For those of you who are fans of road trips, or tours that involve traveling by land vehicle such as a car or motorbike, Uyem Ratus should not be missing from your itinerary. Uyem Ratus is an expanse of thousands of hectares of pine forest as far as the eye can see with the blue of Bukit Barisan in the background.
This pine forest is traversed by a road that connects Central Aceh district with Gayo Lues. And this travel route offers stunning views like alpine forests in Europe. Naturally, it is said that the Gayo Highlands were nicknamed 'Switzerland of Sumatra' during the colonial period because they reminded Dutch soldiers of Europe, which was covered in many pine trees.
The type of pine that meets Uyem Ratus is merkusii pine or Sumatran pine which can also be found in several other areas of Sumatra such as Tapanuli and Kerinci. This type of pine grows abundantly in 3 Tanoh Gayo districts, namely Bener Meriah, Central Aceh and Gayo Lues districts. You can rent a vehicle in Takengon, the capital of Central Aceh, where the starting point for this route is generally taken.
In this area there are many points that are suitable for picnic locations with views that are pleasing to the eye. Make sure you stop at one of the points you choose to enjoy lunch and Gayo coffee that you have prepared, or even just to take photos from the height of the small hills that are easy to reach.
This itinerary will continue to the intersection of Desa Lane where you can rest while sipping a cup of coffee with palm sugar, or traditional cassava tape which is often a typical souvenir of this area. From this point, you can continue the scenic route to Gayo Lues district which is waiting for you with other adventures.
If you want to return to Takengon, you will pass Isaq, one of the oldest villages in Tanoh Gayo. Before setting foot in Takengon again, you will also pass through Bur Lintang, a charming protected forest area that is often shrouded in fog every morning and evening, and one of the locations where you can view the city of Takengon from a height.
