Ethnic trip to Sulawesi & Sumba

14 DAYS / 13 NIGHTS

The Indonesian nation today comprises over 300 ethnic groups all with their own languages and cultures. This trip wil give you the chance to immerse yourself in some of the world’s most interesting cultural traditions. If you  are looking to get off the beaten path in Indonesia and have an incredible cultural experience you should meet the Torajan,  indigenous to the mountains of South Sulawesi. You will be surprise by its fascinating death rituals and their traditional houses, the tongkonan.

Sumbanese culture is also unique. You will explore hilltop villages with thatched clan houses clustered around megalithic tombs. An experience you need to live once in a life tieme.

Arrival flight: Makassar

Departure flight: Kupang

DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN MAKASSAR

Welcome to your Toraja  culture tour! Your local guide will meet you upon your arrival at Makassar  Airport . You’ll be transferred by private car to the hotel. . After checking in to your hotel, the rest of your day will be free to spend at your leisure. Overnight in Makassar.

Meals included: ---

DAY 2: MAKASSAR – RAMANG RAMANG – TANA TORAJA

After breakfast we will start the transfert to Tana Toraja. Before we will visit Ramang Ramang, 2nd largest in the world by UNESCO. Located in Maros (1.5 hours). Boat along Pute River that divides between the limestone hills using local wooden boats. Walk about 45 minutes to see the caves decorated with stalactites and stalagmites, and there is some pre-historic paintings.. Back to the pier and transfer to Tana Toraja.  uring this trip, we will enjoy the astonishing tropical landscape.

Meals Included: Breakfast

DAY 3: MEET THE TORAJA

During thIS days we will visit the region of Tana Toraja, its traditional villages, with their houses in the shape of hulled boat – Kete y Palawa -, the ancient  graves on the stone of Lemo, Londa or Kambira. We will also visit the colourful markets and if a traditional ritual is held, we will assist.

Meals Included: Breakfast

DAY 4: RANTEPAO – BARUPPU

Right after breakfast transer to the village of Baruppu. This village is not touristic and the village is more traditional. During our stay in Baruppu we will have the chance to get in touch with local families not used to receive visits.  We will have dinner with them and spend the night in a local house. This will make is discovery how real life is in Toraja.

Trekk: 2-3 hours.

Meals Included : Breakfast, lunch and dinner

DAY 5: BARUPPU – SAPPAN

After local breakfast we will start our trekk to Sappan. This trekk is longer tan the previus one and it will take around 6-8 hours to arrive to Sapan. Sappan is a remote village in Toraja region. En-route you will find a beautiful landscape, old traditional houses, local people daily live and more. Overnight in local house.

Meals Included : Breakfast, lunch and dinner

DAY 6: SAPPAN – LOKOMATA – BATUTUMONGA – RANTEPAO

Today the trekk will be also long but worth it.  We will be walking around 6-7 hours until Lokomata. After that we will ho to Batutumonga. There is no better place in Toraja to experience the beauty of nature than Batutumonga. Located on a dramatic ridge, high on the slopes of Gunung (Mount). Batutumonga offers relaxing ambiance, cool temperature, and beautiful views. On different viewpoints, you will discover the scenery is spectacular. It offers a mixture of terraced paddy fields, forests, and open grassland. On a clear day, you can see Rantepao in the distance. It is the perfect place sit, relax and drink a warm cup of Tana Torajan coffee before do the transfer back to the hotel in Rantepao.

Meals Included : Breakfast and lunch

DAY 7: TORAJA – SENGKANG (TEMPE LAKE)

After breakfast, heading est, depart to the village of Sengkang, in Bugis’ territory.  After lunch, by canoe visit to the Tempe Lake, where the Bugis fishing community live. They have floating houses in the centre of the Lake. They only leave their houses to trade. We will visit their floating house and will enjoy their hospitality having a tea with them. Accommodation in Sengkang.

Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 8: SENGKANG – BIRA BEACH

After breakfast, heading south, to Cape Bira. During this journey we will visit the Bugis’ villages of the region, sugar and cacao plantations and the rice fields.  At midday, we will get Bira. After lunch, we will have time to enjoy the beach. Accommodation in Bira.

Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 9:  LIUKAN ISLAND – TANA BERU

After having breakfast, we will take a boat of the local fishermen to go to the nearby island of Liukan where we can enjoy its coralline environment; we will see (snorkelling) corals and a lot of fishes. Then, in the island, we will visit the fishing community of “konjo” that lives there. They are well known by its hand weaving popular called “ikat”. Before return to Bira, we will have time to relax in the idyllic beach of Liukan

In the afternoon, we will visit the village of Tana Beru, where hand wood ships (phinisí) are still made.  We will see the shipyard and the town just located behind them. Next, we will come back to Bira to have dinner and sleep.

Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 10: BIRA – MAKASSAR 

After breakfast, we will depart to Makassar, capital of Sulawesi Island, where we will spend our last night in Sulawesi.

Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 11: MAKASSAR- TAMBOLAKA – WATUMALANDONG – BWANNA BEACH 

Flight to Tambolaka via BaliUpon arrival at the airport of Tambolaka in Waitabula, meet and greet with our guide and we will begin the journey. We will drive for 1,5 hours to visit the secret beach of Watumalandong and Bwanna where you can see the beautiful view of both beaches from one point. Going down on both of the beaches and can enjoy the beauty from a different point of view. The beach of Bwanna is a long clear colorful sand beach under the majestic cliff heading to the Indian Ocean makes this place extraordinary. Whilst the beauty is unquestionable, the beach is still unknown by most tourist, which make it almost private and very clean. Enjoy the day at a quiet beach till the sunset and transfer back to the hotel. 

Meals included:  Breakfast -Lunch - Dinner 

DAY 12:  RATENGGARO – WEEKURI LAKE AND MANDORAK

After breakfast we will visit the traditional village Ratenggaro in Kodi area. Here we will see the traditional high rooftops houses (actually the highest rooftops in whole Sumba) made all by hand and traditionally. This village is the only one of a few traditional villages left in the area, and while the village is just a compound of some houses, each house can accommodate up to 50 family members. On the harvesting season, however, most of the villagers will stay in their field to work and only leave the elders and child in the village.

5 minutes ride from this village we can also enjoy a view over the ocean. Locals normally walk their horses and cows to the area so be sure to have the camera ready for the shots.

From Ratenggarro we will head to Weekuri Lake, a crystal clear lake that makes it a great place to swim and to relax. Spend some time in the lake for taking a short (or long) dip. Do not miss to walk around the rocks and reef where you can also see the Oceans from one side. Next to the Weekuri Lake we will find Mandorak Beach, guarded with 2 huge rock ridges pointing to the middle and crystal clear water. We will stay for watching the sunset in this beach and head back to the hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner

DAY 13:  LA POPU WATERFALL – PRAIJING VILLAGE – WAIKABUBAK 

Today we will start our trip to visit the La Popu waterfall. The waterfall La Popu is a natural waterfall that is located in Manupeu Tanah Daru National Park, this waterfall consists plenty of steepy slopes. The slopes rise from the sea reaching height of 600 meters. Unlike the other waterfall in Sumba, Lapopu is very famous and often visited by the locals because the location is not hard to reach.  Our trip continues to the village Praijing, a traditional village uphill surrounded by lots of greenery. This is one of the few villages where we can actually have a beautiful overview of the entire village and draw an idea how the village is conducted.  Take some time to walk around the village; the elders occupy most of the houses and kids are always around to share their smiles. Don’t forget to share candies!

Meals included: Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner

DAY 14: TARUNG/WAITABAR VILLAGE – TAMBOLAKA AIRPORT

Breakfast at the hotel and free time until the transfer time to the airport. If time permitted, we will make a short visit to the village of Tarung – Waitabar. Both villages located next to each other (literally!) and are still very much alive. These villages are located inside the capital of Waikabubak, and the villagers still practicing what they practice since the old time, a clear example of how tradition can persist inside a more modern city. After the visit we drive directly to Airport of Tambolaka. 

Meals included: Breakfast 

Note: This sample itinerary will give you an idea of what is possible when you travel in Sulawesi and Sumba Islands. Contact us with your holiday ideas and we’ll start planning your unique personalized trip!