Toraja Discovery & South Sulawesi Beach

Upon arrival, you'll be transferred to your hotel in Makassar. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at your leisure.

• Hotel Description

Sulawesi, also known as Celebes and Ujung Pandang, is one of Indonesia's largest islands, rich in culture and history. Start your journey by departing for Toraja via Pare Pare, passing through Bugis villages with stilted houses and stopping for a late lunch in Pare Pare.

Continue to Rantepao, the capital of Toraja, known for its elaborate funeral rites, traditional houses and intricate carvings. Spend two days exploring Toraja villages and immersing yourself in their unique culture. (B,L,D)

• Hotel Description

After breakfast, visit the Bolu Buffalo Market, held once every six days, to see the animals essential for Torajan funeral ceremonies. If the market is not open, you'll instead visit a local market in Rantepao. Then, head south to Lemo and Suaya villages to see cliffside graves and tau tau effigies, and learn about the baby trees in Nongnongan. Have lunch in Rura Raya at a traditional Tongkonan house. In the afternoon, visit Londa village to see hanging wooden coffins and Kete Kesu village, known for its traditional Tongkonan houses and rice granaries. Return to the hotel for dinner. (B,L,D)

• Hotel Description

Proceed to Palawa, a typical Toraja village, and then head to the highlands of Batutumonga for panoramic views of the Toraja valley. Enjoy lunch at Mentirotiku local restaurant. Opt for a one or two-hour light trek through picturesque Toraja villages.

The one-hour trek passes through Lempo and Tinongbayo villages, while the two-hour option includes Bori and Tikala villages, known for ancestral stone circles and traditional Tongkonan houses. Return to Rantepao with a visit to a Todi weaving factory showcasing Torajan textile techniques. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon and enjoy dinner. (B,L,D)

• Hotel Description

After breakfast, check out from your hotel to travel to Sengkang, the former capital of the Bugis kingdom with views of Lake Tempe, Sulawesi's largest lake. Depart Rantepao and drive through Palopo on the way to Sengkang. Stop in Sengkang for a late lunch at a local restaurant. Afterwards, visit a local silk home factory before checking into your hotel. Enjoy a traditional Bugis-style feast dinner at the hotel in the evening. (B,L,D)

• Hotel Description

Wake up early at 05:15am to enjoy the scenic view of Lake Tempe. Experience the unique Bugis housing style with traditional houses floating on the lake. Take a local longboat ride to enjoy Bugis hospitality with tea or coffee and fried bananas, a local favourite snack. Approximately 30 houses on the lake maintain traditional fishing and fish drying practices.

Return to the hotel for breakfast, then check out and depart Sengkang. Head to Watampone on Sulawesi's East Coast for an early lunch at a local restaurant. Continue south to Cape Bira on the south-east tip of Sulawesi, stopping at a Bugis village to see sugar, rice and cacao cultivation along the way. Arrive in Bira late afternoon and check in to your hotel. (B,L)

• Hotel Description

After breakfast, board a local fishing boat to Liukang Island. Enjoy snorkelling in the clear waters using provided snorkel gear. Afterwards, visit the nearby fishing village of Konjo to observe traditional ikat weaving. Have a picnic lunch on the island followed by leisure time for exploration or relaxation on the beach before returning to the mainland and your hotel. The rest of the afternoon is free for leisure activities. (B,L)

• Hotel Description

Breakfast is available at the hotel, followed by free time for leisure activities. Around 12:30pm, check out and depart along the south coast of Sulawesi towards Makassar. Along the way, stop at Tanah Beru village renowned for its construction of Phinisi ships using ancient traditional methods. Continue to Bonto Salluang village for a short walk to Bissappu, a 70-meter waterfall surrounded by lush tropical scenery. Upon arrival in Makassar, check in to your hotel for accommodation. (B)

• Hotel Description

After breakfast, your tour guide and driver will pick you up for a short sightseeing tour of Makassar. Begin at Paotere harbour to discover the renowned Bugis Phinisi Schooner shipbuilders of the region. Continue to Fort Rotterdam, Makassar's iconic landmark and one of Indonesia's best-preserved Dutch forts, recently refurbished. Learn about Sulawesi's diversity at the La Galigo Museum. Afterwards, return to your hotel and enjoy free time until your transfer to the airport. (B)