Lake Lut Tawar is a volcanic one which is located at 1,500 meters above sea level. It is a highland of Takengon suburb, Central Aceh regency. If you visit the lake, your eyes will be spoiled by beautiful scenery. The lake is surrounded by mountains and has fresh air. Going around the lake takes 2 hours. We ensure that you will not get bored because pine forest surrounding of the lake will give different atmosphere. Certainly, there is a fishermen activity to catch fish at the lake.
Wandering around Lake Lut Tawar takes longer time, if you stop by at some caves surrounding area, such as Loyang Peteri Pukes, Loyang Koro, Loyang Peteri Ijo, Loyang Perupi and Ular caves, Loyang Ujung Karang, and Loyang Mendale caves. All the caves have their own legends for Gayo people. Getting tired after going around the lake, you can also watch the lake from the highland, such as from Bur Gayo. From there, you can also see Takengon City and Lake Lut Tawar. The lake is an estuary of 25 rivers which flow to Krueng Peusangan in Bireuen regency. Surrounding the lake, there are many Gayo Arabic Coffee stalls. Gayo Arabic coffee is one of the best coffees in the world. The coffee comes from plantation in Central Aceh regency. Lake Lut Tawar has also many cultural sites where human fossils that lived 7,400 years ago in the Loyang Mandale Cave were found.
Tourism activities at Lake Lut Tawar continue to grow. The local culture of Gayo people, who have high art values, supports the beauty of its nature. Now, almost every year, local government holds Lut Tawar Festival to introduce Lake Lut Tawar to the public, certainly by keeping the beauty of the lake on the highland. One way to preserve the lake which has existed since hundred years ago is by tourism development.
The local people get income from tourism activities so that they keep maintaining the lake and surrounding forest.