Group tour 23 days trans-Sulawesi from south to north
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
Target prices
€ 3.575 single room
Included and excluded
•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
Day 1 flight Amsterdam-Makassar

Day 2 Arrival Makassar


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

Day 4 Buton Island hopping
Day 5 Bau Bau city tour, sea weed and pearls
Optional: Clear water cave dike
Experienced divers might dive into the clear water cave in Bau Bau...Day 6 Lamabusango - Birds, Khuskus and Tarsius
Day 7 Bajo village, red shrimps, waterfall, beaches and much more

Day 8 Bau Bau, free program
Day 9 Back to Makassar


Day 10 from Makassar to Sengkang

Day 11 from Sengkang to Tanah Toraja

Day 12 Tanah Toraja

Day 13 Tanah Toraja


Day 14 Tanah Toraja

Day 15 from Toraja to Lake Poso
Day 16 A nice boat trip on Lake Poso
Day 17 Van Poso naar de jungle van Tangkoko

Day 18 From the jungle to the Minahassa highlands


Day 19 Minahassa Highlands tour

Day 20 Van de Minahassa naar bounty-eiland Bunaken


Day 21 Free program Bunaken


Day 22 Pulang kampong, terug naar huis
Day 23 Arrival Amsterdam

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
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











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
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









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










Makassar

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
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
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
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

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
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
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
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.