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Weather: this area can be colder than other parts of the country, especially at night, so don’t forget to pack warm clothing. It will also rain at least a couple of times a week (suddenly sometimes), so bring waterproofs. If you are planning on climbing the volcano you’ll want to bring extra warm clothes.
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Jungle Trek: If you head into the jungle don’t forget mosquito repellent! Depending on the difficulty of the trek, you’ll want appropriate shoes. Even though the locals will trek in flip-flops, they're not the most practical on this terrain.
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Dress Code: Indonesia is a predominantly muslim country, make sure you respect the locals and wear appropriate clothing: both women and men should cover their shoulders and legs (to the knee). This is also relevant for swimming in lakes and waterfalls, no bikinis please. Female tourists are not expected to wear headscarves.
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Language: Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian Language) is one of the simpler languages in Southeast Asia. Some locals will be able to speak a little English but many will not. You are not expected to be fluent in the local langue a but taking time to learn a few words (Hello, Thank-You, Delicious!) to use when meeting villagers will be met with great enthusiasm.
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Photos: Most locals will be happy to pose for a photo if you ask. Be aware that the novelty of having foreigners around has not worn off in Sumatra. This means you can expect to attract a lot of attention while walking around the area. Be prepared to smile for many selfies!
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Infrastructure: Many tourists underestimate the sheer size of Sumatra, not to mention the condition of the roads. Remember that it will often take longer than you expect to get from point A to point B.
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Rainy Season: It rains on and off all year round in Kerinci but expect more rain during the months of October, November and December.
DATES FOR THE CALENDAR:
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Ramadan - Islam follows the lunar calendar so Ramadan falls on a different date each year (unsually around June). Muslims will not eat until the sun has set, and although you are not expected to go hungry, please refrain from eating in public during this time. Remember that transport will be crowded one week before Ramadan and one week after.
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Hari Raya Idul Fitri - This festival falls just after Ramadan and is a time when muslim people visit their families. It is advised not to attempt to travel too much during this time as the whole if Indonesia will be on the move. Transportation will be crowded and expensive, tickets will sell out days in advance. If you do need to travel, book your spot early.
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Kirinci Lake Festival - If you happen to visit Kerinci in December make sure you don’t miss the Kirinci lake festival. The dates differ from year to year so contact Romes if you’d like your trip to coincide with the festival.
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Hijtriah (Islamic New Year) - Like Ramadan, this date will differ from year to year but usually falls in the month of September.