Sulawesi Journey

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24 DAYS TRANS SULAWESI

(Code: ITP-CB-01)

Duration : 24 Days 23 Nights

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Day 1 – Makassar

Arrival at the Makassar airport, greeting and transfer to hotel. Dinner and night at hotel, ideally located at Losari Beach

Day 2 – Makassar – Bira

Travel to Bira, located on the western tip of the island. On the way, we make a stop to visit a traditional shipyard in Tanaberu well known for producing the best wooden boats of Sulawesi, very likely the best of Indonesia too. The carpenters still follow the ancestral method, working without any layout, only using the knowledge passed down by their fathers. The Phenisi boats can reach up to 30 meters long and weigh as much as 200 tons. Relaxing afternoon on the seaside; visit traditional Bugis homes where ikat textiles are woven. Night in a hotel.

Day 3 – Bira – Sengkang

Free morning (snorkeling) before departing for Sengkang, located on the banks of Tempe Lake.  This 350km2 by only 5meter-deep bird sanctuary is home to hundreds of aquatic birds. On the way, we stop to visit a rubber plantation. Night in a hotel near the lake.

Day 4 – Sengkang – Rantepao/ Toraja Land

At day break we board a motorized longboat to discover Tempe Lake’s numerous wild birds, egrets and herons. They fly off as our boat makes its way through the dense vegetal universe that immediately closes itself behind us. We come across fishermen who live permanently on the lake, in bamboo floating houses. In August, we can witness the “Maccera Tappareng” festival intended to purify the water of the lake. After our boat excursion, we visit a silk weaving workshop then follow a spectacular mountain road with stunning views to Rantepao, the capital of Toraja Land. Arrival at the end of the day, night in a hotel.

Day 5 – Rantepao/ Toraja Land

First encounter with the astonishing Toraja society; visit the pig and buffalo market and a number of interesting sites such as Lemo, Suaya, Kete, Londa, Bri and Tampang Allo. All will help you understand the special relationship Toraja people maintain with death. There is a chance we can witness a funeral ceremony as they are very frequent. Night in a hotel.

Day 6 – Tantepoa – Batutumonga

Morning transfer to Batutumonga, a village perched at 1300m altitude in the highlands of Toraja. We reach it after a pleasant 2-hour walk through terraced ricefields. Several opportunities to meet with the villagers. Night in a boat-shaped Toraja house.

Day7 – Batutumonga – Karonanga

The entire day is spent trekking in the ricefields and the bamboo forests. You will be surprised to see how the Toraja make use of bamboo in cooking while visiting numerous Toraja villages. Night in a villager’s house.

Day 8 – Karonanga – Rantepao

Another day of trekking before coming back to Rantepao. Night in a hotel in Rantepao.

Day 9 – Rafting – Sa’dana  river – Tentena

The whole day is spent rafting on the very scenic Sa’dana river, another great way to discover the Toraja’s rich culture… lots of animation on the banks. Night in a hotel in Rantepao.

Day 10 – Rantepao – Pendolo – Tentena

Long drive (approximately 9 hours) towards the middle of the island, destination Pendolo on the south side of Poso Lake. This lake is huge, 232km2 and it is one of the world’s deepest – 450m. The water is considered one of the purest on earth with an average temperature varying very little between 26-30 degrees at any depth. Night in a hotel by the lake.

Day 11 – Tentena – Poso

Today, orchid hunting in the rainforests surrounding the lake…and, if we are lucky, we might catch a glimpse of two extremely rare endemic species, the Anoa (dwarf buffalo) and the Babirusa (literally, pig deer). Back to the hotel and possibility to swim in the lake. (However, you must be careful… a local legend says the lake is inhabited by a monster similar to the Loch Ness). Night in a hotel.

Day 12 – Tentana – Bada Lore Lindu Valley

After 4 to 5 hours of jeep travel on rough roads and trails, we reach Lore Lindu National Park. This 2290 km2 park has been declared a Man and Biosphere Reserve by the United Nations. Ranging from an altitude of 200 to 2620m, it shelters a unique fauna consisting of 227 bird species, including the Rhinoceros Hornbill, the largest on earth. We might also come across the very discreet Anoa, a rare babirusa, a cuscus (Strigocuscus celebensis callenfelsi), a giant civet (Sulawesi palm civet) and 3 species of tarsiers (the smallest mammal on earth). Dinner and night in a villager’s house.

Day 13 – Bada Valley – Lore Lindu

A day filled with multiple discoveries; from the fauna’s uniqueness to the giant megaliths (4m high) standing along the Laliang River in the Bada Valley. Silent witnesses of a forgotten and still unexplained past, these statues seem to be watching over the neighboring villages and their inhabitants. Dinner and night in a villager’s house.

Day 14 – Bada –Tentana – Ampana

Back to Tentana by jeep. After lunch, we transfer to Ampana (about 4 hours of travel). Lunch on the banks of Poso Lake. Night on the seashore, facing the vast Tomini golf course and the Molucca Sea.

Day 15 – Ampana – Togian Islands

Morning departure to the Togian Islands by public ferry. Night in a hotel.

Day 16 & Day 17 – Togian Islands

Togian is an archipelago consisting of 56 islands and islets, located 30 km south of the equator in the Gulf of Tomini. Formed by volcanic activity, these islands are covered with tropical rainforest and surrounded by coral reefs. The average water temperature is 31 degrees Celsius and the underwater visibility goes up to 50 meters. Both the terrestrial and marine ecosystems are still in their natural states, something extremely rare today.

The coastline and the coral reef formations provide an excellent habitat to numerous wild animals endemic to the Togian Islands, such as turtles, dugongs, macaques, parrots, babirusas.  There are 37 villages within this tropical paradise, reflecting the culture of different ethnicities like Bobongko, Togian, Saluan and Bajau (sea nomads).  We have 2 days to explore this small paradise; Una-Una and its active volcano Mt Colo, Malengue with its fauna, the Bajau villages of the sea nomads, plus many opportunities to explore the exceptionally beautiful underwater universe. Night in a bungalow.

Day 18 – Togian – Ampana – Pagimana – Gorontalo

We come back to Ampana by public boat, then by car to Pagimana where we catch a night ferry to Gorontalo. Otherwise, we might cross the gulf directly from the Togians to Gorontalo; this will depend on the often changing boat schedules. Night on board or in Gorontalo, depending on the ferry schedule.

Day 19 – Gorontalo – Manado

We travel by land to Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi, then transfer to Tomohon, a small mountain town located in the middle of the Sangihe subduction zone. We finally settle in a beautiful lodge, nestled in an extraordinary garden overlooking the 3 towering active volcanoes, Soputan, Lokon and Mahawu. Night in a lodge.

Day 20 – Tomohon – Lokon – Mahawu

We make an easy trek to Mahawu volcano and discover its acidic lake while enjoying a magnificent view of Lokon volcano, Minahasa region and the northern tip of Sulawesi Island.  Descending, we then follow a scenic route towards Tandano Lake, lying adjacent to an ancient volcanic caldera. We visit a goldfish farm and eat lunch in a traditional restaurant along the lake. Back to Tomohon and hike to Lokon volcano (approx. 1½ hour hike). We might be able to go inside the crater but this will depend on the volcanic activity. Back to the lodge.

Day 21 – Tomohon – Tangkoko

We depart to visit a construction site where the Minahasa traditional houses are built. On the road, we make a stop over at the Waruga animistic stone grave. Arrival in Tangkoko National Park and trekking in search of fauna like the black macaque, hornbill and the tiny Tarsier, the big star of the National Park and smallest mammal on earth. Dinner and night in a basic losmen, Mama Rossa/ Tangkoko.

Day 22- Tangkoko – Pulisan

Transfer to the splendid beaches of Pulisan, the most beautiful of North Sulawesi. We settle at the “Jungle Beach Resort” which offers an interesting ecotourism approach involving the local communities. The rest of the day is spent snorkeling on Bangga Islands. Dinner and night in bungalows at Pulisan Jungle Beach Resort.

Day 23 – Pulisan

Free day. Enjoy the sea and the best beach of Northern Sulawesi, walk around the hotel grounds, or choose from many other activities including fishing, snorkeling, and diving. Night in bungalows.

Day 24 – Pulisan – Manado

Transfer to Manado then to airport to board your international flight.

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12 Days Trans Sulawesi

(Code: ITP-CB-04)

Duration : 12 days 11 nights

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Day 1 : Arrival Manado

Upon arrival at Sam Ratulangi Airport Manado, you will be transfer directly to the Hotel for the dinner and overnight.

Day 2 : Manado – Minahasa Tour

We start with a City Tour of Manado followed by a drive on up to the Minahasa Highlands. We will visit the Ban Hian Kiong Chinese Temple, the Monument of Sam Ratulangi and the surrounding of Lake Tondano. Also visiting today the Japanese caves build during second world war and the charming flower village Tomohon . Lunch enroute, and then visit Woloan seeing how traditional Minahasa wooden houses are made.

Day 3 : Manado – Bunaken Tour      

We cruise by Motorized canoe to the island of Bunaken to dive in one of the worlds’ most beautiful sea gardens. Lunch will be served on the local restaurant at Bunaken Island. In the afternoon back to Manado.

Day 4 : Manado – Gorontalo

We drive to Gorontalo. We pass the picturesque villages, and views on white sandy beaches, coconuts and clove plantations, Lunch enroute. Arrival in the afternoon at Gorontalo, where Dutch architecture is still in evidence.

Day 5 : Gorontalo – Moutong

Drive to Moutong, pausing in several villages to see the local life. Lunch enroute.

Day 6 : Moutong – Donggala

Continue drive to Donggala, know also as a fisherman village. Lunch en route. In the afternoon arrive at Prince John Dive Resort Donggala, the resort with the white sandy beach. In front of the Resort you will find a protected reef, ideal for snorkeling.

Day 7 : Donggala

Free program, lazy on the beach or snorkeling at the protected reef. Or a have a walk to the nearby picturesque Dongalla where public transport is the horse cart. Lunch and Dinner is served on the resort. Day excursion will be made to Dongalla for snorkeling and swimming.

Day 8 : Donggala– Tentena

We set out on a scenic drive to Tentena, Located on Lake Poso. The Lake Poso is a deep freshwater lake with white sandy beaches rising to high, densely forested mountains. This lake is one of the most beautiful and clearest lake in Indonesia. Lunch en route. And the transfer to the hotel,located almost “on the lake”

Day 9 : Tentena – Toraja

Directly continue drive to Tana Toraja. On the way we will visit a waterfall with twelve steps known as Wera Salopa in Tonusu and a Balinese transmigration village. Lunch en route. Late in the evening arrival at Tana Toraja.

Day 10 : Toraja

A full day exploring Toraja. First we will visit Lemo to see rows of Tau Tau statues and the hanging graves. On wards to Suaya to discover the secret of the Baby Tree, also visiting today Londa, to see an ancient grave where the deceased are entombed. At Kete Kesu one of the oldest Torajan villages we can see Tongkonan, and old rice barns, also famous for its traditional colorful woodcarving. Lunch in Rantepao.

Day 11 : Toraja

we set out on a trip to Batutumonga enjoying superb views over Rantepao and surrounding valleys. Ideal for a walk along the rice fields and the daily Torajan live. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. Afternoon also visiting Pallawa, Sa’dan, known as the weaving center of Rantepao.

Day 12 : Toraja – Makassar Airport

Drive back to Makassar. Afterwards, transfer directly to Hasanuddin Airport Makassar to catch your flight to your next destination

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