Sengkang-Toraja-Makassar (Tana Toraja : Land of Heavenly Kings)

Safely protected beyond the lofty mountains and rugged granite cliffs of the central highlands of the island of Sulawesi, are the Toraja people who live in valleys that are lush with green rice terraces and fertile coffee plantations.

“Discovered” and opened to the world from their long isolation only since the beginning of the last century, the Toraja today still adhere to their age-old beliefs, rituals and traditions, although many of her people are modernized or have embraced Christianity.

When one travels to the Tana Toraja highlands, therefore, expect to be awed by the spectacular beauty of nature, at the same time experience how communities have through the ages sustained their beliefs and traditions in splendid isolation in order to survive this eternal cycle of life and death on earth.

The road from Makassar to Toraja runs along the coast for about 130 km's and then hits the mountains. After the entrance to Tana Toraja at the market village of Mebali one enters a majestic landscape of giant, gray granites and stones and blue mountains afar that form a sharp contrast with the lively green of the fertile, rain-fed terraces and the rusty red of the tropical soil. This is Tana Toraja, one of the most splendid areas in Indonesia.

Here, the nobility of Toraja are believed to be descendents of heavenly beings who came down by a heavenly stairway to live here on earth in this beautiful landscape.

And to keep up the energy of the land and its people, the Toraja people believe that these must be sustained through rituals that celebrate both life and death, which are attached to the agricultural seasons. Here rituals in connection with life are strictly separated from death rites.

Toraja is most well known for its elaborate funeral ceremonies that can take days and involve entire villages. These are not only moments for mourning but are moreover events to renew family ties and to ensure continued unity among villages and communities.

Death ceremonies, however, are held only after the last rice harvest is in and cleared, which is normally between July to September, while ceremonies celebrating life are held in conjunction with the planting season which starts in October. These timings are possible since the dead are not buried immediately but are kept for months, sometimes for years, in the ancestral house until time and funds allow for a proper funeral.

Tourists to Toraja, therefore, are either attracted by its unique culture and rituals, most of which are mostly centered around graves and death ceremonies. While others prefer to avoid the morbid images and go trekking through the spectacular, almost untouched Toraja countryside visiting remote villages, or exhilarate in rafting the Sa’dan river rapids.
Capital of Toraja is Makale but visitors usually head to the town of Rantepao, heart of Tana Toraja – the Land of the Toraja people.
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Sengkang-Toraja-Makassar 6D/5N
DAY 01. ARRIVAL IN MAKASSAR / DEPART FOR SENGKANG (L,D)
According to your schedule of arrival, you will meet our Tour Guide at Hasanuddin Airport Makassar. Then we drive to Sengkang, famous as the center of traditional sutera silk clothes factory in South Sulawesi. On the way, we visit Bantimurungwaterfall which also famous for its colorful butterflies. Lunch en route. In the afternoon arrive in Sengkang and directly to the Lake Tempe where we will have a boat trip to discover the way of life of Buginese fishermen with their floating houses. Dinner and overnight stay at simple accommodation in Sengkang.

DAY 02. DRIVE TO TANA TORAJA (B,L,D)
After breakfast, we will visit the traditional silk factory where women hand spin and weave silk clothes. Then drive to Tana Toraja via Palopo where we will find many spectacular views along the road from Palopo to Tana Toraja. Lunch en route. In the afternoon arrive in Tana Toraja. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

DAY 03. FULL DAY TANA TORAJA TOUR (B,L,D)
After breakfast, we will visit the stone hanging grave of Lemo with its Tau-Tau effigies. Then to Kambira where we can find the peculiar baby graves in the trees. Onwards we will explore the architecture of Tongkonan houses in Ketekesu village and Londa, which is a natural grave with entombed deceased. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant in Rantepao. In the afternoon, we visit Nanggala and Siguntuk, local Torajan villages famous for their old Tongkonan houses and rice barns. Then back to the Hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 04. FULL DAY TANA TORAJA TOUR (B,L,D)
In the morning we will visit Tinombayo where we can enjoy the spectacular view of the megalith stones spread over the extensive rice fields. Then to a burial cave ofLokomata. From Lokomata, we continue our trip to Batutumonga where we will a have short trekking, enjoy the beautiful panorama and experience a moment of the unique Torajan life style.. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant in Batutumonga. In the afternoon, we will visit Pallawa & Sa’dan, local Torajan villages famous for their wood carving. Then back to the Hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 05. DRIVE BACK TO MAKASSAR (B,L,D)
This morning, we drive back to Makassar with the different road ( via Pare-Pare ). On the way stop on the Bambapuang for a coffee break and enjoy the extraordinary view of mount Buttukabobong. Lunch will be served at seafood restaurant in Pare-Pare. Afternoon arrival in Makassar and direct transfer to the Hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 06. SHORT CITY TOUR / TRANSFER AIRPORT (B)
After breakfast, if we still have any time, we will take you on a short city tour around Makassar. First we will visit the Sulawesi Miniature Garden to see all types of South Sulawesian typical houses and the Fort Somba Opu. Then to Balla Lompoawhere we can find all ancient collections from the royal family of the former Gowa kingdom. After enough time, transfer