Depart your home country on your flight to Makassar, Sulawesi.
Most suited for
Couples, Families
Ideal time to visit
April - October
On Sulawesi and North Maluku, age-old traditions still shape daily life, wildlife thrives, and wild landscapes roll out for miles. Far from Indonesia’s usual tourist trail, these islands are ideal for curious, adventurous travellers.
This three-week trip covers Sulawesi in depth: you’ll explore traditional villages with fascinating customs, unwind in Tomohon’s cool highlands, and encounter rare and curious species in Tangkoko Nature Reserve, and dive into clear waters with pristine coral reefs and marine life.
What’s more, you’ll also explore the contrasting spice islands of Ternate and Tidore: one lively and bustling, the other calm and unhurried.
Sulawesi & The Spice Islands
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
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. Here, you’ll have time to settle in and relax after your flight.
The next morning, meet your driver for a 1.5-hour journey to Rammang-Rammang village, where you’ll board a boat for a sail along the river, admiring the breathtaking Karst mountain and limestone cliffs along the way. Have lunch at the Udhin Eco-Lodge before returning to Makassar for a visit to the Paotere Schooner Harbor and a short walking tour of the city’s best landmarks. That evening, we’ll recommend one of Makassar’ssuperb seafood restaurants for your dinner.
Day 4
Toraja, South Sulawesi
This morning, you’ll hop on a flight to Palopo. From here, travel with your guide and driver to Toraja, passing by magnificent tropical rainforests, before stopping at several village graveyards.
Next, you’ll pay a visit to Karuaya, one of the oldest Tongkonan traditional villages, and Kete Kesu village, renowned for its woodcarving and unique Tongkonan houses and rice barns.
Days 5 - 7
Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi
Begin your first full day in Toraja with a visit to a bustling market with your guide, before wandering through traditional villages to see daily life unfold. Continue by car to Lemo village graveyard, known for its striking Tau-Tau effigies.
The next day, delve even deeper into Torajan traditions by meeting a family who preserves the Tomasaki Ullunna (the body of a deceased relative) within their home. Visit another Tongkonan village for a unique experience, where a local family will prepare lunch for you beneath their rice barn.
Next, wave goodbye to Toraja and take a scenic drive to Palopo, pausing at Puncak Pass to take in sweeping views over the dense tropical rainforest. Fly to Manado where your driver will whisk you to your eco-resort in the picturesque highlands of Tomohon.
Days 8 - 9
Minahasa Highlands, North Sulawesi
Today, it’s time to go to Tomohon in the Minahasa Highlands, which has a pleasant climate and is surrounded by lush forests, towering volcanic peaks, beautiful flowers and fresh, delicious produce.
You have the next two days to spend at your leisure. You might want to pay a visit to the colour changing Lake Linow, go birdwatching or hike 30 minutes up to Mount Mahawu’s crater edge for panoramic views over the surrounding islands, Bay of Manado and the sulphur crater lake.
Days 10 - 12
Tangkoko Nature Reserve, North Sulawesi
Journey two hours into the fascinating Tangkoko Nature Reserve, passing small villages before reaching your nature lodge where you can relax in the afternoon.
With a full day in the reserve, start your morning with a walk accompanied by a forest ranger. Wander through the lush 9,000 hectares of land, spotting the famous and friendly black crested macaques (indigenous to North Sulawesi), along with cuscus bears, hornbills and other bird species native to the area. After a boat ride through the mangroves, set off on an evening walk in the rainforest to spot shy tarsiers clinging to the trees.
Days 13 - 16
Bunaken National Marine Park, North Sulawesi
Today, you will travel across North Sulawesi to a boutique dive resort overlooking Bunaken National Marine Park. This is heaven for keen divers and snorkellers. With four days and three nights at the resort, you can swim among the beautiful reefs and abundant marine life to your heart’s content. In between, relax by the pool or on the beach.
Days 17 - 18
Ternate, North Maluku Islands
Today, you will catch a flight from Manado to Ternate and settle into your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure: either explore the city or perhaps you’d prefer to go snorkelling nearby at Sulamadaha beach.
Dominated by the Gamalama volcano, Ternate is a small, round island with a long history as the original spice island. On your second day here, you’ll visit the mother of clove trees, ‘CengkehAfo’, known to be 350 years old before having lunch at a local restaurant. Afterwards, you’ll visit several forts dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries as your guide explains the history behind each one.
End your historical tour at the peculiar Tolire Lake. Set at the foot of Mount Gamalama, without any connection to the sea, it has an ecosystem all of its own.
Day 19
Tidore, North Maluku Islands
This morning, you’ll board a local fast boat to Tidore island, arriving in less than an hour. After travelling to your hotel via a privately chartered taxi, you’ll explore the Fort of Torre with your guide. Later, you’ll have the opportunity to experience local life by visiting the Gurabunga Village on the slope of Mount Kiematubo, 800 metres above sea level.
Day 17
Fly home
Time to wave goodbye to Indonesia. Travel back to Jakarta airport for your flight back home.
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 2025Excellent
850 Reviews
850 Reviews
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
Indonesia Specialist
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.
The ETG Guarantee
We guarantee you an experience no one else has ever had.
The travel magic you’ll remember won’t be found on a well-trodden – or over-Instagrammed – itinerary. It will be the surprises, discoveries and secrets that you’ll uncover along the way with us.
Do you ever feel like people aren’t listening to you?
We get it. And we will – that’s a promise. Your holiday starts with with a proper, no-pressure call to understand what you want, what you don’t want, and what matters to you. From there, we create a completely unique adventure, inspired by our conversation together.
And because of our long-standing relationships with trusted partners across Asia, you’ll have access to experiences you can’t find on Google. The kind of special experiences that are literally impossible to find on your own.
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.
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.
The Curious Traveller’s Guide to Indonesia
Want to know more? With over 17,000 islands and endless options, planning a holiday to Indonesia can feel a bit much – so we’ve put together our Curious Traveller’s Guide to Indonesia to make things simpler.
It’s our experts’ pick of standout experiences and places to stay, with honest advice on the best regions and tips for first-time visitors and return travellers.
