Discover the cultural heart of South Sulawesi as we explore Makassar’s colonial past and canoe through the limestone karsts of Rammang-Rammang. Meet fishing families on Tempe Lake before travelling to the highlands of Tana Toraja, where we uncover ancient burial sites, Tau Tau cliff graves and traditional Tongkonan houses. Trek through rice fields dotted with megaliths and experience the rich traditions of this fascinating region.
Trip Highlights
Included
Not Included
Itinerary
Makassar City Tour
Welcome to South Sulawesi! Upon arrival at Hasanuddin Airport in Makassar, you’ll be met by our guide and transferred to your hotel. Later, we enjoy a brief city tour, visiting Fort Rotterdam, a well-preserved Dutch fortress, and Paotere Anchorage, the busy harbor where traditional Bugis and Makassarese schooners still dock.
Overnight: Makassar
Village Life, Canoeing & Sengkang
Makassar - Rammang-Rammang - Sengkang. After an early breakfast, we depart at 7:30 for the journey to Rammang-Rammang village. After an hour’s drive, we arrive at the jetty where the friendly locals greet us. We board a traditional canoe and glide along the Puteh River, passing dramatic limestone karst formations and lush Nypa palms. We take a gentle walk through Berua Village and enjoy a traditional snack of fried banana with tea or coffee at a local home. Afterwards, we paddle back and continue a soft trek through the Karst Towers of Limestone Park, with lunch served en route.
Later, we travel to Sengkang and head straight to Tempe Lake, where we board a motorized canoe to visit fishing families living in floating houses. We enjoy coffee and snacks at one of the houses before returning to Sengkang to check in at our hotel for the night.
Overnight: Sengkang | Breakfast, Lunch
Sengkang to Rantepao
Sengkang - Rantepao. We start the day with a visit to a traditional silk factory, where skilled Buginese women weave intricate silk fabrics. Then we journey through the scenic landscapes of Siwa and Palopo as we make our way to Toraja. On arrival in Rantepao, the heart of Toraja, we check in at our hotel.
Overnight: Rantepao | Breakfast, Lunch
Exploring Tana Toraja
Today, we delve into the unique culture of the Toraja people. We begin at Lemo, renowned for its Tau Tau statues and hanging graves, then continue to the baby graves of Kambira. These sobering hollowed tree trunks are where deceased infants were once placed.
We visit Londa to see its ancient tombs, where the deceased are placed among the rocks rather than buried. After lunch at a local restaurant in Rantepao, we travel on to Karuaya to enjoy the beautiful Toraja panorama before taking a short walk to Kete Kesu, one of the oldest Toraja villages. Here, we find rows of original Tongkonan ancestral houses and traditional rice barns adorned with colorful woodcarvings. We spend a second night at our hotel in Rantepao.
Overnight: Rantepao | Breakfast, Lunch
Soft Trekking and Traditional Villages
Rantepao - Timonbayo - Batutumonga - Bori - Pallawa - Sa’dan Tubaranna - Rantepao. This morning, we embark on a journey to Timonbayo for panoramic views of rice fields scattered with ancient megalithic stones.
We continue to the burial cave of Lokomata before heading to Batutumonga, where we take a short trek, soak in the beautiful scenery and experience a glimpse of Torajan village life. Lunch is served at a local restaurant in Batutumonga.
In the afternoon, we visit Bori to see its impressive collection of megaliths, then continue to Pallawa and Sa’dan Tubaranna, traditional Torajan villages famed for their intricate weaving. This evening, we enjoy a farewell dinner at our hotel.
Overnight: Rantepao | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Palopo
Our south Sulawesi adventure comes to an end after breakfast and check out. An included transfer takes you to the airport in Palopo - from here you'll need to book a flight back to Makassar, where you can connect for your next destination.
Breakfast
Prices & Dates
All departure dates are guaranteed to operate when there are 2 persons booked on the tour. 'Twin/Double' prices are per person when there are 2 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Single' prices are applicable to solo travellers and anyone wanting the privacy of their own room.
Hotels
The hotels listed below are ones which we frequently use on this tour. We reserve the right to substitute these hotels to ones of a similar standard.
Aston Makassar Hotel & Convention Center, Makassar
Aston Makassar Hotel & Convention Center is a modern waterfront hotel in central Makassar, within walking distance of Fort Rotterdam, Losari Beach and the harbour. Its 177 spacious, air-conditioned rooms feature flat-screen TVs, minibars, tea and coffee making facilities, bathrobes and en-suite bathrooms. Facilities include an indoor pool, spa with sauna and massage rooms, fitness centre, and rooftop dining with panoramic views. Guests can enjoy the café, lounge bar and buffet restaurant. The hotel also offers free parking, airport shuttle, meeting spaces and 24-hour reception, making it a comfortable base for exploring Makassar.
BBC Hotel Sengkang, Sengkang
BBC Hotel Sengkang is a straightforward, family-friendly stay in the heart of Sengkang, South Sulawesi, just steps from the river and a short walk to vibrant local cafés and restaurants. It offers a mix of air-conditioned rooms—some overlooking the water—each with en-suite bathrooms and free Wi‑Fi. Guests can dine at the onsite restaurant and enjoy complimentary breakfast. Practical amenities include free parking, an adjacent boat-launching spot for Lake Tempe excursions, and friendly staff who can assist with local transport and tours. It’s a comfortable, no-frills base for groups exploring the Tempe region.
Toraja Misiliana Hotel, Rantepao
Toraja Misiliana Hotel is a welcoming 4-star resort just 2 km from Rantepao, set beside the Sa’dan River and surrounded by rice fields. It offers spacious, traditionally styled rooms with en-suite bathrooms, balconies or terraces, tea and coffee making facilities, minibars and satellite TV. Guests can enjoy an outdoor swimming pool, spa with massage treatments, tennis court, two restaurants and a lounge bar. Free parking, airport shuttle, car hire and organised transfers to cultural sites make it an ideal base for exploring Tana Toraja’s unique heritage and scenery.
At a Glance
