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Indonesia15 daysMax 12 travellersSolo-friendly

Indonesia – Sulawesi Explorer

A two-week overland journey linking Makassar's port history, Toraja's cliff tombs and funeral rites, and Bunaken's coral reefs.

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The TelegraphCulture TripThe TimesLonely PlanetThe GuardianIndependentNational GeographicThe TelegraphCulture TripThe TimesLonely PlanetThe GuardianIndependentNational Geographic
About this journey

What to expect on this trip

The enormous and oddly shaped island of Sulawesi is one of Indonesia’s cultural treasures, but is often neglected by western tour companies, in favour of better-known Bali or Java. Yet it holds a wealth of treasures that should be on the itinerary of every serious traveller, with fascinating ethnic groups following elaborate social practices, which cannot be seen elsewhere.

Our Indonesia trip to this remarkable land encompasses both the north and south of the island, starting from the bustling capital Makassar and heading into Tanah Toraja, an area of highlands where traditional architecture and practices are at their strongest. We explore villages with amazing carved houses where we hope to see some of their tribal festivals, we visit incredible ‘hanging graves’ and walk along picturesque rice terraces to reach little visited communities. In Sulawesi’s north we visit parks and reserves in search of the island’s unusual wildlife, including the tiny Tarsier, and enjoy traditional meals cooked for us by the inhabitants of local villages. We see the unusual ‘waruga’ sarcophagi of the Minhasa Highlands and explore colourful local markets where anything is considered to be food. This is an intriguing and rather mysterious part of the Indonesian archipelago with unique and complex social customs that are unlike anything you will have seen before.

This two-week trip encompasses the very best of this fascinating island, and will leave you wanting to explore more of this vast and varied region.

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The journey

Indonesia – Sulawesi Explorer

Key moments

What makes this trip special

Drawn from the full tour dossier — the standout days, encounters and views our specialists keep coming back to.

Your route
isemap

  1. Rammang Rammang Karst and Cave Handprints

    A canoe journey along a quiet river flanked by nipa palms reaches a remote village in the Maros karst landscape. Visitors explore a cave containing ancient handprints dating back over 5,000 years. The surrounding karst formations create a dramatic, otherworldly setting.

  2. Malino Highland Walk and Waterfalls

    A guided walk through Malino's forested hills and farmlands crosses rivers via bamboo bridges and passes scenic waterfalls including Biroro and Ta'kapala. Lunch is served at a local home with panoramic views across the valleys. The walk offers an intimate look at rural highland life.

  3. Lake Tempe Canoe Journey and Floating Villages

    A traditional canoe crossing of Lake Tempe's wetlands passes floating villages and fishermen deploying nets, rods, and enclosures among more than 20 species of water birds. Where lake conditions allow, visitors enter one of the stilted homes on the water. The lake expands dramatically in the wet season, flooding the surrounding area.

  4. Toraja Cliff Tombs, Tau Tau Statues, and Tree Graves

    Lemo's cliff-side tombs are guarded by Tau Tau, life-sized carved ancestral effigies, while ancient burial caves and tree graves at Kambira hold the remains of infants placed inside living trees. The day continues to Kete Kesu, a UNESCO-listed cultural village renowned for its traditional tongkonan houses and elaborate funeral traditions. The sites illustrate the Torajan belief system, Aluk to Dolo, which governs rites of the ancestors.

  5. Bolu Buffalo Market and Bori Stone Monoliths

    The Bolu buffalo market, held Tuesdays and Saturdays, is a central site of Torajan cultural life where buffaloes are traded for use in funeral ceremonies. Nearby Bori contains ancient stone monoliths marking the funeral grounds of Torajan aristocracy. The day also visits Londa's cave tombs, adorned with life-like ancestral figures, before ending with views from Batutumonga over rice terraces and small villages.

  6. Toraja Cooking Class in a Traditional Rice Barn

    Ingredients are sourced at a lively local market before participants prepare authentic Torajan dishes alongside a local host family. The meal is shared inside a traditional rice barn, followed by an afternoon walk through bamboo forests and rice paddies. The experience provides direct access to domestic Torajan life and cuisine.

Key moments for Indonesia – Sulawesi Explorer

Full itinerary · 15 days

Prefer a PDF? Get the printable dossier
Dates & prices

Choose your departure

Reserve your place with a £350 per-person deposit; the balance is due 70 days before departure. Prefer your own space? A single room is available on every departure.

  • Departure
    11 Sept 2026 → 25 Sept 2026
    Guaranteed
    From
    £2,345 pp
    Single supp. +£525
    Contact for availability
  • Departure
    14 May 2027 → 28 May 2027
    Guaranteed
    From
    £2,345 pp
    Single supp. +£525
    Book now
  • Departure
    16 Jul 2027 → 30 Jul 2027
    Guaranteed
    From
    £2,345 pp
    Single supp. +£525
    Book now
  • Departure
    10 Sept 2027 → 24 Sept 2027
    Guaranteed
    From
    £2,345 pp
    Single supp. +£525
    Book now
  • Departure
    12 May 2028 → 26 May 2028
    Guaranteed
    From
    £2,345 pp
    Single supp. +£545
    Book now
  • Departure
    14 Jul 2028 → 28 Jul 2028
    Guaranteed
    From
    £2,345 pp
    Single supp. +£545
    Book now
  • Departure
    8 Sept 2028 → 22 Sept 2028
    Guaranteed
    From
    £2,345 pp
    Single supp. +£545
    Book now

Can’t find the right fit?

Every one of our Indonesia journeys can be rebuilt around your dates, pace and interests — or we’ll design something entirely new.

Tailor my trip
What's included

What your tour price covers

Included in the price

  • Arrival and departure transfers
  • Overland transport throughout with professional driver
  • Domestic flight
  • All accommodation
  • Services of English-speaking guide / tour leader
  • Meals as listed
  • Entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary

Budget separately for

  • International flights (, contact , us, for expert advice and a quote)
  • Any airport taxes (except when included with domestic airfares)
  • Travel Insurance
  • Visa – when required
  • Drinks
  • Items of personal nature
  • Tips (Discretionary)
Before you go

Essential information

Shared across all tours that visit this destination. Read alongside your individual tour dossier for trip-specific details.

Foreign Office travel advice

We constantly monitor official travel advice, including the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Indonesia Travel Advice, and will always advise clients of any warnings before departure. At the time of writing, there are no specific warnings against travel to the parts of Indonesia that we visit on our tours.

Please contact us if you have any specific concerns or would like to understand what measures are in place to ensure your trip remains safe and trouble-free.

For additional official guidance, travellers may also refer to:

Please note this information applies primarily to British citizens — nationals of other countries should check the current position with their respective government travel authority.

Voices from the road

What travellers say about us

Independently verified reviews from travellers who joined Indonesia – Sulawesi Explorer. Rated 4.9 Excellent on AITO by 250+ reviewers.

“Andre especially very welcoming and knowledgeable.Excellent visit to Tangkoko national park. The guide Mansour went above and beyond, and even took photos for us. Saw black macaques. tarsiers, cuscus and hornbills.”

Richard Bailie

Indonesia – Sulawesi Explorer · Ireland

“We liked the local guides and found them helpful and accommodating. ”

Joshua Mcdavid

Indonesia · UK

“Jojo was a very good guide - understanding of what tourists want, very good command of English. ”

Sarah Kier

Indonesia – Sulawesi Explorer · UK

“Local rep Andre in Makassar was outstanding -- knowledgable enthusiastic, aware, and helpful”

Dr Ian Robertson

Indonesia – Sulawesi Explorer · UK

“Our guides Andre, and Eggie were superb. They were incredibly helpful and friendly.he cultural aspect of the trip was far, far more interesting and well presented by the guides, than we had anticipated.”

John Pearce

Indonesia – Sulawesi Explorer · UK

“Jason was very helpful and the booking process was quick and easy. UD offers itineraries that many competitors do not. I thoroughly enjoyed both trips I've taken with them. While they may not suit everyone, I have happily recommended the Senegal tour to fellow travellers.”

Bernice Hird

UK

“Excellent customer service, reliable itineraries and ability to solve local issues when they arise”

Gustavo Musto

Uruguay

“I like the small size of groups, the range of destinations and excellent itineraries. This is my third holiday with your company and I have found your itineraries really good.”

Traveller from the UK

“London to Istanbul by train - great trip from concept to execution. Very glad to have participated. Mark was an excellent and empathetic leader. ”

Ken Nathanson

Hong Kong

“Excellent company to book with. Complex tour mostly delivered as per itinerary with professional and pleasant local representatives. ”

Adam Choonara

UK

Want to customise this tour?

Make Indonesia – Sulawesi Explorer your own — adjust the route, dates, pace or who travels, or start from a blank page with a specialist. We'll bring the details of this trip straight into your enquiry.

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Start planning your Indonesia adventure

Join a small-group departure, or let our Indonesia specialists craft a private journey shaped around your dates and interests.

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Common questions

Things travellers usually ask

  • How many travellers will be in my group?

    Maximum 12 travellers — that's the cap on every Undiscovered Destinations small-group tour. Small enough to eat in a local family home; large enough to share the wonder with other like-minded travellers.

  • Can I travel solo?

    Yes — there's no compulsory single supplement on our small-group tours. You get your own room at no extra cost. About 60% of UD travellers come solo, so you'll be in good company.

  • How fit do I need to be?

    Fitness requirements vary by itinerary, from gentle to demanding. The day-by-day tour dossier sets out walking distances, terrain and any altitude so you know what to expect. If you have specific concerns, speak to our team before booking — they can talk you through a typical day.

  • When are the next departures?

    The next available departures are 11 September 2026; 14 May 2027; 16 July 2027. See the "Choose your departure" table further up the page for the full schedule and per-departure pricing.

  • What's included in the tour price?

    Included items vary by tour — see the full list above. On this trip, expect: Arrival and departure transfers; Overland transport throughout with professional driver; Domestic flight; and more. International flights and travel insurance are not included.

  • Where exactly does this trip go?

    This tour visits Indonesia. Each destination has its own page with practical information, climate, and the attractions our specialists recommend — linked from the itinerary above.

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