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17 Days Indonesia Itineraries

Sulawesi Explorer

Most suited for
Couples, Families
Ideal time to visit
April - October

Trip Highlights

Trekking through remote Torajan villages to see their fascinating rituals

Spotting rare wildlife in Tangkoko Nature Reserve

Swim in the world’s top marine parks off Sulawesi’s coast

Sulawesi Explorer

As with all our holidays, this itinerary is just a starting point. We will create a bespoke package which will be completely unique for you. 

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Day 1

Your adventure begins

Depart your home country on your overnight flight to Makassar, Sulawesi.

Days 2 - 3

Makassar, South Sulawesi

On arrival in Makassar, you’ll be welcomed to Indonesia by your private driver and taken to your first hotel. After your flight, you’ll have time to settle in and relax on your first day.

The following day, your guide will show you the city. You’ll visit the old Dutch fort, where the museum brings the region’s ethnology and history to life, and stroll along the harbour, once an important strategic port for the Dutch. Spend some time admiring the world-famous “Phinisi” or Bugis schooners, or pick up some freshly salted fish straight from the local fishermen.

Day 4

Tana Toraja

This morning, you’ll meet your driver to begin the journey to Tana Toraja: it’s a long but scenic drive to reach this fascinating part of the world with stops along the way. (There are now 50-minute flights between Makassar and Tana Toraja, but they are few and far between, so speak to your Indonesia expert for details).

The scenic drive follows the coast to Pare-Pare, where you’ll stop for lunch. From there, head inland up into the incredible mountains before arriving, late afternoon, at your hotel. Unwind in your traditionally-styled Tongkonan house or take a refreshing dip in the pool.

Pool at Toraja heritage hotel
Days 5 - 6

Tana Toraja

Today, you’ll explore the eerie yet beautiful traditional ancestral hanging graves, effigies and cave tombs of Lemo and Londa. On their death, Toraja people are entombed in caves or hanging graves on the cliffs around these sites, which are guarded by tau tau (life-sized wooden effigies) carved in their image. Learn about the intricate Christian and ‘animalism’ hybrid religion that has developed uniquely in this region of Sulawesi.

You will also visit Kete Kesu, a beautiful Toraja village, where you can see the incredible Tongkonan houses and rice barns, designed to look like boats.

The next day, you’ll begin with a walk around the markets to see the local farmers selling their wares—among them coffee, cloves, and nutmeg. Every sixth day, cattle are brought to market, and though traditional money is accepted in Toraja, on this day, you can see that the real local currency in Toraja is cattle! You will then head to Batutumonga for scenic views across the countryside surrounding Rantepao, one of Tana Toraja’s main towns.

Day 7

Sengkang, South Sulawesi

After breakfast, you’ll leave Toraja and begin the drive south to Sengkang via Enrekang: an area known as the rice-shed of Sulawesi. You’ll stop for lunch at a local restaurant before continuing the journey.

When you arrive in Sengkang, there will be time to visit a traditional Buginese silk-weaving home and explore Lake Tempe by boat, experiencing the way of life of the local fishermen living in stilted houses on the lake.

Day 8 - 9

Bira Cape, South Sulawesi

Today, you’ll continue south to Bira Cape at the bottom of the island’s southeastern tip.

En route, you’ll pass Bugis villages and see how the sugar, cocoa, and rice plantations shape the landscape. Phinisi schooner boats have been handbuilt by the famous Bugis sailors here for hundreds of years and the area is home to white-sand beaches, bright turquoise waters and a range of amazing dive sites.

Dive right in and explore this pristine underwater world with a snorkel or simply relax on the sandy beach. If you’d like to explore further afield, we can arrange a boat trip to nearby Liukang Island during your time here.

Bira cape sulawesi
Day 10

Makassar, South Sulawesi

Today, you head back to Makassar, stopping en route to see some points of interest and naturally, for a lunch break.

Day 11

Tangkoko Nature Reserve, North Sulawesi

Leave Makassar around 9am for the morning flight north to Manado. After touching down in Manado Airport, your driver will meet you to set off on the 2-hour journey to Tangkoko Nature Reserve.

This impressive national park is relatively easy to reach compared to some of Indonesia’s more undiscovered treasures. En route to the 9,000-hectare nature reserve, you’ll pass scenic villages and stop for lunch.

At the Nature Reserve itself, a forest ranger will guide you in search of the Macaca nigra (black crested macaques indigenous to North Sulawesi), hornbills, tarsiers (one of the world’s smallest primates), as well as other endemic fauna. As the evening draws in, dig into dinner at a local homestay near Tangkoko and swap wildlife sightings with like-minded guests.

Day 12

Tomohon, North Sulawesi

Early this morning, you will take a guided walk into the forest to view more birds and the Macaca nigra as these monkeys are early risers! Then, you’ll back to the homestay for breakfast and prepare to go to Minahasa Highlands.

Your journey will take you to a Buddhist pagoda, the traditional food and flower market in Tomohon, and the small village of Woloan, where you’ll see conventional Minahasan-style houses being built. Have lunch on Tondano Lake while soaking in the serenity of the lake and its surrounding hills. After lunch, you’ll drive via a pottery-making village and a traditional weaving village, before heading to your lovely eco-hotel in Tomohon.

Day 13

Minahasa Highlands, North Sulawesi

After breakfast today, you’ll head to Mount Mahawu. From the starting point, it’s about a 30-minute climb up steps to the crater’s edge. At the observation point at the top, you’ll see phenomenal panoramic views across to Bunaken and Manado Tua Islands and the bay of Manado. Walking around the crater’s rim will take about an hour and means you’re able to see the sulfur crater lake. After the volcano trip, continue on to Lake Linow (a sulphuric lake,) for lunch. Then, head back to the resort to relax for the rest of the day.

Days 14 - 16

Bunaken or Gangga Island

Tooday, hop in the car for a short drive back to Manado. From here, you’ll head to one of the beautiful islands off the shore.

The water conditions around Sulawesi nurture some of the best marine life in the world (as seen in the ‘Blue Planet II’ series). Think turtles, dolphins, and exceptionally vibrant coral.

There are several options for the beach part of your holiday, and it is best to discuss the pros and cons of each with your consultant.

You can easily reach Gangga Island or Bunaken from Manado, but this same itinerary includes Gangga. Should you have time to spare, this could easily be extended.

Day 17

Fly home

Time to wave goodbye to Indonesia. Your driver will drop you off at Manado airport for your flight back home.

Alternatively, extend your adventure by staying longer in Sulawesi or flying east to Bali or Java to continue your Indonesia holiday.

First-class Island Hopping in Indonesia

Fantastic journey, away from the tourists hotspots, of Java, Borneo, Bali and Komodo. All means of transport and wide variety of experiences from primary jungle to volcanos to dragons.
Simon & David
9 July 2025

Excellent850 Reviews

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What’s included:

With ETG, what’s included goes well beyond the basics. From the moment your trip begins to your final farewell, the essentials are already taken care of, leaving you free to immerse, explore and enjoy without the hassle of hidden extras.

Here’s what comes as standard in all of our holidays:

All flights (unless you’ve booked your own!)
Expert guides and drivers
All accommodation
Many meals and snacks
Immersive experiences throughout
All regional transfers
Tips
24/7 In-Country support
Personal travel consultant throughout

Pricing:

As every holiday is bespoke, prices vary depending on destination, flights, hotel choices, inclusions and travel dates. We aim to include as much as possible upfront, so you know exactly where you are. As an approximate guide:

Bespoke Holidays £4,500 - £8,500pp
Bespoke Luxury Holidays £8,500 - £14,500pp
Bespoke Family Holidays from £4,000 - £7,500pp

Meet Our Indonesia Experts

Lola’s love for Indonesia runs deep – and not just for Bali (though she has a soft spot for its magical interior and knows exactly where to find the best warung for lunch). What really excites her is helping travellers uncover the country’s sheer variety – from the smouldering volcanoes of Java to the rich marine areas in far-flung corners like Raja Ampat.

“This is made for culturally curious travellers with a thirst for adventure!

Lola
Regional Expert

Explore Our Hotels & Villas

Wherever you go, and whatever you do, at the end of every day you can always be sure of a comfortable rest. Every location on our list of hotels is handpicked, and in its own way, shares the history, the hospitality, and the soul of the destination. Below are some examples of the different hotels we use.

Indonesia - Comfort

Toraja Heritage Hotel

South Sulawesi - Comfort

Aston Makassar Hotel

Gardenia Country Inn from above

Indonesia - Comfort

Gardenia Country Inn

Amatoa cliffside villa

Bira - Comfort

Amatoa Resort

Gangga Island resort from above

Indonesia - Deluxe

Gangga Island Resort & Spa

Indonesia - Eco/Adventure

Tangkoko Hill Cottage

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Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi, Indonesia

Toraja Heritage Hotel

Lovely welcoming hotel, set amongst paddy fields on the outskirts of Ubud.

Highlights

Highlights

Stone’s throw from Rantepao downtown,

Pool

Best for

Couples

Families

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South Sulawesi, Indonesia

Aston Makassar Hotel

A comfortable, unflashy base in the city centre with solid amenities.

Highlights

Highlights

City views, Rooftop pool,

Central location

Best for

Couples, Families

See More
Gardenia Country Inn from above

Minahasa, North Sulawesi, Indonesia

Gardenia Country Inn

High on a hill in Tomohon, this rustic retreat is surrounded by lush forests, volcanic peaks, and bright flowers.

Highlights

Highlights

Volcanic views,

Nature all around

Best for

Couples,

Families

See More
Amatoa cliffside villa

Indonesia, South Sulawesi

Amatoa Resort

A small collection of clifftop bungalows in South Sulawesi. Sensational snorkelling and sunsets.

Highlights

Highlights

Sensational sunsets,

Excellent snorkelling and diving

Best for

Couples, Families

See More
Gangga Island resort from above

Gangga Island, North Sulawesi, Indonesia

Gangga Island Resort & Spa

Small beachfront resort located on an island off the coast of North Sulawesi, great for divers.

Highlights

Highlights

Dreamy diving & snorkelling

Best for

Couples, Families

See More

North Sulawesi, Indonesia

Tangkoko Hill Cottage

Simple, basic accommodation. Well placed for exploring Tangkoko National Park.

Highlights

Highlights

Close to Tangkoko National Park

Best for

Couples

Families

Experiences in Indonesia

Crafting bespoke packages is the heart of what we do. Each holiday is specially designed to confound preconceptions and share magical, memorable, and truly exceptional experiences.

Tangkoko National Park, North Sulawesi, Sulawesi, Indonesia

Explore Tangkoko Nature Reserve

Traditional dancers at Tana_Toraja funeral

South Sulawesi, Sulawesi, Indonesia

Toraja Village Walk & Funeral Ceremony

South Sulawesi, Sulawesi, Indonesia

Shopping at a Toraja Market

South Sulawesi, Sulawesi, Indonesia

Discover Lemo, Londa and Kete Kesu in Tana Toraja

Sulawesi, Indonesia

Explore the Minahasa Highlands

Sulawesi, Indonesia

Snorkelling & Diving in Bunaken

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South Sulawesi

Explore Tangkoko Nature Reserve

Venture into the terrific Tangkoko Nature Reserve in North Sulawesi, which lies far off the typical tourist trail in Indonesia.

Bordering a stretch of the volcanic coastline of northern Sulawesi, Tangkoko Nature Reserve’s protected rainforest is a sanctuary for fascinating, free-roaming wildlife.

Here, you can come face-to-face with the friendly, critically endangered black crested macaques, spot the native bear cuscus, and watch for birdlife from hornbills to kingfishers.

Join a night walk with a park ranger to spot small, Yoda-like tarsiers clinging to the trees and take a peaceful boat ride through the mangroves to admire the reserve’s rich flora and fauna from the water.

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Traditional dancers at Tana_Toraja funeral

South Sulawesi

Toraja Village Walk & Funeral Ceremony

You’ll go on a light trek to a local Toraja village, where you can interact with the villagers and witness their unique funeral rites, which are integral to daily life in this part of Indonesia.

It’s worth noting that while this gives you a great insight into local culture, these funerals do involve the live sacrifice of buffalo and pigs, which can be quite disturbing or even abhorrent, depending on your point of view. However, there’s also much more to the ceremony than the sacrifices: traditional dances, large feasts and huge family gatherings are well worth stopping by for. Funerals are such an important part of the culture and tradition of the Torajans: it can take years to plan them, and family will come from all over Indonesia, Papua and even as far as Australia to take part.

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South Sulawesi

Shopping at a Toraja Market

Toraja’s local markets are filled with herbs, spices, local produce and all kinds of people and is well worth a visit. Though traditional money is accepted in Toraja, you will soon find out that the local ‘currency’ is cattle! So for a unique insight into how this community functions, head down to the local cattle market (if you’re lucky, you may even spot the exclusive and expensive ‘Mercedes’ cow!). Life for the Toraja revolves around death, and the local people spend their days earning the money to send away their dead properly. These animals play a crucial, though gruesome, part in the funeral rites of Toraja, so they are an exceptionally prized possession.

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South Sulawesi

Discover Lemo, Londa and Kete Kesu in Tana Toraja

Explore the fascinating remote villages of Lemo and Londa, where you will find a number of traditional ancestral hanging graves and effigies, and cave tombs. High-class Toraja are entombed in cave graves or hanging graves in the steep cliffs around these sites, which are guarded over by tau tau (life-sized wooden effigies) carved in their image. These sites can be eerie yet beautiful and impressive at the same time. Throughout the day, your guide will explain the intricate Christian and ‘animalism’ hybrid religion that has developed uniquely in this region of Sulawesi.

You will also visit Kete Kesu, a wonderful Torajan village. Here, you will see the incredibly unique Tongkonan houses and rice barns, which are designed to look like the boats that brought the local tribes up the rivers into this part of the island. This particular village is also famous for its wood carvings.

View Experience Page

North Sulawesi

Explore the Minahasa Highlands

Explore the local village of Woloan, where you will see the traditional Minahasan-style houses being built. After a brief exploration, it’s off to see the traditional food & flower market in Tomohon, where you will find local ‘delicacies’ including monkeys, rats and even bats! Some of the animals are roasted whole, and some people may find this image disturbing (please let us know if you would like to take this out of your trip). After the markets, you will head up to the serenity of Tondano Lake and Pulutan Village, where local pottery making is thriving. As you start to head back towards Manado, the weaving factories are a must-see, where you’ll observe the local weaving traditions that are practised to this day. The last stop of the day is Lake Linow, which is locally known as the “changing colour” lake.

View Experience Page

North Sulawesi

Snorkelling & Diving in Bunaken

Dive into the waters of Bunaken National Marine Park to discover a paradise filled with some of the highest levels of marine biodiversity in the world and top-quality coral reefs. Known as one of the best snorkel and dive destinations worldwide, the park is home to clear, warm waters, calm conditions and shallow reefs, making it an ideal spot for both beginners and the more seasoned divers. On a day trip around the park, you’ll likely swim with sea turtles, countless tropical fish species, reef sharks and many more critters among the colourful coral.

Important FAQs about Indonesia

At Experience Travel Group, we’ve been crafting immersive holidays in Indonesia for over a decade – long before most travellers look beyond Bali. Our in-depth local knowledge, long-standing partnerships, and genuine love for the country mean we can help you experience Indonesia in a way that’s special and unusual.

Over the years, we’ve developed thoughtful experiences that bring together cultural richness, comfort, and freedom to explore. Think family-friendly beach retreats, wildlife encounters, volcano treks, or private boat trips through island chains few people can name – all tailored to suit you.

With our expert planning and on-the-ground support, you can relax knowing everything’s taken care of – while still having the freedom to discover Indonesia your way. We don’t do one-size-fits-all. Every trip is personalised, every route considered, and every detail planned to help you uncover what makes this country truly remarkable.

Let us show you the Indonesia we know and love.

The short answer? Your best bet is during the summer. The slightly longer answer? Indonesia is massive – a 4,000km stretch of sea and islands, home to thousands of microclimates and shifting seasons. So when you search for the “best time to visit Indonesia” and get five different answers… they’re probably all right. Just for different places.

Most travellers aim for April to October, when much of the country sees its driest, sunniest weather. This works especially well for Bali, Lombok, Java, and Komodo. These months also line up neatly with the European and US summer holidays, which makes planning easier, especially for families.

But here’s where it gets interesting. If you’re heading to Raja Ampat or West Papua, the best time is the opposite – from October to April. Wildlife in Sumatra is great in the mid-year months, while the rainforests of Kalimantan stay steamy year-round (it’s a jungle, after all). And if you’re hoping to catch a particular cultural event or religious festival, that can shift the calendar entirely.

Every ETG holiday to Indonesia is designed to feel seamless, immersive and stress free. We’ll arrange international flights (if you’d like us to), your drivers and guides, and stays in characterful hotels we know and trust.

You’ll experience Indonesia in a way that’s completely tailored to you – from quiet moments to big adventures – all planned by our Indonesia specialists. And while you’re away, our local team is on hand 24/7, so you’ll always feel well looked after.