Toraja and Beyond

Day 01 Makassar - Toraja

Drive the whole day through a scenic road passing coastal areas with rice fields, fishponds and a Bugis village along the coastal area until you reach Pare - pare area for lunch. In the afternoon start entering the highlands through Enrekang with some photo stops provided en route. Arrive late afternoon in Toraja. The drive to Toraja takes about 8 to 9 hours.

Day 02 Visit South Toraja

If there are no cultural events to attend, the program today will include a visit to Lemo, a place best visited in the morning as it facing east. Lemo is a place where the wooden effigies representing the ancestors are on display high up on the rock cliff with tombs dug on the rock like chambers. The next place is Kambira-- a place where you can have a closer look at a tree in whose trunk infants are buried. The last place to visit before lunch is Suaya - the Toraja Royal family burial place where various types of sarcophagus are on display as a small museum. Lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon visit Siguntu - a small village on a hill with beautiful Tongkonan and rice barns then proceed to Londa, a cave as a natural catacomb.

Day 03 Toraja exploration

Visit Ke'te Kesu - a beautiful Toraja village with traditional houses and woodcarving. Ancient wooden sarcophagus can be seen next to the village. Proceed to Sa'dan where Toraja weaving is produced then drive to Batutumonga, a place located on the slope of Mt. Sesean with beautiful panoramic views down to the valley with terraced rice fields and Toraja villages. Lunch at local restaurant in Batutumonga. Afternoon drive down to Rantepao with a stop in Bori where the tallest stone monuments in Toraja are located.

Day 04 Toraja - Sengkang

Drive eastward through one of the most picturesque landscapes in the province, passing blue Toraja mountains, clove and other tropical plantations until you reach Palopo in the coast of Gulf of Bone for an early lunch. Afternoon drive southward through the flat road to reach Sengkang in the heart of Bugis civilization. Arrive in Sengkang and visit homes with Bugis Silk Weaving. The Bugis Royal families have worn high quality home made textiles for a long time.

Day 05 Sengkang – Kajang – Bira

Early morning take a motorized canoe ride to reach Lake Tempe where the fishermen stay on floating houses. Visit their homes and have a closer look into their morning activities. On return have a closer look at the activity of the locals along the river. Bathing, fishing and other activities take place in the same river. Return to your hotel for breakfast and then drive to Kajang. It is a drive along the flat area with very little winding roads. Lunch en route either in Bone or Sinjai. Arrive in Kajang, walk about 2 km to reach the very heart of the Kajang community where the Amatoa stay. Modern vehicles and electricity are not allowed in the village. Take a direct orientation into Kajang life and if Amatoa is in the village then you have a chance to meet him at his home. Late afternoon drive to Bira to arrive at the early night.

Day 06 Bira Free Program

Day 07 Bira – Makassar

The distance of Bira – Makassar is 192 km and it takes about 5 hours drive through the coastal area. Take your chance to visit Tana Beru – a village well known for the craftsmanship of the people who built Bugis Schooner – the Phinisi without sketch or written design. Foreigners from throughout the world order Phinisi from this village.

Children under 12 years old will get 50% discount from the full rate.

• 25% charged for  cancellation 1 week prior to tour day
• 45% charged for the cancellation less than 1 week
• 50% charged for the cancellation on the tour day