Sulawesi Island is the world's eleventh-largest island in Indonesia, covering an area of 174,600 km. The island is surrounded by Borneo to the West, by the Philippines to the North, by Maluku to the Sast, and by Flores and Timor to the South. It has a distinctive shape, dominated by four large peninsulas: the Semenanjung Minahassa; the East Peninsula; the South Peninsula; and the South-east Peninsula. The central part of the island is ruggedly mountainous, such that the island's peninsulas have traditionally been remote from each other, with better connections by sea, air than by road, land area is 227,000 square kilometres no point of the mainland is more than 90 kms away from the sea. This makes the island has a long coast line. Most of the land are mountaineous in nature. The combination of the two offers wonderful sceneries both its shores and the highland.
The Portuguese were thbs, Indians, Siamese, Javanese, and e first to refer to Sulawesi as 'Celebes'. The first western visitors, reached Sulawesi in 1511, they found Makassar a thriving cosmopolitan entre-port where Chinese, Arabs, Malays came to trade their manufactured metal goods and fine textiles for precious pearls, gold, copper, camphor and, of course, the invaluable spices - nutmeg, cloves and mace which were brought from the interior and from the neighbouring Spice Islands, the present day Moluccas. One suggestion is the Bugis word si-lebih for 'more islands' - a reference to its shape suggesting it was more than one island. The modern name 'Sulawesi' probably origins from the words "Sula" which means Island and "besi" which means Iron, thought to be reference to the rich Lake Matano iron deposits. Other suggestion is that it comes from the portuguese word "celebres" or famous ones, as these islands were famous for their spices throughout Asia and even Europe, this being the reason that attracted them to these islands.
Sulawesi Island now has subdivided into six provinces : Gorontalo, West Sulawesi, South Sulawesi, Central Sulawesi, South East Sulawesi, and North Sulawesi. West Sulawesi is a new province, created in 2004 from part of South Sulawesi. The largest cities on the island are Makassar formerly know Ujung Pandang, on the southwestern coast of the island, and Manado, on the northern tip. Read More Sulawesi Overview »...
Trans Sulawesi Overland Tour, 18 Days / 17 Nights :
Day 01 : Makassar – Tanjung Bira (LD).
Upon arrival at Sultan Hasanuddin airport Makassar, meeting service then transfer to the local restaurant for having lunch. After lunch direct to Tanjung Bira at Bulukumba Regency via Gowa, Takalar and Bantaeng and Bulukumba Regency. On the will stop to visit the Royal Palace of Gowa Kingdom “Balla Lompoa” The palace was built in 1936, in traditional style on stilts, with an imposing flight of steps leading up to a large reception room, nowdays the palace was become a museum, here you can see the heritage of Gowa Kingdom, afterwards continue trip to Tanjung Bira. In Tana Beru Village you will have a chance to admire the skillful hands of Buginese in constructing Phinisi boat, this is the Center of Pinisi Boat building in Sulawesi Island. After that continue the trip to Tanjung Bira, afternoon arrive in Bira. Check in Hotel and overnight. Lunch at the local restaurant. Dinner at the hotel.
If arrive in the morning, guest will be have time to visit : Fort rotterdam in Makasssar down town. Fort Rotterdam which was built about 1545 under King Tunipallangga of Gowa. This Fort contains the La-Galigo Museum where you can find exhibits such as a model of the fort, ethnographic displays, musical instruments and heraldry and reconstructions of archaeological sites. Now it is famous as a cultural centre.
Day 02 : Bira – Kajang Tribe – Liukkang Island (BLD).
After breakfast, visit Kajang village, is an unique tribe preferred isolation from the modern world. This tribe is ruled by a tribal and religious chief called Ammatoa, enter this are by food. Lunch we will be served on en-route. After lunch back to Tanjung Bira then direct cross to Liukkang Island its about 30 minutes ride a boat from Bira Beach. The island is ideal place for swimming, fishing, sunbathing and snorkelling. Afternoon back to Tanjung Bira. Dinner at the hotel.
* you may don'f forget to bring Black T'Shirt and Pants, couse if we enter into this place we should use dressed all in black color.
Day 03 : Bira – Bone – Sengkang (BLD).
Breakfast at Hotel, check out, then to Sengkang Regency. Enroute you will stop in Bone Regency on the center of the former Bugis kingdom to visit the Museum of Andi Mappasissi where we can find all ancient collections of the former Bone kingdom. Lunch at the local restaurant in Bone. After that continue the trip to Sengkang Regency. Upon arrive in Sengkang visit Silk Weaving center, Sengkang silk weaving industry which is the result belongs to the people. Sengkang is known as a center of silk industry. The silk fabric is sold in the market Sengkang such as Sarong, Clothing, etc, There are several silk home industry can be found around this regency, usually their work from under house, people weave silk yarn for weaving into a beautiful work, they working with patiently and full of appreciation. After that check in hotel. Lunch and Dinner at the local restaurant.
Day 04 : Sengkang – Lake Tempe – Toraja (BLD).
Breakfast at Hotel, check out then tour to Lake Tempe and by ride a traditional boat to see the way of life of some people who still live on their floating houses, the floating fisherman village stand in a row decorated with colorful flags. The lake, which is 13.000 hectare in width, seems like a giant washbasin when it is viewed from above. Subsistence for people living around. After that lunch at local restaurant then continue the trip to Tanah Toraja. Upon arrival in Toraja, check-in to your hotel, overnight, Dinner at the local restaurant.
Day 05 : Toraja Fullday Tour (BLD).
Buffet breakfast at hotel, starting Toraja tour to visit The cliff-side stone grave with wooden effigies on the balcony at Lemo, the royal family tombs at Suaya, Ke’te Kesu (traditional wooden carving village and hanging grave), then lunch at local restaurant. After lunch continue the tour to visit Londa (the natural cave grave) and Marante (is a village where a lot of Tongkonan House, big paddy barns and big rocky hill containing hanging stone graves which the located called "Erong"). Afternoon back to the hotel, Dinner at the local restaurant, free program.
Day 06 : Toraja Fullday Tour (BLD).
Buffet breakfast at hotel, starting tour to visit Batutumonga, the highland area and the beautiful landscape of 1.355 meters from sea level, Pallawa (The most beautiful village with buffalo horns in front off their houses), Kambira (Baby grave) then lunch at the local restaurant after that continue the tour to visit Lokomata (the boulder grave) then visit Sa' dan To'Barana, the traditional cotton weaving village. Afternoon back to the hotel, Dinner at the local restaurant, free program.
Day 07 : Toraja – Pendolo (BLD).
Buffet breakfast at hotel, check out then leaving to Pendolo via Palopo. Along the road from Tana Toraja to Palopo you can enjoy some spectacular views and natural scene, padi fiel and local people do it their activities. Lunch will be served at an-route. The trip will be take about 8 - 9 hour driver. On the way will stop to visit Wera Saluopa waterfall, famous for its multi stepped waterfall and if we have time, also we can visit other place interest such as orchide garden Bancea. Upon arrive in Pendolo, a small town located on south shore of Lake Poso, check in hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 08 : Pendolo – Ampana (BLD).
After breakfast, check out then leaving to Ampana, on the way you will have time to visit Lake Poso and by ride charter boat, crossing the crystal clear waters to explore around the lake. After that continue the trip to Ampana, along road you may enjoy rain forrest and Coconut plantations, trip will be take about 9 - 10 hour drive. Upon arrive at Ampana, check in hotel, Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 09 : Ampana – Togian Island (BLD).
After breakfast take a drive to the pearl and then by ride charter boat sail to Togian Island. The sail will be take about 5 - 6 hours boat rides. Lunch will be served at box or upon arrive at Togian Island, check in at hotel. Dinner at hotel and overnight, free program.
Day 10 : Togian Island Snorkeling (BLD).
After breakfast at hotel, take a time to snorkeling at around the island. enjoy the beach while sunbathing and snorkelling or Diving and this optional. Lunch and Dinner at hotel.
Day 11 : Togian Island Snorkeling (BLD).
After breakfast at hotel, take a time to snorkeling at around the island. Snorkelling or Diving and this optional. Lunch and Dinner at hotel.
Day 12 : Togian Island – Marisa – Gorontalo (BLD).
After breakfast at hotel, check out then leaving to Marisa by ride charter boat. The boat rides to Marisa will be take about 3 - 4 hours. Upon arrive at Marise continue the trip to Gorontalo for check in hotel, dinner at local restaurant.
Day 13 : Gorontalo – Kotamobagu (BLD).
After breakfast, check out then leaving for Kotamobagu. on the way you will visit Fort Otanaha, located at the Hill of faces to the lake Limboto. In the past, the Kings of Gorontalo used Otanaha castle as a place of protection and defense. The unique of the castle applies in the material that was used to build the castle, which was the mixed of sand, plaster and the white part of Maleo egg. The panorama of Lake Limboto also can be seen clearly from the castle of Otanaha, because the castle itself stands in the top of the highland. After that continue the trip to Kotamobagu, the trip will be take about 6 - 7 hour drive. Lunch will be served en-route. Along the trip you will enjoy also some natural views, mountain and with few stops enroute for some interesting stuff. Upon arrive in Kotamobagu, check in hotel, Dinner at the local restaurant.
Day 14 : Kotamobagu – Tomohon (BLD).
After breakfast, check out then leaving for Tomohon, in the highland of Manado. Tomohon is known for flower planting at people's homes. Nearby is the mountain Mount Lokon. Tomohon is also known for wooden house production, palm sugar (aren) production, vegetable agriculture, and as a center of Christian Ministry and as a student town. on the way you will have a time for visit Lake Moaat and Lake Linow, the Lake Linow is a beautiful but rather strange lake. It can change colours! The waters of the lake sometimes look blue, sometimes green, and sometimes red. Located of the Lake Linow lies in Tomohon city, Minahasa Regency. The lakeside is a lovely place to relax. Lake Linau is a unique lake for its high level of sulphur content that cause it tends to turn its color based on the viewing perspective and the lighting angle of the sun. There are numerous endemic faunas like Blibis birds and insects called “Sayok” or “Komo.” Those winged insects living in the water are consumed by the inhabitants around the lake. Besides the panoramic view of surrounding area, Lake Linau has special characteristics as the tendency to turn its color because of the high level of sulphur content. That is the beauty of the lake that will amaze you by watching it from different viewing perspectives. Lunch will be served en-route at local restaurant. Afternoon arrive in Tomohon, check in hotel, Dinner at the local restaurant.
Day 15 : Tomohon – Minahasa Hingland – Tangkoko National Park (BLD).
After breakfast, check out then tour to Woloan; traditional minahasan house Productions, it traditional wooden houses are built in the small village of Woloan. This wooden house is special because it is knockdown house too, meaning that the house will be built in the production area and after it is finished, it will be knocked down and send to the client's place and rebuilt the house there, either permanently or not. This type of house is good because it works well for earthquake Japanese Cave, Built during World War II by the Japanese, these caves are located between the two charming countryside villages of Kawangkoan and Kiawa. The caves were mostly used to store supplies during the war and defenses against a possible allied invasion, and as arsenals Kawangkoan 'peanuts village', Pulutan Pottery Village, and Sumoro Endo's Lake Tondano. Lunch will be served en-route at local restaurant. After that proceed to Tangkoko Nature Reserve. Late afternoon, arrive in Tangkoko and before dark, take a walk into this nature reserve park. The Tangkoko National Park is located on the slopes of Mount Dua Saudara. It is situated to the north of Bitung and is a few hours away from Manado. Tangkoko National Park comprised of rolling hills and valleys with a variety of hardwood trees and unusual plant life. The lush green hills and valleys that make up the landscape of the nature reserve offer some exceptionally beautiful views. This ancient rainforest is packed with striking fauna and flora. Some of the more common fauna found here include anoa, black apes, cus-cus, hornbill, Tarsius Spectrum (world's smallest primate/the smallest monkey in the world), black tailess monkeys, Maleo Birds, Wild pigs and kuskus (marsupial family), after that back to the hotel, Dinner at the local restaurant or at hotel.
Day 16 : Tangkoko – Manado – Bunaken (BLD).
After breakfast, check out then Transfer to Manado pier and directly take a boat ride to Bunaken Island. Like the Manado coastline, Bunaken Island is characterised by clear waters, beaches and stunning drop-offs. The world fomaus Bunaken Marine National Park has very deep water bodies. The depth is 1,566 m in Manado Bay and the clear waters afford a visibility of 35 to 40 metres. The temperature here is a mild 27 ° C to 29 ° C. One of the most remarkable dive sites in the world is the Bunaken Coral Reef with an area 75.26 hectares, is located very close to Manado and comprices of 5 island: Bunaken, Manado Tua, Siladen, Mantehage, and Nain. The superb diving and snorkling sites puts the Marine Park in one of the Top 10 dive area and its ideal for experience divers or begginner divers. Glass-bottom boat cruises around Bunaken are also always a popular attraction with tourists. Upon arrive in Bunaken free program, enjoy the beach while sunbathing and snorkelling or Diving and this optional. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 17: Bunaken Island Snorkeling (BLD).
After breakfast at resort, enjoy the beach while sunbathing and snorkelling or Diving and this optional. Lunch and Dinner at resort.
Day 18 : Bunaken – Transfer Out (B).
After breakfast, check out then Transfer to Manado, arrive in Manado directly transfer to Sam Ratulangi Airport Manado to catch your flight to the next Destination. (end program).
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