Round trip 23 days trans-Sulawesi

Home > Indonesia > Sulawesi > Round trip 23 days trans-Sulawesi

General
Program
Hotels
Map
Places

Offerte

Round trip 23 days trans-Sulawesi from south to north

This trip has a perfect mix of nature, beach and culture. The journey departs from Makassar to Manado at a leisurely pace. A trip straight through the island of Sulawesi. 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.

When you travel with a guide, he has your full attention and explains the country and its customs. If you travel without a guide, your driver will be fine with everything, but he is not a guide, generally speaks no or poor English or Dutch and will usually stay with the car to fit your suitcases.

Those who choose this beautiful trip should take into account sometimes beautiful but long travel days. In the Sulawesi countryside, only simple accommodation that matches the surroundings is available.

This roundtrip is a sample how your trip could look like. The target prices are based on middle class hotels. Our Indonesia experts are happy to help you tailormade your trip to your demands.

Target prices

On request, not all domestic flights are operating

Included and excluded

Included:
• Intercontinental and domestic flights Amsterdam-Makassar, Palu-Manado and Manado-Amsterdam
• Accommodation based on bed and breakfast
• English-speaking guide 3 days Toraja and 2 days Doda valley, Tomohon, Tangkoko rainforest and Bunaken
• Lunches and dinners in Doda valley and in Thalassa resort, Manado
• All specified excursions

Not included:
- English-speaking guide on other days
• Tips and personal expenses
• Travel and cancellation insurances ( mandatory)
• Booking fee and contribution Calamiteitenfonds €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).

Dagy2 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 Makassar citytour and boat trip through the Rammang Rammang karst mountains

This morning you will take a short drive through the city and visit the old Fort Rotterdam, the fish market and fishing port, the old harbor where the wooden Bugineze schooners still dock for loading and unloading. Try the famous spring roll Makassar in "Lumpia" in the city. street ". Optionally, you can extend the city tour with a trip to Ramang-Ramang and the karst rocks. You will then be taken to the Dessa Ramang Ramang. From there you can take a canoe on the Puteh river. You sail along the karst rocks (cliffs of limestone - glue stone). You will also visit some small caves where prehistoric prints can be found. These prints seem to be between eight and thirty thousand years old and one of the oldest ever found in the world to date. You also take a brisk walk in the vicinity of the dessa Berua. A walk through the nature and culture of the Buginese. An English speaking guide will accompany you today. Overnight in Makassar.

Day 4 from Makassar to Bira

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.

Day 5 Bira - free day

There’s nothing on the program today. You can enjoy relaxing on the beach, or hire a boat and go snorkelling near one of the small islands in front of the coast. Overnight in Bira.

Day 6 from Bira to Sengkang: Lake Tempe

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.

Day 7 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 8 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 9 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 10 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 11 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 12 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 13 Free day at Lake Poso

There’s nothing on the program today and you can relax by the lake. If you’re rather in the mood for an excursion you can book one at the resort. Overnight in Tando Bono cottages.

Day 14 from Lake Poso to the Besoa valley

Today a long road ahead again, but it starts with the most beautiful waterfall of Sulawesi: the Saluopa waterfall. Then your driver will drive to the city Poso and from there turn into the direction of National Park Lore Lindu. 2 overnight stays in a modest homestay in the village Doda.

Day 15 On a megaliths trip in the Besoa valley

The Besoa valley, like the better known Bada valley, has lots and lots of megaliths. The statues really look very much like the megaliths we know from the Easter islands. At an easy pace your driver will bring you from one spot to the other and you can walk through the rice fields to these strange creations, which are about 2500 years old. Overnight stay at your homestay in Doda.

Day 16 From the valley to Manado

You will check out after breakfast and your driver will bring you in about 4 hours to the coastal town Palu. Here you'll take the Wings Air flight via Luwuk to Manado. Arrival in the beginning of the evening. Your driver will bring you to your hotel. Overnight stay in the city of Manado.

Flight Palu-Luwuk-Manado (Wings Air)

Flight with Lion air, transfer in Makassar Departure 07:15, arrival 10:30

Day 17 From Manado to the Minahassa highlands

After breakfast, your driver and guide will pick you up for a beautiful tour through the Minahassa. You will visit the Ban Hian Kiong Chinese Temple, the Sam Ratulangi monument and Lake Tondano. Your guide will also bring you to the Japanese caves which were built and used during the Second World War. In the late afternoon you arrive at your hotel in the Minahassa highlands. 2 nights in Tomohon.

Day 18 From the Minahassa to the Tangkoko Rainforest

After breakfast you leave the Minahassa and drive through a scenic route of about two hours to the Tangkoko Rainforest. Under the guidance of a local ranger, you will make an easy trekking through the rainforest. Tangkoko is a beautiful rainforest with beautiful fauna and flora, located in the mountainous east. The spectacular nature reserve is home to many rare animals, including the Khuskus, Macaca, Nigra, Hornbill and Tarsius Spectrum, the smallest monkey in the world. Around sunset you have the best chance to spott the tarsier. You spend the night in a simple lodge at the round of the Tangkoko forest.

Day 19 From Tangkoko to Manado

After breakfast you will enter the jungle once again. This time to see the black macaques showing off their best, which they do especially in the morning. Then you will leave the rainforest and drive to Manado. Those who want to visit the local market should know that the people from Manado eat everything with four legs, except tables and chairs. On the market they sell for example also dogs for consumption. Overnight in beach front resort, close to Manado.

Day 20 A day snorkelling in the Bunaken Marinepark

After breakfast, board the shared speedboat to the beautiful sea gardens of the Bunaken National Marine park. You can do two morning and one afternoon diving or snorkeling session here. The beautiful sea gardens of Bunaken are world famous! You step into a beautiful sea aquarium. You will have lunch on the island. In the afternoon we return to Manado. Overnight in beachfront hotel near Manado.

Day 21 Manado - free day

Nothing on the program today. You can relax at the swimming pool or discover the city on your own.

Day 22 Departure from Manado

Your driver picks you up at your hotel and drives you to the airport.

flight Manado-Amsterdam via Jakarta

Vlucht met Garuda Indonesia met transfer in Jakarta. Vertrek 16:30, aankomst vroeg in de ochtend volgende dag.

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

Bara Beach hotel - Bira

The new Bara Beach hotel is beautifully situated on a Robinson Crusoe beach. The spacious, simple bungalows all overlook the sea. We chose the more luxurious Beach Bungalows, equipped with a hot water shower, AC and minibar. Each bungalow has a terrace with sea views. The hotel is a bit remote, about two kilometers from the town of Bira. In the hotel you can rent a boat to go snorkelling. Bara Beach is located at the village of Bira on the south coast, about a 4 hour drive from Makassar. 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

Toraja Misiliana hotel - Rantepao

The Toraja Misiliana *** was one of the first hotels in Rantepao. The rooms are spacious, clean but a little dated and each has its own terrace at the beautifully landscaped garden. Here is also the spacious swimming pool. Located on the outskirts of Rantepao, the hotel is a great base for day trips through Torajaland. 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

Berkat homestay - Doda

Very simple homestay in Doda village. meer info more info Informations supplémentaires

Minahassa hotel Manado

The Minahassa is a cosy hotel in the centre of Manado. The hotel is built against a mountain and you have to walk a lot of stairs to go to your room or to the nice swimming pool. meer info more info Informations supplémentaires

Gardenia Country Inn Tomohon

In the highlands of the Minahassa, the Gardenia Country Inn is located in a beautiful garden. The view is wide. There are neat chalets and bungalows and a few family bungalows. 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

Thalassa Dive & Wellbeing resort

The new resort of Thalassa is a 5-minute drive from the 5* diving school, on the edge of the Bunaken National Marine Park. It has 4 bungalows and 2 villas with 2 bedrooms each. The resort is located in a beautiful wooded area and has a swimming pool and a restaurant serving Indonesian and Western cuisine. Thalassa's pizzas are world famous among divers... All rooms have air conditioning, private bathrooms with hot water and a private terrace. 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

Bira

Bira, Sulawesi

Bira is a typical Buginese coastal village. It has lovely brilliantly white beaches. Its 'centre' has quite a few nice warungs (small shops) and cosy restaurants.
Bira has 2 beaches, Bira beach and Bara beach. Bira beach in the centre is flooded with sellers and people who rent noisy water sport activities. Especially at weekends this has a huge attraction for the local tourists and Bira beach turns into a kind of ‘fun fair’. At 1,5 km from Bira beach lies Bara beach, where it’s much quieter.
Tanah Biru, a village next to Bira, is known for its shipbuilders who master the art of building Buginese schooners.

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.

Doda, Besoa valley, Lore Lindu national park

Doda, Besoa valley

The Besoa valley borders the national park Lore Lindu. From Doda you can make an excursion to the megaliths in the Besoa vallei or go for a drive, walk or trekking through the beautiful nature of Park Lore Lindu. Lore Lindu a great area for birdwatchers.

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…

Palu

The city Palu hasn’t got anything to offer to tourists except for the airport.
Garuda flies from Palu to Makassar (and then further to Manado) and Wings air to Makassar and via Luwuk to Manado.
The airport is at about an hour drive from the Prince John resort in Dongala.

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.

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