The pine trees can protect you from the direct sun rays. Kata beach is about 2 km south of Pariaman. The people of these islands still live in comparative isolation, maintaining their age-old ways. Siberut is well known for its untouched forests, a part of a nature reserve inhabited by a number of animal species not found anywhere else, among them some rare monkey species. Beautiful coral reefs are found offshore.
Fine basketry is available here.
It is 35 km from Bukit tinggi and a little further up is the most dramatic view on the Harau Valley. Steep granite walls shelter the fertile valley. The Harau Valley is 15 km from Payakumbuh. On the road from Bukit tinggi to Payakumbuh these caves extend deep into the mountainside. The domain of thousands of bats which you won't see but only hear their squeaks and sense them as they fly close over your head.