The waters surrounding Indonesia's Sulawesi Island are some of the richest on earth. Divers come from around the world to hunt for rare creatures in Lembeh Straits and experience the underwater walls of Bunaken Marine Park. But great diving isn't the region's only attraction. The land also offers some unique experiences and adventures. Here is a sampling of the tours offered through Caradonna that will add an extra dimension to your visit to Sulawesi vacation.
The Men of the Forest
In the Malay language, the words “orang” & “utan” means Man of the Forest. It's an apt description, because orangutans are our closest living relatives, sharing more than 95 percent of our genetic makeup. The jungles of northeast Sulawesi are one of the few places on earth where wild orangutans still roam free in a protected sanctuary.
A visit with the “forest people” begins when you board a traditional Bornean houseboat known as a Kelotok for a three-day cruise up the Sekonyer River. Though rustic in appearance, these boats offer comforts such as showers, power sockets and luxurious bedding set under gossamer netting. As you ply the tea-colored waters of the river there's plenty of time to scout the treetops of the jungle-clad banks for sightings of orangutans, proboscis monkeys, langurs, and macaque, along with a host of tropical birds.
After a night on the water, you'll arrive at Tanjung Puting National Park, where shore leave at Pasalat Camp provides a chance to plant an endemic fruit tree as part of a reforestation program to benefit the Orangutans. Then, it's on to the Orangutan Information Center at Camp Leaky to witness the ongoing research of renowned primatologist Dr. Birute Galdakis. The highlight of the day comes in the early afternoon when you'll have the chance to participate in an orangutan feeding session.
After a second night aboard, you'll head downriver to the Pondok Tanggay station for a trek into the jungle to interact with more orangutans. An afternoon visit to a traditional village is followed by one final orangutan encounter, then an evening on the water in the Nipa Palm area, where thousands of fireflies will light up the night.
Tiny Tarsier and Highland Adventures
On a three to five-day Discover Minahasa Tour, you'll take a deeper dive into the geography, history, wildlife and culture of Sulawesi's Minahasa Peninsula. This region is known for its scenic beauty and distinct regional diversity. Landscapes take in white-sand beaches, verdant rainforests, wild rivers, and elevated plateaus overshadowed by striking volcanic peaks. Villages seemingly untouched by time maintain artisanal traditions dating back hundreds of years, blended seamlessly with Colonial-era influences.
A highlight of all tours is a visit to the Tangkoko Nature Reserve, home to big-eye Tarsiers, black-crested macaques, pouched cuscus, maleo birds and a wealth of indigenous wildlife, all roaming free. Next, it's on to the Minahasa Highlands, where peaks rise to heights of 7,000 feet. The volcanic origins of this elevated landscape are evident in the expansive waters of Lake Tondano. This body of water, which is the second largest lake in Indonesia, is ringed by small fishing villages, coffee and coconut plantations, orchid gardens and terraced hillsides.
Villagers of the Minahasa Highlands are known as The Smiling People for their fun-loving and outgoing approach to life. You'll get to know them during a visit to the lively food and flower market in Tomohon, and when discovering the region’s traditional crafts of pottery making and weaving. Tours also stop at the village of Woloan, which is famous for its Minahasan houses. These elaborate wooden structures are built in their entity, then fully dissembled and moved to locations all across Indonesia.
On the Mount Mahawu portion of the tour, you will climb to the edge of a 400-foot-deep crater to view steaming lakes and a bubbling sulfurous pool and take in panoramic views as you walk the rim. Tours may also visit mysterious Lake Linow, known as the Changing Color Lake because its high sulfur content causes unique surface coloration changes when hit by sunlight.
Waterfalls and Whitewater Thrills
North Sulawesi is blessed with an abundance of water, which cascades from the highlands to nurture verdant rainforests. On their way to the ocean, rivers plunge over falls, rush through gorges and fill scenic lakes. Day trips from Manado take in two of the region's most scenic waterfalls — the twin cascades of Kali and the 280-foot-high Tunan waterfall. Which fills a scenic pool perfect for a refreshing swim.
Another popular day trip offers white water excitement on the Nimanga River. The central waters of this stream flow through the Timbukar district in a series of Class 2 and Class 3 rapids – big enough to provide a thrilling but risk-free ride and plenty of splash action. What sets this run through the rapids from other rafting trips is the scenery, as the river is bordered by the overhanging branches and vines of a lush rainforest.
Land of the Heavenly Kings
A trip to the southern interior of Sulawesi brings you to the homeland of the Toraja people, known for staging the world's most elaborate funeral and afterlife ceremonies. Here, nobles believed to be directly descended from heaven are laid to rest in ancestral houses with soaring boat-shaped roofs known as Tongkonan. Funeral rites become village-wide celebrations that can last for days, and effigies of the departed, known as Tau Tau, are placed on ledges hollowed out of cliff faces.
Visits to Toraja also take in traditional farms and villages known for woodcarving and weaving. Another highlight is a trip to the top of Puncak Lakawan for sweeping views of the valleys below.
These are just some of the topside adventures and experiences Caradonna can bundle with your dive trip to the resorts of Sulawesi. To learn more, call our agents at 800-329-9989 or send a note to sales@caradonna.com.