18 Days Sulawesi Tour: Bira – Lake Tempe – Toraja – Togian Islands

An 18-day journey across Sulawesi. Start in Makassar, then the beaches of Bira, the lakes around Sengkang, the burial traditions and mountain landscapes of Toraja, and finally the Togian Islands.

Itinerary

Day 1: Makassar

Arrival at Makassar Airport, welcome, and transfer to your hotel. 

Day 2: Makassar – Bira

Drive to Bira on the southern tip of the island, stopping at the ship-building yards in Tanaberu, which produce some of the best wooden boats in Sulawesi. The craftsmen work without construction plans, using skills passed down from father to son. These pinisi schooners run over 30 meters long and weigh close to 200 tons. The afternoon is free by the water.

Overnight at Bara Coco Bungalows.

Learn more about the Pinisi boats of Indonesia

Day 3: Bira – Liukang

A slow day in Bira: the beaches, or a snorkeling trip out to Liukang Island with lunch on the island, back to the hotel in the afternoon.

Overnight at Bara Coco Bungalows.

Day 4: Bira – Sinjai – Soppeng – Sengkang

Leave Bira and drive through Sinjai to Soppeng, where flying foxes hang in the trees above the town in their thousands. Continue to Sengkang and Lake Tempe, known for its floating houses.

Overnight at a hotel near Lake Tempe

Day 5: Sengkang – Bamba Puang Valley – Toraja

The drive from Sengkang to Rantepao stops at Bamba Puang Valley, with a view across to Mount Nona. You arrive in Rantepao in the evening, with the rest of the night free.

Day 6 to 7: Discovering Toraja

Spend two days exploring the fascinating Toraja land, with an itinerary tailored around any local ceremonies taking place, where you’ll have the chance to participate. The Toraja people live in unique boat-shaped houses and revere buffaloes, believed to guide the souls of the deceased to their ancestors. Their elaborate funeral ceremonies, lasting several days, and the practice of hanging graves on cliffs are famous worldwide.

Visit traditional villages and their Tongkonan family houses, the cliffs of Lemo with the Tau Tau effigies of the dead, the Londa caves, and the royal tombs of Suaya. A short walk at Tampangallo, and if the timing works, the markets at Makale or Rantepao.

If a funeral ceremony is taking place, it is possible to include it in the program.

Overnight with a local family.

Day 8 to 9: Trekking to Rantepao – Batutumonga

In the morning, the village of Akung and the Toraja way of life. Hikers then take a 2.5-hour trek through bamboo forest and rice fields up to the mountain village of Batutumonga, with terraced fields the whole way. The lodge at the top looks out over the valley.

For those interested, take a short walk around the village to the primary school or a longer hike to Lokomata, where the entire village is buried beneath a giant rock. Overnight in a traditional Toraja house, where you’ll experience basic but unique accommodations with a shared bathroom and cold water. The location, however, is truly exceptional.

The next day, after breakfast with a view of the valley, take a leisurely 2-hour descent to Tikala along a simple path (or by minibus for those who prefer). Along the way, you’ll have the chance to meet local children on their way home from school.

Overnight at the hotel in Rantepao

Day 10: Toraja – Tentena

Toraja to Tentena starts at 7 AM and takes about 10 hours, through valleys, tropical forest and palm plantations. Lunch at Pendolo, arriving in Tentena late afternoon, evening free.

Day 11: Tentena and Lake Poso

Visit Salu Opa Waterfall on the edge of the forest, and walk through the cocoa plantations. Lunch either by the waterfall or back at the hotel. The afternoon is for swimming in Lake Poso.

Days 12: Tentena – Ampana

Tentena to Ampana is a 7 to 8 hour drive through tropical forest, on winding roads, past village after village. You arrive late afternoon in Ampana, a quiet coastal town and the jumping-off point for the Togian Islands.

Day 13: Ampana – Togian Islands

Depart at 9:00 AM speedboat. Upon arrival in Wakai, you will continue the journey by local boat to the island where you will be staying.

Stay for few nights at the Kadidiri Paradise Resort, a resort with cozy wooden bungalows, both beachfront and overwater.

The Togian Islands are a beautiful archipelago of 56 islands, located just 30 km south of the equator in Tomini Bay. These volcanic islands are covered in tropical forests and surrounded by coral reefs, with water temperatures averaging 31°C and underwater visibility often reaching 40-50 meters.

The islands are home to rare wildlife, including macaques, parrots, and babirusas. There are 37 villages on the islands, inhabited by different cultures such as the Babongko, Togian, Saluan, and Bajau sea nomads. During your stay, you’ll explore the local wildlife, and the Bajau villages, while also enjoying the incredible underwater scenery.

Day 16: Togian – Ampana

Take a public boat back to Ampana, marking the end of your time in the Togian Islands. Spend the night at Hotel Oasis or Marina Cottage, relaxing and reflecting on your incredible journey.

Day 17 – 18: Boat to Ampana or Gorontalo – Option for transfer to Palu, Luwuk or Manado

On Day 17, take a boat ride back to Ampana to wrap up your Sulawesi journey. From here, you can choose transfers to Palu, Luwuk, Gorontalo or Manadi. Overnight at the hotel in Ampana or Gorontalo. Driver will take you to the airport or youe next destination on the next day.

Price

Number of people	2	3 to 4	5 to 6	7 to 9
Price per person	IDR 37,350,000 USD 2,085 EUR 1,815	IDR 31,550,000 USD 1,760 EUR 1,530	IDR 23,150,000 USD 1,290 EUR 1,125	IDR 22,600,000 USD 1,260 EUR 1,095

• Accommodation in 3* hotel (Misiliana, Santai, or Luta Resort) in Rantepao
• Accommodation in dive resort (Kadidiri Paradise, Araya, Bolilanga) in Togian Island
• This tour can be customized to meet your needs, just use the form on this page or contact us directly
• For booking 10 people or more, please contact us for a personalized quotation.
• Kindly book the tour in advance as accommodations are limited and fill up quickly