Life after death is possible only in Sulawesi

620 €, 4 Days

Life after death is possible only in Sulawesi. This tour is from another world! Indonesia’s third largest island Sulawesi is inhabited by the Toraja people. Their lifestyle and culture, especially around death is absolutely unique and quite fascinating. It may seem strange to the outside world but Torajans are completely at home among their dead, literally. It is not uncommon for people to remain in their families’ homes for years after they die. Indeed, it is not until the funeral that a person is considered dead. This sometimes does not happen for years.

Most of Sulawersi’s population is Christian, as oppose to the majority of the country, which is Muslim, however the locals also have animist beliefs known as Aluk To Dolo "Way of the Ancestors". It governs social life, agricultural practices, and ancestral rituals. All this is soaked in Toraja people’s every day’s life, from the way they build their villages to how they leave this world. Torajans are renowned for their elaborate funeral rites, burial sites carved into rocky cliffs, massive peaked-roof traditional houses known as tongkonan, and colourful wood carvings. Toraja funeral rituals are attended by hundreds of people and lasting for several days, sacrificing water buffalos and holding cock fights. At times of the year, the mummified corpses are removed from their tombs, groomed and dressed in new outfits. They smell mildly but the odor is not foul. The villages has their distinctive Tongkonans which is a traditional ancestral house shaped like a boat where the deceased are often kept and cared for.

We will get to know all that, but also this being the amazingly beautiful Indonesia, we made sure also to include the island’s amazing sceneries, beautiful rice paddies, and of course, some local crafts.

Note: We offer extended tours around Sulawesi. Please write us for more info.

Highlights

♦ Visiting Toraja’s unique houses and villages
♦ Local culture’s embrace of death and its incredible burial rituals and tombs
♦ Tau Tau statues, the hanging graves, rock graves, baby trees
♦ Possibly witnessing bull sacrifice during funeral ritual

Day 1. Toraja
We sweep you straight from your hotel into the world of Toraja people. Prepare your camera, because memories might not be sufficient for this journey. We dive deep into the boat shaped houses (check out our gallery). We will visit a few Bugisnese villages. Lunch will be served in a local restaurant in Pare-Pare, the harbour city between Makassar and Toraja. After lunch, continue driving to Toraja precedes a scenic drive with many photo-stops enroute. In the afternoon pass by Puncak Lakawan to enjoy the spectacular view. After full day of exploration, we spend the night in Rantepao, Totaja. (-/L/D)

Day 2. Lemo, Kambira, Suaya, Londa, Kete Kesu
First we visit Lemo to see rows of Tau Tau statues and the hanging graves. Then continue to discover the secrets of baby trees in Kambira. If a child dies, the locals will cut a hole in the tree and place the body there. They beilive that the little human will continue growing through the tree. After, we continue towards Suaya and the graveyard of Kings of Sangall. Then proceed to Londa to see ancient tombs in which the deceased were not buried, but placed among the rocks. At KeteKesu one of the oldest Torajan villages you can see Tongkonan (the traditional ancestral house, or Rumah Adat of the Torajan people), and also the old traditional rice barns with colorful woodcarving. (B/L/D)

Day 3. Batu Tumonga, Soft Trekking, Bori
After breakfast, we will bring you out for a full day trip to Batutumonga, enjoying superb views of Rantepao and the surrounding valleys. Lunch in a local restaurant . Then we will take you on a small hike through the rice fields and local villages where you can also see the daily life of the people in Toraja.Then, we will continue to visit Bori the Megalith area. This area symbolizes the great funeral ceremonies, which is held in the past. Dinner and overnight at Hotel. (B/L/D)

Day4. Toraja, Pare Pare, Makassar Airport / Hotel
After breakfast, drive back to Makassar. We will stop again at Puncak Lakawan. Lunch stop at Pare-Pare. In the late afternoon we will arrive at Sultan Hassanuddin International Airport to catch your flight to the next destination.

Price Includes:
Accommodation in 3*hotels double/twin share
Full board package
Private AC Car
Entrance fee's and Donations as per program
English Speaking Guide (other Language request as per availability)
Bicycle and equipment (optional)

Not Included:
Domestic and international Flight ticket
Domestic and international airport tax
Guide and driver tip
Optional tour & other personal expenses
Insurance

Additional Services:
Price for group 4-6 pax : on request

Gallery