NELL Travel is your Gateway to SULAWESI island ( Celebes ) Indonesia
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Our Special Offer in 1999 on Sulawesi Overland Package Tour
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| The island of Sulawesi contains a great variety of exotic people, landscapes and nature wonders. |
Sulawesi
is a holiday destination that is becoming popular with those in search
of the exotic. Most interesting to visitors are the more populated south
and north regions, as the central region is a little known area rarely
visited ( though of course for some travellers this is its atrraction ).
South
Sulawesi is a region of dramatic contrasts - of rugged volcanic peaks and
glistening white beaches. So it's hardly surprising the region is home
to two vastly different peoples - the seafaring Bugis and the mysterious
highland Torajans.
If you are the a first-time visitor make sure you take a trip to the Torajan communities of the South Sulawesi highlands. New roads have made the eight-hour journey to Torajaland much easier so these once remote people are now used to seeing visitors.
You will drive through spectacular mountain scenery, steep terraced slopes and tall bamboo forests to arrive in a true paradise of unspoilt natural beauty. ( You'll have no trouble understanding why the Torajans believe their forefathers were descended from heaven, for this is heaven on earth ).
Most visitors can't wait to see the
Toraja tombs-man-made caves cut into sheer cliff faces with eerie effigies
on suspended balconies staring out across the jungle. In Torajan Culture
a funeral is a festive event and elaborate rites are performed to ensure
that souls pass to the afterword in an appropriate manner. Families spend
much on these feasts and if you're fortunate to be here for a burial ceremony
you should be sure to contribute something such as food, soap or perhaps
even money to assist the family.
Be warned. though, some parts of
the ceremony are not for the faint-hearted --- the slaughter by single
sword stroke of a scared buffalo is common.
Funeral
ceremonies usually last about a week with the feasting, chanting and dancing
continuing throughout the night. It is on the last day that the coffin
is hauled carefully up the mountainside to the family
gravesite amidst great shouting and excitement. The best known gravesites
are at Londa and Lemo. Here the effigies are those of noblemen and other
high-ranking community leaders.
You'll also be struck by the unusual
architecture of the traditional Torajan house, the 
" Tongkonan". The roof rises at
both ends like the bow and stern of a ship and legend has it that this
was the shape of the vessels that carried their ancestors here.
For a different experience visitors
take an overland crossing from UjungPandang ( South - Sulawesi
) passing through Poso lake ( central Sulawesi ) to Manado ( North Sulawesi
), home of the friendly Minahasa people. As a result of Portuguese,Spanish
and Dutch missionaries this is one of the most Christianised places in
Indonesia. Another heaven on earth, complete with beutiful coral reefs,
white sandy beach and clear water.
In the highlands
there are lakes and invigorating hotwater springs. For nature lovers there
is plenty of wildlife and easy jungle walks nearby.
If you're a scuba diver, you'll even find gear and boat available.
There are also a number of interesting towns around the delightful Lake Tondano that you will want to visit. And while in the area, be sure to see the ancient megalithic monumentknown as Waruga. It's a mysterious, huge, anvil-shaped stone covered in as yet underciphered hieroglyphics.
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Trans- Sulawesi SPECIAL OFFER Package Tour |
DAY 02 : UJUNGPANDANG
- BIRA ( B.L.D )
After breakfast at hotel,
A short city tour ; by visiting
: Fort Rotterdam,
Paotere ; traditional harbour, and
Sea-shell
collection - Orchid garden and Somba
Opu
shopping centre After the city tour,
proceed to BIRA passing throught
some
typical Makassar villages and stop
at TANA BERU
to witness the traditional Makassar
way of Pinisi boat building. Lunch enroute.
Arrive in Bira directly check-in
at BIRA VIEW INN for overnight and dinner.
DAY 03 : BIRA - SENGKANG
( B.L.D )
After breakfast, Tranfer to SENGKANG
( the lake TEMPE town )
Lunch enroute,
Arrive in Sengkang directly check-in at
APADA HOTEL and then proceed
to take a boat-trip on the lake TEMPE to see
the way of life of those who live at the
lakeside, floating houses, and traditional silk
weaving village. Late afternoon back to APADA HOTEL
for overnight and dinner.
DAY 05 : TORAJA TOUR
( B.L.D )
Breakfast at hotel, Full day tour
by visiting :
The stone grave at LEMO. The royal
tombs of SUAYA.
The baby-grave in the tree at KAMBIRA.
Cultural
performance at SANGALLA. Lunch will
be served in
Rantepao at Rachmat Restaurant.
After lunch,
continue to visit the Natural burial
cave at LONDA. The traditional carving village at KETE KESU. Back to Torsina
hotel for overnight and dinner.
DAY 06 : TORAJA TOUR
( B.L.D )
After breakfast at hotel. ( check-out
hotel )
Full day tour visiting : The traditional village
with buffalo horns in front of their houses at
PALAWA. The traditional weaving village at
SA'DAN. The Ancient megalithic stone at BORI.
The terraced rice-field at BATUTUMONGA and
stop here for having Lunch at local restaurant
with a beautiful scenery.
After lunch visiting the Boulder grave at LOKOMATA.
Late afternoon, check-in at Mentiro Tiku Guest-house
for overnight and dinner.
DAY 08 : TORAJA - PENDOLO
( B.L.D )
After breakfast at hotel
Leaving TORAJA for PENDOLO
Some stops on the way for the nice views
Arrive in Pendolo direclty check-in at MULIA POSO LAKE HOTEL
for overnight and dinner.
DAY 09 : PENDOLO - BANCEA
- TENTENA ( SIURRI ) - ( B.L.D )
After breakfast at hotel
Cruising by motorized-boat to BANCEA to visit the natural
orchid forest. And then proceed to TENTENA for Lunch.
After Lunch, Drive to SIURRI for your accommodation at
SIURRI COTTAGE ( at the side of the Poso Lake )
Dinner will be served at this cottage.
DAY 10 : TENTANA ( SIURRI
) TOUR ( B.L.D )
After breakfast at hotel
Half day Tour , visiting the seven steps waterfall at
SULEWANA. The speedy water at SALOPA, the ancient cave at
LATEA . Lunch enroute.
On the way back to SIURRI COTTAGE, stop on the hill for a nice
panorama ( Break time )
Late afternoon, back to hotel for overnight and dinner.
DAY 11 : TENTENA ( SIURRI
) - AMPANA ( B.L.D )
After breakfast at hotel, direct transfer to AMPANA with
approximately 08 hours drive passing through POSO town and
stop at ebony handicraft center.
Lunch enroute, and proceed to AMPANA.
Arrive in AMPANA directly check-in at MARINA COTTAGE for
your accommodation and dinner.
DAY 12 : AMPANA - TOGEAN
ISLANDS ( WAKAI ISLAND ) ( B.L.D )
After breakfast
Take a drive to the pear and then take a boat to sail to
WAKAI ISLAND as the transit island to continue to KADIDIRI
ISLAND. Lunch boxes provided in this cruising journey.
Arrive in KADIDIRI ISLAND directly check-in at KADIDIRI
PARADISE BUNGALOW for overnight and dinner.
DAY 13 : KADIDIRI ISLAND
( B.L.D )
After breakfast
FREE programme ( snorkeling or diving )
Lunch , dinner and overnight at KADIDIRI PARADISE BUNGALOW
DAY 14 : TOGEAN ISLANDS
TOUR ( b.L.D )
After breakfast
Take a boat trip to UNA UNA ( the best reef and sea-coral in
the group of Togean islands )
Lunch boxes provided during this island tour.
Late afternoon back to KADIDIRI ISLAND for overnight and
dinner at KADIDIRI PARADISE BUNGALOW.
DAY 15 : KADIDIRI ISLAND
- GORONTALO ( B.L.D )
Breakfast at Bungalow
Morning leisure
Lunch will be served at Bungalow
Afternoon , by ferry to GORONTALO
Dinner on board.
DAY 17 : TOMOHON HIGHLAND
TOUR ( B.L.D )
After breakfast at hotel
Transfer to RURUKAN village where
you start out
your trekking this active volcano
( 1350 M above
sea level- approximately 02 hours
hiking v.v. ) .
Afternoon going down for lunch enroute.
After lunch you will be passing
through the colorful LINOW lake at LAHENDONG village. Back to TOMOHON for
overnight and dinner.
DAY 18 : TOMOHON - MANADO
- TANGKOKO ( B.L.D )
After breakfast at hotel ( check-out
hotel )
Tranfer to Manado approximately
01 hours
drive-trip. On the way stop at TINOOR
to
view the entire city of Manado and
Bunaken
island from this Hill-Top point.
Arrive in Manado, stop for lunch
and after lunch,
proceed to TANGKOKO NATURE RESERVE.
Late afternoon, arrive in Tangkoko
directly check-in at RANGER HOMESTAY for your accommodation. Before
dark, take a walk into this nature reserve park to see the TARCIUS
SPECTRUM, the smallest monkey in the world, and besides this protected
animal, you can also see the HORNBILL and BLACK MONKEYS ( macaca nigra
), cus-cus. Back to HOMESTAY for overnight and dinner.
DAY 20 : MANADO - BUNAKEN
ISLAND - MANADO ( B.L.D )
After Breakfast at hotel
Tranfer to the pier to take a boat for sailing BUNAKEN ISLAND.
Arrive on BUNAKEN ISLAND , we change our boat into the one
with glasses bottom to view the under-water life .
Lunch served on this island.
Afternoon, back to MANADO for overnight and dinner.
DAY 21 : MANADO - SINGAPORE
( B )
Breakfast at hotel
On time transfer to Airport to catch the onward flight
~~~ End of Tour ~~~
NOTE : The above program can be reverted into the first arrival in Manado and|
Minimum Participant : 02 Adults-based on twin/double sharing room Single supplement is available for those who like to travel alone. |
TOUR
PRICE INCLUDED :
- Accommodations
as described in the itinerary
- Transportation
included gasoline,driver & his daily expenses
- All meals
described per program
- English
Speaking Guide ( or any requested-language speaking Guide / Local
Ranger at Tangkoko
- Entrance
fees / Porterage / boat-hire / cultural performance in Toraja
.
TOUR
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE :
- Beverage
or any other personal expenses , such as : laundry, phone call,
soft-drinks,
excess baggage, Airport tax, Equipments for diving or snorkeling.
Airline
tickets.
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