Enchanting Sulawesi

Welcome to Indonesia! On arrival in Makassar, you’ll be met by your Sulawesi guide and driver and transferred to your downtown hotel, around 25 minutes into town. This evening your local guide will take you to one of the outstanding seafood restaurants in downtown Makassar. Dive into a sumptuous dinner of the freshest fish and shellfish, accompanied by a colorful variety of sambals (fiery dipping sauces), breads, salad, curries, and refreshing local beer. After dinner you’ll be taken for a short walk around the waterfront area, stopping at a street vendor for a local dessert of fried bananas in syrup…if you have room!

This morning you’ll be transferred back up to Rantepao by short domestic flight and then a 90-minute road transfer through lush jungles and mountains of central Sulawesi.

Sulawesi has a wealth of attractions, but the top of any visitor’s list is a memorable journey up into the central highlands to the villages around Rantepao – home to the famed Toraja people. The Toraja have long held a fascination for anthropologists and intrepid travelers alike, known for their unique attitudes towards the deceased and their elaborate, multi-day funeral celebrations. Toraja villages – dotted all across this mountainous region – are easy to spot for their unique saddleback tongkonan houses. A visit to this region is an experience unlike any other in Indonesia – or the world.

You’ll be spending three nights and two full days immersed in the Toraja region. We deliberately keep the itinerary flexible and allow these two full days to let our expert local guides do their work. There are several key sights and experiences across the Toraja region, but the highlight will always be witnessing local customs – including the extravagant funerals for which the area is famed – so it is best to let the guide speak to locals and manage your time in situ.

Throughout these two days, you will…

– Visit the fascinating local market in Rantepao to see the buffalo auctions. Buffalo are the most valuable gift that one family can give to another, with the biggest and most well-bred being auctioned off for more than the price of a brand-new SUV!

– Visit the megalith stone graveyard of Batu Menhir. This Stonehenge-like environment houses the graves of the most noble and respected Torajans. A short trek can be taken around the Menhir, where you’ll find graves built into the sheer rockface and covered by small stone windows.

– Visit the village of Lomo, with its rows of Tau-Tau puppets in front of each gravesite. Here you’ll find the Toraja royalty gravesite of Suaya, and Tampangallo, a natural cave used as a burial ground. Lunch can be served here in the Tongkahan home of a local family.

– Take a short hike or trek through spectacular scenery of rice terraces and picture-postcard rural villages. There are innumerable routes on offer: speak to your guide to establish the length, intensity, and specific interests you’re hoping to cover.

– Most importantly, luck-willing, take in a traditional Torajan funeral ceremony! These huge festival-like events are packed full of villagers, buffalo, and enormous sound systems. A funeral will involve processions, feasting, music, dancing, and all-round festivities, with all locals dressed in their finest traditional attire.

This morning you’ll transfer by road and fly back down to Makassar. Upon landing you’ll be met by a new Makassar guide and taken to explore Rammang Rammang National Park. After the tour, you’ll be dropped back at your hotel in central Makassar.

Just 30 minutes north of busy Makassar, Rammang Rammang has a stunning landscape of lush greenery, soaring karst peaks, and tranquil river systems. An immersive tour of the park will immerse you in its natural beauty and cultural heritage. Upon arrival you’ll be taken by canoe along the Pute River; along the way your guide will share the rich biodiversity of the area, pointing out various bird species, aquatic life, and unique plant species along the riverbanks. You’ll then embark on a short hike around the park, taking in some of its intricate limestone caves and lush trails. Keep an eye out for endemic wildlife species, such as the Sulawesi black macaque or colorful bird species. A delicious Bugis-style lunch will be served midway through the tour in a picturesque restaurant overlooking the park’s central waterways.

This morning you’ll head back to Makassar airport and then fly right from far south to far north of Sulawesi, landing in the island’s other principal city, Manado. On arrival, you’ll meet a new guide and driver team and immediately set off into the Minahasa Highlands, a road transfer of just over an hour. Check into your picturesque highland lodge and spend the rest of the day enjoying the views.

Situated at an average of 700m above sea level, the Minahasa region is a fresh and cool respite from Sulawesi’s tropical lowlands. Thanks to its elevated position, rich volcanic soil, and temperate climate, the region is famed for its lush gardens. Tropical flower production is a core industry here; the region’s many gardens, along with placid lakes and the soaring peak of Mt Mahawu in the background, make Minahasa one of the most photogenic areas in Indonesia. It’s a laidback and scenic place to spend a couple of nights, taking gentle walks in the countryside and learning about the distinct local culture.

Today you’ll set off on a day’s exploration of Minahasa. Head first to the infamous morning market of Tomohon, which is known for its colorful fruit and vegetable sections, and more challenging butchery area. The latter has an extraordinary array of mammals and reptiles on sale and can be skipped if you’re feeling squeamish!

Continue to the peak of Mt Mahawa. Enjoy fine upland views as we drive to the ranger station, and then on arrival embark on a short trek to its 1,320m summit, followed by a circular walk along the rim path to explore this dormant volcano.

Later in the day, you’ll visit some traditional wooden Minahasa houses and also the volcanic Linow Lake, known for its unique hydrothermal vents. Along the way you’ll enjoy lunch at Tondano Lake for lunch, savoring a delicious meal of freshly caught and grilled tilapia. There may also be a chance to stop in Kawangkoan village to meet the villagers and sample their local coffee.

Today you’ll come out of the highlands and continue to Tangkoko National Park. Stop along the way at Molas village to witness the hyper local industry producing coconut oil from dried coconuts, and again at Bitung where you’ll enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. From there, it will take approximately 45 minutes to reach the entrance area of Tangkoko National Park.

In the late afternoon, you’ll be picked up by a park ranger to embark on a nature hike in the national park. This park covers over 9,000 hectares and is home to many endemic wildlife species. As you stroll through the lush tropical forest, keep an eye out for a variety of birds and also – hopefully – the tiny Tarsier, one of the world’s smallest known primates. Then return to your simple lodge for dinner.

Rise early this morning for a second hike in Tangkoko National Park. Key sightings again are tarsiers, tropical birds, and the rare black-crested macaque. Return to your lodge for breakfast then check out and continue to Bunaken Marine Park, a road journey of around 1hr45m followed by a short speedboat across to your paradisiacal island resort. Arrive early afternoon and have the rest of the day to relax.

Bunaken Marine Park is a captivating and vibrant underwater paradise. Renowned for its breathtaking beauty and incredible biodiversity, it attracts divers and snorkelers from around the world. The crystal-clear turquoise waters span approximately 89,065 acres, home to over 390 species of coral and a whole rainbow of tropical fish species. It is also home to several excellent island resorts, offering true relaxation and pampering for divers and non-divers alike.

These days are yours to relax in your resort, or arrange local exploration of the diverse marine ecosystems of Bunaken Marine Park. With more than 70 dive and snorkel spots, the park offers a variety of underwater landscapes to explore. Steep walls, impressive coral formations, and breathtaking drop-offs make every dive a memorable experience. The park’s unique combination of warm waters, excellent visibility, and rich marine biodiversity make it a dream destination for underwater enthusiasts of all skill levels.

Beyond diving, visitors can also enjoy other activities such as island hopping, snorkeling, and swimming in the clear waters. The surrounding islands of Bunaken Marine Park, such as Bunaken Island itself, Siladen Island, and Manado Tua Island, offer picturesque landscapes and white sandy beaches for relaxation and exploration.

Sadly your adventures in Sulawesi have come to an end. This morning you’ll be transferred back to the mainland by speedboat, then on to Manado International Airport in a private car. The total transfer time will be around an hour. Arrive in good time to check in for your onward flight.