Indonesia Holidays
Sulawesi Adventure
14 Night Itinerary from £5,175
Sulawesi Tour
Explore the nature, wildlife and culture of this beautiful island
Select your preferred departure date
Tour Route
- Makassar - 2 Nights
- Sengkang - 1 Night
- Rantepeo - 3 Nights
- Travel to Makassar - 1 Night
- Tangkoko Rainforest - 2 Nights
- Tomohon - 2 Nights
- Bunaken Island - 3 Nights
- Fly back to the UK - 0 Nights
Travel Highlights
- Explore local markets in Makassar and learn about the Phinisi Schooner shipbuilders
- Enjoy magical sunrises at Lake Tempe and Mount Lokon
- Meet local villagers and observe a buffalo market in Toraja
- Trek on the scenic slopes of Mount Sesean
- Observe the Celebes Crested Macaque and Maleo Birds in Tangkoko National Park
- Stay in the private home of a local Indonesian Independence hero
- Explore the Minahasa Highlands: lakes, waterfalls, villages and marketsĀ
- Relax for 3 nights at the Bunaken Island Oasis
This itinerary can be tailored to your preferences by our specialist advisors, who can provide a guaranteed price based on your choice of route, duration, flights, hotels, transport and excursions.
Tour Itinerary

Makassar - 2 Nights
Day 1 - Fly to Sulawesi
Day 2 - Arrive in Makassar
Day 3 - At leisureĀ
- Full Description
Sunday, 02 April 2023
Fly to Makassar
Depart in the evening on the overnight flight to Makassar.
Ā
Monday, 03 April 2023
Arrive in Makassar
After arriving early morning, you will be met by your guide and transferred to the Melia Hotel for a 2-night stay on a bed and breakfast basis. This is also the opportunity for our guide to provide you with expert local advice, explain your programme and answer any questions you may have. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax at your hotel.Ā
Tuesday, 04 April 2023
At leisure
A day to relax at your hotel or explore Makassar independently.
Sengkang - 1 Night
Day 4 - Makassar City Tour & Travel to Sengkang
- Full Description
Wednesday, 05 April 2023
Makassar city tour and travel to Sengkang
After breakfast, enjoy a half day tour of Makassar, visiting the bustling fish market, walk through local streets to arrive at Paotere harbour to learn about the famed Bugis Phinisi Schooner shipbuilders of the region. Continue to Fort Rotterdam, one of the best preserved Dutch forts in Indonesia. We also visitĀ La Galigo Museum.
An included lunch is served at local restaurant in Maros from where weĀ drive to Sengkang and check into your hotel for a 1-night stay on a bed and breakfast basis.
Rantepeo - 3 Nights
Day 5 -Ā Sunrise on Lake Tempe
Day 6 - Exploring South Toraja
Day 7 - Northern Toraja
- Full Description
Thursday, 06 April 2023
Sunrise on Lake Tempe and Rantepeo
Up early this morning to observe the picturesque scene across the Lake Tempe.Ā The Bugis people have a unique housing style where their traditional houses float on the lake. Travel on a local longboat to enjoy the Bugis hospitality with a cup of tea or coffee, and maybe some fried banana (a favourite snack in Indonesia).
Brunch is included at a local restaurant.
We then drive to Rantepao, the small capital of Tana Toraja,Ā with an estimated population of around 450,000. The Toraja ethnic group is renowned for their elaborate funeral rites, traditional houses and spectacular carving and dancing. You will spend the next two days exploring the Toraja villages and learning about their unique culture.
Check into your hotel for a 3-night stay on a breakfast and dinner basis.
Friday, 07 April 2023
Exploring South Toraja
This morning, immerse yourself in the bustling life of the Torajanās with a visit to their traditional Buffalo market in Bolu.
Then explore the south of Toraja and visit two traditional villages and their surroundings. Begin with a drive to Lemo, Suaya and Kenbira villages which are envelopedĀ by cliffs pierced with graves and tau tau (hanging effigies) of deceased noblility. These cliffs are also referred to as the ādeath balconiesā due to their perilious location.
Lunch is included in a traditional āLiongTongkonanā (local name for housing structure) where you can hear about the spiritual elements of ancestral Torajan architecture.Ā
In the afternoon, visit Londa village where wooden coffins are suspended by ropes and poles extending from the cliffs. We also visit the unique village of KeteKesu which has one of the finest ensembles of Tongkonan (Toraja traditional houses) in Sulawesi. These boat-shaped houses have tall roofs made of slender bristles and create strange silhouettes in the sky.
Saturday, 08 April 2023
Northern Toraja
This morning, visit Palawa, a typical Toraja village, and the highlands of Batutumonga for stunning views across the Toraja valley and the megalithic stone monuments of Bori.
After an included lunch, enjoy a trek through the villages of Lempo and Tinongbayo where you will meet the locals and observe their traditional lifestyle and customs. These two villages have ancestral stone circles, part of the local lore of the Toraja people, with each stone representing an important noble who has passed away. They also feature impressive Tongkonan houses.Ā
Return to Rantepao with a stop at a Todi weaving factory where the ancient technique and motifs for Torajans textile known as Ikatās are preserved.Ā
Ā

Travel to Makassar - 1 Night
Day 8 - Travel to Makassar
- Full Description
Sunday, 09 April 2023
Travel to Makassar
Drive to Makassar and check into the Melia Hotel for a 1-night stay on a bed and breakfast basis. Rest of the day is at leisure.

Tangkoko Rainforest - 2 Nights
Day 9 - Travel to Tangkoko Rainforest
Day 10 - Exploring Tangkoko National Park
- Full Description
Monday, 10 April 2023
Travel to Tangkoko Rainforest
Transfer to Sultan Hasanuddin Airport in Makassar for a domestic flight to Manado.Ā On arrival in Manado, transfer to Tangkoko rainforestĀ and check in to the Tangkoko Hill CottagesĀ for a 2-night stay on a full board basis.Ā Please note theĀ accommodation in the rainforest is quite basic.
Ā
Tuesday, 11 April 2023
Exploring Tangkoko National Park
Wake up early to exploreĀ Tangkoko National Park with a relaxed walk in the deep, lush forest in search of the Ā endemic wildlife including the famous Celebes Crested Macaque and the cute Tarsier. There are 127 mammal, 233 bird and 104 reptile and amphibian species, among them also the Sulawesi bear and dwarf cuscus and birds such as the knobbed hornbill, Sulawesi hornbill and maleo.
A highlight is an encounter with the Celebes Crested Macaque or Black Creseted Macaque, locally known as Yaki or Wolai. It has an "apelike" appearance and resembles a miniature āKing Kongā.Ā
After lunch at the lodge, return to the forest where towards the end of the day, you may spot the Tarsius spectrum waking from its day-long sleep. Look out of its tree holes with its huge and faithful eyes.Ā

Tomohon - 2 Nights
Day 11 - Travel to Tomohon
Day 12 -Ā Minahasa Highlands
- Full Description
Wednesday, 12 April 2023
Travel to Tomohon
Transfer the small town of Tomohon in the Minahasa Highlands. Here, we stay in the private home of the Minahasan politician, journalist, teacher and Indonesian independence hero Sam Ratulangi, who is well known in the county for his saying āman lives to help others liveā. Ā The national heroās son and his wife have been receiving international guests on a regular basis, and since many of them commented on the beauty of their residence and surrounding gardens, established a small boutique hotel on the Highlandsās hills, overlooking the majestic and active Lokon volcano.Ā
We also visit Ekayana Pagoda. While North Sulawesi is mainly Christian, of course there are also other religions such as Buddhism, Islam and Hinduism present in this part of the diverse and multi-religious archipelago nation. On the path to the main building 18 gold-colored so called Lohan statues are lining the way, and depict sinners who returned to the right path.Ā
We stay 2-nights at the comfortable Gardenia County Inn on a bed and breakfast basis.
Ā
Thursday, 13 April 2023
Minahasa Highlands
Discover the Minahasa Highlands today, visiting Tomohon market, taking aĀ cycling tour along the shores of Tondano Lake, the largest lake of North Sulawesi.Ā
Enjoy an included typical Sulawesian lunch and continue to Pulutan, a pottery village, where nearly every household is involved in pottery. Apart from the local families involved in the production of pottery, a training centre provides the community with the respective skills and ideas for new shapes and means of production.
We visit Linow Lake with its fascinating turquoise surface reflecting its volcanic origin. Enjoy a local specialty which is typical for Indonesia: fried banana. However, here in North Sulawesi, fried banana is not enjoyed with honey or sweet dips, but comes with spicy chili sauce. Relax with a cup of tea or coffee by the lake shore.Ā On the way back to Tomohon we stop by Pinaras Waterfall for a short trek to experience the spray of the 40 meter high waterfall.

Bunaken Island - 3 Nights
Day 13 - MountĀ Lokon and Bunaken IslandĀ
Day 14 - At leisureĀ
Day 15 - At leisureĀ
- Full Description
Friday, 14 April 2023
Mount Lokon and Bunaken Island
Wake early this morning to depart to nearby Mount Lokon. Start your trek before the first sunlight and witness the sunrise over the highlands with stunning panoramic views.
Check-out of the hotel and drive to Manado Port. From here, travel by local boat to Bunaken Island where we stay forĀ 3-nights on a full board basisĀ at the well regarded Bunaken Oasis Resort.
Ā
Saturday, 15 April 2023
At leisure
At leisure relaxing at your hotel or on the beach.
Sunday, 16 April 2023
At leisure
At leisure at your hotel, or enjoy the beautiful remote beaches.

Fly back to the UK - 0 Nights
Day 16 - Fly back to the UK
- Full Description
Monday, 17 April 2023
Departure for return flight
Take the boat back to the mainland for a domestic flight to Manado to connect with your onward International flight home, arriving in the UK later the same day.
Price Guidelines
Season | Low Season |
---|---|
Travel Dates | 1 Jan - 30 June, 6 Sept - 17 Dec |
Room Arrangement | First |
Multiple Travellers - Twin Room | £5,175 |
Single Traveller - Own Room | £7,909 |
Prices are a guideline and per person. Please request a quote for Special Events, Christmas, New Year's Eve & Easter.
What's Included
- 16 Days / 15 Nights
- International flights (1 overnight)
- Domestic flightsĀ
- Accommodation as shown on the itinerary
- Breakfast everyday and meals as described on the itinerary
- Transfers to and from airports
- TransportĀ throughout the itinerary
- Excursions listed, all with expert, English-speaking guides
- Prices are per person
- Prices for Special Events, Christmas, New Year's Eve, Easter on request
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