Sulawesi Explorer

Day 1 Depart the UK

Depart the UK on your overnight flight to Makassar in Sulawesi.

Day 2-3  MAKASSAR

On arrival, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel in Makassar. There will be time to relax after the flight on the first day, followed by a guided city tour on the following day. Visit the old Dutch fort where a museum details the ethnology and vibrant history of the area. Explore the local harbour which was an important strategic port for the Dutch. Spend some time admiring the world-famous “Phinisi” or Bugis Schooners, or pick up some salted fish from the local fisherman.

DAY 4 MAKASSAR TO TANA TORAJA

Today you’ll begin the drive to Tana Toraja; it's a long but scenic journey 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 drive follows the coast to Pare Pare, where you will stop for lunch. From there, head inland up into the stunning mountains before arriving in the late afternoon at your hotel. Accommodation is in traditionally-styled Tongkonan houses, and facilities include a swimming pool.

DAY 5 TANA TORAJA

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 a cave or hanging graves in the cliffs around these sites, which are guarded over 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 will be able to see the incredible Tongkonan houses and rice barns designed to look like boats.

DAY 6 TANA TORAJA  

Today will begin with a walk around the markets to see the local farmers selling their wares - among them coffee, cloves, and nutmeg. Every 6th-day cattle are brought to market, and though traditional money is accepted in Toraja, if you visit on you will see that the 'local currency' in Toraja is cattle!

You will then head up to Batutumonga for stunning views across the countryside surrounding Rantepao, one of Tana Toraja's main towns.

DAY 7 TORAJA - SENGKANG

After breakfast, you’ll depart Toraja and begin the drive south to Sengkang via Enrekang, the area known as the rice-shed of Sulawesi! Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before you complete the journey. On arrival, there will time to visit a traditional Buginese silk-weaving home and to explore Lake Temple by boat, experiencing the way of life of the local fisherman living on stilted houses on the lake.

Day 8 Sengkang - Watampone and Cape Bira

After breakfast, you’ll continue south to Cape Bira at the very bottom of southeastern tip of the island. En route, you’ll pass Bugis villages and see how the sugar, cocoa, and rice plantations shape the landscape. Phinisi schooners boats have been handbuilt by the famous Bugis sailors here for hundreds of years; the area is home to white-sand beaches, clear waters and a range of dive sites.

Day 9  Cape Bira

Today you have a free day to enjoy the beach and snorkelling. A boat can be arranged to nearby Liukang Island too.

Day 10 Cape Bira to Makassar

Today you head back to Makassar stopping en route to see the sights and for a lunch break. Spend a final night in Makassar.

Day 11 Tangkoko day and night safari

Depart Makassar around 9 am for the morning flight north to Manado. On arrival at Manado Airport, you’ll begin the 2-hour journey to Tangkoko Nature Reserve. Considering how impressive this national park is, it 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, you will be guided by the forest ranger in search of the Macaca nigra (black crested macaques indigenous to North Sulawesi), hornbills, tarsiers (one of the world’s smallest primate), as well as other fauna specific to the reserve. After the sun sets, have dinner at a local homestay near Tangkoko.

Day 12 MINAHASA HIGHLANDs and TOMOHON 

Early morning, you will take a guided walk into the forest to view more birds, and the Macaca nigra as these monkeys are early risers. Head 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 to the small village of Woloan, where you’ll see conventional Minahasan style houses being built.

Have lunch on Tondano Lake while enjoying the serenity of the lake and its surrounding hills. After lunch, you’ll drive past a pottery-making village and a traditional weaving village before heading to your accommodation in Tomohon (stay here for two nights).

Day 13 MAHAWU VOLCANO and lake linow

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. From the observation point at the top, you can see panoramic views out across to Bunaken and Manado Tua Islands as well as the bay of Manado. A walk around the crater’s rim will take about an hour and give you a chance to observe the sulfur crater lake.

After the volcano trip, you will drive to Lake Linow, a sulphuric lake, to have lunch. Then back to the resort to relax for the rest of the day. 

DAY 14 - 16  BUNAKEN OR GANGGA ISLAND

A short drive takes you from Tomohon back to Manado, and from here you'll head to one of the beautiful islands off the coast. The conditions of the waters around Sulawesi nurture some of the best marine life in the world (the island featured in the 2017 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. From Manado, you can easily reach Gangga Island or Bunaken, and this holiday includes three nights at Gangga. Should you have time to spare, this could be extended by two nights.

 Day 17 Fly or Stay

If opting for the three-night stay at Gangga, you will depart Manado today for your flight back to the UK. Alternatively, you could stay on in Sulawesi or fly east on to Bali or Java and continue your Indonesia holiday.

Your bespoke proposal with Experience Travel Group will include:

• International Flights (we can omit if you prefer)
• Accommodation as described
• Privately guided tours and transfers
• Tips for guides and drivers
• Original Experience Travel Group "signature" experiences 
• Full financial protection (ABTA and ATOL bonding.) 
• 24-hour in-country backup while away
• Your dedicated travel expert in the UK