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Sulawesi Toraja Tour

Toraja tour with experienced local guide.

Sulawesi Toraja is the third of the best and most welcoming places in Indonesia to be at. Tourists from all over the world come swarming into the island as its beauty and hospitality have a magnetic attraction for them. Let’s see why people love visiting Sulawesi Toraja.

Why do tourists love coming here?

Seeing the scores of people accumulated you are bound to start wondering what attracts them all to this place. The tourists say that their friends and relatives who have already had a great time there recommended this place so highly that they felt like coming and exploring it themselves. The other reason is that they are repeat visitors whom the Sulawesi Toraja enthralled so much that they could not resist visiting the heavenly place a second time.

The rich and raw culture of Toraja Land and the loving and hospitable nature of people there touched the hearts of these tourists the most. The unspoiled land and the mysterious Toraja people make the experiences unique and full of life. Their haunted tomb is worth seeing as they are literally just holes carved out in rocks with precision and perfection. The Funeral Ceremony of Torajan are defenately one of the highlights in Toraja Land that must be seen. Exploration of architecture and Tana Toraja tour are other major attractions of Sulawesi Toraja.

Explore Toraja Land culture while it’s still Intact!

The Toraja Land better known as Tana Toraja lies 328 km away from Makassar (Ujung Pandang) in the north, the capital city of South Sulawesi. It covers 3,205.77 km and has a population of 437,843 spread across its 65 villages and 2 towns of Makale and Rantepao. Not to forget those thousands of people who have jobs, university or businesses outside Tana Toraja! This beautiful and exotic land has majestic mountains which feel pleasing to eyes.

The twists and turns of the pathways and a long drive through the lowlands takes us to the high mountainous zone of Tana Toraja. The sights and ambiance are so welcoming and have a unique character. Several kinds of trees mark the top of limestone covered mountains. The coffee, bamboos and pine trees are particularly more famous and prominent. Clove bushes and wet rice terraces further enhance the beauty. The aesthetic appearance and breathtaking views combined with the religious rituals and ceremonies make Tana Toraja the perfect tourist spot in Indonesia.

Why IndoGlobal Adventure for your Toraja Tour?

IndoGlobal Adventure is the best option for you when you are looking for someone to arrange a tour of Tana Toraja for you. We provide your local guides, who understand the native culture and know all the folk stories circulating in the place. We also arrange Trekking, Camping trekking, Rafting, Orchid-trip, Motorbike Adventure, Mount Climbing, and Wild Adventures for our worthy customers. In addition to these, makassar car rental , motorcycle rental, hotel reservation , Bus ticket reservation , Toraja off beaten treks , and culture tours are among our top services. We also give information on Funeral Ceremonies held in the place too.

So, make sure that you do not miss out on the fun and information that you can have in Tana Toraja while you are in Indonesia!

TORAJA TOUR CULTURAL & SOUTH SULAWESI ROUND-TRIP PACKAGES

• 3 Days Toraja Exotic Tour
• 4 Days Toraja Cultural Tour (First Choice)
• 4 Days Toraja Cultural Tour (Second Choice)
• 5 Days Toraja & Bugis Cultural Package Tour
• 6 Days Exploring Toraja, Sengkang & Bira
• 7 Days South Sulawesi Roundtrip Overland Tour
• 9 Days Toraja, Bugis Cultural & White Water Rafting

TORAJA, MAMASA & TRANS SULAWESI OVERLAND TOURS (Adventure)

• 3 or 5 Days White water rafting in Toraja
• 7 Days White water rafting & Cultural Package Tours
• 9 Days Toraja Trekking & Bugis Cultural Package Tours
• 14 Days Toraja / Mamasa / Sengkang / Bira roundtrip
• 18 Days Toraja Trekking & Lore Lindu Birding Tour
• 8 Days Toraja, Mamasa Nature Walk & Treks
• 12 Days Trans Sulawesi Tour
• 21 Trans Sulawesi Discovery Tour
• 25 Days Explore Hidden Sulawesi Tour

How we arrange your trip | Tour Conditions

How we arrange your Toraja Tour:

First you may check out some of the above sample Itinerary and if you’re interested then we ask you to take a few minutes of your time to fill in the Reservation Form . From this form we learn about your preferences and will be able to arrange your very individual holiday.The schedule and the price of the whole trip will be sent to you by e-mail promptly. Study it very carefully and tell us if you want some changes to be made. We can help design the trips for you according to your age, capability, point of interests and any trips that meet your requirement with our flexible conditions.

Highlights of Indonesia

SULAWESI ISLAND

• Toraja Tour
• Rantemario Summit
• Takabonerate Diving
• Wakatobi Diving
• Togian Islands
• Morowali Nature Reserve
• Bunaken Islands
• Minahasa Highland Tour
• Tangkoko National Reserve
• Lore Lindu National Park
• Rawa Aopa Watumohai NP
• Bird Watching Tour
• White Water Rafting

JAVA ISLAND

• Java Bali Overland Tour
• Borobudur Temple
• Prambanan & Ratu Boko Temple
• Dieng Plateau Tour
• Sukuh & Cetho Temple
• Bromo Sunrise Tour
• Semeru Summit Tour
• Ijen Blue Fire Tour

BORNEO ISLAND

• Orangutan Tour – Tanjung Puting NP

WEST & EAST NUSA TENGGARA

• Trans Flores Tour
• Komodo Dragon Tour

MALUKU ISLAND

• Ambon City Tour
• Ora Beach Seram Island
• Banda Neira Island

SUMATERA ISLAND

• Bukit Lawang
• Mount Leuser National Park
• Toba Lake & Samosir Island
• Padang, West Sumatra
• Mentawai Islands
• Cubadak Island

WEST PAPUA / IRIAN JAYA

• Baliem Valley Tour
• Baliem Valley Festival 2019
• Raja Ampat Tour
• Carstensz Pyramid 4884 M

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TANA TORAJA TOUR WITH TORAJA TOUR GUIDE

Sulawesi toraja tour, visit toraja tour while the culture still intact.

Tana Toraja, Sulawesi Island – While it stands out as one of the beautiful regions in South Sulawesi, it is undoubtedly the third tourist destination in Indonesia after Java and Bali. Tana Toraja is thought to be one of the most breath taking terrains in Sulawesi and as well as Indonesia. Your Toraja tour will surely be worth the miles journey because on top of everything else, there is absolutely nothing like watching a sunrise from Gunung Sesean.  The village is surrounded by mountains, tombs, lush greenery and rice paddies. The village has their distinctive Tongkonans which is a traditional ancestral house shaped like a boat where the deceased are often kept and cared for. The Toraja language is only spoken, since there is no writing system you will find carvings on wood that have special names in symbols.

Although Mostly a Christian population it’s also mixed with Muslims. It’s one of the only locations where you can visit a traditional village and be witness to their ancient burial rituals which are known to be some of the most complex in the world. On your Toraja tour, as a guest it’s common to bring bags of Sugar for the family of the deceased.

Toraja Tour for Tau-Tau Effigies

Lemo, the Royal Graves of Suaya and the oldest Effigies “wooden dolls” is known for its 75 niches. Book your Toraja tour package and see the Lemo funeral site that dates back to the 16th century.

Londa is known for its cliff burials but also has another site where corpses are buried. Guides can be hired to travel the caves but there are bones from the deceased laying around so you need to watch your step and be respectful.

THE FUNERAL CEREMONY IN TANA TORAJA

TORAJA TOUR PACKAGES

3 DAYS SULAWESI TORAJA TOUR 4 DAYS SULAWESI TORAJA TOUR 5 DAYS TORAJA SENGKANG TOUR 6 DAYS TORAJA SENGKANG BIRA TOUR 7 DAYS TORAJA BUGIS ROUNDTRIP TOUR 8 DAYS TORAJA MAMASA TREKKING TOUR 9 DAYS TORAJA TREKKING WITH BUGIS ROUNTRIP TOUR

For more information about Sulawesi Toraja Tour Package, Toraja Trekking, Toraja Itinerary, Tour Price, Toraja Flight details, Airfares, Further information and Private Trip arrangement, please don’t be hesitate to contact us.

Sample of Toraja Package Tours

• 3 Days Toraja Package Tour
• 4 Days Toraja Cultural Tour (First choice)
• 4 Days Toraja Cultural Tour (Second choice)
• 5 Days Toraja & Bugis Package Tour
• 6 Days Toraja, Sengkang & Bira Tour
• 7 Days Makassar Toraja Bugis Roundtrip
• 9 Days Toraja Bugis & White Water Rafting
• 3 or 5 Days White water rafting in Toraja
• 5 or 7 Days Toraja Rafting & Cultural Tours
• 9 Days Toraja Trekking & Bugis Tours
• 14 Days Mamasa Toraja Bugis Roundtrip
• 16 Days Toraja & Lore Lindu Trekking Tour
• 8 Days Toraja Mamasa Trekking Tour
• 12 Days Trans Sulawesi Tour
• 21 Days Trans Sulawesi Tour
• 25 Trans Sulawesi Overland Tour
• 8 Days Rantemario Mountain & Toraja Tour

Toraja Hotel

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• Indonesia Travel Advice
• Indonesian Local Food
• Indonesian Public Holidays
• Indonesian Visa on Arrival

Toraja Weather

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Authentic Toraja Tour Experience (4D/3N)

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In this 4-day tour of authentic Toraja experience, we take you into the rainforest of central Sulawesi to meet one the major ethnic group in the island. Torajans are known for their unique and complex death ceremonies and unusual ways of burial. Visit the unique stone graves in Lemo, where the people bury the deceased ones on a side of a cliff and hang wooden statue representing them. Also, step into the eerie yet mystical baby graves where they bury the child inside the trees . But beside that, being up in the highlands with lofty mountains and cliffs that protect the area, the land offers amazing landscapes and breathtaking views.

• Difficulty: Easy
• Pickup: Makassar, Sulawesi (UPG)

Itinerary: Authentic Toraja Tour Experience

Day 1: arrival in makassar - rantepao      ▼.

Welcome to the island of Celebes, an exotic and wild island with a very particular shape. Sulawesi has an impressive variety of animal species, tropical plants, and two extravagant ethnic groups; the mountainous Toraja, and the Bugis sailors.

Upon arrival in Toraja Airport, the guide will pick you up and take you to the hotel for check-in. In the afternoon, we will visit the market and the town to get to know the local life of the Torajas.

Meals : Lunch

Accommodation : Hotel in Toraja

DAY 2-3: TORAJA TOUR - EXPLORE THE WORLD OF SPIRITS       ▼

We will have two days of adventure in the Toraja Lands. It will be two days to explore not only its incredible landscapes but also its remarkable culture . And it is time to discover it during our stay in this magical land. The local people, mostly Christians, still practice animism according to their original religion called Aluk Todolo. Are you ready to soak up the Toraja culture?

We will visit Lemo with the cemetery on the rock walls and all the wooden statues called Tau-Tau that represent their deceased. The town of Ke’te Kesu , one of the oldest in Toraja where you will see the typical houses called “Tongkonan” . You will also see other hanging tombs in one of its caves. And in the towns of Bori, Nanggala, Suaya , are the baby graves in the trees. We may find it strange, but it is something that is part of this millenary culture. During your stay in this land of spirits, with “luck”, we can see their funeral rites up close. These picturesque funerals are frequent, but not every day, so we can’t assure you will see them. When we attend them, as an offering to the family, tourists are asked to donate about 100,000 Rupiah.

In addition to these visits, we will visit its attractive markets where the local people carry out their daily transactions. Every week there is a bigger market, so if you are here as it takes place, we will also take the opportunity to visit it.

Meals : Breakfast – Lunch

DAY 4: TRANSFER TO TORAJA AIRPORT      ▼

Today is our last day in this special area of Indonesia. After breakfast, we will take you to the airport and then take the flight to your next destination. Thank you for visiting Sulawesi by the hand of Come2indonesia.

Sampai Jumpa!

Accommodation : –

Photos: Authentic Toraja Tour Experience

Price Includes

• Transportation and visits according to the itinerary
• Entrance fees and tickets for places visited in the itinerary
• Accommodation and meals according to the itinerary
• English speaking guide throughout the journey

Price Excludes

• Airport taxes
• Personal expenses: Laundry, tipping, etc.
• Soft drinks, alcohol and other beverages
• Extra expenses occurred due to problems greater than our control such as flight cancellations or delays, etc.
• Anything not mentioned in "INCLUDES".

Map: Authentic Toraja Tour Experience

How do I get to Makassar?

Direct flights to Makassar are available from Jakarta (CGK) and Denpasar, Bali (DPS). There are also some direct international flights from Singapore and Malaysia.

When is the best time of the year to do this tour?

Our favourite time for travel in Indonesia is between April to October. Although Indonesia is a great year-round destination, offering memorable experiences for all kinds of adventures. July to August are the peak summer months.

In West to Central part of the weather is delightfully warm and it’s a popular time for travellers to visit for holidays. Whilst if you wish to travel from October to April, the Eastern part Indonesia like Banda and Raja Ampat would be the best option.

If you wish to have a relaxing journey in Indonesia with less crowds, the shoulder months of April to June and September to October are ideal and slightly more economic. If you must travel in ‘high season’ but want to avoid the crowd, worry not. There are numbered of unbeaten track in Indonesia ready to be explored.

What should I bring?

Tropical areas are usually warm and often sweaty places, especially if you have Borneo or Sulawesi included in your travel. Check out our suggestions on What to Wear:

• Comfortable and light shirt and at least a pair of long sleeves
• Comfortable walking shoes or trekking shoes if your trip include some trekking
• Shorts and long pants
• Couple of pairs of socks
• Waterproof Jacket/Raincoat

Depends on the type of travel, you may also need these in your What to Bring list:

Underwater trips:

• Dive Insurance
• Dive certificate
• Certificate of Nitrox (for those who are using Nitrox)
• Dive equipment except Tanks and Weights. Please consult your travel expert to find out if the equipment is inclusive or not in your booking.
• Swimsuit/Dive suit
• Adapter DIN or INT
• Sunscreen SPF +40
• Waterproof bags

Land tours and trekking:

• Small backpack for daily important item
• Travel Insurance, which covers trekking and sport risk
• Trekking shoes (check with your travel expert if you need a Goretex or simply a walking shoes)
• Pullover (as in some areas with high altitude like Mt. Bromo, the temperature can get as low as 0 degree)
• Small flashlight or head flashlight
• Valid passport with valid visa (or check if you are eligible for Visa Free Entry)
• Waterproof bag to put all important documents
• All documents for your trip: vouchers, tickets, contact numbers ((keep the soft copies in your mobile)
• Credit card (in some major cities, credit card is widely accepted in restaurants and shops. Small charge might be applied)
• Cash in Euro or USD (you may change into local currency Rupiah when you arrive here)
• Camera, Battery and Charger
• Adapter (220V is used in Indonesia)
• International driving license (if you plan to drive on your own)
• Mosquito Repellent with DEET
• Hygienic travel kits (mask, disinfectant or anti-virus spray, etc.)

How hard is this tour?

We have classified our tours in 3 different classes. Always check which one suitable for your condition. If you have any doubt, you may consult to our travel expert.

Easy: Suitable for most people in good health. These trips can include short walk for days with around 2–3 hours in good paths and at low altitudes.

Medium: A reasonable level of fitness or technique is required, as these trips can require sustained endurance levels. The trip may include longer days of approximately 5-6 hours of activity or/and in higher altitudes or snorkelling in strong current.

Hard: These trips are physically demanding and best suited for people with a high endurance level, good level of fitness and exercise regularly. Days can be long around 7-8 hours of activity, often at high altitudes in remote regions and sometimes without a support vehicle nearby. Travellers may be required to carry their backpack. Trip with trekking overnights without access to normal toilets or accommodations.

• All the information you would like to know before travel to Indonesia.

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Toraja, Indonesia: What to Know Before You Go

In Toraja, Life Is Colorful and Compelling… Even After Death

In  Toraja , high in the mountains of Indonesia' s Sulawesi Island, the worlds of the living and the dead stand side by side — with hardly anything dividing the two. As a result, the Torajan realm of the dead is just as colorful (if not as lively) as that of the living.

Cave floors littered with human bones and offerings of cigarettes; towering  tongkonan  (Toraja houses) set high on pillars; effigies called “tau-tau” staring with sightless eyes out of openings in a cliff; and regular sacrifices of buffaloes to appease the spirits of the newly departed — these all spring from the belief that the departed ancestors of Toraja have not really “departed” at all.

Spend a few days in Toraja to take in the fresh mountain air and the hospitality of the locals — and you'll find how happily they live, even in the ever-present gaze of their sainted ancestors. The unique culture of Toraja is well-worth the ten-hour curvy mountain drive it takes to get there!  

Where Is Toraja, Indonesia?

Long ago, Toraja was effectively insulated from mainstream Indonesia by the mountains of South Sulawesi. Getting to Toraja took several days of hard marching up mountainous terrain to reach a town some 200 miles north of the capital Makassar .

Today, a concrete highway makes short work of that distance, requiring only about eight to ten hours' ride by bus. (The Torajans have a reputation as excellent mechanics; they own and operate most of the buses connecting Makassar to their homeland.)

Makassar, in turn, is only a short nonstop flight from Jakarta and Bali, helping make Toraja into a key point in any substantial Indonesia travel itinerary .

Travelers disembark at Rantepao , North Toraja's capital and its cultural center. Rantepao's low-slung urbanity, chock-a-block with low 1960s-era buildings and the occasional tongkonan -style structures, quickly gives way to rice fields and towering limestone peaks.

The cooler weather is your only immediate clue to Toraja's elevation. You'll need to visit lookout points like Lolai to get a visceral idea of your place in the highlands: in the mornings, the lookout point at Lolai feels like an island peeking out of a sea of clouds.  

What Sets Toraja Culture Apart From the Rest of Indonesia?

As the lowland Bugis and Makassar people underwent conversion to Islam, the Toraja managed to hang on to their traditional beliefs —  Aluk Todolo , or “the way of the ancestors” — that still serve as the basis for Toraja's culture today.

Even after the mass conversion of most Torajans to Christianity, adherence to old Aluk Todolo habits die hard.

The traditional villages in Toraja — such as Pallawa — preserve the locals' original lifestyle, embodied in the area's iconic curved-roof tongkonan houses. Each community houses a single family or clan, who live in the row of houses facing north; smaller rice granaries ( alang ) line the other side of the lane.  

Torajan Status Symbols

Many traditional tongkonan feature a column of water buffalo horns, arranged according to size. These horns are markers of status: the remnants of previous sacrifices in honor of some dearly departed ancestor.

The people of Toraja — like every society in the world — busy themselves with collecting status symbols, accumulating and spending wealth, and breeding descendants.

Torajans use rites of passage to cement their status, wealth and family standing in society; nowhere is this more apparent than in Toraja's famous funerary rites.

A Toraja Funeral: Going Out with a Bang

The strict Aluk Todolo system dictates how Toraja people live, depending on their position on certain social and spiritual ladders.

• Social : a four-tiered class system with royalty at the very top, and servants at the very bottom.
• Spiritual : three different levels, from our mortal life to  puya , the afterlife, to heaven for noble spirits and gods ( deata ).

When death comes for a Torajan, the family lays the corpse in the master bedroom and treats it like a patient. “Mother is sick,” a Torajan might say of their parent, her corpse lying in state in the next room, being served food once a day by his obedient children. (Torajans use a traditional embalming fluid using the juices of betel-leaf and bananas to ward off decay.)

As the body slowly mummifies in the  tongkonan , the family pulls out all the stops to arrange the biggest party money can buy: a funeral usually held over a month after the time of death.

Torajans believe that souls cannot enter  puya  (the afterlife) unless they perform a proper  makaru'dusan  ritual — involving the sacrifice of as many pigs and water buffaloes as they can afford.

The Water Buffalo: An Unlikely Status Symbol

Water buffaloes do no work in Toraja, despite the area's endless rice terraces. So why is there a large, lowing herd trading at high prices at Rantepao's Pasar Bolu market ?

Every rite of passage calls for the sacrifice of several buffaloes or pigs — but the rules are particularly stringent for funerals. Aluk Todolo sets out a minimum number for slaughter, depending on your status. Middle-class families must offer at least eight buffalo and 50 pigs; noble families must slaughter upward of a hundred buffalo.

Families spend about 500 million Indonesian rupiah (USD $37,000) per water buffalo, with the price reaching astronomical heights for certain colors or patterns.

Tedong saleko , or white buffaloes with black spots, can fetch up to 800 million rupiah (USD $60,000) while the most expensive buffalo of all — albino buffalo called tedong bonga —  can cost over one billion rupiah (US$75,000)!

No part of the buffalo goes to waste — in a conspicuous show of generosity, the family donates the meat to community members who attend the funeral.  

The Nobility's Final Rest in Tampang Allo

For the status-conscious Toraja people, not even death can erase class distinctions.

A cemetery cave —  Tampang Allo , on the southern outskirts of Rantepao — contains the remains of the former ruling family of Sangalla district, Puang Menturino, who lived in the 16th century. The boat-shaped coffin ( erong ) immediately tells us that the decedents here are part of the nobility, for this type of coffin was the preserve of rulers and their kin.

Time has not been kind to the remains of Puang Menturino — the intricately carved erong , mounted on beams set high above the cave floor, have deteriorated through the centuries, and some have dropped their contents below.

Locals have cleaned the scene up somewhat, arranging the ancient skulls and assorted bones on ledges around the cave. Offerings of cigarettes (left by pious locals) still litter the rock around the skulls.  

Last Resting Place for All Classes in Lemo

Burial caves are in short supply these days, but limestone cliff faces are a dime a dozen around Toraja. Local custom disdains burial in the ground; Torajans prefer to be entombed in rock, which these days means a hole carved out of a Toraja cliff.

In the town of Lemo , a sheer cliff stands honeycombed with hand-carved crypts called liang patane , their doors measuring about five feet square and opening into a small space that fits four or five coffin-less remains. L iang patane are meant to accommodate entire families, and are guarded by tau-tau, or effigies, that depict the persons entombed behind them.

Unlike caves, liang patane are permitted to most Torajans regardless of class, but the cost of such burials all but reserves them for the well-heeled. Each hole costs about 20 to 60 million Indonesian rupiah to carve (about USD $1,500-4,500), not counting the cost of the funeral ritual. 

Tau-tau: Toraja's Silent Guardians

A few steps down from the Lemo cliff, you'll find a shop for a tau-tau maker, whose handiwork stares out from the shop floor.

Tau-tau are intended to be likenesses of the dearly departed, and their makers take care to reproduce unique facial traits in the finished product. Craftsmen use different materials depending on the social class of the deceased: nobility get tau-tau carved from jackfruit wood, while the lower classes must content themselves with effigies made out of bamboo.

The tau-tau wear real clothes, which are replaced every few decades by surviving family members. The Lemo tau-tau wear relatively new threads, as they ditched the old ones before the President of Indonesia came to visit in 2013. (The tau-tau themselves are estimated to be over 400 years old.)

Tau-tau makers are traditionally paid in water buffalo, and these effigies don't come cheap: about 24 water buffaloes is the average price, with higher-end tau-tau going for 40 or more water buffaloes.  

Practicing the Old Ways Alongside a Newer Faith

For all these picturesque pre-Christian traditions, most Torajans profess Christianity; locals practice Aluk Todolo alongside the sacraments, and see little conflict between the two.

60 percent of all Torajans belong to a Protestant Church, 18 percent profess the Catholic faith, and the remainder is split between Muslims and hardcore Aluk Todolo  practitioners.

You'll find a Christian church ( gereja in the local lingo) on almost every road bend, and both capitals of Toraja — Makale and Rantepao — feature a massive Christian structure erected on a nearby hill, visible from anywhere in the city.

A giant cross stands on Bukit Singki overlooking Rantepao, the most visible sign of the local faith. And on Buntu Burake hill over Makale, a giant Jesus statue stands even taller than Rio de Janeiro's Christ the Redeemer (40 meters in height, versus the Redeemer's 38 meters).

Visitors to Buntu Burake get an eyeful of the gorgeous Toraja landscape, as a concrete Jesus — arms outstretched, blessing the city below — watches over their shoulder.

The sculptor, an artisan from Yogyakarta named Hardo Wardoyo Suwarto, is Muslim himself – a situation that reverses that of another Indonesia landmark, the Istiqlal Mosque in the Indonesian capital Jakarta , a massive Islamic structure that was designed by a Christian!

Torajan Coffee

Toraja's highland climate makes it an ideal environment for Arabica coffee cultivation.

Thanks to its isolation in the 19th century, Toraja's coffee plantations were spared from the coffee-leaf rust epidemic that swept Indonesia in the 1870s; as a result, Torajan coffee was so prized, a “Coffee War” broke out in the 1890s to seize control of the local coffee industry.

Today, combat is the last thing on visiting coffee lovers' agenda. You can buy a cup of hot joe in every coffee shop, restaurant and warung (street stall) in Toraja. For beans and ground, budget shoppers can head over to Malanggo' Market  to buy inexpensive Robusta by the liter (about 10,000 Indonesian rupiah per liter, or USD $0.75).

Shoppers with a bigger budget and more discriminating tastes can head over to Coffee Kaa Roastery , a specialty dispensary with Arabica beans and ground labeled according to type and origin. Beans at Kaa cost about 20,000 Indonesian rupiah per kilogram, or about US$1.50.

Where to Stay in Toraja & Where to Go

Indonesia's tourism board touts Toraja as the next cultural destination after Bali , and their optimism is well-founded: beyond the cultural sites mentioned above, Toraja offers a few other adventures and activities well-suited to the hilly terrain:

• Trekking and Cycling: Visit the villages around Rantepao and Makale on foot or by bike — the scenic highs and lows of Toraja's highlands consist mainly of rice fields and forest, interrupted occasionally by limestone peaks and distinctive tongkonan villages. (Read about Southeast Asia's other top trekking trails .)
• Whitewater Rafting: If Toraja feels a little too laid-back, then go rafting on Toraja's rivers for that adrenaline rush: operators launch regular whitewater raft expeditions down Sa'dan, Mai'ting and Rongkong rivers, with levels of difficulty ranging from class I all the way to class V.
• Culinary Adventure: The rice-growing Torajans make their mark on traditional Indonesian cuisine with unique dishes like pa'piong , or spiced and seasoned meat grilled inside a bamboo tube. Eaten with rice — and preferably eaten by hand — pa'piong is the perfect introduction to Torajan cuisine, found at many restaurants all around Makale and Rantepao.

Accommodations in Toraja cater to travelers of all budgets. The Toraja Heritage Hotel is one of the area's very first four-star hotels and still one of the largest in the area. Giant tongkonan -style buildings surround the swimming pool – providing a taste of Toraja culture even before you've set out to explore the area!

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• Testimonial
• Toraja Land
• Minahasa Highland
• Tanjung Puting
• Flores & Komodo
• Baliem Valley
• Rantepao, Toraja Land
• Tomohon, Minahasa
• Labuan Bajo Hotels

Toraja Tour with Local Guides

Toraja tour visit the land of the heavenly king.

Tana Toraja or Toraja Land is situated 310 kms north of Makassar (UjungPandang), the capital city of South Sulawesi (Celebes). Tana Toraja is a mountainous area. The slope of the limestone mountains are covered with various kindsof bamboo, pine trees, coffee and many other kinds of tropical plants. The wet rice terraces and clove bushes also beautify the area which make one of the reason Toraja Tour is the third tourist destination after Java and Bali.

The total area of Toraja land is 3,205.77 kms. According to the 1995 cencus, the population of the regency numbered 367,371 people living in two towns ( Makale and Rantepao ), and in 65 villages. It is important to note that a million of Torajans live outside Toraja Land. Most of them comprise job seekers, University students, soldiers and business people.

The long drive from the lowlands to the mountain stronghold of TANA TORAJA opens up a breath-taking new world. The rugged mountains and verdant valleys are home to a people who love of religious spectacle is equaled only by their hospitality. With majestic panoramas, captivating villages and dramatic ceremonies, Toraja Tour is the undisputed highlight of any journey to Sulawesi (Celebes) – Indonesia.

Upgraded roads, an airport and several star-rated hotels have opened the Toraja high-lands to visitors of all interests, budgets and schedules. The essence of the Toraja beliefs and way of life can be experienced without undue effort, as many interesting sites are clustered around the town of Rantepao, easily accessible by road.

Toraja Tour it self devided into 2 area to explore. Where each area can spend a full day of your time. In the southern area you can visit artisans at Kete Kesu , a model Toraja settlements, produce bamboo carvings and other traditional handicrafts. The village itself has several well-maintained Tongkonan houses and rice barns. Visitors unsure about the propriety of tramping around someone’s village will be relieved to know that Kete Kesu has been converted into a living museum with the express purpose of displaying Toraja architecture and daily life. Other villages within sight of the roads, often sitting in an emerald sea of rice fields, display the Toraja penchant for baroque architectural adornment.

If the Toraja way of life is interesting, the way of death is a fascinating mix of rituals custom and spectacle. For the Toraja, the dead are as much a part of society as the living. At Lemo , cliffs rise precipitously from the rice fields like stonework condominiums. crypts carved with prodigious manual labor high into the solid rock house the mortal remains of Toraja nobility. Set amongs the crypts, the striking tau-tau, wooden effigies representing the deceased, look impassively on the world below.

At Londa , a network of coffin-filled caves reaches deep into the limestone hills. Visitors expecting a solemn, well-kept grotto are often shocked and disturbed by skeletons tumbling out of wooden coffins, skulls and bones arranged , to western eyes, according to some gruesome aesthetic. But the Toraja feels that since their ancestor’s souls are residing in heaven, ensuring continued fertility in farm and field, it is appropriate that their earthly remains be on display for the pleasure of honored foreign guests.

While the valley between Rantepao and Makale provides a glimpse of Toraja life, the real Toraja lies in the surrounding mountains in the northern part of Toraja, accessible only on foot. In treks ranging from an easy day to a strenuous week, those with a moderate capacity for adventure can experience authentic Toraja village life in charming mountain hamlets. Even in the most remote mountain villages, visitors are welcomed openly. Long accustomed to foreigners stumbling unannounced into their settlements, village leaders will generally allow anybody to take a look the interior part of their houses.

Funeral Ceremony

Tana Toraja or Toraja Land has a blended culture and natural beauty with fascinating ritual attractions. I dare to say that Toraja Land is the land of eternal souls, wandering spirits and buffaloes. And I still remember when some tourists said to me that among Torajan who still involved with their ancestors’ belief, then their entire life consists of rituals.

Employing intricate cycles of ritual observance punctuated with marvelous pageantry. The Toraja devote much time and effort to the care of their ancestors. The Toraja believe their forebears reside in heaven and participate directly in the welfare of the material world through their blessings. To conduct the souls of the deceased safely into the next world, the Toraja mount elaborate ceremonies which also serve to solidify bonds of mutual obligation among the traditionally suspicious clan groups.

For visitors, this is a magnificent show, as the ever hospitable Toraja will make arrangements to accommodate everyone who attends the ceremonies. Even a young backpacker stumbling into a Torajan funeral is offered a space in the temporary shelters erected for the occasion.The shelter set aside for tourists is generally in a good location, behind the closest relatives and community leaders, of course, but often far closer to the action than shelters reserved for distant or impoverished relations. A well-behaved foreigner is considered an honored guest, whose arrival from a far adds cosmopolitan element to the festive occasion.

Check the following Video from TED where Anthropologist Kelli Swazey takes a look at this culture, in which the bodies of dead relatives are cared for even years after they have passed. While it sounds strange to Western sensibilities, she says, this could actually be a truer reflection of the fact that relationships with loved ones don’t simply end when breathing does.

Toraja Tour Package

Bus Ticket Toraja to Makassar

Bus Ticket Makassar to Toraja Land

4 Days Toraja Trekking Tour

3 Days Toraja Adventure Tour

2 Days Toraja Classic Tour

Testimonials, toraja tour.

We had a wonderful journey around Toraja area. Our tour guide, Ms Rita, was a well qualified one. We met the driver at the hotel in Makassar and drove through the Toraja mountain. We took part in a funeral ceremony; it was so impressive. The place where we stayed was so quietful and in a great natural environment. I warmly… Read more “Toraja Tour”

Borneo, java, flores and sulawesi

Perfect!!! Everything has been perfect. The drivers were always waiting me ad the airport, the guides were expert, gentle. the cars were very good.Hotels and flights too. a very interesting mix between nature, culture, religion and traditional uses. A suggestion.. Bring from your own another sheet for the bed on the borneo’s boat and a jacket for the kelimutu volcano…it’s… Read more “Borneo, java, flores and sulawesi”

Trans Sulawesi

Hernan Halim provided an excellent tour of Sulawesi. Comfortable air con car, excellent company, fantastic English and very knowledgeable. I really liked his use of local guides who provided in depth local knowledge. This was particularly great in Toraja- understanding the importance of funerals as well as the complex social networks. Trips to togean islands and Bunaken islands were superb.… Read more “Trans Sulawesi”

Perfectly organized trip from Makassar to Manado

Hernan Halim responded quickly to our info request on the internet. We wanted to travel for 3 weeks in Sulawesi. Unaware of all the possibilities to visit the Togean Islands and the norther parts, we decided on a trip along the coast to Toraja. Hernan proposed a cross Sulawesi trip including the Togean Island and Manage, northern part plus Bunaken.… Read more “Perfectly organized trip from Makassar to Manado”

The best and most reliable local tour company in Indonesia!

My husband and I visited Java the first time in late April to early May 2018 during our 2 week private tour that was fully organised by Hernan at IndoGlobal Adventure, the head office now based in Jakarta. This is the second time we used Hernan’s services. First time we traveled with him to Sulawesi. We were so impressed with… Read more “The best and most reliable local tour company in Indonesia!”

Wonderful Solo trip in Toraja

I was looking at several tour operators in Indonesia for Toraja trip and found IndoGlobal Adventure looks promising – the complete itinerary and the owner, Hernan, speaks fluent English. They also replied my email fast. Being an Indonesian myself, my parents were worried me travelling solo. They thought European country would be safer to do so. If you read this… Read more “Wonderful Solo trip in Toraja”

Frequently Asked Questions

Can we do toraja tour as soon as we arrive.

No. Driving from Makassar to Toraja Land will take approximately 8-9 hours, not to mention the additional stop you make for meals and breaks. So by the time you arrive in Rantepao, it will be dark.

Alternatively, we can recommend you to make some stops along your way to Toraja Land at some interesting sites.

1. Rammang Rammang Karst Complex 2. The Bugis Makassar village 3. The “Erotic mountain” in Bambapuang

Please notice that by visiting those places is subject for traffic and late arrival time in Rantepao.

Do you offer one-way Transfer to Toraja Land?

Yes, we do. The one-way transfer from Makassar to Toraja will cost IDR 1.400.000 / Car. The car can be use with up-to 4 Passengers plus driver. The price already include driver and fuels. Please contact us at Contact Form for this additional service.

Can i buy Bus Ticket from you?

Yes, we can definitely help you with purchasing Bus Ticket from Makassar to Toraja Land or Vice Versa. The price would be IDR 250.000 and this is a Semi Sleeper Bus. Please use the Contact Form to inquiry for this service.

Are there flights from Makassar to Toraja Land?

Yes, flights are availlable daily from Makassar (UPG) to Palopo (LLO) Airport. The flight takes approximately 55 minutes and the drive from Palopo Airport to Rantepao is approximately 2 hours drive.

Wings Air flies everyday at 09:40 from Makassar and arrives in Palopo on 10:30. Garuda Airlines are no longer serve this route.

If you have problem with Flights Booking thru the Internet, because most of the Flights Booking Platform in Indonesia does not accept foreign credit card, please dont hesitate to contact us. We can help you for this.

Should I give tip?

Tipping is now a common thing in Indonesia, they are expecting it. So what we can say that tipping is relatively required. But, there is no rule for how much to tip. That is really depends on how satisfied you are with the services. But we can recommend IDR 50.000 per day for your driver and IDR 100.000 per day for your guide.

Please consider this very indicative. If you are on a low budget you could consider less, and if you are on a high budget you could consider more. But any amount is really appreciated!

Weather in Toraja Land

Travel insurance.

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Tana Toraja Indonesia: Travel Guide & Best Things To Do

The remote land of Tana Toraja, Indonesia (on Sulawesi island) is known for having one of the most bizarre and unique cultures in the world.

We spent several days there in 2020, and even managed to visit a traditional Tana Toraja funeral with the invitation of some friendly locals.

Tanah Toraja is a fascinating journey, with its unique cliffside graves, karst mountains, and notoriously unusual funeral customs and beliefs.

This travel guide will explain how to get to Tana Toraja, where to stay, all the best things to do, and everything else you need to know before you go!

Table of Contents show 1) Tana Toraja Culture In A Nutshell 2) Where Is Tana Toraja? 3) How To Get To Tana Toraja 4) How To Get Around Toraja 5) Best Things To Do In Toraja Indonesia 6) Toraja Entrance Fees 7) Where To Stay In Tana Toraja 8) Other Toraja Tips 9) Best Time To Visit Toraja Indonesia 10) How Long To Stay

Bori giant grave stone

Tana Toraja Culture In A Nutshell

The local religion in Toraja is called Aluk To Dolo (‘Way of the Ancestors’). It’s based on animist myths and traditions, infused with some elements of Protestant Christianity brought to Sulawesi by the Dutch in the 1920s.

Toraja culture is focused on death and the afterlife, and you can see this in the famously elaborate funeral ceremonies where they have days of feasting, dancing, and the slaughter of buffalos and pigs. The funeral is central to Toraja culture.

We enjoyed seeing the artistic tongkonan houses with their iconic curved rooftops, and exploring the hundreds of peculiar grave sites carved into the cliffs, caves, and boulders.

Toraja people are very friendly and welcoming to foreigners!

Toraja traditional dress

Water buffaloes are sacrificed in the funeral ceremonies

Toraja culture focuses heavily on death and the afterlife

Where Is Tana Toraja?

The Tana Toraja regency is located in the highlands of south Sulawesi island in Indonesia.

The main town of Rantepao sits in a scenic mountain area surrounded by limestone karsts, rivers, and rice terraces, so it’s a great place to explore.

Tana Toraja, Indonesia is surrounded by limestone karsts

How To Get To Tana Toraja

Tana Toraja, Indonesia can be reached by air, bus, or private car.

You can find more info on each option below. Flying to Toraja is the easiest, but bus is the cheapest. Driving there in a car may be best for groups.  

All flights to Toraja have to transit first in Makassar (UPG), and then you can fly directly to the new Tana Toraja airport (TRT) which was just completed in 2020. The flight from Makassar to Toraja takes 1 hour and costs about 1 million Rupiah ($70 USD) for a one way ticket.

You can shop for flights to Makassar and Tana Toraja at Skyscanner. Lion Air operates this flight daily, and I would guess other airlines may start doing the route soon too since it was just opened recently.

Once you reach the airport, it’s a 1 hour drive into town, and a taxi will cost about 250k Rupiah. We asked our hotel to combine our airport pickup with a half day tour of Toraja, so we paid 400k total. This worked out great because we got to see some things on our first day there.

Personally, I think flying is the best way to get to Toraja Indonesia nowadays, but going by bus or car can have its own advantages as well. I’ve described these options below.  

The new Tana Toraja airport with its Tongkonan rooftop

There’s a daily morning or night bus to Tana Toraja from the bus terminal in Makassar.

The bus ride from Makassar to Rantepao takes about 9 or 10 hours and there are several stops along the way. The bus departure times from both Makassar and Toraja are 9 AM for the morning bus, or 9 PM for the night bus.

This is a very long journey, but it could make sense for solo travelers on a strict budget. It costs around 200k Rupiah per person (one way).  

A car + driver can be hired to take you from Makassar to Tanah Toraja for about 750k to 1 million Rupiah ($50-70). This is the most cost effective option if you’re traveling in a group with several people. The drive takes 8+ hours and the road is in good condition.

Alternatively, you can rent a car to self drive from Makassar for about 600k Rupiah, but I wouldn’t recommend this unless you’re already experienced with driving in Indonesia.  

Rice fields near Rantepao

How To Get Around Toraja

Once you arrive in Tanah Toraja, the best way to explore the area is to hire a car + driver or rent a scooter.

It’s very cheap to hire a driver in Toraja. Our hotel owner was happy to show us around to all of the tourist sites for 400k Rupiah per day.  

Mountains near Makale

Best Things To Do In Toraja Indonesia

The cliff side graves at Lemo are one of Tanah Toraja’s most famous sights.

The first thing you’re greeted by is a row of creepy Tau-Tau statues staring down at you, as if they’re guarding the graves.

Lemo is very accessible. Our hotel owner took us there while driving us from the airport to our homestay in Rantepao.

Lemo cemetery

Creepy Tau-Tau statues at Lemo

Londa is a burial ground with two deep limestone caves filled with coffins and bones.

If you follow the caves far enough back, they connect with each other by a series of tunnels. A flashlight will be handy, otherwise you can rent a lantern at the entrance.

Londa is easy to combine with Lemo and other sights in south Tanah Toraja.

Coffins at Londa

Spooky burial cave at Londa

3. Kete Kesu

This is a popular collection of Toraja traditional houses (tongkonan) with a cave cemetery in the background.

Personally, I didn’t think the houses at Kete Kesu were as nice as the ones at Palawa (more on that later).

Tongkonan houses at Kete Kesu

Coffins at Kete Kesu

4. Yesus Buntu Burake

Torajan religion was mixed with Christianity after the colonials arrived, and it’s reflected in a giant Jesus Christ statue that stands on the hill above Makale.

It’s the second tallest Jesus statue in the world (after the famous one in Sao Paolo, Brazil), and you can drive all the way up to it from Makale. No hiking needed.

The Jesus Christ Blessing statue near Makale

Drone view of Yesus Buntu Burake

5. Buntu Pune

This is a small group of graves and Torajan traditional houses (tongkonan) that seem to be mostly overlooked by tourists.

Buntu Pune is located right in Rantepao , so you can reach it easily without a tour. We walked from our hotel in 5 minutes.

Traditional houses at Buntu Pune

Tongkonan close up

6. Bori Kalimbuang

Bori is a grave site in north Toraja with megalithic stones that were stood upright and used as headstones. It’s also known for having ‘baby trees’ where babies were buried if they died in infancy.

If you keep following the path, there’s a peculiar looking giant grave stone with more than a dozen tombs in it. I thought it was one of the most fascinating sights in Toraja.

Bori grave stones

7. Mount Sesean

Mount Sesean is one of the high points near Rantepao, and it has some of the best natural scenery in the area, with rice terraces for miles.

Hiking to the top from Batutumonga takes about 2 hours one way. The trailhead is pretty easy to find, and when you reach the top you get 360 degree views of the Toraja valley.

The peak of Gunung Sesean is 2,100 meters (6,900 feet) in altitude, and it’s one of Toraja’s most popular sunrise spots!

Peak of Mount Sesean

Rice terraces at Mount Sesean

8. Loko Mata

Loko Mata is a giant burial stone on the main road near Batutumonga and Mount Sesean.

This is probably the biggest boulder we saw in Toraja, and it has dozens of tombs carved into the rock on all sides.

It’s a very interesting spot, but I thought the grave stone at Bori was better.

Loko Mata grave stone

9. Palawa Houses

Palawa has some of the best traditional houses we saw in Tana Toraja.

These tongkonan are well preserved and super photogenic, with rows of water buffalo horns and skulls decorating the front.

It’s a very underrated spot that somehow doesn’t have as many tourists as we saw at places like Kete Kesu.

Tongkonan houses at Palawa

Giant buffalo horns

10. Limbong Lake

This is a lake near Rantepao with limestone karst mountains and water that changes color in the seasons. If you come here in the rainy season, the locals said the water turns a nice blue color.

Even if you visit during the dry season, when the lake is greenish brown, the karsts around the lake make for some pretty spectacular photos.

Limbong Lake (aka Danau Limbong)

11. Tana Toraja Funeral

One of the most important events in Tana Toraja, Indonesia is the traditional funeral ceremony. These are extravagant, usually last several days, and involve the gory slaughtering of pigs and buffaloes as a gift/honor to the family of the deceased.

Toraja culture revolves around funerals, and it’s a big draw for international tourists too. Foreigners are very welcome to attend, but as a guest you’ll be expected to buy a small gift for the family (usually a few packs of cigarettes).

If you want to witness a Tana Toraja funeral, the best thing to do is check with your hotel and/or tour guide about when and where the next one will happen. Funeral season is generally July to September.  

Toraja buffalo sacrifice

Cutting up the buffalo carcass to harvest

12. Ma’Nene Ceremony

Toraja’s most shocking and infamous tradition by far is the Ma’Nene ceremony that happens every year after the harvest season.

This is when the relatives’ corpses (dead bodies) are brought out of their graves like zombies , cleaned, and dressed in fresh clothes.

The locals don’t find this disgusting. In their culture, it’s loving and respectful, and they want to stay connected with their lost relatives. Keep in mind it’s an ancient tradition.  

Toraja Entrance Fees

Most tourist sites in Tanah Toraja have entrance fees, which for foreigners tend to be about 30k Rupiah ($2) per person. You pay this at each tourist site.

Rows of tongkonan houses

Where To Stay In Tana Toraja

Most Toraja visitors stay in Rantepao, which is the main town area.

Accommodation is pretty basic, consisting of homestays and small hotels, but the quality and value is surprisingly good.

Here are some of our top picks:

• Rosalina Homestay – Free breakfast/WiFi and the owner was very helpful arranging our airport pickup & Tanah Toraja tours – 200k IDR ($14 USD)
• Manubackpacker – Outstanding value for a twin room with private bathroom – 150k IDR ($10)
• Toraja Lodge Hotel – Superior king room with WiFi & breakfast included – 300k IDR ($20)
• Tongkonan Layuk Lion – Free dinner and breakfast with a village atmosphere and traditional Tongkonan houses – 750k IDR ($50)
• Toraja Misiliana Hotel – One of the nicest hotels in Toraja, with beautiful grounds, free continental breakfast, and an outdoor pool – 750k IDR ($50)

These prices may fluctuate from time to time, so just keep an eye out for a good deal.  

Bamboo forest at Bori

Mountains above Makale

Other Toraja Tips

• Credit Cards: Everything in Tanah Toraja is cash only. That includes hotels, restaurants, and entrance fees for tourist sites. So keep cash handy.
• ATM: There are plenty of ATMs in Rantepao with standard withdrawal limits. Foreign cards work fine.
• WiFi: Hotels in Rantepao generally have decent WiFi, and it’s quickly improving.
• Cell Service: Our SIM cards from Telkomsel had great reception in the Rantepao area.
• Restaurants: The streetside warungs in Rantepao didn’t seem great, but you can find good food if you look around. Two of our picks would be Raja Babi Waroenk and Monika Cafe & Resto .
• Safety: I’ve traveled all over Sulawesi, both as a solo traveler and also later with my wife. Toraja is very safe, and the locals are quite welcoming to tourists. Just take normal precautions.
• Mosquitoes: I’ve never heard of a tourist getting Malaria from mosquitoes in Tana Toraja. According to this Tribun News article from 2020, there haven’t been any local cases of Malaria in over two years. However, it’s still a good idea to wear repellant while out and about, just in case. Malaria can be nasty and dangerous.
• Apps: The Grab and GoJek ride-hailing apps aren’t available in Rantepao, but taxis and food delivery aren’t too hard to sort out if you need them.

Stone buffalo face guarding a grave stone in Tanah Toraja

Baby grave where infants were buried in trees

Inside a tomb at Bori

Best Time To Visit Toraja Indonesia

Tanah Toraja’s climate is quite a bit cooler than the rest of Sulawesi, with average temps around 23 Celcius (73 F) all year.

If you want to see the Toraja funerals and Ma’Nene ceremonies, the best time to visit is from July to September (and especially the month of August).

Otherwise, any month is fine for visiting Toraja, although it’s more rainy from November to May.

Souvenir tongkonan houses

How Long To Stay

You can see the highlights of Tana Toraja, Indonesia in 3 days.

With that said, Toraja is a big area so you could easily stay longer exploring all of the mountains and waterfalls if you wanted.

Happy travels!

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Local Guides

Ultimate Guide to Tana Toraja

August 27, 2019 by Local-Guides Leave a Comment

• Tana Toraja

The Ultimate Guide

What to do in Tana Toraja

The must-do activity in Tana Toraja is to visit several of the many mysterious burial sites of ancient villages and royal families, that are mostly located in the South. Find below a selection of the most beautiful sites in Tana Toraja.

Burial Sites in Tana Toraja

Bolu Livestock Market

Another popular activity is to visit one of the animal markets. Palau Bolu (Polu Market) is the biggest market where mostly buffaloes are sold by small herders, and where significant sums of money is spent by locals. It is here where family members buy buffaloes to be sacrificed for the the deceised in a burial ceremony.

The deceased is thought to being its journey to Puya after the burial ceremony, and the buffalo is considered to be a vehicle to make the journey. Therefore, family members want to buy as many buffaloes as they can afford for the deceased to do the journey as fast as possible. The Bolu Market is open only once or twice a week depending on the season.

Another famous animal market is the Makale Market where the main commodity is pigs.

Beautiful Landscapes in the North of Tana Toraja

The beautiful landscapes around Tana Toraja are mostly located in the North of Tana Toraja. While the most famous village around is Batutumonga , other beautiful villages with scenic landscapes include Tinimbayo, Limbong, Parinding, Tina, Perangian, Pana, Salu, Lolai and other picturesque places that are discussed in more length in the day-to-day itinerary of the 4D Toraja & Village Stay tour below.

Recommended Tana Toraja Tours & Scenic Treks

The must-do activity is a 2 Day Toraja Tour during which you spend one day to see the burial sites in the South from Rantepao – such as Kambira, Kete Kesu and Tampang Allo – and spend another day to see the beautiful landscape and mountains in the North around Batutumonga, and ideally do a short trek through the rice fields and remote villages.

As Tana Toraja is famous for its unique funeral ceremonies, many travellers overlook that it is a paradise for hikers as well! Unfortunately, most guides are only familiar with the touristic and marked trails, and are not familiar with the beautiful off-the-path mountain treks just a bit further from Rantepao, so choose your guide wisely.

If you also want to experience the beautiful landscape around Sulawesi and stay overnight in remote villages among locals, you should do at least the 3D Toraja Tour & Village Stay Tour, but we recommend the 4 or 5 Day Toraja Tour & Village Stay to fully enjoy the serenity as you trek through rice fields, bamboo forests, cacao- and coffee plantations, and meet friendly locals as you stay overnight in their remote communities.

Find below the day-to-day itinerary of the 4D Toraja & Village Stay Tour. Other day-to-day itineraries can be found in our Tana Toraja Tour Page (click on the tab above the image slider).

Itinerary for 4D Tana Toraja & Village Stay Tour

Day 1: highlights of the south, rantepao >> lemo – kambira – tampang allo – lampio – bebo & karuaya – kete’ kesu >> rantepao.

Included: guide, car, driver, fuel, parking fees excluded: accommodation in Rantepao, entrance fees to sites, meals

Visiting the Southern area will feel as if a cultural documentary has been brought to life. These are the must-sees of Tana Toraja.

Typically we will visit Lemo, Kambira, Tampang Allo, the weaving village Lampio, and the burial site in Kete’ Kesu. If there is time we could also visit the animistic villages Bebo and Karuaya.

Kambira Baby Graves

Tampang allo, bebo & karuaya, kete' kesu, day 2: trekking to tinapu village (l d), rantepao >> pana – kata – kepe – poya – perangian – tinapu.

Included: guide, car and driver for drop-off, long trek (Pana – Tinapu), overnight at Tinapu, meals as mentioned

After breakfast, you are picked up and dropped off at Panaa . We visit the old stone grave, and then start our scenic day trek. We walk to Kata which located in the middle of rice fields.

We continue via Kepe to the very old village Poya , where some still have animistic beliefs and who have been studied by European scientists. The next stop is at Perangian village, with many joyful children excited to see foreigners.

We hike through a beautiful and rough landscape before arriving at our final destination Tinapu village, where we meet the hospitable villagers and feel the warm Torajan atmosphere where people live simply and are happy at the same time.

Day 3: Trekking to Salu (B L D)

Tinapu – limbong – parinding – bela – salu.

Included: guide, long trek (Tinapu – Salu), overnight at Salu, meals as mentioned

After breakfast we start our hike to the beautiful ricefields at Limbong village, and the many Torajan houses and rice burns at Parinding

We will have lunch in the forest or the rice fields. And then we pass cacao- and coffee plantations and beautiful rice fields before we arrive at the remote, traditional village Salu . We meet the villagers, have diner, and spend the night in a local house.

Day 4: Highlights of the North (B)

Salu >> lombok parinding – bori – palawa – tinimbayo – batutumonga – loko mata >> rantepao.

Included: guide, car, driver, fuel, parking fees, short trek (Loko Mata – Kata – Kayurame) excluded: accommodation in Rantepao, entrance fees to sites, meals

After breakfast in Salu village, we are picked up by car to explore the scenic Northern part of Toraja.

We visit the stone graves and rice burns in the village Lombok Parinding , the megalithic stones in Bori , and the traditional village Palawa and Tinimbayo .

Lunch will be served in Batutumonga , where you enjoy a beautiful panorama view. After lunch, we drive to Lokomata to see the boulder grave.

At Loko Mata we start our scenic trek of 2-3 hours through rice fields, bamboo forests, cacao and coffee plantations, until we arrive at Kayurame village, from where we return by car to Rantepao.

For a good preparation of your Tana Toraja Tour, read the The Ultimate Guide to Tana Toraja

How to get to Tana Toraja

Makassar is the gateway to Tana Toraja, and Rantepao is the base from which to explore Tana Toraja.

Fly to Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport in Makassar . From here you can reach Rantepao both via land and by air.

By Air . Take the morning flight from Makassar to Palopo Bua Airport (±1 hour), located ±2 hour drive from Rantepao. We pick you up here for free if your tour starts on the same day. Use SkyScanner to search for international and domestic flights.

Taxi . Take a private transfer from the airport to Rantepao (±8/9 hours). You could make stops at interesting sites on route (Bugis village, Erotic mountains), make a detour to visit Rammang Rammang , or break the journey with an overnight at Sengkang .

Bus . The cheapest option is to take the bus (±9/10 hours). There are many bus companies with different prices and each bus has several seat classes. Always take the “VIP” seats as these are the most comfortable. Bus companies include Litha & Co, Manggala Trans and Primadona. Usually you need to buy the bus tickets locally, but Primadona has a (primitive) online booking system and an email address ( [email protected] ).

Where to stay in Rantepao

While nowhere near the high-end resorts in Bali, the best and relatively luxury accommodation in Rantepao is Toraja Misilliana Hotel .

What is the best period to visit Torajaland

From a climate point of view, Tana Toraja can be visited all year long. While the temperature is fairly constant throughout the year, chances for the best weather are in the dry season from mid April to early October. However, the rain season in Tana Toraja is not as wet as in other places in Indonesia; typically there is short rain shower in the late afternoon, if it rains at all. In the worst case it could rain half a day.

The best period to visit Tana Toraja to attend a funeral ceremony is July – August. In these months you will be able to attend a ceremony with near certainty if you stay in Tana Toraja for 3 days or more. At the same time this is the busiest period with crowds or visitors.

The best period to visit Tana Toraja for scenic trekking are the shoulder periods in the dry season April-June and September-October, although the off-the-beaten-path experiences are also fun in the rain season October-March and the super peak season July-August.

What to bring to your Tana Toraja Tour

The general pack list:

• Comfortable shoes
• Insect repellent (DEET 40%)
• Small backpack for the day trips

Pack also the following for the Tana Toraja treks:

• Pocket light
• Mobile charger for your electronic devices (or a spare battery)

In case you visit a ceremony, you could consider bringing ceremony gifts (e.g. sugar, chocolate, cigarettes) with you, or alternatively just ask your guide to make a stop at a store on the way to the ceremony.

Where to go after Tana Toraja

The Tana Toraja Tours can be perfectly combined with visits to Rammang Rammang, Lake Tempe and Bira Beach.

• Rammang Rammang (±1.5 hours from Makassar by car) is part of Batimurung National Park, famous for its limestones. You need to cross a mangrove river by canoe to arrive at Rammang Rammang, where you can do several short hikes, visit the viewpoint on a hill or the caves with ancient drawings.
• Lake Tempe is the largest lake in Sulawesi and known for its floating villages. You cruise by boat between the houses, and can make stops for a coffee or desert in one of the floating houses.
• Tanjung Bira is known for its white beaches and turquoise water and considered to be among the most beautiful beaches in Indonesia. Located ±200 km from Makassar, it is relatively remote and therefore not crowded with tourists.
• 5 Day Makassar > Rammang Rammang – Lake Tempe – Tana Toraja > Makassar
• 7 Day Makassar > Rammang Rammang – Lake Tempe – Tana Toraja – Tanjung Bira > Makassar

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TORAJA TOUR WITH GUIDE SERVICE. - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Feb 14, 2020 Rahardian

How to find the best tour Guide to Toraja

Are you planning on take a vacation to Tana Toraja , but still confuse about the tour Guide to Toraja? Toraja is one of the tourist areas that has a unique attraction in the area of South Sulawesi Province. Tourism is one area that is constantly being improved, to provide facilities and environmental attractions, as well as the best attractions for visitors.

Going on vacation, especially if done with family, it certainly will be very helpful if you use a tour guide, who comes from a travel agent Makassar . Because Toraja is a tourist area, this tour guide is not difficult to find. However, even though this is commonplace, it turns out that to determine the competent tour of the Guide to Toraja tour must be careful.

Then how to find a trusted Guide to Toraja tour?

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Toraja Trekking

Trekking in Toraja is one of the best place for trekking through rice field terrace, forest, village and mountain. You can choose the type of trekking that you need from soft nature trekking to Hard Trekking we also arrange the Toraja trekking or other part of sulawesi for with camping tent, where You will feel the free atmosphere in mountain or rain forest. will be always depend of Your choice of our trails.

Camping trekking also will be enjoyed with music during the night, and You are able sing a song together with our local team work. Local Tour guide  will let you in the remote area with experienced and knowledge of our own area. where We know our area most compare othere people from outside

Trekking in toraja can be choose from easy, moderate or hard trekking. Mountain Climbing also will be more special, trekking in the rice field, trekking in forest will be a special experience. Camping Program :

Day 01. Rantepao - se'seng o/n at Local people house Day 02. Se'seng - burasia - Talondo Tallu ( o/n in Tent in the front of water fall ) Day 03. Talondo Tallu - sanik o/n at Traditional House  Day 04. Sanik - yasa - Ratte  o/n in Local House Day 05. Ratte - Batu sura' - Sarong, o/n on hill in tent Day 06. Sarong - Rantepao 

11 Days  Mamasa – Toraja Exotic  Package Tour  :

Our Program :

• 15 Days Trans sulawesi
• 04 D / 03 N Toraja Tour
• 06 D/05 N Toraja - Bugis Tour
• 05 D/ 04 N Toraja Tour & Trekking
• 20 D / 19 N Trans Sulawesi Tour
• 08 D / 07 N Mamasa - Toraja tour
• 15 D / 14 N SUlawesi Adventure with Motor bike

Buntu Burake

Buntu Burake located in Makale on the Hill of Burake, it's the tallest Jesus effigy in the world, the view from the hill is very impresive where you can see all Toraja with rounded by mountain sorrounding and rice field terraces.

Buntu Burake also use for Religy Tour

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we also arrange the Toraja trekking or other part of sulawesi for with camping tent, where You will feel the free atmosphere in mountain or rain forest. will be always depend of Your choice of our trails.

Trekking in toraja can be choose from easy, moderate or hard trekking. Mountain Climbing also will be more special, trekking in the rice field, trekking in forest will be a special experience.

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14 Amazing Things To Do In Tana Toraja

Lately it was the Indonesian Tourism Board who took me away from the islands around Bali and showed me more of what Indonesia has to offer. I felt like I was exploring a different country as the Trip of Wonders showed me parts of North Sumatra, Central Java and a region in Central Sulawesi: Tana Toraja.

The walking dead of Toraja

In my weekly blog The Walking Dead of Toraja I already explained a little why this region is so extravagant to visit. It may sound a little creepy, but the believes of the Toraja people are just a little different than ours and therefore extremely interesting to experience.

Toraja people live for the afterlife and death is welcomed as a celebration. They live a simple life and departing is not seen as something sad. In fact it is a huge ceremony where buffalos are sacrificed and the meat shared among other villagers. Torajans live in so called castes systems, which defines your social status through their ancestors. The higher your social rank the bigger your Toraja funeral ceremony will be. Life of the Torajans is about death!

So why do people talk about the walking dead of Toraja?

When someone dies they are not buried straight away but it can take up to several years before someone will be put in a coffin and brought to their final resting place. As the family wants to give the departed a great funeral they have to save up enough money to pay for all the rituals. In the meantime they keep the corpse at home and bring offers to it every day. They keep the corpse of their deceased beloved ones in a good state by balming them from time to time, some even dress them up, wash them and take them for a walk around the village. This may sound creepy in our believes, but this is Toraja culture and I think it should be respected as it is extremely fascinating. Now you know why people talk about the walking dead of Toraja if you still can't believe it, check out this little video. This video contains dead people! ;)

Some say if you have not witnessed a Toraja funeral ceremony you have not experienced the real Toraja culture. Of course this is one of the best things to do in Toraja as this place is mainly about the extraordinary rituals of the Toraja people, but there are more things to do in Toraja. But first let me tell you all about their cultural highlights.

1. Toraja funeral ceremony

Clearly this is among the best things to do in Toraja and many tourists from around the world are willing to experience this extraordinary aspect of Toraja culture. For more information about the Tana Toraja funeral ceremonies and how to experience them contact have a look at the Indonesia Tourism Board website .

2. Tour around burial sites

In my weekly blog about my Tana Toraja tour I explained that Toraja people are not buried under the ground but as close to heaven as possible depending on your social class. Therefore one of the great things to do in Toraja is the visit their burial sites.

3. Bori’ megalithic burial site

If you take a Tana Toraja Tour for sure you will be brought to this place where huge megalith stones eract from the ground symbolizing the land and its entirety. They all look like massive gravestones, but it is only symbolic. Coffins are placed in the caves around the burial site.

4. Lemo Burial Caves

In Lemo coffins are perfectly places in crevices of giant boulders and is believed to be one of the oldest burial cliffs in Toraja.

5. Londa Toraja - Most Famous Burial Site

This burial cave is probably the most famous tourist spot and among the best things to do in Toraja. Keep in mind that things get real here. You will see numerous coffins, human bones, skulls and even open coffins. You are able to enter a cave where thousands of people have found their last resting place. It was my first time that a saw human bones and not just one, but piles!

6. Tampang Allo - Bone Crusher

Another cave similar like Londa though a bit more organized with bones and skulls from departed neatly arranged. Get one of the guides hanging out in front of the entrance to get permission to go inside. Bargain is a must!

7. Kambira - Burial Site For Babies

This is not a place for the faint-hearted as Kambira is the burial site for babies. When a baby died before it grew teeth it was giving back to Mother Nature and therefore places in the tree without a cover. Over time nature would take care of the baby corpse and take it back. Talking about some interesting things to do in Toraja this certainly cant be missed!

8. Lo’Ko’Mata - Rock Burial Site

This is another incredible stone burial site, but different than the others. It is a massive rock formation in where many burial chambers are carved out and can hold up to a couple coffins. The higher the burial chamber is located in the rock formation the more important that person was.

Now that you know all about their burial sites you must wonder is there are more things to do in Toraja besides touring from one graveyard to antoher. But yes there is definitely more to explore of the Toraja culture.

9. Ke’te Ke’su - UNESCO Village

When on a Tana Toraja tour you cant miss the Unesco Word Heritage site of Ke’te Ke’su. This tradional village is one of the most complete settlements in the region and therefore popular with tourists to visit. Try to see if you can fix a traditional dance performance. This is the place where a lot of Toraja funeral ceremonies are held.

10. Stay in a local home

May be not among the standard things to do in Toraja is to stay with a local family and experience the Toraja culture first hand. As this region is far from developed staying with a local family is an incredible experience, but keep in mind that it can be really basic. Some houses lack electricity and families live super simple. Although they hardly have anything they love to share whatever they have and don’t ask anything in return apart from respecting their culture.

As the Toraja culture is so rich most people have no time to do something adventurous, but as we are in the misty highlands aka jungle up here, there are some adventurous things to do in Toraja as well.

11. White water rafting

Only very few people know about white water rafting in Toraja, but where there are lush green misty mountains there are also endless waterfalls and fast rapids. Chasing waterfalls in Toraja is a great adventure itself but if you are looking for a bigger adventure try to arrange white water rafting in town.

12. Shopping - local souvenirs

Being an isolated and self-sufficient etnic group for many decades the Torajans created their own style and endemic art. You will find many handwoven clothes and if you visit local villages they will be proud to show you how they make it. The same counts for the many carvings you will find on your way. Some wooden sculptures are incredibly detailed displaying the Toraja culture. Prices vary incredibly bargaining is strongly advised.

13. Hiking in Toraja Land

As Toraja Land is located in the hilly countryside this is definitely a must do. Best is to arrange a guide to guide you over the lush green hilltops, find traditional mountain villages for you and who guides you through coffee plantations. This is the jungle prepare to get wet so bring a rain jacket, but if the rays of sun pierce through the lush vegetation this place is a hiking madness and one of those things to do in Toraja that not many people experience.

14. Try the famous Toraja Coffee

Because of its geographic locations close to the ocean but still high up in the misty highlands this region became famous for its distinctive coffee flavors. The exceptional taste of Toraja coffee was discovered by the Dutch and in the time the coffee trade was highly valued Toraja became a coffee mecca. Find yourself a spot with a great view over the highlands and sip a Toraja Coffee.

Getting to Tana Toraja

A Tana Toraja travel guide would not be complete with some advice on how to get there. You can reach the central highlands of Toraja by car, bus and plane easily, but it still is a little adventure.

Getting from Makassar to Toraja by car

If you decide to rent a car in Makassar and drive up North to Toraja you will be blessed with an incredibly scenic ride, but keep in mind that this trip will take around 6 - 8 hours. On your way up North you will pass the lofty karst mountains of Maros, which are supposed to be the second largest in the world after the ones in China. Other stops along the way from Makassar to Toraja are: Pare a traditional harbour town and Enrekang a mountain village with exquisite views of Gunung Nona.

Bus from Makassar to Toraja

There are also busses available from the Makassar Bus Terminal located 30 minutes from the airport.

Flights from Makassar to Toraja

There are two options to get to Toraja by plane: a flight to Palopo or Pongtiku. Palopo is still a 2 hour busride away from Toraja land but is serves multiple times a week. Pongtiku is a tiny airport in the middle of Tana Toraja but is served very infrequently from Makassar.

Getting around in Toraja

There are two main tourist hubs: Makale and Rantepao and there are local busses running between them but basically public transport is not worth it. To get around rent a motorbike as this will take you anywhere you want to go at any given time. Getting lost is a great thing here as rural life is still super authentic and people are extremely friendly. There are zero safety issues, so be adventurous and don't be afraid.

Stay online during your trip in Toraja

When you are traveling through Toraja it is easier to stay online to look things up if people dont speak English or when you are getting lost on your motorbike. Staying online is the best by buying an Indonesia prepaid sim card . Click on the link to read the article in where I did the research for you.

Where to stay in Toraja

There are a couple traditional places to stay and recommended if you are looking for a bit more comfort. There are no 5 star resorts in this region but some at least come close to these standards. Food and drinks in these places can be really pricey. But if you are looking for upscale accommodation check out: Toraja Heritage Hotel ,

For mid-range I can recommend these: Toraja Misiliana Hotel , Luta Resort Toraja .

You are not really spoiled for choice with budget accommodation but this guesthous is doing a great job to cater the budget travelers, plus you will meet other like minded travelers here: John's Family House .

More Blogs about traveling in Indonesia

I visited Tana Toraja on a press trip with the Indonesia Tourism Board though all opinions are my own. If you are interested to see where the Trip of Wonders Culture 2017 took us then check out the weekly adventure blogs of Sumatra & Central Java and Toraja & Bali . These trips were off the beaten path in Indonesia as most tourist end up in Bali. Somehow understandable as I wrote a blog with 12 reasons why you should travel to Bali . For backpackers I have the ultimate guide on how to travel Bali on a budget , including the costs of living in Bali. Please don’t get disappointed and stay away from the hectic and overcrowded areas Kuta and Seminyak. Click here to find the best places to go and things to do in Ubud or go to the hippest place in Bali and check out what to do in Canggu.

I hope you liked my Tana Toraja travel guide and tips and that it helped you planning your trip and making a list of the best things to do in Toraja. Don’t forget to sip Toraja Coffee and while doing may be you could help me and pin this article on Pinterest or share it in a Facebook Group. It would really help me a lot! Thanks a million…

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Things to Do in Tana Toraja, Indonesia - Tana Toraja Attractions

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What client say.

Our Tana Toraja Tour was wonderful. Hernan’s local knowledge really made the trip great. Accommodations and transport were all comfortable. He also recommended a local guide Martin who has an infectious laugh making our trip that much more memorable. Highly recommended. Initially we were booked only for Tana Toraja but Hernan suggested us to give Sengkang a visit and it was awesome. The morning boat ride out to the tranquil lake was just so relaxing. Overall great service. I wouldn’t hesitate to use them again for my other trips in Indonesia.

Our Tana Toraja trip was wonderful. Hernan’s local knowledge really made the trip great. Accommodations and transport were all comfortable. He also recommended a local guide Martin who has an infectious laugh making our trip that much more memorable. Highly recommended. Initially we were booked only for Tana Toraja but Hernan suggested us to give Sengkang a visit and it was awesome. The morning boat ride out to the tranquil lake was just so relaxing. Overall great service. I wouldn’t hesitate to use them again for my other trips in Indonesia.

A word of thanks for arranging the Rantemario trek as well as the Sa’dan rafting and making it a success. Though it was a tough trek and change in the plan we all realize that it was necessary so as to ensure that we have enough time to make it. Having said that despite the bad weather on the summit day the journey has been memorable including the rafting as well. Glad that we proceed with the 2 day rafting because if not we would have missed out an interesting part of the journey. Looking forward to visiting Sulawesi again in future.

We booked a 7-day tour along the central and southern part of Sulawesi with Hernan. Hernan brought us closer to the country and its people with a lot of personal commitment . This week we became good friends. We can recommend Hernan absolutely: Reliable and open to individual challenges.