Sulawesi 20D 19N | Ultimate Cultural & Nature Expedition
Experience the remarkable diversity of Sulawesi on an extensive 20-day journey from Makassar to the remote landscapes of Mamasa, the cultural heartland of Tana Toraja, the shores of Lake Poso and the tropical islands of the Togian archipelago. Combining cultural encounters, scenic overland travel, village experiences, walking, cycling, lake crossings and time on tropical islands, this journey offers a deeper way to discover Sulawesi beyond its main tourist centres.
A Journey Across Diverse Sulawesi
Travel through changing landscapes and communities, from the historic coastal city of Makassar and the limestone scenery of Maros to the cool highlands of Malino, the traditional villages of Torajaland and the tranquil shores of Lake Poso.
Culture, Landscapes & Island Life
- Explore historic Makassar, Paotere Harbour and Fort Rotterdam.
- Discover the limestone landscapes of Maros and Bantimurung–Bulusaraung.
- Walk through rice fields, villages and waterfalls around Malino.
- Experience Bira and the traditional Phinisi boat-building communities.
- Visit Tana Toraja and its distinctive cultural traditions.
- Explore traditional villages, rock tombs and Tau Tau statues.
- Travel across Tempe Lake and Lake Poso.
- Discover the landscapes and communities around Pendolo and Tentena.
- Spend time on the tropical Togian Islands.
- Enjoy free time for beach and underwater experiences in the Togians.
Remote Areas & Flexible Conditions
Several destinations on this journey are remote and have simpler infrastructure. Road conditions, boat schedules, weather and local activities may affect the programme. Snorkelling and other water-based activities are subject to suitable weather and sea conditions.
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Itinerary
Airport Arrival & Makassar
Arrive at Makassar Airport and meet our representative, who will escort you to the hotel for check-in. The remainder of the day is free to relax or explore the city. In the evening, you may experience Makassar's lively boulevard, where numerous food stalls offer a variety of local dishes, including fresh seafood.
Makassar City Tour & Coral Island
After breakfast, begin with a boat trip to a coral island before continuing with a city tour. Visit Paotere Harbour, where traditional wooden Phinisi sailing ships have been built and operated for generations. Continue to Fort Rotterdam, an important reminder of Makassar's historical past, before returning to the hotel.
Maros Limestone Landscapes & Malino
Travel via Maros towards the Malino highlands. Explore the limestone landscapes of Bantimurung–Bulusaraung National Park and hike through rice fields, passing traditional Buginese houses and limestone formations on the way to a cave with prehistoric images. Enjoy tea in a traditional house before travelling by canoe through a narrow river. Continue to Malino and check in to your accommodation among the rice fields.
Malino Highlands Walking Tour
Hike through rice fields and local kampungs before continuing towards the waterfalls of Malino. Located on the lower slopes of Mount Bawakaraeng, the highlands offer cool mountain air, forests and green rice terraces. Along the way, experience everyday village life and encounters with local residents.
Phinisi Boat Building & Bira
Continue towards Bira after breakfast. Before reaching the coast, stop at Marumasa or Tanaberu, where large traditional wooden Phinisi boats are built by Buginese craftsmen. Observe the boat-building process and traditional Buginese houses along the route. Upon arrival in Bira, check in to your accommodation.
Liukang Bira Island & Beach
Take a morning boat to Liukang Bira, a small island known for its beautiful beach and clear waters. Enjoy time for snorkelling among colourful fish and coral before having lunch with a local fishing family. Return to Bira and spend the remainder of the day exploring the village, relaxing on the beach or discovering the local fishing, boat-building and weaving traditions.
Snorkelling and the boat excursion are subject to suitable weather and sea conditions.
Coastal & Countryside Journey
Leave the white sandy beaches of Bira and travel north towards Sengkang. The route follows the eastern side of Sulawesi, passing rice terraces, rugged coastal scenery and Sulawesi's only rubber plantation. Arrive in Sengkang in the late afternoon.
Lake Tempe & Tana Toraja
After breakfast, take a boat ride on Lake Tempe, where communities live in floating houses. Continue towards Rantepao, the capital of Tana Toraja. Along the way, visit Kampung Sutra to observe traditional silk weaving before arriving in Rantepao and checking in to the hotel.
Toraja Villages & Rock Tombs
Explore Torajaland by van and on foot with a local guide. Visit Ketekesu village and its distinctive Tongkonan houses, decorated with traditional carvings and characteristic roofs. Continue to the rock tombs of Lemo and Londa, where carved burial sites and Tau Tau statues reflect the region's long-standing traditions.
Torajaland Walking Tour
After breakfast, hike through the kampungs of Torajaland. The route passes picturesque villages, rice terraces, bamboo forests and traditional Tongkonan houses surrounded by mountain scenery. The hike takes approximately 5–6 hours. Overnight in a traditional Toraja house or local homestay.
Torajaland Cycling & Cultural Traditions
After a simple breakfast, explore the surrounding villages by bicycle. If a local ceremony or traditional buffalo market takes place during the visit, the programme may be adapted accordingly. The experience offers an opportunity to observe Toraja traditions, burial sites and Tau Tau statues.
Ceremonies are seasonal and cannot be guaranteed. If visiting during a ceremony, local customs and appropriate behaviour should be respected.
Journey to Lake Poso
Depart early from Rantepao and travel north. The scenery changes from tropical forests to a broad coastal plain before reaching Pendolo in the late afternoon. The town is beautifully situated on the southern shore of Lake Poso.
Lake Poso Crossing & Tentena
Sail by chartered boat from Pendolo to the northern shore of Lake Poso while your luggage is transferred by car to Tentena. The crossing takes approximately three hours. Arrive at the beachfront bungalows near Tentena and enjoy a free afternoon for swimming in the lake or visiting Saluopa Waterfall, surrounded by tropical rainforest.
Free Day at Lake Poso
Enjoy a free day around Lake Poso at your own pace. Relax by the lake or arrange an optional excursion to the Bada Valley.
Journey to Ampana
Continue towards Ampana, a coastal town in Central Sulawesi and the gateway to the Togian Islands. Arrive and settle into your simple local accommodation before continuing to the islands the following day.
Journey to the Togian Islands
Travel to the port by horse-drawn carriage before taking a boat to the Togian Islands in the azure waters of Tomini Bay. The islands are home to traditional coastal communities, including sea nomad communities living in stilt houses. Continue to Kadidiri Island, where you will spend the next few days surrounded by beaches, jungle and tropical waters.
Free Day on Kadidiri Island
Enjoy a free day on the Togian Islands. Relax on the beach, swim in the clear waters or explore the underwater world at your own pace.
Island Leisure & Underwater Exploration
Continue enjoying the Togian Islands at your own pace. Snorkelling and diving are recommended ways to experience the region's colourful marine life and coral reefs. A night dive may also be arranged as an optional experience.
Return to the Mainland
Travel back to Ampana by boat and continue by road to Luwuk. Check in to your hotel and enjoy the evening. Luwuk is a small coastal town backed by mountains, with scenic views around the town.
Airport Transfer & Departure
At your preferred departure time, transfer to Luwuk Airport for your onward flight home or continuation to another island.
This is an extensive journey through several remote areas of Sulawesi. Road conditions, boat schedules, weather and sea conditions can affect travel times and activities. Local ceremonies are seasonal and cannot be guaranteed. Some accommodation and facilities may be simple, particularly in rural and island areas.
Price Information
USD 4,450
USD 4,000 pp
USD 3,850 pp
USD 3,771 pp
USD 3,650 pp
Prices are per person in USD. Private tour pricing varies according to the number of travellers and is subject to availability.
Included in Your Journey
- 19 nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast
- Private transportation throughout the itinerary
- Airport pickup and departure transfer
- English-speaking guide
- Local guides where required
- Boat and canoe transportation mentioned in the itinerary
- Lake Tempe boat excursion
- Lake Poso chartered boat crossing
- Village and cultural experiences mentioned in the itinerary
- Walking and cycling activities mentioned in the programme
- Local entrance fees and operational charges related to the programme
- Fuel, parking and local transportation costs
- Mineral water during touring days
Not Included
- International and domestic flights
- Lunch and dinner unless specifically stated
- Snorkelling and diving equipment
- Optional Bada Valley excursion
- Optional diving and night diving in the Togian Islands
- Motorbike rental during free time
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Tips and gratuities
Prices are per person in USD, for a private tour, and are subject to availability.
Terms & Conditions
About Your Destination
Sulawesi is a diverse and geographically extensive destination. This journey includes remote destinations, long overland transfers and boat crossings. Accommodation and facilities may be simple in some locations. Boat schedules and water-based activities are subject to weather, sea conditions and local circumstances.
Travel Documentation
Please ensure that your passport, visa and other required travel documents are valid for the entire journey.
For travelers using a Visa on Arrival (VOA), the standard VOA is valid for a maximum of 30 days and may be extended once through Indonesian immigration, subject to the applicable regulations at the time of travel. The current VOA fee and entry requirements should be checked before departure.
Travelers are also responsible for completing any required arrival, customs and health declarations before or upon arrival in Indonesia.
Vaccinations & Medical Precautions
Travelers are responsible for obtaining appropriate medical and travel advice before departure. Depending on the itinerary and personal circumstances, vaccinations, malaria prevention, insect protection or other precautions may be recommended. Prescription medication should be carried in its original packaging together with appropriate documentation.
Travel Insurance & Payments
Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended, including appropriate medical, cancellation and travel interruption coverage. Travelers should also ensure that their bank cards are activated for international use and be aware that local transaction and cash withdrawal fees may apply.
Payment Conditions
The travel price is based on the quotation and total travel arrangement confirmed for the journey. Any unforeseen additional costs will be discussed with the traveler where applicable.
Prices are based on the applicable supplier rates, exchange rates, taxes and operational costs known at the time the quotation is issued. If transport, supplier costs, government fees or exchange rates change significantly, the organizer may adjust the travel price up to 14 days before departure.
Unless otherwise stated in the quotation or invoice, a 25% deposit is required to confirm the booking. Flight costs may be payable immediately. The remaining balance is normally due 30 days before departure.
Invoices are payable within the period stated on the invoice. Overdue payments may result in cancellation or termination of the travel arrangement without refund, subject to the applicable booking conditions.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations must be submitted in writing by email.
- Cancellation up to 30 days before departure: deposit is retained.
- Cancellation 14 days before departure: 50% of the travel sum is payable.
- Cancellation from the 13th day before departure or later: the full travel sum and any invoiced amounts are payable.
- If the number of participants falls below the minimum required for the confirmed arrangement, the travel price for the remaining participants may be adjusted.
- If the revised price is not accepted, this may be treated as a cancellation.
- Where a supplier applies a lower cancellation fee, the applicable reduction may be passed on accordingly.
Your Responsibilities
Travelers are responsible for ensuring that they have a valid passport, the required visa, appropriate vaccinations and any recommended preventive medication.
Travel information provided by Inn2Travel is intended to assist with travel planning and may be subject to changes caused by local conditions, weather, transportation schedules or supplier availability.
Any concerns regarding the performance of the travel arrangement should be reported to Inn2Travel as soon as reasonably possible during the journey so that an appropriate solution can be considered.