Welcome to Sulawesi, for many the most beautiful island in the Indonesian archipelago.

After your arrival, you will be met by your private chauffeur at the airport and start your tour with a visit to the King’s Palace of the Gowa Kingdom “Balla Lompoa”, traditionally built on wooden blocks in 1936. You have enough time to visit today’s museum with its Treasures to explore.

Afterwards, visit Sultan Hasanuddin Graveyard Complex and Somba Opu Fortress, also built by the Kingdom of Gowa. There you will also see the traditional houses of the three ethnic groups that call South Sulawesi home (Bugis, Makassar and Toraja).

After your lunch, visit Fort Rotterdam, built by King Tunipallangga of Gowa in 1545. The La-Galigo Museum is located in the fort and contains a unique collection of historical and archaeological treasures. After your tour, you will be driven to your hotel in Makassar. 

Accommodation: Aryaduta Makassar, including breakfast

After breakfast, check out of your hotel in Makassar and your private chauffeur will meet you in the lobby to drive you to Toraja.

In an air-conditioned private vehicle, the journey takes approximately 8 hours through South Sulawesi, along majestic mountains and the traditional Bugis villages with their unique houses.

En route, have a local lunch at the Bukit Indah Restaurant in Pare-Pare, a small port town 155 km north of Makassar and birthplace of Indonesia’s third president, Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie. You finally reach Rantepao in the late afternoon.

Preferred hotel: Toraja Luta Resort, including breakfast

You will have breakfast at the hotel and then be driven to Suaya to visit the royal family tombs.

Afterwards we go to Lemo, where you will marvel at the unique rock tombs with the famous “Tau Tau” wooden figures. Another bizarre highlight are the baby graves in a large tree near Kambira. The Toraja are the only people in the archipelago who bury their dead in this way. Before the dead are buried in rock caves or trees, they first stay for a while in the Tongkonan – the clan house. In Toraja belief, the spirit only leaves the family when it is taken from the clan house to its final resting place.

Your lunch will be served at a local restaurant with fantastic views over the rice fields. Afterwards you will visit the cave tombs of Londa, the hanging tombs of Kete Kesu and learn about the traditional wood carving art of the locals.

Preferred hotel: Toraja Luta Resort, including breakfast

Today you will visit one of the most beautiful villages in Toraja – Palawa, known for its typical colorful houses decorated with numerous buffalo horns.

Learn more about traditional cotton processing in the villages of “Sa’ and To’ Barana”. Then we head over the beautiful mountain landscapes of Batutumonga at an altitude of 1,355 meters with refreshing temperatures of around 17 – 18 degrees Celsius. You will also have lunch there.

After this refreshment, we continue to the tombs in the rocky slopes of Lo’ko mata and a hiking tour from Pana to Tikala – one of the most beautiful hiking routes in South Sulawesi.

Preferred hotel: Toraja Luta Resort, including breakfast

Today is the longest journey. In approximately 9 hours you drive from Toraja to Tentena on the shores of Lake Poso. The first 1 – 2 hours you will cross the breathtaking scenery of the Toraja Highlands until you reach Palopo. From Palopo you continue on more comfortable paths towards Pendolo, close to Lake Poso on your left. The last stage to Tentena leads again through hilly to mountainous terrain.

Accommodation: Victory Hotel Tentena, including breakfast

After breakfast in your cottage, you will take a 3-4 hour jeep ride over rough terrain to Bada Valley. In between you will make a few stops to enjoy the fantastic mountain panoramas and explore the local villages.

Your lunch awaits you in Bada at the Lili Guesthouse. After lunch we go on a discovery tour through the village with its mysterious megaliths until sunset.

Accommodation: Lili Homestay, including breakfast

Bada Valley is located in Lore Lindu National Park. Today you will explore the National Park all day with your guide.

First we go along the rice fields and small traditional villages towards Doda Village. Then continue over a bamboo bridge that leads over the Lariang River to the village of Besoa. If desired, the trekking tour can also be extended to Sungai Lariang National Park to explore the unique flora and fauna. You will have your lunch by the river.

Accommodation: Lili Homestay, including breakfast

After your relaxed breakfast, your driver will be waiting for you for your return journey by jeep to Tentena. The rest of the day is at your leisure.

Accommodation: Lili Homestay, including breakfast

During today’s approximately 6-hour drive, you will make a few stops to enjoy the beautiful landscapes. You reach Ampana in the afternoon.

Accommodation: Marina Cottage Ampana, including breakfast

Today you leave the mainland and head to the beautiful Togian Island, a paradise that is still largely untouched by mass tourism. Enjoy your free time.

Accommodation: Kadidiri Paradise, including full board

Leisure time.

Accommodation: Kadidiri Paradise, including full board

Leisure time.

Accommodation: Kadidiri Paradise, including full board

Enjoy your free time in paradise until midday. After lunch you will be picked up and driven to Wakai Harbor. The ferry leaves for the mainland at around 4:00 p.m. You spend the night on the ferry.

Accommodation: on board the ferry, including full board 

At around 5:00 a.m. you will reach the port of Gorontalo and be driven to a local restaurant for breakfast.

After this refreshment, we continue towards Huwangobotu Village or Botubarani Village. You don’t need much luck to spot whale sharks right on the jetty. A daily visit to the sea giants is rather normal there, but otherwise of course unique in the world. 

Accommodation: Maqna Hotel Gorontalo, including breakfast

Today it’s unfortunately time to say goodbye to Sulawesi.

After breakfast and check-out, you will be driven to the airport on time for your onward flight. Or you can extend your dream vacation to Sulawesi or for further adventures on the neighboring islands in the largest archipelago in the world…

We would be happy to adapt this travel example to your individual wishes and ideas…