Sulawesi, Java, Bali, Flores & Komodo: Volcanoes, Rites & Dragons

Airport pickup in Makassar and transfer to the hotel. Makassar is the capital of the South Sulawesi province located on the Makassar Strait.

In the mid-afternoon and depending on your arrival time in Makassar, visit the fish market, an essential gathering place and meeting point, as fish represents an important food in the culinary culture of Indonesians.

Transfer then to Paotere port, to admire magnificent wooden sailing ships.

You finish with a visit to the Fort Rotterdam, built in 1545 by Raja Tunipalangga: it originally consisted only of an earth rampart called "makassar". It was not until 1634 that these were reinforced with stone walls, at the request of Sultan Alaudin. The fort was later (in 1667) conquered by the Dutch and renamed "Rotterdam" (the birthplace of Speelman). Today, the fort is fully restored and even houses a small museum that traces its history.

In the evening, welcome dinner. An opportunity to get acquainted with your English-speaking support team.

Morning transfer to the Maros region (once discovered by Alfred Wallace), renowned for its rice fields and karst peaks. Short excursion in the surrounding area and exploration of a cave nearly 39,000 years old, which is full of rock paintings.

Your guide also offers a pirogue ride on a river near which many bird species live. Meetings with the local population who live in stilt houses.

Late morning, transfer to the maritime city of Pare Pare, then you travel up the Sa'Dan river towards the mountains, through magnificent landscapes. The plain landscapes are quickly replaced by thick coconut forest.

Stop along the way at Bambapuang, from where you will have a view of a mountain known as "erotic". Arrival in Rantepao (the capital of Toraja Land) in early evening.

Check-in at the hotel.

In the morning, visit the village of Bori, famous for its megaliths carved in the shape of tombs, then that of Palawa (the largest in the region), and finally that of Sa'dan, renowned for its traditional textiles.

Transfer to the wild north of the Toraja region, which offers magnificent panoramas at 1,400 m altitude. Easy walk around Batutumonga through rice fields, traditional villages and bamboo forest.

Later, hike from Lokomata (where the tombs are carved into a giant rock) towards Mariri, during which you will have the opportunity to meet children returning from school and stop at a few knife-making workshops.

Visit of the colorful market of Rantepao, where many buffaloes & pigs are offered for sale. This is followed by the opportunity to attend a funeral ceremony (see "Note" above).

In the afternoon, transfer to Pemancar, where you start a lovely walk towards Salu, through rice fields and plantations (coffee & cacao, mainly).

Walking duration: approximately 4 hours

In the morning, you join the charming little town of Sengkang which stretches along the banks of the Walanae River.

In the afternoon, transfer to the shores of Lake Tempe and boarding motorized canoes for an extraordinary discovery of this swampy lake which is home to numerous bird species and where lies an amazing lakeside village.

This is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the customs and traditions of the villagers, for whom time seems to have no hold.

This morning, you accompany your hosts for a fishing session. You also take the opportunity to share their daily life.

Return to Sengkang in the afternoon and visit the silk weaving workshops

Departure for Makassar airport and flight to Yogyakarta in the early evening.

Welcome at Yogyakarta airport by your guide and transfer to your hotel.

The morning is dedicated to visiting Yogyakarta (or Jogjakarta) the cultural capital of Java, and particularly the surroundings of the Sultan's palace built in 1756, where life is pleasant.

Your city tour takes you to Taman Sari, known during the Dutch colonial empire as the "Water Palace", then to the puppet and batik workshops.

Late in the morning, you head towards the Ratu Boko temple, perched on the hills of Gunung Kidul overlooking the Prambanan plain. You then begin a short hike to the Hindu temple of the Temple of Prambanan, through forest, traditional villages and rice paddies.

You then visit the Prambanan temple complex and particularly Loro Jonggrang, a magnificent temple 47 meters high dedicated to the goddess Siva. It is considered the most elegant and stunning Hindu temple on the island of Java. Option available to attend the Ramayana show.

Transfers 2h
Tour 2h - 2h30

Early this morning you head towards the Menoreh hills, located approximately 25 km west of Yogyakarta and overlooking the Borobudur plain.

In the early morning, transfer to the banks of the Kulon Progo river, where you will enjoy a pleasant countryside warm-up in a small Javanese village, from which you will discover the surrounding nature by bike (Dutch style).

We will discover the Javanese countryside gently, and you will make several stops in the surrounding villages, where you will have the opportunity to observe local artisanal work.

In the middle of the afternoon, transfer to Borobudur.

Transfers 3h-3h30

Bike ride 2h

Early morning transfer to Sukuh temple, the last stronghold of Hinduism in central Java facing the spread of Islam. This temple features original iconography, such as phallic figures and large turtle-shaped tables, which would reveal the existence of initiatory, even orgiastic rituals.

Then you begin a hike towards the village of Tawangmangu, on the slopes of the Lawu volcano. This hike is an opportunity to discover certain plant species present in this region but also to admire superb panoramas of the pine forest and the surrounding highland plantations.
You will finish your walk by crossing through the Tawangmangu park.

Your first steps in the park lead you towards a superb waterfall (Grojogan Sewu) in the middle of a tropical forest inhabited by a large community of monkeys.
4 hours of hiking
Positive elevation gain: 400m
Negative elevation gain: 300m

In the afternoon, transfer to Tumpang, near Malang, at the western foot of the Bromo-Tengger-Semeru massif.

Early morning departure towards the Lumajang region, skirting the south slopes of the majestic Semeru volcano. You then reach Tumpak Sewu waterfall (*"Thousand waterfalls"* in Javanese).

As you descend into the gorge (via a slippery and sometimes steep path), you will indeed feel the force of these hundreds of streams that rush dramatically as they "plunge" over 100m. Viewed from above, the beauty of this waterfall appears moreover ephemeral as the fine mist saturates everything in its path.

No wonder then that a photo of Tumpak Sewu with the Mt Semeru in the background was awarded as the "best aerial shot" in 2019. And, if you also bring your camera equipment, remember to protect it against moisture.

Return to Tumpang in late afternoon.

Transfers 4h

Hike 3h

In the early morning, 4x4s take you to the Tengger region, where the famous Mount Bromo (2329 m) billows its plumes, and the caldera surrounding it forms a gigantic sea of sand.

During this journey, you cross the stunning forest of the Tengger-Bromo-Semeru National Park, also skirting part of the rim of the Bromo volcano's caldera, before descending to the sea of sand to reach the village of Cemorolawang (located on one of the opposite ridges). Mt Bromo is the most venerated by the Hindu Tengger people who live in the region.

Ascent of Bromo volcano in the afternoon. You can thus admire its crater resembling a smoking cauldron. It is then easy to understand why the Javanese once considered this place as the entrance to purgatory.

Night at the hotel.

Then you reach the summit of Mont pananjakan (penanjakan) (2,775m) to witness a fabulous spectacle. You experience the sunset in a lunar landscape, with an unobstructed view of Mont Bromo, its sea of sand, and the Semeru volcano, both releasing thick plumes of smoke. Unique!

Return to the hotel in early evening.

Transfers 1h30

Tour 2h

Early morning transfer to the surroundings of Kawah Ijen.

After checking in at the hotel, your guide takes you to superb terraced rice fields from which you begin a pleasant walk through traditional villages and other plantations (fruits, spices, etc.).

Return to the hotel in late afternoon.

Early in the morning, you head back in a 4x4 towards the slopes of Kawah Ijen. At dawn, hike to the edges of Kawah Ijen (meaning the "green crater") where men extract sulphur at the edge of the world's largest acid lake.

These true sulphur convicts transport nearly 100 kg of ore on their backs over approximately 15 km to the processing plant! You then witness the weighing and various work contracts. A very striking and powerful image from your trip.

Late in the morning, transfer to Pemuteran, a small beach resort located on the northwest coast of Bali, far from tourist crowds.

4 hours of hiking

Early in the morning, you take the road to the highlands of Bali. Visit along the way of the Pulaki temple, located at the foot of a cliff and inhabited by a large community of monkeys.

The road that turns towards the mountains is magnificent. Your destination, the small village of Belimbing, is surrounded by some of the most breathtaking terraced rice fields on the island.

The afternoon is then dedicated to an extraordinary walk to discover the surrounding nature.

Early in the morning, transfer to Jatiluwih, a small village located in the heart of the most beautiful rice fields of Bali, in the center-west part of the island.

You then begin, early in the afternoon, a superb hike through this vast ocean represented by the terraced rice fields that surround us.

3 hours of walking

Visit to the Luhur Batukaru temple (2,270m), which emerges in a setting of lush green surroundings and where several "meru" with multiple roofs stand, some dating back to the 17th century, dedicated to the ancestors of the Tabanan dynasty and local protective deities.

You head back on the road to Bedugul to visit the famous Hindu-Buddhist temple Pura Ulun Danau. This temple, appearing to float on the waters of the lake, is one of Bali's most famous. A sacred place surrounded by lush gardens dedicated to the Goddess Dewi Danau. After a brief stop at the local market.

You finally head towards Ubud, the cultural capital of the Island of the Gods.

Day of discovery of Ubud and its surroundings. In Ubud, elegant temples and palaces with sculpted facades line the streets. During our city walk, we discover Puri Saren and the details of its wooden doors, Pura Saraswati and the refinement of its ornamentations, Pura Puseh and its splendid sculptures as well as many other museums and galleries.

Another tourist attraction in Ubud, slightly set back from the city center, is the "monkey forest" temple. The walks and outings outside Ubud, for their part, take you to places where the view of the surroundings is breathtaking, as the rural landscapes are so well preserved.

A family of Balinese artists welcomes us to their traditional home and offers us a meal, equally typical of Ubud, Ubud, accompanied by Balinese dances.

Return to the hotel in late afternoon.

Transfers 2h

Walk 2h

Transfer to the airport and flight to Maumere.

Airport pickup at Maumere by your English-speaking guide and transfer to Moni village, at the foot of the majestic Kelimutu massif.

Transfers 5h

Early in the morning you head to the summit of Kelimutu to admire a breathtaking and almost surreal spectacle: the sunrise over the 3 crater lakes with 3 different colors.

Then you continue your journey towards the small town of Ende, stopping along the way at the Nduaria fruit market.

After your lunch, you continue towards Penggajawa, an amazing beach with blue pebbles, then arrive at your destination for the day: Bajawa, in the highlands.

Early morning departure for Watumese (approximately 30 min drive), located at the foot of the magnificent Inerie volcano (inactive). A trail through the bamboo forest leads you to a village in the Ngada region.

Discovery of traditional houses with very high roofs. Continue your hike and visit two other villages.

Return to the vehicle via another trail (approximately 3h30 of hiking in total, without difficulty).

Picnic near a hot spring river at Nage. Swimming, relaxation, and return to your hotel in Bajawa.

Transfers 2h

Hike 3-4h

Route to Aimere where you visit the traditional distillery of palm wine (Arak).

Lunch at Borong and continue to Lake Ranamese. Short walk along the lake.

Route to Ruteng, located at the foot of Ranakah volcano, which is in regular activity (eruptions several times a year). Just before arriving at Ruteng, visit the incredible terraced rice fields of Mano.

Picnic lunch or restaurant along the way.

In the morning you head to the village of Cara, admire the fantastic rice fields shaped like spider webs, then take the road to Labuan Bajo.

Upon your arrival, you head directly to the port and board your private boat for a sublime cruise on the crystalline waters of Komodo National Park.

You are accompanied by your guide, your chef and the boat crew. You begin your cruise and sail towards Kelor island to discover its seabed offering sublime corals and fish of amazing diversity. Then you set sail towards Kalong island, made up largely of mangroves and where thousands of bats are accustomed to taking refuge during the day.

At nightfall, you therefore observe this real "black cloud" get moving and head towards the large island of Flores, to the east, in order to feed mainly on fruit.

Transfers 3h30-4h

After your breakfast you continue your navigation towards Rinca Island. The Bajo people live there in stilt houses, living exclusively from sea products.

You set off on an excursion to track the famous Komodo "dragons" and other deer, monkeys, buffalo and wild horses, all in a setting where the green of the savanna blends with the blue of the creeks and bays. On your return to the boat you set course for Pink Beach.

Early in the morning, you take advantage of the relatively cool ambient temperature for a walk on Komodo Island, from where you can see the boat anchored in the turquoise waters of the bay. Then you head towards the famous "Manta Point", where Manta rays like to be "cleaned".

Possibility to swim nearby (while maintaining a safe distance) and observe this "ballet" that represents the majestic dance of these impressive marine animals.

Then, return to Labuan Bajo.

Transfer to the airport. Flight to Bali and transfer to your hotel.

Free time until transfer to the airport.