Indonesia - Sulawesi Explorer

On arrival in Makassar, the capital of Sulawesi, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Overnight at Aston Hotel or similar.Makassar (called Ujung Pandang between 1972 and 1999) is the lively capital of Sulawesi and due to its central location, the city has functioned as a gateway to the eastern islands of Indonesia for centuries. Makassar also has a rich historical past with two powerful kingdoms that were able to resist the Dutch colonial forces for many years. The fort of Rotterdam (Benteng Ujung Pandang) in the centre of Makassar is a well-preserved reminder of that past. In the evening the boulevard comes to life and people gather at the pavilions and hand carts selling snacks appear. A part of the boulevard is closed to traffic, and impressive sunsets can be enjoyed here.

Today will be spent exploring Makassar by public transport accompanied by your guide. We begin with a visit to two markets in Makassar, a fish and a vegetable-fruit market, where you will purchase the necessary ingredients for a cooking class later today. We will cross the river by local ferry to a small village, where the cooking class will take place in the traditional kitchen of a local Bugis house. It is a rural setting, surrounded by rice fields, fish ponds and abundant gardens, so you feel as if you are in the countryside. In the village you will see many traditional Buginese houses on stilts. We will return to the centre and see some of the sights of Makassar including Fort Rotterdam, and Paotere Harbour, with its dozens of traditional wooden ships. Overnight at Aston Hotel or similar. (BL)

After breakfast we leave Makassar for the highlands of Tanah Toraja, home to some of Sulawesi’s most intriguing customs, and a stronghold of traditional architecture. Lunch is taken in the home of a local family. We pass Enrekang driving onwards through Toraja to the market town of Rantepao. Overnight at Toraja Misiliana or similar. (BL)

We spend today exploring this remarkable region to gain a picture of the culture of past and present Toraja. We visit picturesque villages located in an amazing mountainous landscape dominated by rice terraces and bamboo forests. We see the different ways the Toraja bury their dead, including the traditional ‘hanging graves’ and the well-known stone graves guarded by puppets, “tau-tau”, high up on rocks. We also see huge richly carved traditional houses with their rice barns. For lunch we visit a small village where local people prepare a typical Toraja meal for us. Overnight Toraja Misiliana or similar. (BL)

Today we will continue to explore the area, walking and driving through the countryside, which will offer a further insight into the rural life of the region. Overnight at Toraja Misiliana or similar. (B) *Please note that the format of the above two days will change if the opportunity to attend a funeral ceremony arises.

Leave Tanah Toraja for the small town of Sengkang where we will visit a silk weaving shop making beautifully coloured local garments. This afternoon board traditional colourful motorised canoes, travelling along the Walennea River to Lake Tempe. The lake is very scenic and is home to a number of species of birds, who share it with local fishermen, some of who live in floating villages. Overnight at Semani Hotel or similar. (B)

We continue to the refreshingly cool market town of Malino, which lies on the lower slopes of Mount Bawakaraeng, and was once the favourite weekend retreat for the colonial Dutch. Overnight at Malino Highlands Resort or similar. (BL)

Today we will take a walk through the surrounding area of Malino, approx. 4-5 hours. We will start from your accommodation following a path uphill and downhill, crossing a small river via a bamboo bridge or if broken (which often happens!) by wading through the river. We will pass the Biroro waterfall with the chance to bathe- the views are amazing. A simple lunch will be  served after which you will be picked up by car to begin the journey back to Makassar, stopping on the way to visit some local fruit markets. Overnight at Aston Hotel or similar. (BL)

After breakfast, you’ll be enroute to visit Rammang Rammang in Maros, here, an exciting excursion near the lime stone cliffs await. You make canoe trip along a small river which banks covered by nipa palms, slide under rock openings to reach a hidden village. This will be followed with a wonderful walk-through rice to visit a well-hidden cave in which you can find some fingerprints left there by ancient cave dwellers over 5,000 years ago. You’ll have a chance to meet the local at their houses, see them work on their rice fields and possibly have tea or coffee with them. We will transfer to the airport for our flight from Makassar to Manado in the north of Sulawesi on Citilink Indonesia (QG307 2015:2200), and on arrival we will transfer to our hotel. Overnight at Aryaduta Hotel or similar (BL)

Spend the morning exploring Manado town and its surroundings, visiting the local fish market where all the fish from the surrounding areas is sold. Proceed to the largest Chinese Temple in town, a beautiful landmark, and continue to the North Sulawesi Provincial Museum where we will be guided through the history of North Sulawesi. Around noon, set off on the drive to Tangkoko Batuangas Reserve, and after checking into our hotel we will take an afternoon walk in the reserve (approx. 2 hours) in search of its unusual wildlife, including Tarsiers and Cuscus Bears. Overnight at Tangkoko Sanctuary or similar. (BD)

This morning we take another walk in the forest in search of wildlife (approx. 3 hours), before continuing on. We explore the fascinating Minhasa Highlands along the way, with its relics of traditional culture. In the afternoon, explore the surroundings of Lake Tondano and visit the nearby sulphur Lake Linow which is known for its changes of colour. This evening we visit a local home for some typical Minhasa food. Overnight at Gardenia Country Inn or similar. (BD)

This morning we will visit the colourful market of Tomohon. The Minhasa are known for eating most things and you will find some unusual “ingredients” ready to take home and cook. We then head to the rim of Gunung Mahawu, an active volcano which gives us great views of its crater lake as well as of the surrounding area, including the nearby island of Bunaken. We reach it by a combination of driving and walking (it entails climbing around 250 steps). In the afternoon, you have the opportunity to rest at the hotel or continue the adventure with a visit to either Pinaras Waterfall or Tekaan Waterfall and the hotspring at Ranolewo. Overnight at Gardenia Country Inn or similar. (BD)

Check out of your hotel and transfer back to Manado. The rest of the day is free to relax or further explore this interesting cosmopolitan city. Overnight at Cocotinos Manado or similar. (B)

Today our destination is Bunaken Island off the northern tip of Sulawesi. The island is part of Bunaken Marine Reserve, and the sea around here is alive with stunning marine life including turtles, whales, dolphins and rays. We take a boat out to snorkel and then take lunch on the beach before heading back to Manado. Overnight at Cocotinos or similar. (BL)

Transfer to the airport for your onward flight. Tour ends. (B)