Volcanic Wonders & Untamed Nature of North Sulawesi - Nomadays

Indonesia

Volcanic Wonders & Untamed Nature of North Sulawesi

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...

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Manado

Day 1Welcome to the Minahasa

Day 1Welcome to the Minahasa

  • Welcome in the morning at the international airport of Manado by your English speaking tour-guide and transfers on the heights to Tomohon.

Meal and accommodations

Accommodation: Minahasa Highland Resort

Day 2Sulawesi's Volcanic Wonders and Culture

Day 2Sulawesi's Volcanic Wonders and Culture

  • 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.

Meal and accommodations

Breakfast: Included

Lunch: Included

Dinner: Included

Accommodation: Minahasa Highland Resort

Day 3From Crater Lakes to River Treks

Day 3From Crater Lakes to River Treks

  • 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

Meal and accommodations

Breakfast: Included

Lunch: Included

Dinner: Included

Accommodation: Tent camping

Touure

Day 4 Midnight Ascent to the Summit of Soputan Volcano

Day 4 Midnight Ascent to the Summit of Soputan Volcano

  • 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

Meal and accommodations

Breakfast: Made by your team

Lunch: Included

Dinner: Included

Accommodation: Minahasa Highland Resort

Pulisan

Day 5 Minahasa Civilization and Hidden Paradise

Day 5 Minahasa Civilization and Hidden Paradise

  • 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.

Meal and accommodations

Breakfast: Included

Lunch: Included

Dinner: Included

Accommodation: Mimpih Indah Resort

Pulisan

Day 6Tangkoko National Park

Day 6Tangkoko National Park

  • 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

Meal and accommodations

Breakfast: Included

Lunch: Included

Dinner: Included

Accommodation: Lodge

Manado

Day 7Unwind in Paradise

Day 7Unwind in Paradise

  • Free morning and transfers to Manado in the afternoon. Night in a seaside hotel, in front of the Bunaken and Siladen islands.

Meal and accommodations

Breakfast: Hotel

Accommodation: Cocotinos Hotel

Bunaken

Day 8 Underwater World Wonders !

Day 8 Underwater World Wonders !

  • 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.

Meal and accommodations

Breakfast: Included

Accommodation: Cocotinos Hotel

Manado

Day 9See you soon in Indonesia!

Day 9See you soon in Indonesia!

  • Free time until transfer to Manado airport.

Meal and accommodations

Breakfast: Included