Explore Toraja and the Togean Islands in this 14-day trip packed with exciting experiences! Toraja land is situated on highlands of southern Sulawesi with tall mountains and cliffs that protect the area. As interesting as it sounds, they have amazing landscapes to see every day but the most interesting part is the ancient and unusual culture they have that revolves around funerals and death ceremonies. We’ll take you to the central part, to the small islands of Togian, your tropical island getaway. It’s also home to Bajo tribe or ‘sea gypsies’ who spend their daily life in the water. Blessed with abundant of underwater beauties makes it an amazing snorkeling and diving spot!
Welcome to the island of Sulawesi or also known as Celebes, an island exotic and wild with a very particular shape similar to the letter “K”. Sulawesi has an impressive variety of animal species, tropical plants, and two extravagant ethnic groups; the mountainous Toraja, and the sailor Bugis. Makassar Airport, the capital of Sulawesi, is the transit center for all planes moving from east to west Indonesia (and vice versa). Upon arrival we will be waiting for you for transfer to the hotel. Check-in and rest of the day will be for you.
Meals: –
Accommodation: Hotel in Makassar
After enjoying your breakfast you will have transfer to the airport to fly to Toraja where your guide awaits you and will take you to the hotel. In the afternoon you will visit the typical villages of Kete Kesu and the tombs of Lemo. Ke’te Kesu village, one of the oldest in Toraja where you will see the typical houses called “Tongkonan”. You will also see other hanging tombs in one of their caves. Lemo is famous for its vertical rock tombs. Some scenarios where death has a special role. When finished, you will return to the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Makassar
Today you will visit the most charismatic places in the Tana Toraja region. It will be a day of exploring not only its incredible landscapes but its strange culture. Time to discover it during your stay in this magical land. The local people, mostly Christians, still practice animism according to their original religion called Aluk Todolo. Are you ready to soak up the Toraja culture? You will visit the towns where you will see the curious shape of the Toraja houses and the North – South distribution of the towns of this region, the tombs of Londa, excavated in a rock and their Tau – Tau (figures of wood that the Toraja use to remember their deceased).
During your stay in this land of “lucky” spirits, you can see their funeral rites up close. These picturesque funerals are frequent but not every day so we cannot guarantee that you will see them. When you attend them, as an offering to the family, tourists are asked to donate some 100,000 Rupees. In addition to these visits, you will visit its attractive markets where local people carry out their transactions daily. On Tuesdays and Thursdays there is a big market. After this, you will return to the hotel to rest.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Makassar
Today, our adventure continues. After breakfast, you will go to Salu village, which is about 12 km from Rantepao. This will be the starting point of the trekking in southern Toraja. From this point, you will begin the trekking towards the Mailing Maiting River Valley. You will walk in the rice fields, coffee plantations and small settlements of Torajans. For lunch, there will be a picnic and you will spend the night in a typical local house in the beautiful city of Limbong. In total, it will be about 4 hours of trekking (2 hours of ascent + 2 hours on the flat). After this, you will have some well-deserved rest and you will have time to share with the locals.
Note on trekking:
This is a medium level of trekking. Because the area is humid and hot, trekking can be difficult, especially the first day because we are going to ascend for 2-3 hours. If you are not in good condition, we can start the trekking from other places in the Land of Toraja. Another option is to rent a car to go to Limbong, if you prefer not to walk. In any case, we must decide this two days before the trekking begins. The accommodation is based on a local house (Tongkonan) with basic condition. Sleeping is organized on a mattress on the wooden floor. The bathroom is outside the house, it is needed a flashlight because there is no electric light.
Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Accommodation: Local house
You cannot begin your adventure today without having breakfast. After that, you will head towards the Maiting River (it is approximately 1 hour walking). Once you reach the river, you will prepare for this adventure in a dream environment. Rafting is quite simple but adventurous, the rapids are level 2 of 6. The visual experience will be impressive passing through deep canyons, natural waterfalls and towns. In addition, you can see animals such as iguanas and tropical birds. After enjoying this adventure, you will return to the hotel in Rantepao.
Meals: Breakfast – Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Rantepao
After breakfast you will depart by car towards the jungle and the isolated central part of the island, first you will descend the mountain pass that separates the Toraja del Wajo, along a rugged road, surrounded by small houses, clove plantations, waterfalls and lush vegetation, to the coastal town from Palopó. After lunch you will climb towards the central highlands, towards the city of Tentena. In the last stretch of road you will surround Lake Poso until you reach the inn that is located at the foot of the lake shore (This journey lasts 11 hours by car).
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Tentena
After you finished your well-deserved breakfast at the hotel, you go walk towards Tentena. On your travel path, you will be able to enjoy the wonderful natural landscapes of Lake Poso. You will take a short path to reach the Saluopa waterfall located in the middle of the forest that was discovered a few years ago. This natural waterfall is very large in size and shape. After spending a good time in this nature, you will go to our hotel located on the opposite side of the Poso lake beach. Of course, you will have a good view of the beach and the lake (This journey lasts 5 hours with car).
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Ampana
Enjoy your breakfast, then you will go by public boat to the island of Togean. Your tropical island getaway begins soon! Upon arrival, check in at the hotel and you will have the rest of the day at leisure to familiarize yourself with the area (Public boat transfer approx. 5 hours).
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel at Togean island
You will have a few days to relax and enjoy the beauty of this island. The nature and its beautiful beaches, make it one of the best beaches in Southeast Asia. Huge colorful corals, fish of many sizes and shapes, will tempt you to dive or snorkel. Contact the hotel for more information about the activities.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel at Togean island
After breakfast we will return by public boat to the coastal town of Ampana, where we will take a car to Luwuk (5 hours).
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Luwuk
Today is the last day of our trip to Toraja and Togean Islands in this beautiful land of Sulawesi. From Luwuk you will take your flight back to Makassar. Thank you very much for exploring this special area with Come2indonesia. We are waiting for you to continue adding experiences together. Sampai Jumpa!
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: –
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