Holiday in Sulawesi: Adventure Between Rainforests & Pristine Beaches
Tailor-Made and Individual Vacation in Sulawesi
Hey travelers,
It's great to have you here! Are you excited about the many breathtaking adventures that Sulawesi has to offer you? This Indonesian island of Sulawesi is full of surprises - from dense jungle with numerous endemic animal and bird species, to active volcanoes and colorful coral reefs with bizarre sea creatures to secluded bays with white sandy dream beaches and the simply unmistakable death cult of the Toraja. Come and discover Sulawesi with us.
We have put together some travel examples for you here to give you an idea of what is possible. Whether you're looking for thrills, want to sample the local cuisine, or just want to unwind, we've got you covered. So, what are you waiting for? Discover the wonders of Sulawesi. Can't find 100% what you're looking for? Then write to us and we will offer you a tailor-made tour program.
Sulawesi Travel Packages
Sulawesi: Gunung Tatawiran Jungle Explorer Tour
Individual exploration trip to the unknown jungle terrains of the touristically undiscovered Gunung Tatawiran in North Sulawesi. Immerse yourself and be part of the exciting jungle life and discover animal and bird species unknown to you. Stay in a tented camp in the middle of the rainforest and discover unknown animal and bird species right around you.
- Duration:
4 days / 3 nights - Start I End:
Manado - Departure:
Daily - min. # Travelers:
1 person - Best visit Period:
March to November - Rainy season:
from December to February
Sulawesi: Gunung Tatawiran Jungle Explorer Tour
This tour will inspire you if you like to be close to nature and preferably in an exotic and touristically undiscovered region. You like to discover an unknown flora and fauna and at the same time do without too much travel comfort.
If you are travelling to Sulawesi on business, e.g. to do research for your project - great! For ornithologists, biologists/zoologists or journalists, we can also focus this tour according to your needs.
Go on a discovery tour: Not far from North Sulawesi's provincial capital Manado, our tour to Gunung Tatawiran gives you the opportunity to explore another untouched part of the island and get to know numerous endemic animal and plant species. To complete your nature experience, you start your explorations from a tent camp in the middle of the jungle..
Your fitness level: You should have a good level of fitness for this tour, as it leads through rough terrain. You may also find the tour somewhat strenuous, as you may have to make your own way through the jungle with camera equipment in tropical temperatures.
At 1,372 m, Gunung Tatawiran is one of the highest peaks in North Sulawesi and part of a mountainous landscape that stretches west from the Lokon-Empung twin volcano and is overgrown with dense tropical rainforest. In addition to ancient giant trees, unbelievably tall bamboo groves and fern trees, beautiful orchids and carnivorous pitcher plants can also be found there.
Included
- 4 days individual round trip according to description.
- All activities take place individually for you and are accompanied by your...
- ...personal local English speaking tour guide for day and night explorations.
- Porter for equipment and food.
- Cook.
- 2 nights with breakfast in a 'lodge style' accommodation in Tomohon
- 1 night with breakfast in tent camp, with sleeping bag, sleeping mat, tent as well as tarp for group accommodation; no sanitary facilities.
- Meals according to description.
- All transfers (accompanied) from/to Manado (other pick-up/destination by arrangement, possibly with surcharge).
- Your personal English-speaking tour guide will accompany you on your entire trip and will be your contact person if you have any questions or requests.
- Travel insurance certificate.
Not included:
- personal expenses
- Tip
- Health- and accident insurance
- Drinks such as sprite, coke, beer, etc.
We recommend taking out travel insurance (travel health insurance, travel cancellation insurance).
Book now!
Day 1
- Arrival at Manado's Sam Ratulangi Airport.
- Your personal guide will welcome you at the airport and take you to your accommodation in Tomohon (transfer time approx. 2 hours).
- Depending on your arrival time, you will have the rest of the day at leisure in your accommodation or you can use it to explore your surroundings. If desired, a programme can be designed to fill the day.
- Dinner at Tomohon accommodation or nearby (not included)
Day 2
- Breakfast at accommodation (included), then pick-up by your guide.
- Afterwards, you will travel by car towards Gunung Tatawiran, from whose mountain base you will start your exciting nature adventure tour.
- First, however, you will have to set up base camp, a tent camp from which you will start or finish your exploration trips through the jungle.
- Simple local lunch in the camp (included).
- Now your discovery tour begins.
- On foot you roam through the extensive jungle area and make your way through the dense greenery.
- Besides huge jungle trees and countless other large exotic plants, you will also have the opportunity to marvel at many colourful and flowering plants along your way. As examplary representatives are mentioned here: the colourful stinkhorn and the little more reserved in colour Coelogyne Celebensis, an endemic orchid species of the butterfly orchid genus. You will encounter numerous animal and bird species over hill and dale and across the occasional stream. You can look forward to seeing the ghost monkey - the Tarsius Spectrum -, the flying dragon, the spotted bronze snake as well as the reticulated python or the Sulawesi hornbill as well as the mountain spectacled bird or the tarantula and many more.
- At the end of this eventful day, around sunset, you gradually make your way back to Base Camp.
- Get ready for bed before dinner, as long as there is still enough daylight.
- Then it's time to wash by taking a cooling bath in the near river and that's it for the evening toilet.
- Simple local dinner at the camp fire (included).
- Overnight stay in the tent.
Day 3
- Your day begins with a hearty and simple local breakfast at the camp and then you are off again to explore; up and along Gunung Tatawiran.
- Today you will have the opportunity to take again a closer look at the surrounding jungle landscape with all its inhabitants and features and to enjoy the breathtaking views opening up from time to time.
- After another approx. 3 hours of jungle trekking, as the sun becomes more oppressive and the animals more sluggish, you will return to Base Camp. It is now time to take down the tents and gradually make our way back.
- Simple local lunch at the camp (included).
- Return to Tomohon (or by arrangement and possibly extra charge to another location in the area).
- Check in to accommodation. Rest of the afternoon at leisure.
- Dinner at accommodation/hotel or nearby (not included).
- Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 4
- Breakfast at the booked hotel (included)
- Transfer to Manado airport
This tour can be extended by 1 day on request as well as adapted to individual needs. If the tour is extended, there will be 1 additional overnight stay in the jungle base camp including breakfast, lunch and dinner.
- 599 EUR per person 4D/3N (based on 2 persons sharing accommodation)
- 699 EUR per person 5D/4N (based on 2 persons sharing accommodation)
- Single traveller as per request
This tour is not so suitable for children because of the trekking through rough terrain.
The prices are from/to the starting point of the tour. They include all services according to the respective tour description. Higher prices may apply especially during Indonesian holidays like Ramadan or Idul Fitri.
All prices are in Euro and per person based on 2 persons traveling together in a double room. Our terms and conditions apply.
Extend your Trip
…and explore destinations beyond the wonders of the Island of Sulawesi. Extending a trip creates even more unique experiences and breathtaking moments for you and your travel companion. Combine your jungle experience with other travel destinations. Whether it's beach, diving & snorkeling, land & people, trekking, or even pure wilderness – turn your trip into a unique experience and expand it to fully experience Indonesia east of the Wallace Line.
Expand your Options
- Let Yourself be seduced by the further natural wonders of this incredibly fascinating island and explore the north of Sulawesi even deeper.
- Enrich Your travel experiences e.g. with our exciting Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park Tour or our Private Tour Minahasa & Tangkoko National Park.
- Or take it easy after Your adventurous Gunung Tatawiran Jungle Explorer Tour, for example with a relaxing stay in one of our selected Sulawesi Hotels. Here You are in the perfect position to dive into one of the most enchanting underwater worlds and collect unforgettable impressions while snorkeling or diving.
- If the Coral Triangle is indeed Your dream destination, but the exact location is still open, let Yourself be inspired for Your ideal Diving or Beach Holidays by our selection of first-class resorts. You will certainly find exactly the right thing for Your upcoming Indonesia vacation here.
- Embark on one of our authentic Culture & Nature Experience Trips and engage in encounters with the locals with their fascinating traditions and cultural peculiarities. Beyond Sulawesi, we will also lead You to the dreamlike Raja Ampat, present to You the hidden pearls of the island chain east of Bali, the Lesser Sunda Islands, and guide You safely to the highlights of the mystical Spice Islands - the Moluccas.
- Discover the extraordinary biodiversity of Indonesia east of the Wallace Line even more intensively and embark on an expedition into the pristine rainforest with one of our captivating Explorer Tours Endemic Species or experience the fascination of the fire-spewing or dormant volcanoes on one of our sometimes challenging Trekking Adventure Tours in East Indonesia.
- Or do you maybe feel like going on a sailing cruise after all?
Design your Trip
The above tour description is intended as a suggestion. The tour can be split or extended according to your wishes. We will be happy to customize your tour to your individual wishes and ideas.
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Sulawesi: View from Gunung Tatawiran to Lokon volcano
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Sulawesi: Trekking in the Gunung Tatawiran Jungle
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Sulawesi Knobbed Hornbill (Rhyticeros Cassidix)
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Sulawesi: Jumping Spider (Hyllus Giganteus)
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Indonesia, Sulawesi: Mountain White-eye (Zosterops Montanus)
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Sulawesi: Green Wagler Temple Viper (Tropidolaemus Laticinctus)
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Sulawesi Keeled Green Pit Viper (Tropidolaemus Subannulatus) - Endemic venomous snake
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Sulawesi, Gunung Tatawiran: Baby bird spider
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Sulawesi, Gunung Tatawiran: View to Bunaken Marine Park
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Sulawesi: Jungle view Gunung Tatawiran
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Sulawesi, Gunung Tatawiran Tour: Jungle camp with camp fire
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Sulawesi, Gunung Tatawiran Tour: Jungle dinner
Arrive, Unwind, and Discover the Beauty of Indonesia
Your vacation in Sulawesi typically begins with a flight to Makassar or Manado, Sulawesi's two major cities. From here, a world of possibilities opens up for your Sulawesi journey. Makassar Airport is recommended if you want to start your Sulawesi tour from the island's south, visiting places like the Toraja Highlands or the remote regions further east. Manado Airport is perfect if you want to combine your vacation in northern Sulawesi with, for example, a tour to the Minahasa Highlands and Tangkoko Nature Reserve along with diving excursions.
Beyond this, the island impresses with its diverse landscape that makes every vacation unforgettable:
- Majestic volcanoes rising above deep green valleys, inviting extensive hiking—especially around the town of Tomohon—and offering spectacular views
- Dense jungle areas with rivers and exotic plants, home to numerous endemic animal and bird species
- Extraordinary lakes, some with floating houses, others with harmless jellyfish, and some simply completely untouched and crystal-clear, taking viewers' breath away
- Pristine beaches along the rugged coastline, inviting extended beach walks and easily combined by boat
Popular Travel Routes
For your vacation in Sulawesi, you can choose from various travel routes—depending on what you'd like to focus on.
A classic round trip through Sulawesi leads from Makassar in the south via Tana Toraja, then continues to the Minahasa Highlands and Tangkoko Nature Reserve in the north, all the way to the dream beaches of the offshore islands around Manado.
Flights between regions are regular, though not always punctual, so even a two-week Indonesia vacation in Sulawesi is enough to experience some highlights of this large island.
We've put together some travel examples here to give you an idea of what's possible. Whether you're looking for thrills, want to sample the local cuisine, or simply want to unwind and relax — we have just the right thing for you. So, what are you waiting for? Discover the wonders of Sulawesi.
Can't find exactly what you're looking for? Then write to us, and we'll offer you a tailor-made tour program.
Sulawesi Tour with Local Guides: Discover Traditions and Ways of Life
A guided Sulawesi tour with local guides opens doors to hidden treasures. These guides know every corner and lead you to places you'd never find on your own. The cultural centerpiece of any round trip in Sulawesi is Tana Toraja in the mountainous highlands. Here, a unique culture awaits you that is truly unparalleled, expressing itself in ancient and—from our perspective—unusual traditions like the death cult, as well as in its unique architecture—architectural masterpieces from ancient times.
Rantepao serves as the starting point for cultural discoveries. From here, you'll take excursions to burial sites and experience Toraja rituals. Your guide explains the spiritual significance and helps you respectfully visit traditional villages. The drive through the spectacular landscape is already an adventure—past rice terraces and through small villages where time stands still.
In Sengkang on Lake Tempe, you'll experience traditional fishing life. A boat trip to the floating houses shows you a completely different side of Sulawesi. And in the Minahasa Highlands, centered around the flower city of Tomohon, you'll find not only ancient mysterious burial sites but also traditional craftsmanship. Take the opportunity during your visit to the region to sample the delicious local coffee at one of the coffee plantations, or come when the spectacular International Tomohon Flower Festival takes place to enjoy the unique flair of this region to its fullest extent.
Relaxation in Island Paradise: Sulawesi Holidays in Idyllic Resorts
After the adventures of your Sulawesi tour, cozy beachfront resort hotels offer the perfect relaxation for the rest of your Sulawesi vacation. Manado in the north is famous for first-class resorts and proximity to world-class diving areas. Your Sulawesi holiday here becomes the perfect mix of relaxation and underwater adventure. The resort hotels organize daily boat trips to the best spots. Unlike in Bali, you'll still find truly untouched stretches for relaxed beach walks. Additionally, the resort hotels will pamper you culinary-wise with both traditional meals and international cuisine.
However, you won't find modern accommodations everywhere. The regions still untouched by tourism don't have this to offer. Here we'll find you a place with a host family, in one of the often lovingly—though very simply—furnished homestays. This also makes it possible to visit special highlights like Lake Tempe, the islands of Labengki & Sombori, or the Togean Islands and Banggai Islands.
Jetzt Sulawesi Reise buchen: privat, geführt und individuell Book Your Sulawesi Adventure Now: Private, Guided and Personalized
We plan your Sulawesi vacation entirely according to your travel style. Want maximum flexibility? Then our privately guided tours are exactly right for you. You determine the route and pace according to your wishes, while we handle the complete organization.
Book your individual Indonesia journey with us in good time to secure the most beautiful hotels and resorts. We're also happy to organize domestic flights for you. We recommend planning at least two weeks for a Sulawesi trip to get a proper insight into the culture, nature, and beaches.