Night 1-2
Fave Losari Hotel in Makassar
Just a short walk from the beautiful Losari Beach, this modern hotel features great amenities like a refreshing pool and delicious breakfast.
Spend 9-days getting to know the local way of life on Sulawesi Island
Get off the beaten path on this delightful 9-day adventure of Indonesia’s beautiful Sulawesi Island. If you’re looking for the perfect balance of cultural experiences, active excursions, and free time to explore—this is the tour for you!
Get to know the island’s towns and cities, with guided tours of Makassar and Rantepao. Find yourself welcomed by the Torajan people of Toraja, as you hike through stunning natural landscapes and sleepy villages where you’ll enjoy tea and lots of laughs with locals. Take in the beauty of Lake Tempe as you enjoy a peaceful canoe ride on its sparkling waters.
Customize your experience on Sulawesi Island by choosing between standard, superior, or deluxe accommodations. Book this one-of-kind adventure in Indonesia and get to know a unique part of this incredible country.
Welcome to Makassar! Upon your arrival at Sultan Hassanuddin Airport, you will be transferred to your hotel, found in the heart of the city. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure and get your first taste of Makkasar!
Today following breakfast you’ll set out to explore the capital of South Sulawesi—the beautiful port city of Makassar.
First up, you’ll visit Fort Rotterdamn, one of the best-preserved examples of Dutch architecture in Indonesia. Next stop is Paotere Harbor. Paotere Harbor represents a bustling hub of seaside life and fishing activity. Survey the locally built, famed Bugis ships, which dock here throughout the day and watch as friendly locals load and unload their goods. Together with the locals working the fisheries, these ships provide a valuable insight into the day-to-day life of the area. Walk down the dock to visit a variety of stalls then head south to experience the vibrant fish market.
In the evening, walk around Losari Beach and savour some delicious Indonesian food to top of the day!
This morning you’ll set out the long, but scenic 11-hour journey to Rantepao with a few stops along the way. The first part of the route will follow the coastline for about 3 - 4 hours until you reach Pare Pare. On the way short stops can be made to take pictures and enjoy short walks to take in the varying landscaepes. In Pangkep, stop to taste some traditional cookies called Dange that are well worth the stop. Later, grab a bite for lunch in Pare Pare before continuing the last stretch to Rantepao with a short stop at the picturesque Sa’dan River along the way.
Today you will have the chance to explore Rantepao, a town rich in culture and tradition, in -depth. You will visit Lemo Village. This funeral site is a place where you can see carved wooden effigies of the dead. The wooden statues are a symbol of social status. Called "Tau-Tau" in Indonesian, each effigy represents a Torajan noble from the area that passed away. Continue to visit King Suaya Graveyard. The graveyard lies on one of the hillsides and is carved as the resting place of the kings and king's family. Next is a visit to Londa, a steep rocky side grave. One of its sides is located on a higher place from the hill with deep caves where coffins are arranged and grouped based on the family lines. On the other side of the hill, on the balcony, dozens of "Tau-Tau" stand up high, as if they were alive, eyes open, looking over the green landscape.
From here continue to visit Kete Kesu, a vibrant small village which is still traditional in its character. If you take a look from the front side, you will find it lying in the middle of the wide paddy fields, set against the backdrop of curved roofs and carved barn walls. Return back to your hotel to the enjoy an evening at your leisure in Rantepao.
This morning you’ll be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the trailhead of today’s hike which starts from Salu Village. The beautiful hike unfolds through a unique part of Toraja and you will have the opportunity to spend the night in a small typical Toraja village, staying in a Tongkonan (traditional house of Toraja). The hike leads through rice terraces balancing on narrow rice dikes and winding small dirt roads, crossing meandering rivers via bamboo bridges. The villages you’ll pass through are very traditional and along the way you’ll stop to have tea, coffee and lunch alongside the locals.
Tonight, you’ll stay in a Tongkonan house and enjoy a mouth-watering dinner featuring a local specialty, known as ‘papion manuk’, which is chicken cooked in bamboo tubes with veggies and rice.
After breakfast this morning you’ll spend some more time exploring the stunning natural landscapes of Toraja on foot with a half-day hike before transferring to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy as you please, soaking up the sights and sounds of this unique area brimming with culture.
Set out this morning on the 6-hour bus ride to Sengkang, passing through scenic landscapes along the way and enjoying a few short stops to stretch the legs and grab some lunch.
On arrival in the early afternoon in Sengkang, you’ll then enjoy an excursion by canoe on the beautiful Tempe Lake, filled with floating lilies and exotic birdlife. On the lake you will find the village of floating houses which you can visit to meet the local fishing families.
Please note: Canoe excursions on Tempe Lake is only possible when water levels are high enough.
Another day of adventures on land and water await you as you transfer this morning from Sengkang to Maros. You’ll then hike through rice fields and limestone cliffs (5km-10km) to reach a small village where you can enjoy a snack and tea in a local Bugis style house. From here, continue the walk along rice fields and continue between 2 huge walls of limestone to reach a small cave which you can explore. The final stretch is completed by a small pedal canoe to the main road which takes around 30 minutes. Return to your hotel in Makassar to unwind and enjoy another delicious dinner this evening in town.
Your island adventure comes to an end this morning in Makassar. Following breakfast, you’ll be transferred to the airport to depart.
This partially guided tour to Sulawesi Island is always run as a private tour for your group only and the prices depend on the size of your group. Please note that the prices might be higher during the Indonesian National Holidays. The prices below are per person sharing a double or a triple room and those and those willing to have a single room will have to pay a supplement.
The accommodation on this tour is mainly taking place in 3-star hotels with and option to upgrade to more luxurious accommodations, except for day 5 when you’ll be spending a night in a rustic homestay.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
Standard rooms are of double and triple occupancy and those willing to have a single room will have to pay a supplement of $167USD - $350USD (depending on the hotel category chosen).
Just a short walk from the beautiful Losari Beach, this modern hotel features great amenities like a refreshing pool and delicious breakfast.
Guests will feel welcome at this laidback hotel in Toraja located nearby the town’s colorful art center and several other interesting sites.
Enjoy this cozy homestay in a traditional home where you’ll have the chance to soak up the local way of life and get to know the locals.
Guests will feel welcome at this laidback hotel in Toraja located nearby the town’s colorful art center and several other interesting sites.
This no-fuss hotel provides everything you need to enjoy rest and relaxation in Sengkang.
Just a short walk from the beautiful Losari Beach, this modern hotel features great amenities like a refreshing pool and delicious breakfast.
Enjoy the upscale vibe of this comfortable hotel in Makassar that features a rooftop restaurant and cozy coffee shop.
Luta Hotel Resort is the perfect place to unwind after an adventure-filled day, with incredible amenities including an outdoor pool, massage spa, and a fantastic breakfast.
Enjoy this cozy homestay in a traditional home where you’ll have the chance to soak up the local way of life and get to know the locals.
Luta Hotel Resort is the perfect place to unwind after an adventure-filled day, with incredible amenities including an outdoor pool, massage spa, and a fantastic breakfast.
This no-fuss hotel provides everything you need to enjoy rest and relaxation in Sengkang.
Enjoy the upscale vibe of this comfortable hotel in Makassar that features a rooftop restaurant and cozy coffee shop.
Enjoy the warm sea-breeze from this warm and beautiful decorated hotel just a short walk from the sea. Guests will enjoy an array of top-tier amenities including and outdoor pool, in-room minibar, and a fantastic restaurant and bakery.
This deluxe hotel in Torajo is one-of-a-kind, featuring marble bathrooms, incredible views from the rooms, and an array of modern amenities. Want for nothing during your stay at the beautiful Toraja Heritage Hotel.
Enjoy this cozy homestay in a traditional home where you’ll have the chance to soak up the local way of life and get to know the locals.
This deluxe hotel in Torajo is one-of-a-kind, featuring marble bathrooms, incredible views from the rooms, and an array of modern amenities. Want for nothing during your stay at the beautiful Toraja Heritage Hotel.
This no-fuss hotel provides everything you need to enjoy rest and relaxation in Sengkang.
Enjoy the warm sea-breeze from this warm and beautiful decorated hotel just a short walk from the sea. Guests will enjoy an array of top-tier amenities including and outdoor pool, in-room minibar, and a fantastic restaurant and bakery.
8 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 1 dinner are included.
Accommodations for 8 nights are included.
Transportation for you and your luggage are included throughout the tour, including transfers to and from the airport. In some cases, the transfers are shared.
How hard is the Sulawesi Island Tour?
We rate this tour as a 3 / 5. Overall, the activities on this tour are quite easy, however, during the trekking part of the tour you’ll be walking up to 6 hours per day.
Do I need a visa to travel to Indonesia?
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
What does partially-guided mean?
Booking a partially-guided tour is a perfect choice for those who like to be in charge of some of their time while travelling, but also don’t want to be on their own during activities. In most cases, a partially-guided tour doesn’t have a tour leader assigned to a group, but some or most of the activities, such as hikes, city walks, or historic site visits, are led by different guides. Also, in most cases, booking a partially-guided tour is way cheaper than booking a fully-guided tour!
Are meals included on the Sulawesi Island Tour?
8 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 1 dinner are included.
When is the best time to travel to Indonesia?
The best time to travel to Indonesia is from April or October, when the weather is warm and pleasant. Indonesia can be travelled to all year long, however, it tends to be more rainy from November to March.
Do I need insurance?
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover (activity). Get your Travel Insurance.
How do I get to Sulawesi to start this tour?
Fly into Sultan Hasanuddin Airport (UPG) which can be reached from many major airports all over the world.
Is the Sulawesi Island Tour in English?
Yes, the tour guide is English-speaking.
Do I need special vaccines to travel to Indonesia?
Check with your family doctor.
Are there any travel restrictions for Indonesia?
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
All tours on 10Adventures are operated by highly vetted local tour operators and guides.
Having local tour operators and guides means you get a more authentic experience, and your booking creates jobs in the local communities you visit.
Details of the local tour operator will be listed on your booking invoice. If you have questions about the local operator prior to booking, please click the “Ask a Question” button below.
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56 total ratings, 0 with reviewsStephen L.
I’ve been using 10A route guides for a while, but had never booked a tour. My wife and I booked a self-guided hike in Greece and were so impressed with how we were able navigate the route without a guide with the detailed and easy to follow itinerary. We enjoy travelling independently, and 10A made that happen.
Melinda S.
I was going through a tough time and really needed a getaway so I decided to book a tour through 10Adventures. My trip to Peru changed my life in so many positive and eye-opening ways. I am so thankful for the kind, empathetic team at 10Adventures.
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Gabriela H.
Travel companies have had to go through a lot during the pandemic but 10Adventures were super flexible and accommodating nonetheless. I had to cancel my tour in France due to the pandemic. 10Adventures was great and let me reschedule for a later date!
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Whenever I’m looking for my next adventure 10Adventures never fails. Their routes all over England are my main go to for exploring and I have only had great experiences booking both guided and self-guided trips in Europe and South America with them. I am looking into Africa next.
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Erika S.
I just got back from backpacking in the Sierra Nevada, and WOW. What an unreal journey! The alpine meadows, waterfalls, and the lakeside camping spot were memorable highlights! I wonder what other tours 10Adventures has to offer. That one went so well that I am now convinced I need to book another!
Robert D.
I'm not a big fan of traveling because of my fear of flying, but my girlfriend convinced me to go on the Aurora Borealis Tour in the Yukon. I will never forget the mesmerizing northern lights. Such a romantic (and cold) getaway. I would highly recommend it.
Monica L.
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We rate this tour as a 3 / 5. Overall, the activities on this tour are quite easy, however, during the trekking part of the tour you’ll be walking up to 6 hours per day.
Read about our scale for Tour Difficulty Ratings.
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