Aceh - Laut Tawar Lake

Laut Tawar lake is located in Gayo plateu, Central Aceh regency, Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam. The gayo tribe call it Lut Tawar lake. Laut Tawar lake which literally means sea freshwater lake has its name because it is as wide as the ocean but the water is not salty. Laut Tawar lake spread accross 5,472 ha with length 17 km and width 3,219. Water volume is approximately 2,537,483,884 metre qubic (2.5 billion litre).

Water from the lake is used not only by people surrounding Central Aceh regency, but also from people from other regencies. People use the water for agriculture, and fish on the lake.

Superior commodities produced in Gayo plateu are arabica coffee (which is very famous in Japan), potatoes, passion fruit, tomatoes, chilis, corn, and vegetables. Other famous plantation commodities are tangerine and avocado.

The freshwater of Laut Tawar lake also preserve various living organism, one of which is depik fish. Depik fish can only be found in Laut Tawar lake.

How to get there: access to Laut Tawar lake (Takengon) is easier through Bireun city. There is a small terminal of elfs (Isuzu's 12-16 seater travel car) which specifically goes Takengon. Visitor can take this car for Rp.25,000 to Takengon. Travel time is 5 hours. Other than Bireun, visitor can alternatively go to Takengon through Blang Kejeren and Kutacane.