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Sulawesi Uncovered: Culture, Nature & Coast
15 days from £10,200 per person
- Makassar, South Sulawesi
- Sengkang, South Sulawesi
- Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi
- Tomohon, North Sulawesi
- Manado, North Sulawesi
- Bunaken, North Sulawesi
This immersive journey traces the length of Sulawesi at an unhurried pace, revealing its landscapes, cultures and wildlife in all their variety. From the bustling port of Makassar, the road winds north through emerald rice terraces and misty highlands, across volcanic plateaus and onwards to the coral-rich seas of the far north.
In the south, you’ll encounter the Toraja people and their unique cultural world first-hand. Days are spent visiting local markets alive with the trade of buffalo, coffee and spice, exploring megalithic stone sites and ancient rock graves, and watching life unfold among the striking tongkonan houses that define the highland villages. For those seeking adventure, white-water rafting through the Maulu River gorge adds a touch of exhilaration, while early risers can experience sunrise from the Kingdom Above the Clouds in Lolai. If the timing aligns, you may also witness one of Indonesia’s most profound cultural events - a Torajan funeral ceremony - a moving window into a belief system where life and death are part of one continuous cycle.
As you journey north, the pace softens. The cool Tomohon Highlands offer respite, with their volcanic slopes, sulphur lakes and vibrant village life. Here you can hike Mount Lokon or the gentler Mount Mahawu, visit flower markets and local workshops, and join a cooking class for an insight into the region’s fiery cuisine. From here, the road leads to Manado and Tangkoko Nature Reserve, where ranger-led walks reveal a wealth of wildlife - hornbills, crested macaques and the tiny nocturnal tarsier among them.
Finally, time slows completely on Bunaken Island, a marine sanctuary where the world beneath the water rivals anything above. Days here are spent snorkelling or diving among dazzling coral walls and shoals of iridescent fish, hiking through pristine island landscapes, or simply relaxing by the water.
Private transfers, domestic flights and boat journeys connect these contrasting regions, ensuring the journey is seamless even as the scenery shifts dramatically. By the end, you will have crossed one of Indonesia’s most distinctive islands, from highland rituals to volcanic peaks and marine sanctuaries, and gained not only a collection of remarkable experiences but a genuine feel for Sulawesi’s rhythm, beauty and complexity.
Itinerary details
15 days from £10,200 per person
- Day 1 - The Rinra Hotel - Makassar, South Sulawesi
Arrive in Makassar and transfer to your hotel (1 hour) where your journey begins with a traditional Sulawesi welcome dinner. - Day 2 - Sermani Hotel - Sengkang, South Sulawesi
Journey inland with the option to stop at the Leang-Leang caves, home to ancient rock art, before continuing to Sengkang. Here, travel across Lake Tempe to visit its floating villages. - Day 3 - Toraja Heritage Hotel - Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi
Morning visit the Burake Jesus Christ statue - taller even than Rio’s - and a traditional market, with buffalo, pigs, coffee and spice. Continue an hour into the highlands to Rantepao. - Day 4 - Toraja Heritage Hotel - Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi
Early morning drive to Lolai, known as the “Kingdom Above the Clouds,” for sunrise. Later, visit the megalithic stones at Bori and explore Bolu market, a centre of trade for buffalo. - Day 5 - Toraja Heritage Hotel - Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi
Morning drive to Maulu River (1-hour) for white-water rafting through pristine highland scenery. - Day 6 - Toraja Heritage Hotel - Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi
Spend the day exploring Toraja’s most evocative burial sites, Londa, Tampangallo and Kambira, each about half an hour apart. - Day 7 - The Rinra Hotel - Makassar, South Sulawesi
Morning drive to Palopo (2.5 hours), stopping at Paredean Peak en-route. Fly from Palopo to Makassar, where you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel. - Day 8 - Gardenia Country Inn - Tomohon, North Sulawesi
Morning flight to Manado, then drive to the Tomohon Highlands (1-hour). Spend the afternoon at leisure, surrounded by mountain air and views of volcanic peaks. - Day 9 - Gardenia Country Inn - Tomohon, North Sulawesi
Morning two-hour hike to Mount Lokon's crater rim (and about an hour and a half back down). Mount Mahawu offers a shorter climb, just 200 steps to the crater edge. Later, visit Tomohon’s market before heading to a cooking class. - Day 10 - Four Points by Sheraton - Manado, North Sulawesi
Drive to Linow Lake, via Tomohon Market and Woloan Village. Continue to Lake Tondano before driving to Manado (1.5 hours). - Day 11 - Four Points by Sheraton - Manado, North Sulawesi
Spend the morning at leisure before setting out on the drive to Tangkoko, via Tasikoki Wildlife Rescue Centre. Afternoon ranger-led walk to spot tarsiers, crested macaques and cuscus in their natural habitat. - Day 12 - Bunaken Oasis Dive Resort & Spa - Bunaken, North Sulawesi
Morning drive to the jetty and take a 30 minute speedboat ride to Bunaken Island. Spend the day snorkelling among vibrant coral gardens or relaxing on the beach. - Day 13 - Bunaken Oasis Dive Resort & Spa - Bunaken, North Sulawesi
Enjoy a full day at leisure on, snorkelling, swimming, or simply unwinding on the beach. - Day 14 - Bunaken Oasis Dive Resort & Spa - Bunaken, North Sulawesi
Early morning departure (6:30-7:00), for a 20-minute speedboat ride to the trailhead for a moderate five-hour hike. Option for a sunrise ascent starting around 2:30 a.m. - Day 15 - In transit.
Private speedboat back to the mainland, followed by a 60-minute transfer from the jetty to Manado Airport for your onward journey home.
Places of Interest
AccommodationTo my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted.
Bill Bryson
