Explore the Minahasa Highlands

Explore the Minahasa Highlands with a local guide: from old villages and local markets to spectacular natural landscapes.

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’ll 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.

What you’ll do

• Explore the area with your local guide, far from the tourist trail
• Wander Tomohon’s colourful markets, full of flowers and local “delicacies”!
• Watch local craftspeople at work, from potters in Pulutan Village to weavers in Manado, before ending by Lake Linow, where the waters are said to shift colour with the changing light