Group tour 23 days culture and nature of Sulawesi

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Group tour 23 days trans-Sulawesi from south to north

This Sulawesi group tour has a perfect mix of nature, beach and culture. The journey departs from Makassar to Manado at a leisurely pace. A trip through the island of Sulawesi, starting on the interesting island of Buton. Along the impressive and unique culture of the Toraja people, through beautiful lakes, mountains, rainforests, waterfalls, white beaches and by boat to the underwater world of the enchanting National Marine Park Bunaken.

Whoever chooses this beautiful trip must take into account beautiful but sometimes long travel days. In the Sulawesi countryside, only basic accommodation suitable for the environment is available.
The group size is a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 15 people.

Departures: May 7 and September 3

Prior to the trip, we invite all participants to express and discuss any individual wishes. Minor changes may then be made to the program. That is what we call "tailor-made group travel".

Target prices

€ 2.995 based on 2 persons in 1 room
€ 3.575 single room

Included and excluded

Including:
•Intercontinental and domestic flights
•Accommodations based on bed and breakfast
•English speaking guide
•Lunches and dinner on Buton, Tomohon and Bunaken. Dinner at Tangkoko.
•All mentioned excursions

Exclusive:
•Tips and expenses of a personal nature
•Travel and cancellation insurance ( mandatory)
•Booking costs and contribution Calamity Fund € 30 per booking
•SGR contribution € 5 per person
•CO2 compensation € 22 per person

Offerte

Day 1 flight Amsterdam-Makassar

Garuda Indonesia flies non-stop from Amsterdam to Jakarta with her new Boeing 777-300 ER. Experience the hospitality of the Indonesian culture on board of Garuda Indonesia, the national flight company of Indonesia. This direct flight takes you in 13 and a half hour from Amsterdam to Jakarta. Departure Amsterdam around midday, arrival Jakarta the next day, early in the morning. Your connecting flight leaves about 3 hours later (flight time 2 hours and 30 minutes).

Day 2 Arrival Makassar

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.

Day 3 From Makassar to Bau-Bau city at Buton island

Before breakfast transfer to the airport for the 07:00 AM Citilink flight to Bau Bau. Upon arrival at the small airport, your driver will take you to the seaside resort. The rest of the day is at your leisure. A few minutes walk you can spend the afternoon at the white sand of Nirvana beach. This beach is frequented by the locals. Alternatively, your guide will take you to a deserted white beach, about a 10-minute drive away.

Day 4 Buton Island hopping

After breakfast, board the local wooden boat at the resort for a wonderful snorkeling or diving trip to the islands of Siompu and Ular. Off the coast you can snorkel to your heart's content above colorful coral. Diving is optional. A delicious lunch is prepared on the beach: fresh fish from the barbecue and kelapa mudah (fresj coconut) from the tree. Overnight at the resort.

Day 5 Bau Bau city tour, sea weed and pearls

After breakfast, your guide will take you to Benteng Buton, the big fort in the city. The fort houses many stories and the guide prefers to tell them all. From the first queen to the last sultan. About the entire line of defense on the southeast Sulawesian islands and about the friendship between the Netherlands and the kings of Buton. After a short drive and some hikes, your driver will take you to the west coast of the island to the village of Palabusa. One half of the village makes a living by growing seaweed and the other half by growing pearls. On the way back you will visit a cave with a freshwater source on the outskirts of the city. Overnight at the resort.

Optional: Clear water cave dike

Experienced divers might dive into the clear water cave in Bau Bau...

Day 6 Lamabusango - Birds, Khuskus and Tarsius

Today you move for one night to central Buton, to the Lambusango Natural Park. You leave in the morning and your driver will drive in a few hours through a beautiful area to the village of Labundo Bundo. You will meet one of the local guides of pak Halli Day who will take you to clearings in the forest to spot the hornbill, among other things. In another place in the forest, usually along the road, you will also find the Khuskus marsupials in the trees without any luck. At the end of the afternoon you take a walk further into the forest to spot the small tarsier, the Tarsius monkey. Dinner and overnight in the very simple homestay in Lambusango.

Day 7 Bajo village, red shrimps, waterfall, beaches and much more

Those who want to see the Tarsius monkeys again go back to the forest for breakfast. Around sunrise, the tarsiers return from their nocturnal hunt. After breakfast your driver will drive to the village of Lawele to sail down the river with a small boat to the Bajo village. You will be introduced to the way the Bajo people live and after a cup of coffee and a nice conversation you will sail back. You then drive to Koguna beach, where you can see, among other things, crimson shrimps swimming. At the village of Pasarwajo you can see how asphalt is extracted and hike to the waterfall. In the village of Wabula you can see the women weaving and if there is still time left you can go snorkeling off the coast. Overnight at the resort at Nirwana beach. NB: Take your swimwear with you!

Day 8 Bau Bau, free program

There is nothing on the program this day. You can relax on one of the beaches nearby, snorkel at the house reef or do some shopping in the town. Overnight at the resort.

Day 9 Back to Makassar

After an early breakfast transfer to the airport for the 9:00 AM Citilink flight to Makassar. In Makassar you take a city tour along the fishing harbor and fish market, the old Fort Rotterdam and the Paotere harbor, where the traditional Buginese schooners load and unload their cargoes. You will have lunch in 'loempiastraat', where you will find many other delicious dishes in addition to the famous Lumpia Makassar. Don't miss the beautiful sunset on the terrace of Pantai Gapura! Overnight in Makassar.

Day 10 from Makassar to Sengkang

After an early breakfast we visit the fish market and the port Paotere in Makassar, where the Buginese schooners still load and unload their cargo for and from the other islands. Fort Rotterdam is definitely worth a visit too. In the morning we’re leaving for Sengkang, a small city in the centre of the former Buginese Kingdom. We make a stop at the Bantimurung waterfall between the limestone caves and lots of butterflies. On Sundays and national holidays it can be very crowded here with local people. In the afternoon around sunset a boat trip on Lake Tempe. With a motorized canoe (to be paid on the spot) we go on 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.

Day 11 from Sengkang to Tanah Toraja

After breakfast we leave for Toraja. In the morning first a visit to the local home industry in Sengkang and surrounding, Buginese silk weaving. Our trip to Toraja goes via Enrekang, with beautiful views on, for example, the erotic mountain. In the late afternoon arrival in Toraja. Overnight stay in Rantepao - Tana Toraja.

Day 12 Tanah 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.

Day 13 Tanah 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.

Day 14 Tanah 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.

Day 15 from Toraja to Lake Poso

Today a long but beautiful drive ahead of us. First to the coast and then over the sometimes very bad Trans-Sulawesi highway through the mountains to the village Pendolo on the south side of Lake Poso. If you’re as lucky as we were you’ll see an eagle and snap a picture of it along the way… Overnight stay in a simple accommodation in Pendolo on Lake Poso.

Day 16 A nice boat trip on Lake Poso

After breakfast you climb into a small local boat for a trip across Lake Poso to Tentena. At long last something else than sitting in a car… Along the way to Tentena, the boat stops at two villages where we make some nice cosy short walks. Overnight in Tando Bono cottages on the Lake Poso beach.

Day 17 Van Poso naar de jungle van Tangkoko

After breakfast transfer to Poso airport for your WingsAir flight from 09:50 via Makassar to Manado. Arrival around 14:00. On arrival at the airport, your guide will be waiting for you at the exit. He will take you for a 2 hour scenic drive through the 9,000 hectare Tangkoko National Park. After checking in, you will explore the jungle with a local ranger and look for the Tarsius Spectrum, the smallest monkey in the world. Overnight in simple accommodation on the edge of the Tangkoko Park.

Day 18 From the jungle to the Minahassa highlands

Before breakfast you enter the jungle one more time. Now for the black macaques that show their best side in the morning. Back at the hotel, enjoy your simple breakfast, then exit the rainforest and drive to the mountain village of Tomohon. On the way, your driver will stop at the 'waruga', a cemetery where you can still see graves from the 19th century. We also stop at the Japanese caves, which were used as shelters during the Japanese occupation. 2 nights in Tomohon

Day 19 Minahassa Highlands tour

You will tour the Minahassa throughout the day. An area that used to be called the twelfth province of the Netherlands and where the population is generally practicing Catholic. The Minahassa is located in the mountains west of Manado. Your driver will circle Lake Tondano and make beautiful stops where you regularly have the opportunity to walk. Tondano and Tomohok are the places you visit that offer a view of the still active volcano Lokon. You will also visit the sulfur lake Danau Linow and the village of Woloan where traditional houses are built. In the afternoon, your driver will take you back to the hotel in Tomohon.

Day 20 Van de Minahassa naar bounty-eiland Bunaken

After breakfast you will leave the Minahassa and drive to the city of Manado for a short city tour. Then on to the harbor for the crossing to the island of Bunaken. After check-in and lunch, your boatswain will take you to some beautiful snorkeling spots, in search of colorful coral and countless fish, as if in a tropical aquarium.

Day 21 Free program Bunaken

Relaxed day on and around Bunaken. Bunaken National Park includes the islands of Manado Tia, Bunaken and Siladen. With dozens of diving and snorkeling spots, the park offers a paradise for divers and snorkelers!

Day 22 Pulang kampong, terug naar huis

After lunch it is time to leave. You sail back to the harbor at Manado by boat and from there transfer to the airport for your 16:15 Garuda flight to Jakarta and the connecting night flight to Amsterdam.

Day 23 Arrival Amsterdam

In the morning arrival at Schiphol. The end of a beautiful trip...

Offerte

Aston - Makassar

The Aston hotel in Makassar is located in the centre of Makassar with a beautiful view of the city and the sea. It is within walking distance of the beach Pantai Losari, the lively boulevard and the food stalls. The hotel has 177 rooms, of which we can highly recommend the Superior rooms (32 m2). All rooms have a safe, internet, coffee & tea facilities, minibar and TV. meer info more info Informations supplémentaires

Nirwana Buton villas - Bau Bau

The small-scale Nirwana Buton villa resort is located just half an hour from the centre of Bau Bau and a 10-minute drive from the airport. The resort is right by the sea, but does not have a private beach. From the jetty you can go directly into the sea and snorkel or dive at the house reef. Nirwana beach is a 5-minute walk away. The beach is visited by the local population on Sundays and public holidays. A dive centre of Wasage divers is also located on the resort. The restaurant serves Indonesian cuisine and for breakfast also a simple bread meal and pancakes. The resort has 15 standard rooms that we do not offer, 5 garden bungalows and our 4 favourite Deluxe seaview bungalows. There are also some family bungalows available. All (dated) rooms have a shower with hot running water, AC, refrigerator and TV. meer info more info Informations supplémentaires

Labundo Bundo homestay - Labusango - Buton

The homestay of Pak Hali Day is located in the small village Labundo-Bundo in the Conservation Park Labusango. It is the operation base for walks in the park, looking for strange birds, Tarsius monkeys and the Khuskus marsupials. The homestay is very simple. There are 2 sleeping rooms with 2 single beds, the bathrooms have a squat toilet and mandi water basin. Simple, but tasty Indonesian meals are served in the homestay. If you want to drink beer in the evening you have to bring it yourself from the city. There is a fridge to cool your drinks. For the weary traveler: a firm and painful massage can be provided. meer info more info Informations supplémentaires

Nirwana Buton villas - Bau Bau

Calista hotel - Bau Bau

Centraal in Bau Bau gelegen, eenvoudig hotel aan de boulevard, waar op zaterdagavond de pasar malam wordt gehouden. Meeste kamers zonder uitzicht, behalve de suites. Eenvoudig ontbijt. Als je een biertje wilt drinken, eerst inkopen doen bij de Chinese toko. meer info more info Informations supplémentaires

Aston - Makassar

BBC Hotel - Sengkang

The BBC hotel in Sengkang is the best choice in the town. It counts 11 standard, 7 superior and 10 deluxe rooms, the latter being the best choice. meer info more info Informations supplémentaires

Luta resort Toraja - Rante Pao

The Luta resort is located in the small center of Rantepao. The hotel has a swimming pool and spa. The restaurant overlooks the river. Nice local restaurants, such as the Mambo restaurant, are within walking distance. The daily colourful market is also within walking distance. 40 rooms in floors built around a small tropical garden. The 7 DeLuxe rooms have air conditioning and are located on the street side. The superior rooms are located on the garden side of the hotel and do not have AC. meer info more info Informations supplémentaires

National cottages - Pendolo

Simple cottages on the south bank of Lake Poso. Built in 2015, the 10 cottages with a small terrace are nicely clean, with a western toilet and hot running water. The restaurant serves meals from nearby Warung. The staff is very helpful. meer info more info Informations supplémentaires

Tando Bone cottages - Tentena

The Tando Bone cottage resort is located directly on the Poso lake. The small and cosy resort has 8 beautiful, spacious and modern wooden cottages with veranda, right on the lake. The cottages have a living room, bedroom, bathroom and kitchen. Due to the location, you are here in the mountains, air conditioning is not necessary. From Tando Bone you can make various excursions, including to the Lore Lindu national park and the Bada Valley with its mysterious megalyths, caves and the beautiful orchid reserve. meer info more info Informations supplémentaires

Tangkoko lodge

Very simple homestay located on the edge of the Tangkoko Rain forest. No hot running water. meer info more info Informations supplémentaires

Highland resort - Tomohon

The small-scale Highland resort Tomohon is located in the mountains of the Minahassa highlands. From your terrace you have a beautiful view over the green environment. The resort has Standard, Superior, Deluxe and Suite rooms. Merapi uses the Deluxe cottages, equipped with a bathroom with hot running water, minibar and coffee and tea making facilities. meer info more info Informations supplémentaires

Bunaken Village resort

The Bunaken Village resort is located on the island of Bunaken, off the coast of Manado. The island and resort are fully equipped for divers, but non-divers will also feel right at home here. The resort has its own diving school and centre. There are 2- and 4-person rooms available and slightly smaller 1-person rooms. Rooms all have a shower with hot water, western toilet and fan. Air conditioning is optional in the Gardenview bungalows. meer info more info Informations supplémentaires

Offerte

Makassar

Makassar, the former Ujung Pandang is the capital of Sulawesi. The fast-growing lively port city is one of the largest cities in Indonesia.

There are still many buildings from the colonial period, such as the Society de Harmonie, the Cathedral and the old Court of Justice. In addition to the old colonial districts, there are many new areas with modern malls, which can compete well with those in Jakarta.

Due to its strategic location, in the middle of Indonesia, Makassar has a busy port. The city has traditionally been the gateway to Eastern Indonesia. Many boats and flights to Papua and the Moluccas go through Makassar. The city is well worth a visit and is often a good start to a Sulawesi trip.

What to see...

Fort Rotterdam is a must-see. The old fortress was taken around 1665 by Admiral Cornelis Speelman. The fort houses a church and 2 museums. Next to the Fort is the Chinese district with many beautiful temples and all kinds of Chinese shops where you can go for alternative medicines.

The bustling port of Paotere is home to the famous Buginze Phinisi ships that are still loaded by hand. The fishing port and fish market are an experience to experience especially in the morning hours. The fresh fish is then brought ashore and traded on the chaotic market. Don't be surprised if the merchants also offer you fish!

In the afternoon a ribbon of dining tables is set up on the famous Pantai Losari boulevard. Many Makassar residents enjoy strolling and eating around sunset.

Near Makassar are the Rammang-Rammang karst rocks in Bantimurung National Park. There are also caves with prehistoric drawings. In the weekends, the Bantimurung waterfall is frequented by local day trippers.

Favoriete restaurant

Meer dan 20, maar hier dan de échte aanraders:

Restaurant Nelayan aan de Jalan Ali Malakka Het visrestaurant Rumah Makan Nelayan serveert vers gebakken zeevis. De vis kunt u buiten in koelkisten uitzoeken. Deze wordt dan in olie gebakken (goreng) of op de BBQ voor u klaargemaakt (bakar). De vis wordt naar wens geserveerd met ketjap of voor de sambal liefhebber met veel sambal Rica Rica. Niet te versmaden is ook de cumi cumi tepung, in bloem gebakken inktvis. Deze wordt geserveerd met een niet al te pittig sausje. Neem als groenten tumis kangkun (lijkt op spinazie): in de wok klaargemaakt met tomaat, ui en knoflook. Of taugé uit de wok. Het geheel wordt geserveerd met diverse pittige en zoetzure sausje en klein gesneden tomaat met lombokjes.

Voor de lunch: Lumpia Sulawesi, een met de hand gedraaide loempia, vers in de wadjan gebakken. Op de Jalan Lasinrang, oftewel Lumpia Street . De loempia's worden geserveerd met sambal en met een niet al te pittige zoetzure saus.

Een andere specialiteit van Makassar is krab. Onze aanrader: restaurant Surya aan de Jalan Nusakambangan no 16

Bau Bau and Pulau Buton

Pulau Buton is an island in southeast Sulawesi. Bau Bau is a friendly city with about 200,000 inhabitants. It houses the largest fort of Indonesia (23 hectares) and dates back to the 16th century. About 200 families live in the village. A local guide will lead you around with pleasure and talk about the history and the customs within the fort. At the time the fort was built on behalf of the king of Buton by its own people, even before the VOC set foot there and, on friendly basis, started trading with Buton.

Our favorite hotel is the Nirwana Buton villas, half an hour outside the city. If you have a Saturday night in the program, sleep one night in the Calista hotel on the boulevard of Bau Bau and mingle in the lively night market! If you want to drink beer, ask your guide to stop at the Chinese wholesaler to stock up on a few cans. In the hotel they keep it in the fridge with love and pleasure.

Bau Bau has flights to and from Makassar and Kendari.

Conservation park Lambusango

You will also find the Lambusango Conservation Park at Buton. With an overnight stay in a local homestay you can find here the Khuskus bear and the tiny Tarsius monkey and with a lot of patience and luck you will encounter a small wild cow, the endemic Anoa. Pak Hali Day guides you with eyes and ears on sticks around the forest and searches for Hornbills, wild peacocks and many more birds.

Bajo village Lawele

On the way to Lambusango or on the way back there are several interesting sights, such as the Bajo village of Lawele where the sea nomads build their houses on the water. In ancient times they lived on boats and travelled through the waters of Indonesia and Borneo. Besides nets, the fishermen also use spears to earn their living.

Palabusa

In the coastal village of Palabusa we see how seaweed is grown and dried. Half of the village lives off the seaweed plantations, the other half work on the pearl farm. The young oysters receive an implant and after 8 months the pearls are harvested. You can witness almost the whole process, up to the finish (which is secret!) here.

Snorkelling, diving and relaxing

Of course you can also relax on the beach at pulau Buton. Right next to our favourite accommodation Nirvana Buton villas is the beautiful, but often very busy Nirvana beach. If you want to enjoy the beach in a somewhat quieter way, then a nice bounty beach is just a few kilometers away.

Divers and snorkelers will find something to their liking at the Nirvana house reef or on one of the islands half an hour away by boat. The diving and snorkelling sessions are not as spectacular as on Wakatobi, for example.

Labundo Bundo - Lambusango - Buton

Labundo Bundo, Lambusango

The small village Labundo Bundo is the starting point to explore the nature of the Labusango park. The village has 1 shop with things like sweets, biscuits and soft drinks.

Sengkang

Sengkang is a medium-sized town located in the former Buginese kingdom Wajo. A friendly Moslim town with many big mosques. From Sekang we have a nice view over Lake Tempe. This is a shallow lake; During a long period of persisting drought the lake dries up. On the lake we’ll find the floating villages of the fishermen. This area is also famous for its colourful Buginese silk. Around Sengkan you’ll find many traditional silk weavers.

Sights to see:
By motorized canoes you can make a trip on Lake Tempe. You can do this in the late afternoon during sunset or in the morning. Along the river it’s pleasantly busy. Children are playing on the riversides, Buginese women do the washing. Hanging bridges cross the river. We literally sail along daily life of the Buginese. We can berth to see the watermelon fields. We also visit one of the floating houses where you can have coffee or tea with a fried banana. The lake is a natural reserve, full with hyacinths and reed. It’s a nesting area for about 30 species of water birds.
In Sengkang you can also visit local cottage industry: the Buginese silk weaving. There are often small shops where you can buy some.

Rante Pao - Toraja

Rantepao

Rantepao is the 'capital' of Torajaland. This is the starting point of all your excursions to the Torah villages and the mountains.

Tanah Toraja

Toraja, or Tanah Toraja is also called the land of the Heavenly Kings. Here, in this part of South Sulawesi, live the Toraja people or people of the mountain. A Christian population, that still follows the rituals and ceremonies of their ancestors, the Aluk Tu Dolo. Toraja is not only known for its mysterious funeral ceremonies but also for its stunning nature. It’s because of its high altitude a fertile area. Besides rice fields and bamboo forests there are many plantations. Coffee, cacao, vanilla and cloves grow here abundantly. The typical traditional houses (Tongkonans) with their saddle roofs are still built in the same way as centuries before. And their funeral ceremonies are still very impressive. To reach eternal life there has to be held a ceremony before. Dependent on the deceased family’s wealth this may involve an important number of sacrificed pigs and buffaloes. The whole community joins the ceremony, which can sometimes take a full week.

Sights to see:
Those who visit Toraja will experience wonderful nature and interesting culture, unique in the world. We still find a lot of authentic villages in Toraja with beautiful colourful painted Tongkonans. Many cliffs with wooden caskets hanging from the side, coffins of which some date from the animistic period. The Tau Taus stand in the balcony of the tombs to represent the dead and protect their remains. A Tau Tau is a wood-carved effigy of the deceased. Try to find out about the secret of the baby tree: in Suaya stands a centuries old tree, where young children who die before they started teething are placed into a hollowed out space in the trunk.
Funeral ceremonies are held throughout the year. You’re always welcome. But these ceremonies are not available on demand... Your driver and/or guide will inform you about a coming ceremony. Please bring a small gift when you attend a ceremony.
PLEASE NOTE that part of the ceremonies is the slaughtering of buffaloes and pigs! This is still done in their traditional way, which not directly corresponds with our Western customs.
You’ll also visit villages like Sa’dan where the Toraja women weave the traditional ikat.

It’s a particularly suitable area for walking and hiking. You can go for a few hour walk, a day, but also do a multiple day trekking. In that case you will stay overnight at a local people’s home. The trekking goes through authentic villages and along beautiful rice fields. A trekking through the nature and culture of this exceptional and unique small part of Indonesia. You can also go rafting for a day or several days on the river Sa’dan.

Try the Pa’piong dish during your stay in Toraja: an in bamboo prepared Toraja dish. And of course it goes together with a bamboo mug with balok, palm wine from the eagle palm.

Pendolo

The village Pendolo is located souh of Lake Poso in central Sulawesi. The village in itself does not have much to offer to Western tourists. We regularly use one of the simple accommodations in Pendolo on the way from Tanah Toraja to central Sulawesi. This route takes some 8 hours including lunch and photo stops.

Tentena

Tentena and lake Poso

Tentena is a small town near the northern tip of Lake Poso. Where the Poso River empties the lake, the Pamona Bridge connects the two sides of Tentena.
Tentena is considered the starting point for many excursions in the region, for example to the caves of Pamona, the waterfalls of Salopa and Sulewana, the Lore Lindu National Park and Lake Poso.

The recently discovered Saluopa waterfall consists of jungle-lined cascades interrupted by waterfalls and has a natural pool. Near the waterfall are some transmigration villages, most of which are Balinese. Complete with temples you imagine yourself here in Bali.

Lake Poso is located in the southern part of central Sulawesi, Indonesia. The lake is 515 meters above sea level. It takes advantage of the cool mountain breeze resulting in mild tropical days with cool nights.

The lake has warm and crystal clear water. During a boat trip on the lake, the captain will always throw some coins in the water to appease the dragon of the lake, the Indonesian cousin of the Loch Ness monster.

The region is an unexplored and quiet area, with few tourists. According to local legend, here heaven and earth were connected by a rope.

On the eastern shore of the lake is the sandy headland Tando Bone, where our favorite Tanda Bone resort has several wooden lakeside bungalows.

Tangkoko

The Tangkoko Batuangus Nature Reserve is a nature reserve in Indonesia. It is located in the province of North Sulawesi on the island of Sulawesi. The area is 8700 ha and there are three mountains Gunung Tangkoko (1109 m), Gunung Dua Saudara (1361 m) and Gunung Batuangus (450 m).
Source: Wikipedia

Tomohon

Tomohon is a city at about 1,000 meters above sea level in the Minahassa highlands. It is relatively cool and the starting point for the tours in the Minahassa. The majority of Minahassa people practice strict Catholic beliefs. In the weeks around Easter you will see countless crosses along the roads and in the villages. Because of the cooler climate, a lot of fruit and flowers are grown in and around Tomohon. Every year, in August, the Tomohon Flower Festival is organized.

Manado

Manado is the capital of North Sulawesi and counts over a half million inhabitants. It’s the perfect base for trips to the Minahassa mountains, Tangkoko jungle, but mainly known for Bunaken national marine park.
Lembeh strait and the island Bangka can also easily be reached from Manado.
The city itself hasn’t got much to offer. Animal lovers’d better not go to the market. People from Manado eat anything with 4 legs. On the market they sell dogs for consumption…

Bunaken

Bunaken is a small island in front of the coast of Manado, North Sulawesi.
The island is particularly known for its wonderful sea gardens. Almost every hotel has diving and snorkelling facilities.
On the of island Bunaken lies the village Bunaken.