Roundtrip 16 days surprising south Sulawesi and cultural Bali

Garuda Indonesia flies non-stop from Amsterdam to Jakarta with her new Boeing 777-300 ER. Experience the hospitality of the Indonesian culture on board of Garuda Indonesia, the national flight company of Indonesia. This direct flight takes you in 13 and a half hour from Amsterdam to Jakarta. Departure Amsterdam around midday, arrival Jakarta the next day, early in the morning. Your connecting flight leaves about 3 hours later (flight time 2 hours and 30 minutes).

In Makassar, former Ujung Pandang, your driver is waiting for you and takes you to your hotel. The port city is situated in exactly the middle of Indonesia and therefor the gateway to the East. Your hotel is in the centre of the city within walking distance of the famous boulevard Pantai Losari and the old Dutch Fort Rotterdam. In front of the boulevard you’ll see the only mosque of Indonesia that is built on the sea. The bustling harbour Paotere is the home port of the famous Buginese Phinisi ships which are still loaded manually. The city is also well-known for its seafood restaurants. Makassar has wonderful sunsets that you can admire from the boulevard. Overnight in Makassar.

After breakfast you will be taken to the dessa Ramang Ramang. There you will board a motorized canoe and sail down the Puteh River past the Karts rocks (cliffs of limestone - glue stone). You will visit small caves with prehistoric drawings. These prints seem to be between 8,000 and 30,000 years old and one of the oldest in the world. You also take a brisk walk in the vicinity of the dessa Berua. A walk through the nature and culture of the Buginese. Lunch is used in a local house. When there is still time you can visit the old Dutch Fort Rotterdam and the lively harbor Paotere in Makassar.

Depending on the traffic our journey through the country of the Bugis to Bira takes 4 to 6 hours. The Bugis are known as the best ship builders and sailors in Indonesia. In Tanah Beru you can see how they build these beautiful and proud wooden Phinisi boats. In the afternoon you will arrive at the white sandy beach of Bira. Overnight in Bira.

There’s nothing on the program today. You can enjoy relaxing on the beach, or hire a boat and go snorkelling near one of the small islands in front of the coast. Overnight in Bira.

After breakfast your driver will bring you to Sengkang, a small city in the centre of the former Bugines Kingdom. In Watampone you will visit the museum of late Andi Mapasissi to admire his collection of former Buginese Kings. (not always open) In the afternoon around sunset a boat trip on Lake Tempe. With a motorized canoe (to be paid on the spot) ypu will sail the lake to see how the fishermen with their families live on their floating villages. Lake Tempo is a shallow lake. After a long period of drought the lake dries up and can’t be navigated anymore. Overnight stay in a simple accommodation in Sengkang.

After breakfast we leave for Tana Toraja. In the morning you will visit the local home industry in Sengkang and surrounding, Buginese silk weaving. The trip to Tana Toraja goes via the east coast and will take some 6 hours. In the late afternoon arrival in Toraja. 4 nights in Tana Toraja.

After breakfast a full day exploring the Toraja surroundings. Today you will visit Lemo where the rows of Tau Tau dolls are still on the balconies in front of the graves. Then to Suaya and surroundings where you visit the King's Tombs and the mystical baby boom. Then you stop at Londa where the dead are buried with great ceremonial. The last stop is at the authentic Toraja village of Kete Kesu. Not only known for its beautiful Tongkonans, the traditional Toraja houses, but also for its colorful carvings. Overnight in Rantepao - Tana Toraja.

Another day to explore Tana Toraja.. Today you will visit the somewhat higher situated Batutumonga from where you have a beautiful view over Rantepao and valley. An exceptional area for a brisk walk through the wonderful rice fields and straight through the daily life of the Torajans. You can make the walk as long as you want. The car is of course available for those who don’t want to walk. Overnight in Rantepao - Tana Toraja.

There‘s much to do and to see in Tana Toraja. Maybe there will be a funeral ceremony that you can attend one of these days or it’s the day of the weekly big cattle market where water buffalos and pigs are sold. On the market you can also find all the spices that people grow in this fertile region. Toraja coffee, vanilla, nutmeg, cacao, clove and much fruit are colourfully displayed in baskets by the local people from Toraja. Overnight in Rantepao - Tana Toraja.

Today we travel back to Makassar. A long but beautiful route with several stops. In the morning, stop at the puncak Lakawan opposite the erotic mountain to enjoy the view. Continue along the picturesque Bugineze villages with their typical houses on stilts to Makassar. In the afternoon arrival in Makassar, the end of your tour through South Sulawesi and the start of your holiday in Bali. You fly with Garuda at approx 19:45 to Denpasar. Arrival approx 21:20. Your bus is ready to take you to your hotel in Sanur.

Direct flight with Garuda Indonesia. Depart 19:40, arrive 21:15

There’s nothing on the program today. You can lounge around the swimming-pool or on the beach. Sanur has got a very nice street with lots of little shops and restaurants. In some restaurants performances are given during your dinner. You find the most delicious small fish restaurants along the beach. Overnight in Sanur.

Like yesterday there’s nothing on the programme today. You can relax at the hotel or use the following link for an excursion Bali excursies Maybe a full day snorkeling trip to Nusa Penida?

Well in advance, about 3 hours before the departure of your flight, your driver picks you up for your transfer to the airport.

Flight with Garuda Indonesia with transfer in Jakarta. Departure Denpasar early evening, arrival Amsterdam in the early morning.

In the morning arrival at Schiphol. The end of a beautiful trip...