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7D6N Sulawesi Tour Itinerary

>Home / Indonesia / Tana Toraja Tours / 7D6N Sulawesi Tour Itinerary
Note: Below is the standard itinerary, however the actual program may be different depending on the ceremony schedule, rice field conditions, or your wishes.
Day #1
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Rammang Rammang

Included: Diner, guide, car with AC, entrance fees, accommodation around Rantepao

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Makassar >> Rammang Rammang >> Rantepao

After pick-up in Makassar, we will visit Rammang Rammang. This is the third largest karst landscape in the world. It is so rough and surreal that we could easily imagine having entered a Jurassic Park scene.

We take a beautiful boat ride and make a short hike through the village, caves and limestone mountains.

Then we continue the drive to Rantepao, where we will stay at an authentic place in a Tongkonan. Our guide or the village cook will prepare us a traditional meal, which we will end the day with.

Day #2
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Toraja Tour Highlights (South)

Included: Breakfast, diner, guide, car with AC, entrance fees, accommodation around Rantepao

Lemo
Tampang Allo
Kete Kesu
Suaya
Karuaya
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Rantepao >> Lemo – Tampang Allo – Suaya – Bebo – Karuaya – Kete’ Kesu >> Rantepao


Visiting the Southern area of Torajaland will feel as if a cultural documentary has been brought to life. These are the must-sees of Tana Toraja.

Typically we visit Lemo with its hanging tau tau effigies, the burial cave in Tampang Allo, the animistic villages Bebo and Karuaya, the grave of the seven royal families in Suaya, and the burial site in the picturesque Kete’ Kesu.

Around Karuaya and Tampang Allo there are also beautiful rice fields where we could walk around if weather- and rice field conditions allow.

In the afternoon we drive to an authentic village around Rantepao and check in to our Tongkonan accommodation. Relax, enjoy the view, and meet the kind locals as your guide or the village cook prepares your traditional diner.

Nothing is set in stone so we can also visit other sites in the South if you wish. Subject to ceremony schedule and your wishes, we could on this day also visit a funeral or a wedding instead.

Day #3
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Trekking to Salu village

Included: Breakfast, lunch, diner, guide, drop-off by car, long trek, entrance fees, accommodation in Salu

Tana Toraja Tour - Breakfast at Village
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Rantepao >> Pana – Kata – Sumpiak – Lolai – Bela – Salu


After a delicious home-made breakfast in your Tongkonan, we drive to Pana. We visit the old stone grave, and then start our scenic day trek. We pass Kata – located in the middle of rice fields – and then continue to Sumpiak.

We will have lunch in the forest or in the rice fields. Then we continue the trek through bamboo forests and around cacao- & coffee plantations where we realise again that the delicious chocolate we eat and the daily coffee we take originates from a tree fruit. We may also see banana-, papaya- and ananas trees.

At dawn there is also a chance to see buffaloes grazing in the fields, or bathing in the rivers. Torajan buffaloes are a bit spoiled: If they don’t feel fresh and clean, they have difficulties falling asleep. The joke goes around that the Toraja farmers bath their buffaloes more than themselves.

Eventually we arrive at the remote, mountain village Salu. Salu is a quiet place with traditional Tongkonans and Bugis houses, and a beautiful panorama of rice terraces. We’ll check in to our Tongkonan and say hi to the kind villagers while our guide or the village cook prepares a traditional diner.

Day #4
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Toraja Tour Highlights (North)

Included: Breakfast, diner, guide, car with AC, entrance fees, accommodation around Rantepao

Breakfast
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Parinding
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Bori
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Rantepao >> Lombok Parinding – Bori – Palawa – Tinimbayo – Batutumonga – Loko Mata – Kata – Kayurame >> Rantepao


After our home-made breakfast, it is time to pack and say goodbye to the villagers. We explore the less touristic North, which is the most scenic region of Tana Toraja with beautiful trails through mountain villages.

We visit the stone graves and rice barns in the village Lombok Parinding, the megalithic stones in Bori, and the traditional village Palawa and Tinimbayo.

Lunch will be served in Batutumonga, where we enjoy a beautiful panorama of rice terraces. After lunch, we drive to Loko Mata to see the boulder grave.

At Loko Mata we start our scenic trek of 2-3 hours through rice fields, bamboo forests, cacao and coffee plantations, until we arrive at Kayurame, from where we return by car to Rantepao.

This will be our last night in Rantepao.

Nothing is set in stone so we can also visit other sites in the North if you wish. Subject to ceremony schedule and your wishes, we could on this day also visit a funeral or a wedding instead.

Day #5
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Floating Village in Lake Tempe

Included: Breakfast, boat with boat man, fried bananas, visit floating house, car with AC, accommodation in Sengkang

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Rantepao >> Lake Tempe / Floating Village >> Sengkang

After a home-made breakfast at our Tongkonan, we drive towards Sengkang. Underway we make a stop at Bambapuang for a refreshment and to see the stunning Buntu Kabobong, better known as the Erotic Mountain.

Upon arrival in Sengkang, we check in at our hotel and have lunch. Then we visit Lake Tempe, which is a shallow lake fringed by wetlands with traditional floating houses and a large population of birds. There are around 30 floating houses inhabited by traditional fishermen.

We cruise on the lake with a long tail boat and visit a traditional floating house where we can enjoy drinking tea or coffee and eating fried banana (Pisang Goreng) with the locals. Finally, we cruise back and return to our hotel in Sengkang.

Day #6
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White Sandy Beaches in Bira

Included: Breakfast, car with AC, accommodation in Bira

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Sengkang >> Bugis villages >> Bira

We are picked-up in the morning, and drive via the Bugis Villages and through a scenic landscape to Tanjung Bira.

Bira could easily be ranked among the most beautiful beaches of all Indonesia. The white sandy beaches have a soft texture like flour. The crystal clear water had a light turquoise color. The panorama from the beach is captivating. And because it is Sulawesi, Bira is still relatively unknown to Western travelers.

To honour this immense tropical vibe of this exotic beach, we will spend the night at the beautiful beachfront BaraCoco Bungalows. Each of the bungalows features a beach view and a spacious terrace with a hammock.

You can spend the free afternoon with various activities such as snorkelling, diving or just relaxing on the beaches, and you can enjoy dining at the on-site restaurant which overlooks the white sandy beach.

Day #7
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Transfer to Makassar

Included: Breakfast, car with AC, parking fees

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Bira >> Tana Beru >> Makassar

Breakfast in the morning with a breathtaking beach view from the restaurant.

Free program in the morning, and then we start our return. We stop at Tana Beru. Here we will visit the boat-building center to see how the big, traditional Pinisi boats are built.

After lunch enroute, we proceed to the airport or your hotel in Makassar. This is where our Sulawesi adventure ends and we say goodbye to the driver.

FAQ on Torajaland

How to get to Tana Toraja?

Makassar is the gateway to Tana Toraja, and Rantepao is the base from which to explore Tana Toraja.

Fly to Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport in Makassar. From here you can reach Rantepao both via land and by air.

By Air. Take the morning flight from Makassar to Palopo Bua Airport (±1 hour), located ±2 hour drive from Rantepao. We can pick you up here. Use SkyScanner to search for international and domestic flights.

Warning: While Rantepao also has a small airport "Pongtiku", we advice against flying there, as occasionally flights are either delayed or canceled.

Taxi. Take a private transfer from the airport to Rantepao (±7/8 hours). You could make stops at interesting sites on route (Bugis village, Erotic mountains), make a ±2 hour detour to visit Rammang Rammang, or break the journey with an overnight at Sengkang.

Makassar is the gateway to Tana Toraja, and Rantepao is the base from which to explore Tana Toraja.

Fly to Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport in Makassar. From here you can reach Rantepao both via land and by air.

By Air. Take the morning flight from Makassar to Palopo Bua Airport (±1 hour), located ±2 hour drive from Rantepao. We can pick you up here. Use SkyScanner to search for international and domestic flights.

Warning: While Rantepao also has a small airport "Pongtiku", we advice against flying there, as occasionally flights are either delayed or canceled.

Taxi. Take a private transfer from the airport to Rantepao (±7/8 hours). You could make stops at interesting sites on route (Bugis village, Erotic mountains), make a ±2 hour detour to visit Rammang Rammang, or break the journey with an overnight at Sengkang.

Bus. The cheapest option is to take the bus (±9/10 hours). There are many bus companies with different prices and each bus has several seat classes. Always take the "VIP" seats as these are the most comfortable. Bus companies include Litha & Co, Manggala Trans and Primadona. Usually you need to buy the bus tickets locally, but Primadona has a (primitive) online booking system and an email address ([email protected]).

What to see on the drive from Makassar to Tana Toraja?

Interesting sites on route from Makassar to Rantepao in Tana Toraja are:

  • 1. The Bugis Makassar village
  • 2. The "Erotic mountain" in Bambapuang
  • 3. The famous stone grave "Lemo"
  • 4. The Torajan traditional village " Sasa"

If you leave early in the morning, you could also consider visiting Rammang Rammang and make a guided boat trip and trek.

Notice that the drive to Tana Toraja easily takes 8 hours and could even be longer depending on traffic. So don't be too ambitious with your wishlist and manage your expectations that some sites may have to be skipped depending on the traffic.

Can I get a private transfer Makassar - Tana Toraja by night?

Yes. Our private airport transport can be at any time you wish.

In case you have an early flight to catch in Makassar, we could either drop you off the night before in Makassar so that you rest in a nearby hotel, or we could transport you at night and drop you off at the airport in the morning. As you wish.

What is the best period to visit Tana Toraja?

From a climate point of view, Tana Toraja can be visited all year long. While the temperature is fairly constant throughout the year, chances for the best weather are in the dry season from mid April to early October. However, the rain season in Tana Toraja is not as wet as in other places in Indonesia; typically there is short rain shower in the late afternoon, if it rains at all. In the worst case it could rain half a day.

The best period to visit Tana Toraja to attend a funeral ceremony is July – August. In these months you will be able to attend a ceremony with near certainty if you stay in Tana Toraja for 3 days or more. At the same time this is the busiest period with crowds or visitors.

The best period to visit Tana Toraja for the scenic treks are the high season and shoulder months (April - October), although the best picture conditions (green rice fields) are in the rain season period October-March.

How much should I tip?

Tipping is common in Indonesia, and the staff will be extremely happy and flattered if you decide to do so, but it is entirely voluntary and not expected.

There is no rule for how much to tip, as it really depends on how satisfied you are with the service and on your budget. Some clients really insist to get an indication, so we will give the rule of thumb that for every day you may consider tipping your guide 150.000 IDR and 50.000 IDR to your driver.

Please consider this as very indicative. If you are on a low budget just consider less, and if you are on a high budget you could consider more. But any amount is really appreciated!

Can I visit a funeral ceremony with your Tana Toraja tours?

If there will be a funeral ceremony during your visit then we will attend the funeral if you wish, and we adjust the tour itinerary accordingly.

But we can usually not guarantee that there will be funeral ceremonies during your visit because the funeral schedules are usually not fixed and sometimes only announced a few days in advance.

But if you stay in Tana Toraja for a few days in July and August it is likely that there will be a funeral ceremony during your stay.

How difficult are the treks?

The default treks with the 4D3N Tana Toraja Tour and 5D4N Sulawesi Tour are short (±1 hour) and very accessible even for small children.

The default treks with the 5D4N Tana Toraja Tour and 6D5N Sulawesi Tour are also easy but there is an all-day trek that could be tiring for the inexperienced hiker. In that case, we also offer an alternative hike that only takes ±3 hour and includes the highlights.

However, nothing is set in stone, so just contact us about your preferences and we'll tailor the itineraries to your interests. This can even be done on the spot!

What accommodation is included in Rantepao?

The included accommodation in Rantepao is an ensuite room at a local guesthouse with great value for money: Rosalina Guesthouse or alike.

What are other recommended accommodations in Rantepao?

Rantepao does not have any luxury accommodations, and in our opinion the more expensive accommodations are not good value for money. However, in case you prefer to stay at the more expensive accommodations instead of the included guesthouse, you can book your own accommodation and get a discount for your Toraja tour. Popular hotels in the top category are:

  • Toraja Misilliana Hotel
  • Tongkonan Layuk Lion

Please notice that you can book your own accommodation only for the part of the tour with overnights in Rantepao as accommodations in the mountain villages with the Toraja Tour & Village Stay tours cannot be booked by visitors themselves. Just let us know if you wish to visit other villages than in our default program and we change the itinerary and accommodation accordingly.

What accommodation is included in the remote villages?

You will sleep like a local: in basic but clean rooms. Notice that conform local customs, the shower is usually outside of the house. While we cannot guarantee it, we always try to arrange a traditional Tongkonan.

Why are Buffalo's sacrificed with the Toraja Funeral Ceremonies?

According to Torajan beliefs, the ghost of the deceased lingers around his village until the funeral ceremony is completed, after which it will start the journey to the Land of Souls ("Puya").

Buffaloes are considered to be a transportation vehicle for this journey, and during the funeral ceremony as many buffaloes are sacrificed as possible so that the journey to the land of souls can be done as fast as possible.

What are the most famous burial sites in Tana Toraja?

Lemo. Perhaps the best known and most crowded burial site in Toraja. The sheer rock face has a series of balconies with tau tau, wooden statues of the dead persons inside the graves.
Kambira Baby Graves. The most famous baby grave site in Tana Toraja. Torajans from Kambira would carve a hole into the trunk of a Jackfruit tree and place the baby in it. Over time the living tree would grow around the hole sealing the baby into the trunk. Unfortunately, the trees have died by now. This somewhat dark site holds around 20 deceased infants.
Kete Kesu'. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this is perhaps the best known traditional Torajan village with Tongkanan houses. Visit the rice barns, hanging graves, or start a scenic trek from here.
Suaya. Seven royal families from Sangalla are buried at this famous and relatively quite burial site. The wooden effigies tau tau are in balconies that are cut in the large rock face.
Tampang Allo. Perhaps the least known of the fabulous must-sees in the Southern area: A beautiful, natural cave that has been used in the past as burial site, and where you find tau tau and some human bones.
Lampio in Tana TorajaLampio. Lampio is a traditional weaving village in Toraja. It is the authentic equivalent to the touristic and commercial Sa'dan village.
Bebo and Karuaya. Traditional villages, where the villagers still have a traditional, animistic belief. The walk from Bebo to Karuaya takes around 45 minutes, during which you see both traditional Torajan houses and beautiful nature.

What should I bring to my Tana Toraja Tour?

The general pack list:

  • Comfortable shoes
  • Insect repellent (DEET 40%)
  • Small backpack for the day trips
  • Camera

Pack also the following for the Tana Toraja treks:

  • Towel
  • Pocket light
  • Mobile charger for your electronic devices (or a spare battery)

When you visit a ceremony, you should bring a small ceremony gift (such as sugar, chocolate, cigarettes), or just ask your guide to make a stop at a local store on the way to the ceremony.

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Refund Policy
100% refund for any cancellation until 1 week from tour start. No questions asked.

For cancellations within a week from tour start, there is no refund of the deposit, and a 100% refund of the balance.

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Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Award 2021
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A Week in Toraja

Sal and Budi advised me very well with a choice of itineraries and Yulius and Lia were the best guides. Once he knew my interests, Yulius planned three varied and interesting days and took me to a number of villages and burial sites round Rantepao; as well as attending a funeral, we visited a village ...

A True Treasure!

A True Treasure!

Me and my family first did an orangutan tour with LG in Kalimantan, and we were so incredibly amazed about the thorough (really unprecedented to me!!!) service and their positive mindset, that I decided to visit another location in which they also offer tours -> Tana Toraja. Wow! While everyone visits the casual burial sites, ...

A Week To Remember!

A Week To Remember!

Sal and Budi advised me very well with a choice of itineraries and Yulius and Lia were the best guides. Once he knew my interests, Yulius planned three varied and interesting days and took me to a number of villages and burial sites round Rantepao; as well as attending a funeral, we visited a village ...

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To learn about the Tara Toraja culture, the best option we took was to have Local-guides and with Budi, an excellent guide. It was a success from the beginning, until the end. The visit, of 4 days, was intense and did not leave us indifferent. The explanations, the landscape, its people and especially its culture, ...

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Highly Recommended to Take a Guide

I am a very low-budget backpacker and therefore I traveled through Tana Toraja for 2 days without a guide. However, I got the feeling that I was only visiting tourist places while my impression was that there was so much that the area offered which is why I decided to contact local guides. And I ...

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Leider Viel zu Kurt!

Ich habe dort leider nur den 2 Tag und 1 Nacht Trek gemacht, das war viel zu kurz. Edi und seine Mitarbeiter sind alle sehr nett und freundlich. Das ganze Dorf ist es. Es wurde sich einfach um Alles gekümmert und sämtliche Sorgen wurden einen genommen. Die Guides sind sehr bemüht und auch lustig. Man ...

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Have booked the excellent guide Budi for a few days with my mother and my fiance and was more than satisfied what our guide Budi shows us. He is very professional and knows so much about the torajan history, which he explains in an good english very enthusiastic (he loves his job, the nature and ...

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We had an amazing time. Our guide, Adhi, met us the evening before at our guest house (Sam’s bungalow) and went through the plan for the next couple of days and everything we’d need to bring. He then met us again after breakfast the next morning. He organised for our bags to be stored whilst ...

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Haben über local guides die klotok Tour gebucht. Budi holte uns einen Tag vor Beginn der Tour abends nach einer langen Busfahrt von Makassar in Rantepao ab. Wir besprachen die Tour, aßen lecker zu Abend und er brachte uns in unsere etwas entferntere Unterkunft von Rantepao,was wohl sonst nicht so üblich ist. Eine Unterkunft Nähe ...

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We are a community of local guides in Indonesia with a passion for the outdoors and our environment. We fight for our rainforests, we support our local communities, and we provide ecotours for local prices to promote responsible travel.

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