Tana Toraja: discovery of a thousand-year-old animist culture!
In the mountains of Sulawesi, the tongkonan houses with their boat-shaped roofs watch over the terraced rice fields of the Toraja land.
Duration
10 days
From
€1,275/pers.
Ideal seasons
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Style
Guided tour
Comfort
classique
Travelers
Couple, Solo, With friends, senior, groupe, Family
The spirit of travel
Sulawesi, also known as the Celebes Islands, is a true mosaic of peoples. Its position at the heart of the Indonesian archipelago and its strategic role in the international spice trade made this island a crossroads of populations.
This circuit allows you to discover all the cultural riches of the Toraja people, nicknamed "The People of the Mountains". It is the originality of their culture and their impressive funeral ceremonies that have made this ethnic group very famous. Add to this the very distinctive architecture of their boat-shaped houses and the fantastic rice paddy landscapes and you will understand how much the Toraja land is a place of meetings, sacred rites and beauty...
At the far southeast of the South Sulawesi peninsula, the Bira region offers white sand beaches with turquoise and crystal-clear waters that conceal colorful marine floors.
This stay thus offers a varied range of activities: intimate hikes, authentic encounters, original rafting adventure, cultural visits, relaxation, snorkeling... Between sea and mountains, you will discover the fascinating world of Toraja Land.
The stages of your journey
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
Arrival in Makassar and city tour
Aéroport de Makassar → Makassar
Airport pickup in Makassar and transfer to the hotel.
Makassar is the capital of the South Sulawesi province located on the edge of the Makassar Strait.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Early afternoon, visit to the fish market, an essential place of life and meetings, as fish represents an important food in Indonesian culinary culture. Transfer then to Paotere port, to admire magnificent wooden schooners. You finish with a visit to the Fort Rotterdam, built in 1545 by Raja Tunipalangga: it originally consisted only of an earth rampart called "makassar". It was not until 1634 that these were reinforced with stone walls, at the request of Sultan Alaudin. The fort was later (in 1667) conquered by the Dutch and renamed "Rotterdam" (the birthplace of Speelman).
Today, the fort is fully restored and even houses a small museum that traces its history.
On the way to the capital of Toraja country
From Makassar
Morning transfer to the Maros region (once discovered by Alfred Wallace), renowned for its rice fields and karst peaks. Short walk in the surrounding area and exploration of a cave nearly 39,000 years old, which is filled with many rock paintings. Your guide also offers you a boat ride on a river near which many bird species live.
Meetings with the local population who live in houses on stilts.
Late morning, transfer to the maritime city of Pare Pare, then you travel up the Sa'Dan river towards the mountains, through magnificent landscapes.
The plain landscapes are therefore quickly replaced by thick coconut forest. Stop along the way at Bambapuang, from where you will have a view of a mountain said to be "erotic".
Arrival in Rantepao (the capital of Toraja Land) in the early evening.
Check-in at the hotel.
Funeral Art
Today, you will begin with a visit to the Lem funeral site.
This is a rock face in which balconies have been carved out, housing many figurines called Tau Tau. Transfer then to the royal tombs of Suaya and continue on foot to another interesting site: Tampangg'alo.
In the afternoon, visit the Londa caves, at the foot of a large cliff, which house coffins and scattered bones.
Easy hike to the village of Kete Kusu (renowned for its wood carvings and rice granaries), through rice paddies, villages & bamboo forests. Also discover troglodytic tombs, and others, older ones, suspended. Note: the course of the three-day exploration program of Toraja country may be adapted if a funeral feast takes place in the region during this period.
Your guide will take you to attend this ceremony and introduce you to the family of the deceased.
For information, no ritual in Toraja Country is organized for tourists: everything is absolutely authentic.
Immersion
In the morning, visit to the village of Bori, famous for its megaliths carved in the form of tombs, then that of Palawa (the largest in the region), and finally that of Sa'dan, renowned for its traditional textiles.
Transfer to the wild north of the Toraja region, which offers magnificent panoramas at 1,400 m altitude. Easy walk around Batutumonga through rice fields, traditional villages and bamboo forest.
Later, hiking from Lokomata (where tombs are carved into a giant rock) to Mariri, during which you will have the opportunity to meet children returning from school and stop at a few knife-making workshops.
Return to the hotel in late afternoon.
Rantepao and its Curiosities
Visit of the colorful market of Rantepao, where many buffaloes & pigs are offered for sale. This is followed by the opportunity to attend a funeral ceremony (cf. Preamble).
In the afternoon, transfer to Pemancar, where you begin a lovely walk towards Salu, through rice fields and plantations (coffee & cocoa, mainly).
Walking duration: approximately 4 hours
On the Waters of Lake Tempe
Early in the morning, transfer to the shores of Lake Tempe and boarding motorized canoes for an extraordinary discovery of this swampy lake that is home to many bird species and where an amazing lakeside village lies.
This is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the customs and traditions of the villagers, for whom time seems to have no hold.
Night in the same hotel.
Visit to shipyards
To Bira
On the way, visit to a few shipbuilding sites (in Tanaberu), renowned as the best in Indonesia.
These wooden boats are assembled by carpenters who still use ancestral techniques, without construction plans, and based solely on expertise that has been passed down from father to son for generations.
These schooners, called locally Pinisi, can reach up to 30 m long and weigh over 200 tonnes.
Hotel check-in in the afternoon, by the sea.
Rest in paradise
Free day for rest.
Opportunity to discover the surrounding islands by traditional boat: emerald blue sea, white sand, snorkeling, barbecue… paradise on Earth!
Return to the hotel in the afternoon.
See you very soon in Sulawesi!
Bira → Aéroport de Makassar
Free morning until your transfer to the airport. On the way, you will cross the villages of Bulukumba, Jeneponto and Takalar, with a visit to local salt factories.
Price per person
Indicative price per person, based on double room. Each trip is customized according to your preferences.
This trip can be tailored to your preferences
This itinerary provides an excellent foundation for discovery, but it can be fully customized. Our local advisors build each trip tailored to your budget, dates and preferences.
Not included
- International & domestic flights
- Insurance & Assistance
- Visas & possible airport taxes
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary above (particularly in Bira)
- Beverages, Personal Expenses & Tips
- Everything not mentioned in "Inclusions"
Included
- English-speaking guide
- Land transfers in a private and air-conditioned vehicle
- Lake & River Transfers
- Full board accommodation
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary above
- Site entries, trekking permits and donations
- Mineral water and energy supplement during trekking days
Practical Information
Registration is considered firm and final after payment of a deposit of 30% of the total price and acceptance of the specific terms of sale.
The balance must be paid no later than 45 days before the departure date.
See our specific terms of sale for full details.
In the event of cancellation by the traveller, the following fees apply:
- More than 60 days before departure: 40% of the total price (deposit retained)
- Between 60 and 30 days before departure: 50% of the total price
- Less than 30 days before departure: 100% of the total price
We strongly recommend taking out cancellation insurance. See our specific terms of sale for full details.
The information below concerns tourists entering Indonesia. Entry requirements may change, and we recommend verifying the information with the official authorities of your country of residence and with the Indonesian embassy or consulate before your departure.
Passport
To enter Indonesia, your passport must be valid for a minimum of six months after your entry date and must contain at least two blank pages for immigration stamps.
The document must be in good condition (no damaged, torn or altered pages).
Tourist stay without visa
Depending on your nationality, you may be eligible for a visa exemption for tourist stays in Indonesia. Entry requirements vary by nationality and should be verified with the Indonesian embassy or consulate of your country of residence.
The authorities may also request:
an exit ticket from the territory (return or onward flight),
proof of sufficient financial resources for the duration of your stay.
Formalities on arrival
Before your arrival, it is recommended to complete the online arrival declaration via the official Indonesian customs and immigration portal (e-CD, Electronic Customs Declaration).
This form allows you to transmit to the authorities certain information necessary for entry into the territory:
passport information
flight details and itinerary
address of first accommodation in Indonesia
declaration of goods and currency carried
A confirmation QR code may be requested when passing through customs and immigration controls.
Health and vaccinations
No vaccine is mandatory to enter Indonesia, except in case of transit through a country at risk of yellow fever, in which case an international vaccination certificate may be required.
As a precaution, it is advisable to consult a doctor or vaccination center before departure. Vaccinations against hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid and rabies are commonly recommended for stays in Indonesia. Antimalarial treatment may also be recommended depending on the regions visited (particularly outside Bali and major cities).
Travel with children
Minors must hold their own valid passport covering the duration of the stay.
In some countries, when a minor travels without one of their parents, an authorization to exit the territory may be required according to the regulations of the country of residence.
Entry requirements by nationality
Entry conditions vary depending on nationality. Travelers should consult the Indonesian embassy or consulate of their country of residence for specific requirements.
To participate in our trips, it is strongly recommended to be insured for repatriation assistance and medical expenses abroad.
Your local agency encourages you to familiarize yourself with the specific contract developed with our partner CHAPKA ASSURANCES and AXA ASSISTANCE.
To subscribe to insurance, find out about coverage and rates, follow the link below.
CAP EXPLORER: The complete insurance solution designed for a worry-free trip!
Choose the plan that suits you best:
Explorer'Multirisque
Explorer'Annulation
Explorer'Assistance
Explorer' Complémentaire Carte Bancaire
Specific to our trips, we strongly recommend subscribing to them.
If you choose to subscribe to one of these plans, the agreement detailing all coverage and the procedures for filing a claim are available on the insurer's website.
Your local agency will be aware of it, but only the participant is responsible for complying with the procedures for reporting any claim. The participant must therefore keep this agreement with them for the entire duration of their trip.
Chapka — Cap Explorer
Our insurance partnerTravel with peace of mind with our partner Chapka. Cancellation, repatriation, medical expenses, baggage… All the coverage for a worry-free trip.
Travel with peace of mind — I'll handle the insuranceFrequently asked questions
A Visa on Arrival (35 USD) is required upon arrival, valid for an initial stay and extendable once. You can also obtain an e-VOA online before departure. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your entry date. Before booking, check the conditions applicable to your nationality with the consular authorities of your destination.
Go to the My Trips section to find all your projects.
You can send a message to your host directly from the Tea Lounge.
For a quality tailored trip, plan between 140 and 230 euros per day and per person, including accommodation, meals, internal transport and activities. International flights (700-1100 euros return) are additional. The archipelago allows you to combine beaches, volcanoes, jungle and culture at attractive rates.
Your documents are accessible in the Documents tab of your trip.
Absolutely. We tailor each circuit to the travelers' profile. For families, we prioritize relaxed paces, family-friendly accommodations, fun and educational activities, and comfortable private transfers. Our local English-speaking guides know how to capture children's attention with age-appropriate stories.
It's simple. You exchange with our local team to define your wishes, budget and dates. You receive a detailed itinerary proposal within 48 hours. You adjust every detail together until you get the perfect version. You confirm and travel with peace of mind. Your local agency remains available 7 days a week throughout your trip.
In case of emergency, contact your local agency immediately.
Payment is generally made in two installments.
Our agency is part of the Nomadays network, registered in France. You benefit from APST (Association Professionnelle de Solidarité du Tourisme) guarantee which covers 100% of your funds. Secure payment, repatriation insurance included, and English-speaking assistance 24/7 on the ground throughout your stay.
Let's talk about your adventure — Sulawesi
Photographer of Indonesian volcanoes and trails, based in Yogyakarta
Before drawing up an itinerary, you have to observe, walk, listen to the locals and understand the place. Only then can an adventure trip remain authentic.
— Dominic
