Telo Island Lodge - Frequently Asked Questions Telos Group, Indonesia
How do I get to Medan? Once your booking at the Telo Island Lodge is confirmed, we are more than happy to help arrange airfare and associated accommodations as you make your way to the resort.
Flights typically are routed through either Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia or Singapore. From each location, you are then flown to the north Sumatran city of Medan, Indonesia, where you will be met on arrival by a representative at the Medan airport. Depending on your arrival time, you will either be taken to the JW Marriott for an overnight stay or taken directly to the Cessna Grand Caravan charter aircraft for departure to TIL.
What Documents Do I need to Bring? A passport with at least six months of validity remaining, including a valid visa (most passport holders can apply for a visa on arrival at $25USD) and one other form of identification.
2 x COLOUR photocopies of your passport (photo page).
Airline tickets.
Travel insurance information, itinerary and other travel documents.
In case you misplace any vital documents you should also carry a back-up photocopy of your passport, I.D, and airline ticket with you at all times. It doesn’t hurt to leave another copy at home as well.
Your registration forms must be returned to TPX at least 30 days prior to check in.
Package Add-Ons? Each of the below items are available onsite for an additional fee. Please inquiry about pricing and options on booking:
Standard Onsite
Alcoholic beverages
Soda
Staff Photography Services
Surf board rentals
Internet access
Satellite phone use
Guided translation services
Massage Services
Custom (Minimum 1 Month Notice Required to Arrange)
Pro Photography Services
Custom travel transfers
Custom additional itinerary
Custom beverage selection
Package Inclusions
Guest airport and hotel transfers in Medan
Round-trip charter air service from Medan to Telo
Guest transfers from the Telo airport to the resort
All Surf transfers during your stay
Meals are all inclusive
Water, Juice, Coffee and Tea are complimentary
Laundry service
Use of fishing, snorkeling, SUP equipment and associated facilities
Do I need a visa for Indonesia? As of March 2004, nationals of the United States, Australia, South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, Denmark, United Arab Emirates, Finland, Hungary, United Kingdom, Italy, Japan, Germany, Canada, South Korea, Norway, France, Poland, Switzerland, New Zealand, and Taiwan must pay $USD25 for an entry visa on arrival in Indonesia for a 30-day tourist Visa. This is done at the airport counter prior to immigration clearance.
PLEASE NOTE: Most airports do not have ATMs available. Please bring a minimum of $USD25 to pay this fee.
How many boards should I bring? If you do not wish to use any of the lodges ECOBOARDS, this is entirely up to how much excess baggage you are willing to pay for (TIL and TPX will not cover costs of excess baggage). Check with your airline first. Your Telo flight transfer has strict weight restrictions allowing approximately 110kg total per person (persons + luggage). Most people bring 2-3 boards. The normal board you ride at home is fine and perhaps a slightly larger semi-gun. Mid-length boards and guns generally get used and experienced surfers give short boards plenty of use. If you are going to bring an extra board we would suggest a replacement for the board you will use the most as it is not uncommon to break boards.
Do I need to bring my own laptop? Telo Island Lodge provides a guest computer which is available in the main lounge. Should you need to work while you are away or don’t want to wait to use the computer, we strongly recommend you bring your own laptop or tablet. We have found that we do experience a few technical glitches if guests are using PC’s, so please run a virus software prior to connection to the network. If you are an iPhone or iPad user we are more than happy to provide assistance but please bear in mind we are not tech support.
Can I be contacted during my stay? Yes, you can be contacted on your mobile phone as long as you have global roaming activated. You can also be contacted on the satellite phone or use it to make outbound calls (fees apply).
If you have not brought your own laptop or smart phone, then you can access the lodge’s guest computer at anytime. There is wireless internet access available throughout TIL, which is charged out at a fee. The staff will issue you with codes to use at your leisure.
Do I need travel insurance? ALL guests must have full comprehensive travel and medical insurance and should include at least a MedEvac option and compensation for lost charter days due to unforeseen circumstances or emergencies.
What type of power adapter do I need to charge my electronics? All outlets accept a 2 Round Pin Europe/Asia Plug Adapter.
How much cash will I need to bring, and in what currency? You will only need a small amount of cash during your stay including:
$25USD cash to purchase an Indonesian tourist visa on arrival
Indonesian rupiah for Airport Departure tax (75,000 rupiahs for international departures & 35,000 rupiahs for domestic departure).
Indonesian rupiah or credit card for personal telephone calls, additional meals, snacks & drinks in transit or transit accommodation.
Credit card to pay for any additional services at TIL.
What other services are available at TIL? Please see Lodge Page for all services available at TIL as well as are many optional extras!
Due to medical or personal reasons I follow a special diet. Can you accommodate this? Yes, with prior notification (minimum two weeks) we can accommodate most dietary requests.
Do I need to take Malaria medication? It is a matter of personal choice whether to take anti-malarial medication. Malaria is present in the region and we take the matter very seriously. Whether you choose to take a prophylaxis or not, we strongly urge all our guests to wear repellant at dawn and evenings.
All guest beds are netted, the lodge is fully screened, and the grounds are fogged regularly. To date they have had no reported cases of malaria at TIL and the best policy is to avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes.
Are there any other health risks? When traveling to any remote region in the world, most travelers will usually update their tetanus and hepatitis shots. Malaria is a reality in some parts of Indonesia. We suggest you consult your doctor for the right preventative treatment, which you may be required to start some weeks before you arrive. Should you be taking any prescription medication, please ensure you bring the necessary paperwork that goes with it in case of an emergency. For more travel health related information, please consult your doctor or visit http://www.indonesia.travel/en/travel-information
Can you give me an idea of how many other people I’ll be surfing with? The aim is to spend the majority of your trip surfing with just the people staying at the lodge (maximum 8-12 surfers). This is not always possible, but there are plenty of waves in this area and due to their extensive experience they know how to be in the right place at the right time. While it’s inevitable that you’ll come across other surfers from time to time, rest assured you will get plenty of waves.