"Sulawesi Tropical Sites - Indonesia." Sulawesi_Tropindo's Profile

EXPLORE THE MYSTERIOUS AND UNIQUE CULTURE IN

Unspoilt Indonesia outside Bali, with its natural beauty, promises a real exciting experience to adventure. See the unique of the traditions and mystical life of the TORAJA in South Sulawesi, the impressive, traditional dance and houses of the MINAHASA in North Sulawesi, the beautiful Poso Lake, nature waterfall and megalith culture in Central Sulawesi.

And experience an exciting river cruise and jungle adventure on the Mahakam River in Kalimantan, and the exotic Maluku Island. See also the Stone Age Villages of the natives with their unique way of life in Irian Jaya.

Come to East Nusa Tenggara( Flores, Timor, Sumbawa etc ) to see the Giant Lizart wild life KOMODO, the contrasting three colours of lake KELIMUTU, megalith culture in BAJAWA and also other unique cultures / traditional in NIAS North Sumatra and JAVA.

SULAWESI

Introduction, ancient mariners migrated to the distant islands of Oceania from all over the globe by wind and wave and star, bringing with them their traditions and cultures, long before Columbus ever set sail. Indonesia's emerald archipelago offers a visual and cultural feast to the visitor. Extraordinary landscapes, from rugged mist-covered mountains to primal tropical jungles, verdant green rice terraces and mysterious lakes, dominate the interior. Along the coast dazzling coral reefs encircle dormant volcanoes that jut dramatically out of the sea. Stretches of white sandy beach fringed with coconut palm and scattered fishing villages are flanked by dramatic limestone headlands.

"Phinisi" Traditional Ship.

Indonesia is a land like no other. It is the largest island nation in the world, encompassing thousands of islands, each with its own unique culture. Naturally, a wealth of travel opportunities abounds.
Some 17.000 islands make up the Indonesian archipelago, a broken patchwork of rain forest and volcanoes, tropical beaches and near-forgotten names: Sulawesi, the spices islands. Populated by more than 207 million people, Indonesia is the world's fourth largest country and home to mankind's last remaining frontiers.

Some 17.000 islands make up the Indonesian archipelago, a broken patchwork of rain forest and volcanoes, tropical beaches and near-forgotten names: Sulawesi, the spices islands. Populated by more than 207 million people, Indonesia is the world's fourth largest country and home to mankind's last remaining frontiers.

"Unity in Diversity" is the national motto of Indonesia, as there are over 360 separate ethnic groups, all with their own traditions. Remarkably these very diverse groups of people pull together to make their nation strong and cohesive. Indonesians are very proud of their country and heritage.

Their country spans from the western most island of Sumatra, all the way to the eastern most province of Irian Jaya on the island of New Guinea. Many individuals do not realized that Indonesia actually comprises more area on the globe than the United States.

Beautiful girls dancing in colorful local dresses.These many islands straddle the equator and offer some of the most compelling landscapes available to a voyager. Lowland swamps, immense volcanoes and crater lakes, vibrant waterfalls, tropical rain forests, terraced rice paddies, as well as exotic flora and fauna all add to the natural beauty found there. The main islands include Sumatra, Java, Bali, Lombok, Nusa Tenggara (which includes famous Komodo), Sulawesi, Kalimantan, the Moluccas and Irian Jaya.

Water sports are always an option in Indonesia and include river rafting, scuba diving, surfing, kayaking, snorkeling and more. There are also exciting one-of-a-kind opportunities, such as witnessing Komodo Dragons-the world's largest lizard; or visiting a traditional Balinese spiritual healer. Remember, Indonesia?s magic awaits your visit.

Sulawesi Sunset

Destinations:

sulawesi - Makassar - Lake poso - Bira - Togian - Toraja - Sengkang - Mamasa - Palu - Manado

Sulawesi
Sulawesi, the name conjures up romantic images of seafaring priates and Torajan princesses. Yet Sulawesi formerly known as Celebes, offers a variety of cultural riches extending far beyond its colorful past. Contained within its unusual shape lie volcanic mountains lush tropical forests, brilliant green rice terraces, and deep dark lakers, all bordered by pristine beaches and sparkling coral reefs. Ancient customs and practices of its multiple ethnic groups are blended into the daily lives.

South Sulawesi, from its fishing villages to its mountainous landscapes, this geographically and culturally divers area is the most fertile in Sulawesi, and has the densest population outside Java and Bali. Three of its four major tribal groups, the Buginese, Makassarese and the Mandarese have centuries-old reputations for seafaring fearlessness and skill, while the fourth, the Torajan, has perhaps the best known cultural rituals in Sulawesi. Sulawesi- from its fishing villages to its mountainous landscapes, this geographically and culturally divers area is the most fertile in Sulawesi, and has the densest population outside Java and Bali.

Makassar
Makassar is known as much for its colorful past as for its cosmopolitan present. Formerly called Ujung Pandang this major port was for 500 years a collecting point for the exotic goods of the East and the getaway to East Indonesia's famed Spice Islands. Today, Makassar with the rich etnic diversity common to a coastel metropolis, has the feel of a great Asian city. Wooden prahus still proudly grace the seafront, giving the city an oldworld charm. Food stalls, offering the dazzling and delicious variety of seafood for which the city is famous, line the waterfont every evening for more than a kilometer. Day tripls offer a wide variety. Explore magnificent coral reefs located just off the coast. Prehistroic caves to the north of the city feature 5,000 year old wall paintings. Or take a trip to the former colonial resort town of Malino in the mountains to the east and wander at leisure.Makassar, is known as much for its colorful past as for its cosmopolitan present. Formerly called Ujung Pandang this major port was for 500 years a collecting point for the exotic goods of the East and the getaway to East Indonesia's famed "Spice Islands" Today, Makassar with the rich etnic diversity common to a coastel metropolis, has the feel of a great Asian city. Wooden prahus still proudly grace the seafront, giving the city an oldworld charm. Food stalls, offering the dazzling and delicious variety of seafood for which the city is famous, line the waterfont every evening for more than a kilometer. Day tripls offer a wide variety. Explore magnificent coral reefs located just off the coast. Prehistroic caves to the north of the city feature 5,000 year old wall paintings. Or take a trip to the former colonial resort town of Malino in the mountains to the east and wander at leisure.

White Sand Bech of Bira. South sulawesi.

Destinations:

sulawesi - Makassar - Lake poso - Bira - Togian - Toraja - Sengkang - Mamasa - Palu - Manado

Bira
Bira, for centuries the home of South Sulawesi's boat building. Bira still plays an important role in the sea-faring industry. Three harbors, two for prahus, and one for ferries, compliment excellent white sand beached with clear water for swimming. Daily ferries depart to Selayar Island, which was an historic trading center in the 14th century. Home of lovely beaches, it also boast a 2000 year old Vietnamese Dong Son drum. Bira, for centuries the home of South Sulawesi's boat building. Bira still plays an important role in the sea-faring industry. Three harbors, two for prahus, and one for ferries, compliment excellent white sand beached with clear water for swimming. Daily ferries depart to Selayar Island, which was an historic trading center in the 14th century. Home of lovely beaches, it also boast a 2000 year old Vietnamese Dong Son drum.

Sengkang
Sengkang, the capital of a former Bugis kingdom, this historic and bustling market town overlooking Lake Tempe retains its traditional character, as well as many old cultural traditions, silk weaving, colourful bugis weddings-celebrated, according to Ancient customs, dance, and a traditional orchestra.

Ancient Funeral Dancing of Torajan Heritage

Destinations:

sulawesi - Makassar - Lake poso - Bira - Togian - Toraja - Sengkang - Mamasa - Palu - Manado

Toraja
Toraja, located in the ruggedly beautiful mountains approximately 230 kilometers north of Makassar, Tana Toraja is a land of contrasting sights, blue mountains next to vivid green rice fields, interspersed with distinctive sloped-roof houses Life here follows the familiar patterns of the past. Its most important and best-known event is the funeral, a complex and fascinating affair involving several days of ceremony. As a final rite Tau Tau effigies, are constructed and placed in ledges cut into limestone cliffs specifically to guard tombs chiseled into the rock behind them. Toraja, located in the ruggedly beautiful mountains approximately 230 kilometers north of Makassar, Tana Toraja is a land of contrasting sights, blue mountains next to vivid green rice fields, interspersed with distinctive sloped-roof houses Life here follows the familiar patterns of the past. Its most important and best-known event is the funeral, a complex and fascinating affair involving several days of ceremony. As a final rite Tau Tau effigies, are constructed and placed in ledges cut into limestone cliffs specifically to guard tombs chiseled into the rock behind them.

Mamasan Ritual Dancing

Destinations:

sulawesi - Makassar - Lake poso - Bira - Togian - Toraja - Sengkang - Mamasa - Palu - Manado

Sengkang
Sengkang, the capital of a former Bugis kingdom, this historic and bustling market town overlooking Lake Tempe retains its traditional character, as well as many old cultural traditions, silk weaving, colourful bugis weddings-celebrated, according to Ancient customs, dance, and a traditional orchestra.

Mamasa
Mamasa, is a cool mountain resort, with numerous hot springs nearby. There are interesting walks among the rolling hills, rice terraces and villages. Mamasa is still very much the way it always was. A more rugged version of Toraja. Lots of mountains to travel in and to climb.

Diving Spots in Sulawesi Island

Destinations:

sulawesi - Makassar - Lake poso - Bira - Togian - Toraja - Sengkang - Mamasa - Palu - Manado

Central Sulawesi, this landscape of striking contrasts with its mountainous rainforests, and dry valleys provides many surprises. Ninety percent of Central Sulawesi's population dwells in coastal areas, leaving the inland areas largely uninhabited, and full of rewards for the adventurous. With its striking beauty and not less than twelve ethnic groups speaking around twenty-four different languages, Central Sulawesi represents the ultimate Indonesian cultural experience in a microcosm.

North Sulawesi, English naturalist, Alfred Wallace aptly proclaimed on this first visit to North Sulawesi in 1895 that the grandeur of its beauty surpassed his already-high expectations. Indeed, with the juxtaposition of its majestic volcanic peaks and unsurpassed coral reefs and beaches, North Sulawesi is one of Indonesia's most spectacularly beautiful areas.

Palu
Palu, the city of Palu, a fast growing provincial capital located at the foot of Palu Bay, serves the perfect place from which to plan treks into Central Sulawesi. In the ancient and picturesque port city of Donggala, local weavers create kain Dongalla, an exquisite dark silk cloth, using the rare double-ikat method. The area also offers good swimming, fine diving and endless groves of clove trees.

Lake Poso
Lake Poso, Tentena, Pendolo, according to the legend Lake Poso is the pivot around which heaven and earth revolve. Indeed, located dead in the center of Sulawesi, the lake appears to be the force around which the pinwheel arms of Sulawesi turn. Rich in history and local legend, this area is fun to explore. Lake Poso, 37 kilometres long and 13 kilometres wide, offers rainforests, love and coffee plantations, and villages connected by lush green rice fields.

Togian
Togian, located in the heart of the Tomini Gulf. Reachable from Ampana or Gorontalo. To get really off the beaten trek hop on one of the small boats running between Ampana and Gorontalo with stops on the way at the islands Bomba, wakai, Ketupat and Dolong The Togian Islands are also unusual in being surrounded by all major types of coral reef environments.

Manado
Manado, has a reputation for spectacular beauty. Three volcanoes tower over the city, and much of the surrounding area has been set aside for a nature reserve, including the crystal-clear waters of Bunaken Island, off the north coast of Manado. Manado has a reputation for spectacular beauty. Three volcanoes tower over the city, and much of the surrounding area has been set aside for a nature reserve, including the crystal-clear waters of Bunaken Island, off the north coast of Manado.

ADVENTURE

Trekking, adventure, excitement, country side - beautiful surroundings to travel in.

White Water Rafting
white / wild water rafting White Water Rafting, some of the country's best white water rapids are in the Toraja Highlands. There is a choice of easy one day raft trips for fun or the more adventurous three day rafting / trekking trip through countryside scarcely touched by man. Experienced guides take guests rafting down the Sa'dan river on some of Sulawesi's best runs where grades four and five rapids guarantee excitement. It's high adventure and a chance to visit remot villages where a foreign face is a curiosity.

Trekking
Beautiful surroundings - mountains - wilderness. Mamasa / Toraja, meanwhile trekkers will find the three-day wilk from Toraja to Mamasa (West Toraja ) a journey back in time. While east Toraja has many tourists. Mamasa is still very much the way it always was - a more rugged version of Toraja. Less agricultural and with higher mountains, the air is appreciably cooler and waling is a pleasure. Trails lead through isolated villages for off the tourist route where traditional houses still use attap roofs and funerary tombs are carved in the shape of buffaloes. The clacking of handlooms can be heard echoing through the hills.

Sightseeing - country side - sawa - lots of green, many rice and agriculture.

Lots of mountains to travel in and to climb.

Mountains to climb in many national parks of Indonesia.

Spectacular valley's with beautiful views. Bada Valley and Lore Lindu National Park

Just across the borders in Central Sulawesi is the Bada Valley where mysterious stone megaliths and jars are dotted across the valley floor. No-one knows the origins of these smoothly modeled figures whose benign faces look more like modern sculptures than very old statues. Above the Bada valley is the pristine Lore Lindu National Park whose 231.000 hectares is known for its dense lush forest, the best place to see Sulawesi,s bizarre endemic species like the babirusa (the pig dear), anoa and several species of Sulawesi macaques and saucer-eyed tarsiers. The forest is also home to numerous bird species including hornbills, and green imperial pigeons. Trekking, adventure, excitement, country side - beautiful surroundings to travel in, lots of wild rimboe and bamboe.