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Arrive
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Day 1 Arrive in Bali
On arrival in Bali, transfer to your hotel in Sanur which is a convenient 20 minutes' drive from the airport. Collapse onto a sun lounger by the pool with a chilled Bintang as you gaze out to the beach and the Indian Ocean beyond.
Overnight: Intercontinental, Sanur
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Day 2 Denpasar-Makassar
After a leisurely morning, take the afternoon flight to Makassar, the gateway to Sulawesi and a former Dutch colony. This evening enjoy a stroll around the harbour, sheltering the infamous working phinisis or Bugis Schooners.
Overnight: The Rinra, Makassar
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Day 3 Makassar-Tana Toraja
Fly north to Tana Toraja. After a local lunch, explore the UNESCO protected site of Kete Kesu. This area is renowned for its woodcarving and vernacular Tongkonan architecture. The Toraja people believe that the spirit of the buffalo takes you to paradise; the more buffalo slain at your funeral, the faster you will reach your destination and the more important you are.
Overnight: Heritage Toraja Hotel
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Day 4 Funeral Processions in Tana Toraja
Today begins in Lemo, home to one of Toraja’s most interesting burial sites. The sheer rock face has an entire series of balconies displaying the tau tau wooden effigies representing those that have died. Move on to Sangalla Village where you will see the babies graves up in the huge tree at Kambira. Explore Tampangallo’s natural caves and the Royal family’s tombs at Suaya’s bamboo forest. Finish the day exploring an extensive burial cave at the base of a massive cliff face, home to a collection of eerie, ancient coffins. If serendipity works her magic, your guide will take you to witness a traditional funeral ceremony where the entire village gets together and buffalos and pigs are slaughtered for the banquet.
Overnight: Heritage Toraja Hotel
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Day 5 Coffee Plantations and Markets in Tana Toraja
Stroll along the Pasar Bolu, a route showcasing Toraja’s local produce, where farmers sell coffee, cloves, cacao, nutmeg and other spices. On Saturdays the farmers from all around bring their livestock (water buffalos, pigs and poultry). Visit Palawa village, one of the remaining traditional villages with Tongkonan houses, before driving up into the hills to Batutumonga from where you will have a breath-taking view over Rantepao and the valley below. Taste freshly brewed coffee at the Tondok Litha plantation before walking to Deri for lunch. Finish at Bori to see the megalith stones and watch ikat weaving which Toraja is renowned for.
Overnight: Heritage Toraja Hotel
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Day 6 Activities in Tana Toraja
The day can be filled by exploring the local countryside with its lush rice terraces, mountains and big skies either by foot or by bicycle. For those in search of an adrenaline rush white water rafting is great fun down the River Maulu, with rapids ranging from Grade 2 to 4 depending on the water level and time of year.
Overnight: Heritage Toraja Hotel
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Day 7 Tana Toraja-Manado
All flights north hub through Makassar in the south, so it is back to Makassar today with a few hours' layover giving you the opportunity to explore it further with a visit to Chinatown, the Lagaligo Museum and a meander through the stalls in the traditional "terong" market. On arrival in Manado it is a short journey to the pier before a 40 minute speedboat ride to Siladen, awarded "World's Best Dive Resort" two years running.
Overnight: Siladen Dive Resort
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Day 8 - 10 Snorkelling and Diving in the Bunaken National Park
Three days to relax, dive and snorkel in the Bunaken National Park. Siladen is an unusual resort in that it is excellent for both divers and non-divers. Facilities at this boutique resort include blissful, white sand beach, swimming pool, spa, watersports and volleyball. The resort’s fleet of boats will take you to superb nearby dive and snorkelling sites and excursions can take you rafting or up into the mountains.
Overnight: Siladen Dive Resort
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Day 11 Depart
Depart today on your flight from Manado to Singapore or Jakarta where you will connect with your international flight home.
Overnight: Flight
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Depart
