Itinerary :
DAY 1. MAKASSAR – TORAJA
Arrival at Hasanuddin Makassar airport. Welcome by our representative and start of your tour.
Road (330 km) to Rantepao (6/7h): we pass Bugis* boats pulled dry, crab ponds, vast rice fields, bizarre chalky formations in the shape of towers, a traditional shipyard and the vast bay of Pare-Pare. Free lunch in Pare-Pare. The road then runs along the Sadang River before passing through a hilly region. We cross the famous area of Kalosi coffee plantations before passing a pass at 1100 m (superb panorama) to finally arrive at the “tanah toraja” (Toraja plateau). Dinner at your expense.
* The famous Bugis sailors have been criss-crossing the entire archipelago for centuries, transporting goods from island to island. On their rudderless sailboats, they feel no need to have a compass... Overnight at the Toraja Misiliana resort.
DAY 2: TORAJA COUNTRY
Full day dedicated to the Toraja country. We start with the famous and old village of Lemo: the local Rajahs have had burial chambers carved out of the cliffside; they are closed by ornate wooden doors “guarded” by oversized “tautau” (funerary figurines) which have made the Toraja culture world famous. We continue to Suaya to discover the secret of “baby trees”. walk to get to Tampangg'alo, then a well-deserved bath in the pool of Makula fed by a hot spring. Then in the afternoon, we continue to the funerary cliff of Londa, 70 m high: its deep limestone caves (useful headlamp) are full of bones and its galleries have a large number of "tautau". The tombs of the aristocracy are located at a dizzying height. We then go to Kete Kesu, one of the oldest Toraja villages located in the middle of the rice fields and visit the rice warehouses facing the houses: the rice harvest is protected by carved and painted representations of suns, chickens and buffalo heads. Return to Rantepao. Late afternoon Walk by rickshaw in the alleys of Rantepao. Night at the Toraja Misiliana resort hotel.
DAY 3: TORAJA COUNTRY
Breakfast, visit the local market of Rantepao or Makale: it takes place every 6 days.
Departure for the visit of the north: Visit the village of Palawa: the oldest of the villages of Toraja Tongkonan and renowned for its rice granaries and especially its traditional houses with the roof of boat hull, then discovery of the village of Batutumonga located in a region mountainous from where the landscapes are fantastic. Lunch possible at the mentirotiku restaurant, facing the valley, then descend on foot to TIKALA, 2 hours of descent through authentic villages with rice terraces, meet with locals and their activities. Then discovery of the site of Bori known for its menhirs and which testifies to a funerary site. Continuation with a visit to the traditional village of Marante and its funerary caves, return to the hotel at the end of the afternoon. Night at the same hotel.
DAY 4: TORAJA – SENGKANG
Breakfast at the hotel, DEPARTURE for Lake Tempe by the Palopo road with magnificent landscapes, On your arrival, you will board a motorized fishing boat to explore Lake Tempe and visit the floating village….it will be the opportunity to meet the families of the fishermen. The lake is shallow: in the event of a dry season or light weather, it will not be possible to cross the lake. A hike in the surroundings will then be proposed by your guide. visit of traditional Bugis houses where ikat is woven. Night at the BBC hotel (a new hotel on the shore of Lake Tempe).
Transfer time: Approx 05h00 by car.
DAY 5: SENGKANG – BIRA
Breakfast, then continuation to Bira via Kajeng village. You will discover a tribe that has preserved a primitive way of life. Its inhabitants refuse modernity and live completely in autarky: no electricity, electrical appliance or telephone... It will also be a privileged and unique moment to familiarize yourself with their customs. With a little luck, you will be able to meet its leader "Ammatoa" reputed to be powerful and possessing great powers. You will arrive late afternoon at the hotel. Night at the hotel.
Transfer time: Approx 06h00 by car
DAY 6: BIRA
Breakfast, you will visit in the morning shipyards (mainly in Tanaberu) are famous for providing the best wooden boats in Sulawesi and probably in Indonesia, The carpenters still use ancestral techniques without any construction plan, based only on the know-how that is transmitted from father to son. The penisi schooners (large cargo ships) can reach more than 30 meters and almost 200 tons. After noon you will visit the traditional port and you will see the fishermen returning from fishing. Free dinner. Night at the hotel.
DAY 7: BIRA – MAKASSAR
After breakfast, transfer back to Makassar (direct 5 hour drive) via the typical villages of Bulukumba, Jeneponto and Takalar. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant en route
Transfer to the airport and flight to your next destination.
Transfer time: Approx 05h00 by car.