Sacred Rites & Fiery Peaks : From Toraja to Java

Upon arrival at Makassar airport, you’ll be welcomed and transferred to your hotel. Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi, sits along the Makassar Strait and serves as a vibrant gateway to the region.

In the afternoon, depending on your arrival time, begin your exploration with a visit to the bustling fish market—an essential gathering place where fresh seafood plays a key role in Indonesian cuisine. Next, head to Paotere Harbor to admire the magnificent wooden schooners, a testament to Indonesia’s maritime heritage.

The tour continues with a visit to Fort Rotterdam, originally built in 1545 by Raja Tunipalangga. Initially a simple earthen fortification known as a "makassar," it was reinforced with stone walls in 1634 under Sultan Alaudin’s orders. Later, in 1667, the Dutch took control and renamed it "Rotterdam," after the birthplace of Admiral Cornelis Speelman. Today, the fort has been beautifully restored and houses a small museum showcasing its rich history.

Evening welcome dinner. An opportunity to get to know your accompanying team.

In the morning, transfer to the Maros region, once explored by the famous naturalist Alfred Wallace. This breathtaking landscape, known for its karst peaks and lush rice fields, offers a glimpse into Sulawesi’s ancient and natural wonders. Take a short walk through the area and visit a remarkable cave adorned with paintings dating back nearly 39,000 years.

Your tour-guide will then take you on a traditional dugout canoe ride along a serene river, home to diverse bird species. Along the way, you’ll meet local communities living in traditional stilt houses, gaining insight into their way of life.

By late morning, continue your journey to the coastal town of Pare Pare, before heading inland along the Sa’Dan River.

As the road winds through magnificent landscapes, the open plains give way to dense coconut forests. Stop en route at Bambapuang for a striking view of the so-called “erotic” mountain, a natural rock formation with a unique silhouette.

Arrive in Rantepao, the heart of Toraja country, in the early evening.

Today's program begins with a visit to the Lemo burial site, where balconies carved into the rock house the iconic Tau Tau figurines.

Then, transfer to the royal tombs of Suaya before continuing on foot to Tampangg'alo, another fascinating site.

In the afternoon, explore the Londa caves, set at the base of a towering cliff and home to wooden coffins and scattered bones. Enjoy an easy hike to Kete Kusu, a village renowned for its intricate wood carvings and traditional rice granaries, passing through rice fields, villages, and bamboo forests along the way

2 to 3 hours of trekking

    *Note: the course of the three-day programme exploring Toraja country may be adapted if a funeral festival is taking place in the region at this time. Your guide will take you to attend this ceremony and introduce you to the family of the deceased. For your information, no rituals are organised in Toraja country for tourists: everything is absolutely authentic.*

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

Transfer to the untamed northern Toraja highlands, where breathtaking views unfold at 1,400m altitude. Enjoy a scenic walk around Batutumonga, through rice fields, villages, and bamboo forests

Later, hike from Lokomata (where the tombs are carved out of a giant rock) to Mariri, where you will have the chance to meet children on their way home from school and stop off at some of the cutlery-making workshops.

Visit the vibrant Rantepao market, where many buffaloes and pigs are on sale. Then it's time to attend a funeral ceremony (see "Note" above).

In the afternoon, transfer to Pemancar, where you begin a lovely stroll towards Salu, through rice fields and plantations (mainly coffee and cocoa).

4 hours of trekking

In the morning, we travel to the charming little town of Sengkang, which stretches along the banks of the Walanae river. In the afternoon, visit the traditional silk weaving workshops.

Early morning transfer to the shores of Lake Tempe, where you board motorized canoes for a unique exploration of this vast marshland, home to diverse bird species and a fascinating floating village.

A rare opportunity to immerse yourself in the timeless daily life of the local fishermen.

Transfer to Makassar airport and flight to Yogyakarta.

Lion Air / Makassar – Yogyakarta / 1810-1910

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

The rest of the day is free.

In the evening, welcome dinner, an opportunity to get to know your accompanying team.

The morning is devoted to visiting Yogyakarta, the cultural capital of Java, and in particular the area around the Sultan's Palace, built in 1756, where life is good.

Your city walk will take you to Taman Sari, known in the days of the Dutch colonial empire as the "Water Palace", and then to the puppet and batik workshops.

At the end of the morning, you head for the Ratu Boko temple, perched on the Gunung Kidul hills overlooking the Prambanan plain. You then begin a short hike to the Hindu temple of Prambanan, through forest, traditional villages and rice fields.

You then visit the Prambanan temple complex, and in particular Loro Jonggrang, a sumptuous 47-metre-high temple dedicated to the goddess Siva.

It is considered́ to be the most elegant and breathtaking Hindu temple on the island of Java. Possibility (optional) of attending the Ramayana show. Return to the hotel in the early or mid evening.

Early in the morning, transfer to the banks of the Kulon Progo river, where you will enjoy a pleasant countryside start in a small Javanese village, from where you will discover the surrounding countryside by bicycle (Dutch).

You'll have a gentle introduction to the Javanese countryside, and will make a few stops in the surrounding villages, where you'll have the chance to observe the local handicrafts.

In the middle of the afternoon, transfer to the temple of Borobudur.

Return to the hotel in the early evening.

In the morning, transfer to Sukuh Temple, the last stronghold of Hinduism in Central Java as Islam spread across the region. Its unique iconography, including phallic symbols and turtle-shaped altars, hints at ancient initiation rites—possibly even orgiastic rituals.

From there, set off on a scenic walk toward Tawangmangu, a village nestled on the slopes of Mount Lawu. Along the way, you’ll pass through lush pine forests and high-altitude plantations, with plenty of chances to spot native plant species and take in stunning panoramic views.

The walk ends at Tawangmangu Park, where a short trail leads to the breathtaking Grojogan Sewu waterfall, hidden deep in a tropical forest teeming with macaques.

4 hours of trekking (Difference in heights: +400 m / -300m)
In the afternoon, transfer to Tumpang, near Malang, at the western foot of the Bromo-Tengger-Semeru massif.

In the morning, set off for the Lumajang region, following the southern slopes of Mount Semeru, Java’s highest volcano.

Your journey leads to Tumpak Sewu, or "Thousand Waterfalls" in Javanese. As you descend into the gorge—on a steep and sometimes slippery trail—you’ll feel the sheer power of hundreds of cascading streams, plunging over 100 meters into the lush canyon below.

From above, the misty veil creates an almost surreal beauty, soaking everything in its path. It’s no surprise that a photo of Tumpak Sewu with Mount Semeru in the background won the Best Aerial Shot award in 2019.

If you're bringing a camera, be sure to protect it from moisture.

Return to Tumpang in the late afternoon.

Early morning, set off in 4x4 vehicles toward the Tengger region, home to the legendary Mount Bromo (2,329 m). Along the way, you’ll pass through the lush forests of Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park, skirting part of the Bromo caldera rim before descending into its vast sea of sand.

Your journey ends in Cemorolawang, a village perched on the opposite crest.Sacred to the Tengger Hindu people, Mount Bromo is a place of deep spiritual significance. In the early afternoon, climb to its steaming crater, often compared to a boiling cauldron—a sight that once led the Javanese to believe it was the gateway to purgatory.

Later, head to the summit of Mount Pananjakan (2,775 m) for an unforgettable panorama.

As the sun sets, the landscape transforms into a lunar-like expanse, with Mount Bromo’s volcanic desert stretching toward Mount Semeru, both releasing thick fumaroles into the sky—a truly otherworldly spectacle.

Return to the hotel in the evening.

Early morning transfer to the outskirts of Kawah Ijen. After settling into your hotel, your guide will take you to some superb rice terraces, from where you will begin a pleasant walk through traditional villages and other plantations (fruit, spices, etc.). Return to the hotel in the late afternoon.