Sulawesian Impressions

Experience the intriguing island Sulawesi and the Toraja region on a diverse and luxurious round-trip with INTOSOL. One of Indonesia’s most fascinating destinations awaits you! Explore Sulawesi and the Toraja region on an unforgettable five-day trip. The first day starts with a short flight from Bali to Makassar. Makassar is the traditional capital of the region located on Sulawesi’s southwest coast. Your luxurious accommodation is located only a few minutes’ ride from the airport. Look forward to memorable days and, in the meantime, have a little rest! The next days will be filled to the brim with Sulawesi impressions. On the morning of the second day you visit the Tana Toraja highlands, home of the Toraja people, who are also known as the people of the mountains. On the way to these humble, deeply religious people dressed in colourful robes, you pass through magnificent mountain scenery with striking rock formations. The sun glints off the stone and casts a bright light enhancing the contrasts. In the afternoon, you reach Bamba Puang, famous for its lush vegetation and soaring mountain sides. The panoramic views from here are simply breathtaking. We recommend you to enjoy your lunch in Parepare. The restaurants in this charming little city are held in high esteem for their fish delicacies prepared to perfection. Having dined and wined, the welcoming Toraja welcome you to their village and introduce you to their everyday life. Something rather peculiar is the Toraja’s burial ritual: After a long and elaborate ceremony, the deceased are carefully placed in a cave or burial chamber within the rock. But then, there are also the living: The exotic village is composed of traditional houses built atop raised platforms. It is an intriguing style that has been in use for centuries. The Tanah Toraja highlands are unique, authentic and captivating. Welcome! On day three you visit the cliff graves at Lemo. A cemetery of the unusual sort, it is located high atop the cliffs of the island and radiates the flair of mystical traditions and rituals. Life and death play a great cultural role. In Sanggal, you learn about yet another exceptional burial ritual. Here, deceased infants are laid to rest in tree graves. It is believed that children who did not reach the age of one are spiritually clean and their soul shall grow into the heavens along with the tree. Today, is a day of cultural learning. Find out more about the local people, their everyday life and religious beliefs. The village Londa is famous for its so-called “hanging graves”. Cut and/or built into the rock, the graves are lined by carved, wooden figures. You are welcome to admire these rituals and ceremonies that are of paramount importance to the local population. It is a pleasure for them to share them with you. On the fourth day you leave the Toraja highlands. Take a last longing gaze back at these magnificent landscapes before turning to face new adventures. Today’s destination is Sengkang. This province, located south of Sulawesi, is entirely dedicated to the production of rice, the staple food for the larger region. A motorised canoe takes you down the scenic Lake Tempe: The shores are lined by the house boats of the fishermen that work and live on the lake. It is a different lifestyle with its own laws, traditions and floating architecture. After having enjoyed a delicious lunch, you visit a silk manufacturer in the afternoon. Age-old weaving techniques that rely on the quick and nimble fingers of the workers are still in use today. The precious raw material is quickly transformed into precious, high-quality silk fabric. Time to call it day! Close your eyes and relive the last few days’ experiences… only one to go! Everything good comes to an end. However, before it is time to leave the wonderful Sulawesi Island, you explore the Cabbenge and Camba Nature Reserve. The central attraction is a breathtakingly beautiful waterfall! However, much more than this, it is also a habitat for countless species including colourful butterflies. Keep your eyes and camera trained on these light-winged beauties visiting equally gorgeous flowers. Your visit to the nature reserve is a wonderful finishing touch to your round-trip. After lunch, it is time to head back to Makassar for your flight to Bali. We are confident that the memory of your holiday in Sulawesi, the people you met and the cultures you explored will stay for you for many years! It will be a pleasure for your INTOSOL travel consultant to provide you with detailed information and discuss every part of the journey with you!