TRANSULAWESI ADVENTURE - Trekking & Rafting Toraja

Code: IND-018 (15 days 14 nights)

MAKASSAR - TANA TORAJA - RANTEPAO - LIMBONG - PENDOLO - TENTENA - AMPANA - TOGGIAN ISLANDS - PALU

Description

Program

Day 1. WELCOME TO MAKASSAR / TORAJA

Upon arrival to the airport of Makassar, capital of Sulawesi Island, we will be driven to Toraja Land. After meeting our guide, we will visit the traditional villages of the Bugis, who live in all the South of the Island. We will see their wood houses set on stilt and their cacao, rice and corn plantations. After getting the village of Enrekang, we will stop in the "Erotic Mountain" overlook to admire the spectacular views of the mountains of this island. Late in the evening, we will arrive in Rantepao, the most important village of Tana Toraja.
Meals included: Breakfast.

Day 2.-3. TORAJA TOUR

During these two days we will visit the most charismatic places of Tana Toraja Region. We will visit the village of Kete´kesu where we will be able to appreciate the curious shape of the Toraja traditional houses, the North-South distribution of the villages, the stone graves of Londa, guarded by Tau-Tau (wood effigies representing the deceased), high up a rock. If during the stay we have the opportunity to see a ceremony, we will assist to see the fascinating ritual that is taken to honour the deceased. Return to Rantepao to have dinner and sleep.
Meals included: Breakfast.

Day 4. TREKKING RANTEPAO - LIMBONG

Today we will go to the village of Salu (12 km from Rantepao), the starting point of an unprecedented trekking through the South area of Tana Toraja. From Salu, we will start the way up to the Valley of the Maiting River. We will walk through paths, rice fields, coffee plantations and small Toraja house settlements. For lunch, a picnic and we will spend the night in a local and typical house in the beautiful village of Limbong. (Approx. 4 hour Trekking, 2h ascent + 2h flat)
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 5. LIMBONG - RAFTING MAITING

After breakfast, we will walk down to the River Maiting (Approx. 1 hour way down). Once down in the river, we will carry out the rafting (Level 2 .- Easy); we will have a formidable visual experience passing by deep canyons, natural waterfalls and villages where we will see iguanas and tropical birds. Then we will return to our hotel in Rantepao.
Meals Included: Breakfast and lunch.

NOTE ABOUT THE TREKKING: It is a medium level trekking, but because it is a humid and hot area, the trekking can be hard, specially the first day as we will ascend during 2-3 hours. If we are not fit enough, we can start the trekking from others places of Toraja Land in order to avoid the first day ascension. Another choice is to rent a 4 x 4 to go to Limbong, if we do not want to walk. In any case, we must let know it to the Organization two days before the Trekking starts.
The conditions in the local house (Tongkonan) in the village of Toraja are basic; we do sleep in thin mattresses on the wood floor, the toilet is outside and we need a flash-light as there is no electric light.

Day 6. TORAJA - PENDOLO

After breakfast, we will be driven to the forested and isolated central part of the island. At the beginning, we will descend the mountain pass that separates the Toraja ethnic group from the Wajo one. Our descent continues on a steep road, surrounded of small houses, clove plantations, waterfalls and a lush vegetation, that will leave us to the seaside village of Palopo. After lunch, we will ascend again to the Central Plateau, to get the village of Pendolo on the South side of the crystalline Poso Lake. Accommodation in Hotel Mulia.
Meals included: Breakfast

Day 7. PENDOLO - TENTENA

After breakfast, we will be driven to the village of Tentena, enjoying - en route - the marvellous landscape of Poso Lake. Then, we will do a short walk to go to the Saluopa Waterfall, in the middle of the forest, and which was discovered just fifteen years ago. This natural waterfall is wonderful for its size and spectacular shape. Then, we will go to our hotel situated in front of the beach of Poso Lake, in the tropical forest. Accommodation in Siuri Cottage.
Meals included: Breakfast

Day 8. TENTENA - AMPANA

After breakfast, we will be driven on the North Road, passing by the beautiful coast of Tomini Bay. Around midday, we will get Ampana where we will spend the night in the Hotel Oasis or Marina.
Meals included: Breakfast

Day 9. AMPANA - TOGGIAN ISLANDS

After breakfast, we will go on the public boat to the Bomba Island, in the Toggian Islands reserve. Hotel Island Retreat or Kadidiri Paradise.
Meals included: Breakfast - lunch - supper

Day 10.-11.-12. TOGGIAN ISLANDS

During these days, we will enjoy of the Toggian Islands. This natural preserve is one of the most beautiful seas of the Asiatic South-east: an enormous variety of corals, fishes and an important mangrove swamp. Activities as Diving or Snorkelling can be arranged from the same hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast - lunch - supper

Day 13. TOGGIAN ISLANDS - AMPANA

After breakfast, we will come back - on boat - to the seaside village of Ampana, where we will spend the night.
Meals included: Breakfast

Day 14. AMPANA - PALU

After breakfast, we will take the West road, along the Tomini Bay to get to the city of Palu (9 hours). This city is the capital of the West district of Sulawesi. Accommodation in Hotel Palu.
Meals included: Breakfast

Day 15. PALU - MAKASSAR

Transfer to the airport to take the flight back to Makassar. Link with the flight to the following destination.

NOTE:
1. If the customer does not want to overnight in a local house, we can do a soft trekking the day 8, and then come back to the hotel in Rantepao. Day 9, the rafting will be done according to the program.
Domestic flights included:
Palu - Makasar