Sulawesi, A Mosaic of Cultures and Landscapes

Your English-speaking tour-guide meets you at Makassar airport and transfers you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free.

Drive to Bira, located at the western tip of the island. Along the way, visit the renowned shipbuilding yards, particularly in Tanaberu.

Here, master craftsmen continue the age-old tradition of building Sulawesi’s finest wooden boats—arguably the best in Indonesia. Without blueprints, they rely solely on ancestral knowledge passed down through generations.

The iconic pinisi schooners, used for cargo transport, can reach over 30 meters in length and weigh nearly 200 tonnes.

Spend the afternoon unwinding by the sea before visiting traditional Bugis houses, where the intricate art of ikat weaving is still practiced.

Free morning (possibility of snorkelling) before setting off again for Sengkang, situated on the shores of lake Tempe, a paradise and home to hundreds of birds (350 km2 in area but barely 5 metres deep).

Along the way, visit rubber plantations.

At dawn, board a long motorized pirogue to explore the wonders of Lake Tempe and its vibrant birdlife. As your boat glides through the dense aquatic vegetation, flocks of egrets and herons take flight in a mesmerizing spectacle.

Meet the fishermen who call the lake home, living in floating bamboo houses that drift gently with the water’s movements. In August, witness the Maccera Tappareng festival, a unique ritual to purify the lake’s waters.

Back in Sengkang, visit traditional silk weaving workshops before setting off on a scenic mountain road towards Rantepao, the cultural heart of Toraja country.

A visit to the pig and buffalo market is your first introduction to the astonishing world of the Toraja people. Then on to the sites of Lemo, Suaya, Kete, Londa, Bri and Tampang Allo, for an in-depth look at the special relationship between the Toraja and death…

Opportunity to attend an impressive funeral ceremony (very frequent).

Morning transfer to the hilltop village of Batutumonga (1,300 m), reached after a picturesque walk through lush terraced rice fields. Along the way, enjoy encounters with local villagers, offering glimpses into their daily lives and traditions. Spend the night in an authentic boat-shaped Toraja house.
2 hours of trekking (Difference in heights : + 500 m / - 600 m)

Enjoy a full-day trek through stunning rice paddies and dense bamboo forests. Along the way, discover the ingenious use of bamboo in traditional Toraja cuisine. Visit several authentic Toraja villages, where time seems to stand still.
7 hours of trekking (Difference in heights : + 1.200 m / - 1.200 m)

Another day of trekking before returning to Rantepao.

Get ready for a thrilling activity. The day is devoted to rafting along the beautiful Sa'dan river: an exhilarating way to explore the natural beauty of Toraja country.

Embark on a scenic journey towards central Sulawesi, heading to Pendolo, a charming lakeside town on the southern shores of lake Poso. Spanning 323 km², this vast and pristine lake is one of the deepest in the world, plunging to 450 meters.

Renowned for its crystal-clear waters, which maintain a constant temperature of 26-30°C regardless of depth, Lake Poso offers a serene and breathtaking natural spectacle.

Spend the day exploring the lush forests around Lake Poso in search of wild orchids. With a bit of luck, you might spot two of Sulawesi’s most elusive and rare creatures: the Anoa, a small forest buffalo, and the Babiroussa, a fascinating "deer-pig" with distinctive curved tusks.

Back at the hotel, unwind with a swim in the lake’s warm, crystal-clear waters—but keep an eye out! Local legend speaks of a mysterious creature lurking beneath the surface, much like a tropical Loch Ness monster…

Journey by 4x4 into the heart of Lore Lindu National Park, a UNESCO-designated biosphere reserve spanning 2,290 km². Stretching from 200m to 2,620m in altitude, the park shelters an extraordinary array of wildlife. Among its 227 bird species, you may spot the impressive Red Rhinoceros Hornbill—the largest of its kind.

The park is also home to the elusive Anoa, the rare Babiroussa, the curious cuscus (a type of possum), the giant civet, and three species of tarsiers—the planet’s smallest primate. A true haven for nature enthusiasts!

A day of exploration in the mysterious Bada Valley, where ancient giant megaliths, standing up to 4 meters tall, remain an enigma. Scattered along the Laliang River, these stone sentinels seem to guard the villages and their people. Along the way, immerse yourself in the valley’s rich wildlife, adding to the sense of wonder in this timeless landscape.

Return by 4x4 to Tentana, then, after lunch on the shores of Lake Poso, transfer to Ampana.

Overnight by the sea, facing the immense Gulf of Tomini and the Moluccan Sea.

In the early morning, board a speed ferry and set sail for the Togian Islands.

The Togian Islands, an untouched paradise of 56 islands and islets, lie 30 km south of the equator in Tomini Bay. Shaped by volcanic activity, they are blanketed in lush tropical forests and surrounded by vibrant coral reefs.

With crystal-clear waters averaging 31°C and visibility reaching up to 50 meters, this marine sanctuary remains one of the world’s last truly pristine ecosystems.

The diverse wildlife includes sea turtles, dugongs, macaques, parrots, and the elusive babirusa boar.At the heart of this natural wonder, 37 villages host a mix of ethnic communities, including the Bobongko, Togian, Saluan, and the Bajau—legendary sea nomads.

Over the next two days, immerse yourself in the wonders of this archipelago: explore Unauna Island and its active Colo volcano, trek through Malengue’s wildlife-rich forests, visit Bajau stilt villages, and dive into some of the most breathtaking underwater landscapes in the region.

Departure by speed-ferry to Gorontalo . Transfer to hotel on arrival.

Early morning departure for Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi.

Continue on to Tomohon, a small mountain town in the heart of the subduction volcanoes of the Sangihe Arc. Settle into a magnificent lodge nestling in the middle of an extraordinary garden facing 3 active volcanoes: Soputan, Lokon and Mahawu.

Easy ascent of Mahawu volcano to its acid lake, offering stunning views of Lokon volcano, the Minahasa region, and the northern tip of Sulawesi.

Descent and drive to Lake Tandano, a caldera lake. Visit an "ikan mas" fish farm and enjoy lunch at a traditional lakeside restaurant.

Return to Tomohon and hike up Lokon volcano (approx. 1h30). Depending on activity, it may be possible to descend into the crater.

Morning transfer to Tangkoko National Park, with stops along the way to explore a Minahasa cottage construction site and the ancient animist Waruga tombs.

In the afternoon, trek through the park’s lush rainforest to observe its unique wildlife, including black macaques, vibrant hornbills, and the elusive Tarsius, the world’s smallest primate.

Morning transfer to the pristine beaches of Pulisan, considered the most beautiful in North Sulawesi.

Stay in a hotel that pioneers an eco-tourism initiative in collaboration with the local community.

Spend the day snorkelling around the stunning Bangga Islands.

Free day to enjoy the pleasures of the sea and the most beautiful white sandy beach in North Sulawesi. Many other activities are also possible: walking, fishing, snorkelling, diving, etc.