especially around the Gayo highlands. Sea due to the extent such designation and the designation of fresh sea because the water is not salty. She offered water to save a lot of flora and fauna, the most famous one is the fish which is depik fish species that exist only in Lake Laut Tawar.

At this location, visitors can see the people who grow crops and fishing. An activity that has become part of everyday life in communities around the lake. Commodity grown in the Gayo highlands, among others, is the Gayo coffee (Coffee arabica), which is very famous in Japan, potatoes, passion fruit, tomatoes, chilies, corn, and vegetables. The results are quite famous plantation commodities is Gayo tangerine and avocado.

Location

Its location on the East side of Takengon. For Gayo society, the lake is known as a lot which means sea. The area around the lake was already known as a resort and recreation since the Dutch era. The famous term was Datiga (Gayo Highlands).

From afar, the lake is like a container of water surrounded by hills and mountains. It looks green hills by pine forests, fields, and gardens of the people. To reach the lake, we can travel through the land route from Banda Aceh, about 300 miles so far. Travel through three districts. Namely, Pidie, Bireuen, and Bener Meriah.

Many vehicles are ready to take that route. For example L-300 and a bus. We also travel with the air route from Medan or Banda Aceh. The goal is Rembele Airport in Bener Meriah.

Central Aceh Regional Government has set up various support facilities for tourists who enjoy a holiday in Datiga. Hotel standard easily obtainable in seputaran Takengon City that is only less than one kilometer toward the lake.

There are also several hotels built right on the edge of the lake. What I want to feel the natural atmosphere and adventure can set up a tent in some camping ground provided on the edge of the lake.

Its main attraction is boating around the lake. Who loves mountain biking can walk around in the hills surrounding the lake. ''The air is clean and nice scenery. Bids are good for photography enthusiasts,''said a tourist mountain bike enthusiasts.

Point is the most visited tourist areas in the District of Stars Edge Gaskets. Regions on the north side of the lake offers agro tourism with a visit to the orchard or orchids.

As a mountainous region with an altitude of 1200 meters above sea level, Takengon spelled out cold air. In the morning mist that shrouded the hills raises stunning scenery at sunrise. Similarly, at sunset.

When getting ready to go home, visitors may bring souvenirs typical of Gayo society, namely fish depik (rasbora tawarensis). The fish is said to exist only in Lake Laut Tawar.

Besides bringing the fish depik as souvenirs, tourist can take a variety of products Gayo crops such as coffee, vegetables, and typical traditional embroidery Gayo, kerrawang. Kerrawang embroidery that are characteristic of Gayo society is available in various shapes and sizes. Starting purse, bag, cap, shirt, pants kerrawang up.