Toraja cultural tour (guided by native who can converse in English well)

Toraja cultural tour (guided by native who can converse in English well)

The tour fee is for 4 participants max. If there are less than 4 people, as long as they are willing to pay the fee, the tour will go on.

Many tours focus on beautiful landscape of Toraja. The tour I prepared emphasizes on culture and tradition. Participants of the tour would be immersed in discussion about stone burial, tongkonan (traditional Toraja dwelling), funeral rites, motifs, and Aluk Todolo, a belief system that was once embraced by majority of Toraja.

We understand that many of our tour-participants are backpacker. Our tour fee doesn't include accommodation in Toraja so participants can choose lodging based on their budget (you can check site like AirBnB, HomeAway, etc). However, if you would like, we can help to book your lodging.

Itinerary

Day 1: Life at Toraja

Stop At: Rantepao Livestock Market, Rantepao Indonesia
Visiting tedong (water buffalo) market if this day falls in Market Day (Tuesday or Saturday).

Introduction to tedong classification in Toraja custom.

Sampling local dishes and drinks e.g. pa’ piongan (chicken or pork cooked inside bamboo stem with spices), palm wine, etc.

Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: To'barana - Sa'dan, Unnamed Road Sa'dan, Sangkaropi, Sa'dan, Kabupaten Toraja Utara, Sulawesi Selatan 91853, Indonesia
Visiting Andulan village to see traditional weaving activity.

Visiting woven cloth gallery in To’ Barana.
Duration: 3 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 2: Appreciating tongkonan, Aluk To Dolo, and funeral rites of Toraja

Stop At: Londa Burial Caves, Londa Village, Rantepao Indonesia
Observing various burial places, method used by locals to bring deceased body to hill, and stone grave.

Exploring traditional motifs used in coffin and their meaning.

Exploring small cave used for burial.

Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Kete Kesu Village, Rantepao Indonesia
Introduction to Tongkonan (house of Toraja tribe) and its philosophy.

Exploring traditional motifs used in Tongkonan and their meaning.

Get to know folklore and life of Toraja people during Dutch occupancy.

Duration: 4 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 3: More things about funeral rites & agricultural life at Toraja

Stop At: Objek Wisata Kalimbuang Bori, Bori, Sesean, North Toraja Regency, South Sulawesi 91853, Indonesia
Get to know funeral rites of Toraja.

Differences between rites for aristocrat and commoner.

Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Batutumongga, Rantepao Indonesia
Exploring agricultural life of Toraja and its relationship with Aluk To Dolo, a once major belief system there while sampling coffee in Tinimbayo.

Visiting a large stone grave called Lo’ko’ Mata.
Duration: 4 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 4: Hiking in Mt. Sesean OR visiting Statue of Jesus at Buntu Burakke

Stop At: Mount Sesean, Tana Toraja Indonesia
Hiking in Mount Sesean. It takes about 4-5 hours, depending on participants’ fitness level.

Remaining time will be used to visit souvenir shops in Rantepao.

Going back to lodging and preparing for departure to Maros by public bus.
Duration: 6 hours

Stop At: Wisata Religi Buntu Burake, Bukit Buntu Burake, Makale 91811 Indonesia
Introduction to the spread of Christianity in Toraja and changes it brought.

Get to know acculturation between Christianity and Aluk Todolo (a major belief system previously embraced).

Remaining time will be used to visit souvenir shops in Rantepao.

Going back to lodging and preparing for departure to Maros by public bus.

Duration: 6 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.