Makassar

Played a key role in Indonesian history, Makassar has become the primary port, airline hub of the eastern archipelago of Indonesia and also an entry point to an adventurous tour to Tanjung Bira, Selayar, Tana Toraja highlands and others tourist destination at South Sulawesi. Nowadays Makassar is a bustling city with multicultural inhabitants. Makassar is not only offers culture and heritage attractions, but also adventurous journey as it owns Samalona Island, Kodingareng Keke, etc, which are ideal for swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling or even diving.

For those who love historical journey, Makassar offers some interesting sites to visit such as Fort Rotterdam – the Old Dutch Fort built during the 1670’s, Paotere Harbor – where traditional Buginese sailing boats (phinisi) load and unload their cargo, Paotere Fish Market that is always interesting to see the local trade culture, and the Tomb of Sultan Hasanuddin – an Indonesian hero who has been famous for his exceptional bravery in his struggle against colonial encroachment.

Another best part of Makassar to explore is the culinary! Indulge your appetite with various tastes of delicious meals which can be found all over the city. Makassar is also a heaven for seafood lover. Your clients can have a chance to try some high-quality lobsters and crabs cooked in traditional recipes and enjoy the mouthwatering cuisine that cannot be found elsewhere.

Toraja

Has been famous about its tourism attractions, Toraja is actually an ethnic group indigenous to a mountainous region of South Sulawesi. The culture and rituals of this ethnic has grab world attention that make more and more people come to Tana Toraja nowadays. Tana Toraja offers an exotic adventure that performs the richness of its culture at off the beaten track. The uniqueness of this area is indeed so strong. There are so many authentic cultures and rituals of Toraja that your clients can see.

Tongkonan house is one of the most “must see” things in Toraja. The traditional Torajan ancestral houses which are stand high on wooden piles, topped with a layered split-bamboo roof and colored with red, blue and yellow painting. Some of these houses still beautifully decorated by buffalo horns in front the house. These ancient houses still well preserved by the local as they still use it for daily activities.

The funeral tradition in Toraja has been so much consuming tourist attention. Not only the burial ways but also the funeral ceremony is also so unique. In Toraja society, the funeral ritual is the most elaborate and expensive event. The death feast of a nobleman is usually attended by thousands and lasts for several days. A ceremonial site, called rante, is usually prepared in a large, grassy field where shelters for audiences, rice barns, and other ceremonial funeral structures. Flute music, funeral chants, songs and poems, and crying and wailing are traditional Toraja expressions of grief with the exceptions of funerals for young children, and poor, low-status adults. At this ceremony, there is a ritual of slaughtering water buffalo. Slaughtering tens of water buffalo and hundreds of pigs using a machete is the climax of the elaborate death feast, with dancing and music and young boys who catch spurting blood in long bamboo tubes. This ceremony is often held weeks, months, or years after the death. During the waiting period, the body of the deceased is wrapped in several layers of cloth and kept under the tongkonan. For the burial, Torajans has three methods of burial. First is the coffin  be laid in a cave, the second is in a carved stone grave and the third is hung on a cliff. These buried sites are also become a must visit for the tourist. What a dramatic ceremony!

Menhir stones as you ever seen at Asterix comic book can also be seen at Bori Kalimbuang Village. This Megalithic site has been so famous since more than a hundred stones (in many shapes) already found. Visit and feel the ancient atmosphere once you visit this area!

Toraja traditional ikat weaving is the main commodity that being livelihood for its people. The unique motifs in ikats generally represent ancestors or water buffaloes, but tend to be so abstract that the figurative can hardly be recognized. This dramatic design and the complexity of making this weaving make Ikat weaving quite expensive yet so beautiful. Nowadays, Ikat weaving has been used by world fashion designer as well as general people in so many forms of cloths.

As famous as its culture, Toraja Coffee is known as one of the tastiest coffee in Indonesia. To have a coffee journey, the tourist can visit Batutumong. This highland area offers beautiful landscape of 1.355 meters above sea level. Take time to have a light trekking in the country side through the paddy field and coffee plantations on foot will be a good option.  En-route people will also can enjoy and witness the old traditional houses and local people daily activities.

Wakatobi

Wakatobi is a little piece of heaven where people want to live in forever. Whether you are diving or snorkeling amongst vibrant protected coral reefs bristling with marine life, enjoying a the white sandy beach, taking in a glorious sunset, or perhaps indulging in a romantic beach nuance, Wakatobi provides a unique and enriching experience for those seeking recreation and relaxation.

Your clients will enjoy the tranquility and secluded atmosphere here at Wakatobi yet all marine attractions can be easily experienced. For those who love to dive, Wakatobi deliver the ultimate dive experience that has extensive perfect locations for diver to pick. Located at the world’s epicenter of coral reef biodiversity, Wakatobi owned the greatest variety and diversity of marine life. New and undocumented species continue to be discovered at Wakatobi. Experience Wakatobi and we guarantee your clients will back home with satisfaction and unforgettable moments.

Tanjung Bira

Tanjung Bira can be considered as one of the best beaches in Sulawesi. With enchanting panorama, white sandy beach, and spectacular underwater world, Tanjung Bira has been famous not only in Indonesia but also in foreign countries.

6 hours transfer from Makassar will be paid off by the beauty of the nature that offered by this lovely beach. Doesn’t like the other beach in Sulawesi, Tanjung Bira offers an ultimate diving experience. Enjoy the charming underwater world with thousands of fishes and colorful coral reefs while you dive. If you lucky, you may see sharks and turtles back and forth.

Is it off the beaten track? Yes it’s true! But it is absolutely worth it, though!