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Tana Toraja South Sulawesi Tour
Situated at the crossroads of strategic
sea-lanes steeped in history, the province of South Sulawesi consists of
the narrow southwestern peninsula of this mountainous, orchid-shaped
island. The capital and chief trading port, Makassar, is still the gateway
to eastern Indonesia.
Spanish and Portuguese galleons, followed by British and Dutch traders,
sailed these seas In search of the spice trade, escorted by their
Men-of-War to protect them from the daring raids of the Bugis and Makassar
pirates. Famed for their seafaring culture, the Bugis are still the
driving force behind the world's last commercial sailing fleet. Bugis
vessels have sailed as far as Australia, leaving behind images of their
ships carved in stone, and Bugis words which were integrated into the
Aboriginal language of northern Australia.
The seafaring Bugis dominate the southern tip of Sulawesi, but in the
rugged and remarkable country further north is Tana Toraja, often referred
to as the "Land of the Heavenly Kings". The traditional culture of the
Torajans rivals any in the archipelago, making this area one of the most
popular tourist destinations in Indonesia.
Believing that their forefathers descended from heaven in a boat some
twenty generations ago, the Torajans have a unique Christian animist
culture .the majority of the people still follow an ancestral cult called
"Aluk Todolo", which governs all traditional ceremonies. Their ancestor
worship includes elaborate death and after life ceremonies, which are
essentially great feasts. A strict social hierarchy is followed in the
villages, and for an important figure wedding and burial ceremonies can
take days to perform. Water buffalo and pigs are sacrificed in numbers
appropriate to social rank, and the deceased's remains are placed in a
coffin and interred in caves hollowed out in high cliffs. The mouth of the
cave is guarded by lifelike statues, called Tau Tau, who look out from a
balcony near the burial caves, watching over the families and friends they
have left behind.
Tongkonan, the family houses, are built on stilts with the roof rearing up
at either end, representing the prows of the first ship to arrive in the
area with the Torajan ancestors. The houses all face north and some say
that this is because it was from the north that the ancestors of the
Toraja came. Others however will say that the north (and east) is regarded
as the realm of the gods, on the compass of life.
South Sulawesi is also famous for its tremendous scenery and the quality
and talent of its silk and silverwork industries, but the economy is
largely based on agriculture.
The provincial capital of Makassar, formerly Ujung Pandang, is easily
accessible by air. There are daily flights from Jakarta, Bali, Surabaya
and Manado.
Tana Toraja Tour Package
Day 1: Meeting services at Hasanuddin
Airport Makassar, afterwards, set out on the picturesque drive to Toraja.
Lunch at a seafood restaurant in Pare-Pare. In the afternoon stop will be
made at Puncak Lakawan to enjoy the spectacular view. Late in the
afternoon arrival Rantepao. Dinner and overnight in the Heritage Hotel.
Day 2: After breakfast, we will take you on a full day excursion in
Toraja, in the morning we will visit Lemo, where we will find rows of
Tau-Tau and the hanging graves. Londa has an ancient natural grave where
the deceased are entombed with big ceremonies. Kete-Kesu is a traditional
Torajan Village, where we can see the Tongkonan and the old rice barns and
it is famous for its woodcarving. Lunch is served in Rantepao. Dinner and
overnight in Heritage Hotel.
Day 3: After breakfast, we make another full day excursion in
Toraja. Today we visit Pallawa, Sa'dan (the weaving center), Marante and
Nanggala, a traditional Torajan village, known for its large Tongkonan and
14 rice barns. Lunch is served in Rantepao. Dinner and overnight in
Heritage Hotel.
Day 4: After breakfast transfer back to Makassar. Lunch will be
served in Pare-Pare. Afterwards transfer directly to Hasanuddin Airport
for your next destination.
Price on request, Please advice the participants number
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3N/4 Days of Tana Toraja Package
Includes:
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you to the island of the giant lizard of Komodo and get
close with this animal in their own habitat in 3days
at USD 350. Experience and explorer the remote islands in
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