Welcome to Minahasa, a region renowned for its active volcanoes, stunning diving sites, and endemic wildlife.
For ten unforgettable days, nature and volcano enthusiasts will be immersed in a region teeming with active volcanoes and diverse, unique landscapes. The rich cultural heritage of the Minahasa people will only add to your experience, making it a place that’s easy to fall in love with.
This journey offers a perfect blend of volcano hikes, treks through lush tropical forests, and time to u...
Welcome in the morning at the international airport of Manado by your English speaking tour-guide and transfers on the heights to Tomohon.
Early in the morning, enjoy a scenic, easy ascent of the Lokon-Empung volcano(1,580m), located just a 90-minute walk from the hotel. Ascend to the active Tempaluan crater (1,125m), passing through the 1991 lava flows. Known as one of the most active volcanoes in North Sulawesi, Lokon erupted between 2002 and 2005 and remains on alert today.
You can also choose to descend to the edge of its crater lake. Afterward, return to the hotel and head towards Kayawu, a charming Minahasa village nestled amidst lush rice terraces. Savor a traditional lunch with a local family, where you’ll be treated to authentic bamboo-cooked dishes and regional specialties, such as "ikan mas" (fish cooked and marinated in banana leaves) and "captiku".
In the afternoon, explore Wolohan, a village famous for its iconic Minahasa "chalets" (renowned worldwide), and visit the volcanic observatory overseeing the Lokon, Mahawu, and Soputan volcanoes.
Breakfast: Included
Lunch: Included
Dinner: Included
Accommodation: Minahasa Highland Resort
Morning hike, up Mount Mahawu (1,324m) to discover its acidic lake and bubbling mud pools. This active volcano last erupted in 1977. Enjoy breathtaking 360° views stretching from the tip of Sulawesi Island to Mount Soputan, with the Sulawesi Sea to the north and the Moluccas Sea to the south, all framed by the lush, green Minahasa countryside.
Afterward, descend and transfer to Touure, the starting point for the Soputan volcano climb. A 3-hour easy trek (sometimes along a river) will lead you to the base camp, where you'll settle in for the night.
4 hours of walking
Breakfast: Included
Lunch: Included
Dinner: Included
Accommodation: Tent camping
In the middle of the night, begin the final ascent of the massive 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 stratovolcanoes, with Strombolian and Plinian eruptions, as well as pyroclastic flows (lahars—mudflows during the rainy season).
Observe the dome and enjoy the sunrise over the caldera lake of Tandano. The view extends all the way to the Klabat and Tangkoko volcanoes, encompassing the coral islands and the Bunaken National Park. Descend and drive to lake Tandano. This 30 km-long lake is purely volcanic in origin. Surrounded by rice fields, it is home to one of the local specialties, including "ikan mas," a type of goldfish that can grow to several dozen kilograms.
Enjoy lunch by the lake and transfer to Lake Linau, a sulfurous lake with a striking green color that changes with the subtle shifts of light. Return to the hotel and enjoy a free afternoon to relax in its extraordinary garden.
5-6 hours of trekking
Breakfast: Made by your team
Lunch: Included
Dinner: Included
Accommodation: Minahasa Highland Resort
Explore the famous Tomohon market, the vibrant green heart of northern Sulawesi, supplying fresh produce and meats to the surrounding islands.
Then, head to Manado to visit the Waruga cemetery, an ancient site where the deceased were buried in seated tombs. After a brief tour of Manado, continue to Pulisan, a hidden paradise with one of the most beautiful beaches in North Sulawesi.
Settle into charming beachfront bungalows for a relaxing stay by the crystal-clear waters.
Breakfast: Included
Lunch: Included
Dinner: Included
Accommodation: Mimpih Indah Resort
Early in the morning, embark on a long trek by perahu (local fishing boat) to explore the Tangkoko National Park (9,000 hectares) and its semi-active volcano (last eruption in 1880).
This extended walk through the rainforest will offer opportunities to spot diverse and unique wildlife. Despite its small size, the park is home to treasures such as the world’s highest concentration of hornbills (including the Rhinoceros Hornbill), endemic black macaques, the nocturnal and extraordinary tarsier (the smallest mammal on Earth), and the Maleo, a peculiar bird that lays large eggs and buries them under volcanic ash to incubate them faster.
Return to Pulisan for an overnight stay at a seaside lodge.
3 hours of trekking
Free morning and transfers to Manado in the afternoon. Night in a seaside hotel, in front of the Bunaken and Siladen islands.
Departure for a day of exploration by boat toward the islands of Bunaken and Siladen, nestled in the heart of an underwater natural park of 75,000 hectare.
Home to over 3,000 recorded species, this underwater paradise offers a spectacular glimpse into some of the world's most biodiverse coral reefs. Whether you choose to dive or snorkel, you'll be immersed in a true living museum of marine wonders.
Free time until transfer to Manado airport.