• Bira
  • Lake Tempe
  • Sulawesi
  • Toraja
  • Sulawesi
  • Sulawesi
  • Sulawesi
  • Makassar

Round trip 16 days surprising south Sulawesi and cultural Bali

This surprising Bali & Beyond journey will show you the most beautiful of South Sulawesi: the port city of Makassar, a small boat trip along the karst rocks of Rammang-Rammang, the pearly white beach of Bira, the floating villages on Lake Tempe and the inscrutable and animistic Torajaland. The trip ends with a beach holiday in Bali.

You will stay 9 days in Sulawesi and 5 days in Bali, where you can extend your stay if you wish.

This trip has a nice mix of beach, nature and especially culture.

There is plenty of time for stops along the way, the driver knows all the fun and photogenic stops.

If you travel with a guide, you will have his full attention and he tells and explains you about the country and its customs. If you travel without a guide, your driver can find his way very good, but he is not a guide, speaks no or very limited English and will stay with the car to protect your luggage. In Tanah Toraja, a local guide will accomplish you to explain about the culture of the Toraja clan.

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 2024

Richtprijs p.p. bij 2 personen: € 1.195 in laagseizoen
Richtprijs p.p. bij 4 personen: € 1.025 in laagseizoen




Included and excluded

Inclusief:
•Accommodaties op basis van logies en ontbijt
•Privé auto of busje met chauffeur, inclusief brandstof, zijn maaltijden en overnachtingen
•Excursies als genoemd in programma op Sulawesi, exclusief donaties en entreegelden
•Engelstalige gids in Toraja land

Exclusief
•Vliegtickets
•Overige maaltijden
•Niet genoemde of optionele excursies
•Uitgaven van persoonlijke aard
•Fooien
•Gids ( prijs op aanvraag )
•Reis-en annuleringsverzekeringen
•Boekingskosten € 27,50 per boeking
•Bijdrage Calamiteitenfonds €2,50 per boeking
•Bijdrage SGR € 5 per persoon
•CO2 compensatie € 22 per persoon

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 Day trip to Rammang Rammang karst mountains

After breakfast you will be taken to the dessa Ramang Ramang. There you will board a motorized canoe and sail down the Puteh River past the Karts rocks (cliffs of limestone - glue stone). You will visit small caves with prehistoric drawings. These prints seem to be between 8,000 and 30,000 years old and one of the oldest in the world. You also take a brisk walk in the vicinity of the dessa Berua. A walk through the nature and culture of the Buginese. Lunch is used in a local house. When there is still time you can visit the old Dutch Fort Rotterdam and the lively harbor Paotere 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 van Sengkang naar Torajaland via de oostkust

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.

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 Back from Toraja to Makassar and flight to Bali

Today we travel back to Makassar. A long but beautiful route with several stops. In the morning, stop at the puncak Lakawan opposite the erotic mountain to enjoy the view. Continue along the picturesque Bugineze villages with their typical houses on stilts to Makassar. In the afternoon arrival in Makassar, the end of your tour through South Sulawesi and the start of your holiday in Bali. You fly with Garuda at approx 19:45 to Denpasar. Arrival approx 21:20. Your bus is ready to take you to your hotel in Sanur.

Vlucht Makassar-Den Pasar (Garuda)

Direct flight with Garuda Indonesia. Depart 19:40, arrive 21:15

Day 12 Sanur - free day

There’s nothing on the program today. You can lounge around the swimming-pool or on the beach. Sanur has got a very nice street with lots of little shops and restaurants. In some restaurants performances are given during your dinner. You find the most delicious small fish restaurants along the beach. Overnight in Sanur.

Day 13 and 14 Sanur - free day

Like yesterday there’s nothing on the programme today. You can relax at the hotel or use the following link for an excursion Bali excursies Maybe a full day snorkeling trip to Nusa Penida?

Day 15 Pulang kampung, going back home

Well in advance, about 3 hours before the departure of your flight, your driver picks you up for your transfer to the airport.

flight Denpasar-Amsterdam via Jakarta

Flight with Garuda Indonesia with transfer in Jakarta. Departure Denpasar early evening, arrival Amsterdam in the early morning.

Day 16 Arrival Amsterdam

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

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

Heritage resort Rantepao - Toraja

The 4 * Heritage resort is beautifully situated in the mountains of Torajaland. All rooms have a minibar and private balcony; no air conditioning, but that is not necessary at a height of 700 meters. All standard rooms are located in a separate building and are spread over several floors. A lift is not available. The superior rooms do not offer anything more and the Deluxe rooms are definitely our favourite rooms. The hotel has a swimming pool with separate children's pool, 2 restaurants and a spa and fitness room. Mountain bikes rental, free shuttle bus to the centre. meer info more info Informations supplémentaires

Mercure Sanur - Sanur

Superb resort built in Balinese style. In a beautiful garden, right on the beach and near the centre of Sanur. All rooms have AC, telephone, TV, bathroom, hairdryer, coffee and tea making facilities, minibar, safe, wifi and balcony or terrace. Number of rooms: 189 Facilities: Restaurant (Asian and European cuisine), 3 bars, swimming pool with children's pool, Spa, Tennis, volleyball, table tennis, bike rental, jogging track, darts, billiard, meeting room, gift shop, beauty salon, 24-hour room service, laundry service and wifi. Mercure Sanur has 2 wheelchair accessible rooms meer info more info Informations supplémentaires

Besakih Beach resort - Sanur

Het Besakih Beach Resort is een goed middenklasse Beachfront resort in het centrum van het rustige Sanur. Het resort biedt een mix van Balinese architectuur en heeft een heerlijk zwembad en een kinderbad. De kamers zijn voorzien van AC, telefoon, tv, badkamer, haardroger, koffie-en thee faciliteiten, minibar en hebben alle een eigen balkon of terrasje. Aantal kamers: 80 De Superior bungalow zijn onze favoriet en liggen in een tuin, dichtbij zwembad, strand en restaurant. De Standard bungalows zijn verdeeld over 2-verdiepingen bungalows in een tuin bij de ingang van het hotel. De Standard (ROH) kamers in een gebouw bevinden zich ook dichtbij het zwembad, restaurant en het strand. Sommige kamers uit de laatste categorie hebben weinig uitzicht. Faciliteiten: restaurant (Indonesische en Westerse keuken), bar, zwembad, vergaderruimte, massages, room service, laundry service, kluisjes en wifi. meer info more info Informations supplémentaires

Griya Santrian - Sanur

All rooms have AC, telephone, TV, bathroom, hairdryer, coffee and tea making facilities, minibar, safe and balcony or terrace. Number of rooms: 117 Facilities: 3 restaurants (Indonesian, Balinese, Italian, Japanese, Western and Asian cuisine) and bar, 3 swimming pools, fitness, tennis, spa, sauna, yoga, offer-making and cooking workshops, bicycle excursions, every Monday and Friday fish barbeque on the beach and every Thursday meat barbeque with Jazz music, art gallery, 24 hour room service, laundry service, Kids club, surf lesson, WiFi meer info more info Informations supplémentaires

Puri Santrian - Sanur

Lovely spacious and quiet 4 * hotel, in the south of Sanur. Right on the beach and with all the facilities you could wish for. All rooms have AC, telephone, TV, bathroom, hairdryer, coffee and tea making facilities, minibar, safe and balcony.   Number of rooms: 182 Facilities: 2 restaurants, various bars, coffee shop, 2 swimming pools, children's pool, Spa, fitness center, 24-hour room service, laundry service, babysitting service, Cooking classes, yoga, water sports, diving lessons, billiard, tennis courts, library, wifi, bike rental, meeting room, gift shops, tour desk. 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

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

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.

Sanur

Sanur

Sanur is located directly on the Indian Ocean.
The beach of Sanur beach is protected by a reef at some 100 meters off shore, which means that the waves are much gentler than in Kuta.
Sanur is a quiet old fishing village with lots of hotels, restaurants and shops

Favourite restaurant

My own experience: Mades Restaurant, in the centre of Sanur. Delicious Balinese food and Indonesian dishes!

Mades Restaurant - Sanur

Denpasar

Denpasar

Denpasar is the busy capital of Bali.
Besides some museums and the market there aren’t many tourist attractions in the capital, though you can do some great shopping for cheap prices.