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Drive through the road less travelled towards Toraja, through beautiful highlands, scenic coasts, and surreal lakes before immersing into the very best of Toraja’s nature and cultural landscape.
All South Sulawesi travel starts in Makassar Town. The city itself is full of general pandemonium, and travelers generally make transit stays here. However, the town has several point of interest such as Fort Rotterdam (one of the best-preserved Dutch architecture in Indonesia), which contains the La Galigo Museum (cultural artifacts). Another site to visit is Old Gowa, remnants of Gowa Kingdom containing Sultan Hasanuddin grave, Sungguminasa Fort and Balla Lompoa Museum. Finally, Losari Beach is the town’s iconic sunset point. Note that it is generally not a good idea to visit them on weekends due to locals swarming the places. The city is also rich for traditional culinaries, mainly seafood feasts, coto makassar and palubasa soup.
Malino is a town brimmed with natural wonders to explore. You can see beautiful tea plantation of Malino Highlands, vibrant lush pine forests, and visit Sulawesi’s tallest waterfall, Takapala Waterfall. For you who love to explore nature, these two destinations are the best spots for witnessing scenic landscape.
Bira, a sleepy coastal village where goats outnumbered vehicles, is a home to absolutely astonishing beaches with mighty severe tides. As a result, the astounding underwater view of Bira is reserved for more advance snorkelers and divers. The best spots would require a full day boat trip. A small village before entering Bira, called Tanaberu, is famous for phinisi-boat-making ‘factory’. This is the source of all luxury phinisi wooden boat that sails Komodo and other remote parts of Indonesia.
Sengkang is a small stopover town 4 hours riding North from Bira. It is the home to the beautiful hidden treasure of South Sulawesi, Lake Tempe. Guests must take the small boat ride through the Walanae River to arrive at the lake. The view is simply amazing all around, and the floating village across the lake entry makes a wonderful stop to see the local Bajo village and enjoying sunset over their traditional snacks. Sengkang is also known for its weaving village, offering a chance to view the process or shop the fabrics.
Drive an hour away from Tana Toraja and you will reach at a peculiarly shaped mountain called Erotic Mountain (Gunung Nona). The locals said that the mountain looks like female’s private part. You can enjoy the view of ample amount of greeneries from the small warung located on the main street, across the valley.
The center of Tana Toraja tourism is Rantepao, which despite being smaller than Makale (the town proper of Tana Toraja), has more tourist amenities to enjoy; including all the best hotels. It is also conveniently located at the center of Tana Toraja, serving as the perfect base to surrounding areas. Toraja’s mainstream sites are spread across the massive mountainous region. Most travel would take 2 days to visit them. These sites are Lemo (stone graves), Londa (stone graves; guests can navigate through the burial chamber, guided using oil lamp), Ke’te Kesu (impressive Torajan village, stone graves and wooden coffins) and Kambira Baby Graves (ancient tree used to ‘bury’ unborn babies). Despite being touristy, the places are deservedly so due to its beauty, sheer grandness, and comfortable road access. Another latest addition is the Jesus Christ Statue, located on top of Burake Rock Hill at 1,700m height. It is the world’s second tallest (surpassing Christ The Redeemer of Rio de Janeiro) and the view is astonishing. However, the access uphill is still through steep dirt road (which can sometimes be impassable on wet season) and some 500+ steps to reach the highest point. Another highlight experience in Toraja is to attend their elaborate funeral ceremony. Ceremonies lasts 3-5 days and guests are always welcome to enjoy any part of it. The best part is during the dances, the buffalo sacrifice (though not for faint-hearted clients) and when the body of the deceased is brought to the graves. Ceremony dates are sporadic; more often than not this part of the trip is always improvised on the spot. The most common months for such ceremony is on August and December. There are also several anti-mainstream sites to visit, such as Tampangallo (royal burial site), Suaya (stone graves), Saddan Palawa and Marante Village. They are less visited and provide a more serene experience.
Rammang-Rammang Village, one-hour from Makassar, is a small, subdued village set on breathtaking landscape of gigantic limestone and small rivers, reached via short boat ride from the main road. The limestone karsts are extremely beautiful and hold the title of world’s second largest limestone formation.
Welcome to Sulawesi! Upon arrival, you will be greeted with your teman at Makassar New International Airport. You will then be driven to the downtown of Makassar for a delicious seafood lunch. You will continue to the mountain resort of Malino Highlands. In the afternoon, you will visit Takapala Waterfall before continuing to the plantation where you can enjoy sample of tea being produced. You will also have a stop at the Fruit Market before going to your accommodation. Overnight at Celebes Resort Malino.
After breakfast, you will be driven to Bira through the scenic route of Sinjay with its magnificent rice terraces. You will also visit Tanaberu, home of traditional boat builders. You can also observe plenty huge schooners being built in traditional way. Continue to Arah Village, the southern tip of the Sulawesi Island. You will then be taken to check-in at your accommodation and may enjoy the beautiful sunset. Overnight at Anda Beach Bungalow.
After breakfast, your first destination of the day is Sengkang, while passing by rubber plantation. Here, you can see Buginese women making silk sarong for their traditional clothes. You will then continue to Tempe Lake by motorized canoe to see the floating village and catch its magnificent sunset by the lake. Driven back to Sengkang, you will be escorted to your accommodation. Overnight at BBC Hotel Sengkang.
Today, you will visit another Silk Weaving Village before continue to Enrekang district. You will have a stop at Puncak Lakawan for lunch and coffee while admiring the view of majestic Erotic Mountain (Gunung Nona) and then visit Makale to reach Burake Rock Hills where you can find an iconic huge statue of Jesus Christ. Afterwards, you will be driven to Rantepao to check-in at your accommodation. Overnight at Toraja Heritage Hotel.
Your fifth day in Sulawesi is the day when you will visit Tana Toraja. First, you will visit Lemo to witness how burials were made in artificial caves on the face of the cliff with rows of Tau-Tau effigies in front of each gravesite. Next, you will visit Sangalla, you will see the famous baby graves before continuing to Suaya where the royal burial site is located. Continue to Tampangallo, you will see another unique grave where the locals use a natural cave as a burial ground. Your next destination is Londa, another famous site for its cave burial.
Around 4AM, you will be driven to Lolai to catch the most breathtaking sunrise in Sulawesi. Finished admiring the sunrise, you will begin your trekking trip to Ke’۪Pe Village. You will enjoy your lunch at the village before continue another trekking experience to Batutumonga. This 4-hours moderate trekking throughout the valleys and mountains, decorated with impressive rice terraces and Toraja traditional villages.
After breakfast, you will depart for a scenic drive to Palopo. Your last stop in Puncak Pass will give you spectacular panorama of the dense tropical rain forest. You will then stop at Puncak Paredean to enjoy your lunch and coffee. Next, you will be transferred to Bua Airport to fly to Makassar. Upon arrival in Makassar, you will be taken to a boat trip to Rammang Rammang; a village inside the magnificent karst area. The impressive limestone rock formations and caves here are similar to the more famous ones at Guilin in China. Overnight at Aston Hotel Makassar.
After having your breakfast at the hotel, you are free to spend the rest of your day. Depends on your flight schedule, you will be transferred to the airport for departure.
Set in a prime location of Makassar, Hotel Celebes Villa & Resort Malino puts everything the city has to offer just outside your doorstep. The hotel has everything you need for a comfortable stay. Car park, 24-hour room service, family room, coffee shop, safety deposit boxes are on the list of things guests can enjoy. Each guestroom is elegantly furnished and equipped with handy amenities. To enhance guests’ stay, the hotel offers recreational facilities such as pool (kids), garden, kids club, tennis courts, outdoor pool. Friendly staff, great facilities and close proximity to all that Makassar has to offer are three great reasons you should stay at Hotel Celebes Villa & Resort Malino.
For travelers who want to take in the sights and sounds of Tanete, Anda Bungalow is the perfect choice. Situated only 192.3 km from the city center, guests are well located to enjoy the town’s attractions and activities. With its convenient location, the hotel offers easy access to the city’s must-see destinations.
The BBC Hotel is arguably the best place to stay in town, although we’re not talking five star. Contemporary style rooms are simply furnished, clean and comfortable, with views over the river or the town. What the BBC lacks in furnishing finesse it makes up for in location and the hotel is just a 15-minute walk from Lake Tempe.
Featuring indigenous architecture, including boat-like roofs, this rustic resort hotel is surrounded by rice paddies, and lies 3.5 km from the quaint Ke’te Kesu village and 11 km from the Bori Parinding ceremonial grounds.
Conveniently located in the heart of the city, Aston Makassar Hotel & Convention Center is 30 minutes from Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport, close to local government offices, shopping center, and tourism destination. The hotel is the perfect choice for travelers with a business, leisure, or a more permanent stay in the Makassar.
Please remember that this is an example plan which we would be happy to customise to suit your requirement.
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