North Sulawesi: volcanoes & nature

Welcome in the morning at Manado international airport by your French-speaking guide, and transfer to Tomohon, on the heights.

Welcome in the morning at Manado international airport by your French-speaking guide, and transfer to Tomohon, on the heights.

First volcano & first encounters

Early in the morning, easy ascent of the Lokon-Empung volcano (1,580m), located approximately 1h30 on foot from the hotel. Progression to the active Tempaluan crater (1,125m) by the flows of 1991. This volcano, one of the most active in North Sulawesi, erupted between 2002 and 2005 and still remains on alert today. Possibility of going down to the edge of its crater lake. Return to the hotel and transfer to Kayawu, a small Minahasa village located on the edge of splendid rice fields.

Traditional lunch with a local family: traditional bamboo cuisine, local specialties (ikan mas, fish cooked and marinated in banana leaves, captiku, etc.).

Visit to Wolohan in the afternoon, a village where the famous Minahasa “chalets” are built (which are exported all over the world), as well as the volcanological observatory which controls the Lokon, Mahawu and Soputan volcanoes.

Morning ascent of the Mahawu volcano (1,324m). Discovery of its acid lake and its bubbling mud. Its last eruption dates back to 1977. 360° view from the tip of the island of Sulawesi to the Soputan volcano, to the north the sea of Sulawesi, to the south that of the Moluccas… and between the green and rich Minahasa country.

Descent and transfer to Touure, the village from where the ascent of the Soputan volcano begins. Around 3 hours of walking (easy, sometimes going up a river) will be necessary to reach the base camp.

4 hours of walking

In the middle of the night, start of the final ascent of the enormous lava dome of Soputan (1,805m). This volcano has experienced very high activity since 2000, and is therefore closely monitored. Its activity is typical of strato-volcanoes, Strombolian, Plinian with fiery clouds (lahars – mud flows – in the rainy season). Observation of the dome and sunrise over the Tandano caldera lake. The view extends to the Klabat and Tangkoko volcanoes, encompassing the coral islands and the Bunaken National Park.

Descent and road towards lake Tandano. This 30 km long lake is of purely volcanic origin. Surrounded by rice fields, one of the local specialties is raised there, including “ikan mas”, a type of goldfish that can reach several dozen kilos.

Lunch at the lake and transfer to Lake Linau, a sharp green sulfur lake that changes color in the subtle play of light. Return to the hotel and free end of the afternoon to enjoy its extraordinary garden.

5-6 hours of walking

Visit the famous Tomohon market, a veritable green lung at the tip of the island of Celebes, which supplies vegetables, fruits and meats to the northern islands.

Then road to Manado, visit a Waruga cemetery, witnesses of ancient civilizations who buried their dead seated in strange tombs.

Short visit to Manado also and road to Pulisan. This little paradise nestled at the end of Celebes Island has one of the most beautiful beaches in North Sulawesi. Installation in charming little bungalows, at the water’s edge.

Very early and in perahu (local fishing boat), departure for a long day of trek to discover the Tangkoko national park (9,000 hectares) and its semi-active volcano (last eruption in 1880). This long walk in the rainforest will be an opportunity to encounter a rich and varied fauna. Small in size, this park contains treasures, including the world's highest concentration of hornbills (including the Rhinoceros Hornbill), the endemic black macaques as well as the nocturnal and extraordinary tarsier (the smallest mammal on the planet), without forgetting the Maleo, this strange gallinaceae which lays enormous eggs and buries them under volcanic ash to make them hatch more quickly. Return to Pulisan and night in a lodge by the sea.

3 hours of walking

Free morning and transfer to Manado in the afternoon. Night in a hotel located by the sea, facing the islands of Bunaken and Siladen.

Departure for a day trip by boat to the islands of Bunaken and Siladen, located in the middle of a 75,000 ha underwater natural park, where around 3,000 species of fish are recorded. You take the opportunity to dive or snorkel.