Tour module round trip 8 days South Sulawesi (including Tana Toraja)

In Makassar, former Ujung Pandang, your driver is waiting for you and takes you to your hotel. The port city is situated in exactly the middle of Indonesia and therefor the gateway to the East. Your hotel is in the centre of the city within walking distance of the famous boulevard Pantai Losari and the old Dutch Fort Rotterdam. In front of the boulevard you’ll see the only mosque of Indonesia that is built on the sea. The bustling harbour Paotere is the home port of the famous Buginese Phinisi ships which are still loaded manually. The city is also well-known for its seafood restaurants. Makassar has wonderful sunsets that you can admire from the boulevard. Overnight in Makassar.

Depending on the traffic our journey through the country of the Bugis to Bira takes 4 to 6 hours. The Bugis are known as the best ship builders and sailors in Indonesia. In Tanah Beru you can see how they build these beautiful and proud wooden Phinisi boats. In the afternoon you will arrive at the white sandy beach of Bira. Overnight in Bira.

After breakfast your driver will bring you to Sengkang, a small city in the centre of the former Bugines Kingdom. In Watampone you will visit the museum of late Andi Mapasissi to admire his collection of former Buginese Kings. (not always open) In the afternoon around sunset a boat trip on Lake Tempe. With a motorized canoe (to be paid on the spot) ypu will sail the lake to see how the fishermen with their families live on their floating villages. Lake Tempo is a shallow lake. After a long period of drought the lake dries up and can’t be navigated anymore. Overnight stay in a simple accommodation in Sengkang.

After breakfast we leave for Tana Toraja. In the morning you will visit the local home industry in Sengkang and surrounding, Buginese silk weaving. The trip to Tana Toraja goes via the east coast and will take some 6 hours. In the late afternoon arrival in Toraja. 4 nights in Tana Toraja.

After breakfast a full day exploring the Toraja surroundings. Today you will visit Lemo where the rows of Tau Tau dolls are still on the balconies in front of the graves. Then to Suaya and surroundings where you visit the King's Tombs and the mystical baby boom. Then you stop at Londa where the dead are buried with great ceremonial. The last stop is at the authentic Toraja village of Kete Kesu. Not only known for its beautiful Tongkonans, the traditional Toraja houses, but also for its colorful carvings. Overnight in Rantepao - Tana Toraja.

Another day to explore Tana Toraja.. Today you will visit the somewhat higher situated Batutumonga from where you have a beautiful view over Rantepao and valley. An exceptional area for a brisk walk through the wonderful rice fields and straight through the daily life of the Torajans. You can make the walk as long as you want. The car is of course available for those who don’t want to walk. Overnight in Rantepao - Tana Toraja.

There‘s much to do and to see in Tana Toraja. Maybe there will be a funeral ceremony that you can attend one of these days or it’s the day of the weekly big cattle market where water buffalos and pigs are sold. On the market you can also find all the spices that people grow in this fertile region. Toraja coffee, vanilla, nutmeg, cacao, clove and much fruit are colourfully displayed in baskets by the local people from Toraja. Overnight in Rantepao - Tana Toraja.

Your driver will bring you back to Makassar today. A long but beautiful itinerary with various stops. In the morning a stop on puncak Lakawan to enjoy the view of the beautiful erotic mountain. The road continues along picturesque Buginese villages with their typical houses on stilts to Makassar. In the late afternoon arrival in Makassar. Here ends your round trip through South Sulawesi.