Remote Tana Toraja Sulawesi

Upon arrival early in Makassar airport we will pick up and transfer for a long drive today through the picturesque countryside (8 hours). The drive follows the coast to Pare Pare, where a stop will be made for lunch. The route then turns inland and up over the mountains. Continue to drive into the highlands this afternoon, stopping to take in spectacular panoramas of Gunung Nona’s stunning hillside. Arrive in the mountainous town of Rantepao in the late afternoon, the centre of your Toraja tour, check in at your hotel for your overnight  

After breakfast we will depart for our full day excursion exploring the fascinating cultural and historical sights of Toraja. Start with a visit to the village of Lemo to see rows of Tau-Tau and the hanging graves. We then pay a visit to Kambira to observe Toraja beliefs materialized, at these truly unique graves amongst the trees. In Torajan tradition, a deceased infant must be buried uprights as it is said they will continue to grow with the tree. We then continue our road to the ancient tombs of Londa which has an ancient natural grave where the deceased are entombed during extravagant ceremonies. Lunch will be served once we return to Rantapao before proceed to visit Kete- Kesu, famous for its woodcarving, to see the Tongkonan and the old rice-barns. We will stroll along the village to visit some traditional ancestral homes, known as a Tongkonan, with their distinctive saddle like appearance. Get in deep in their beautiful and unique woodcarvings of some structures which help us know more about their traditional rites and customs of the Toraja. Back to your hotel for your overnight

After breakfast we will continue to reveal the beauty of Toraja as we transfer deeper into the highlands. Stop to admire and get some good photos in Tinambayo for the views of the valley and rice terraces from over a thousand metres above sea level.  We then continue to Lokomata, another fascinating grave site. We then climb up Batutumonga hill to visit some villages and enjoy spectacular views over Rantepao and the surrounding valleys. Wonder at the natural majesty on a short trek through this lush area. Continue to villages of Bori nearby learning more about the impressive rituals of the Toraja people, such as their menhirs (standing stones). Finally discover some Torajan villages and a weaving centre before returning to your hotel for your overnight

Enjoy your final breakfast while enjoying the fresh mountain air before driving back to the coast. Along the way we will pass by some beautiful mountain views and villages before our stop point for refreshment at Gunung Nona. Upon arrival at your hotel in Makassar check in and enjoy your leisure evening

We will hope on a short city tour today before your flight out. Depart for Losari Beach, a bustling local hub (not for swimming as it a port). Next, visit to Fort Rotterdam a 17th century Dutch outpost, which also houses the Lagaligo Museum. It has sections on ethnology and history. Afterwards to Paotere which is the old harbour of Makassar and see a Phinisi boat up close, before having lunch at a local restaurant. Transfer to the airport for your flight to next destinations