📍 Indonesia

SULAWESI WONDER: CORAL REEFS, TRIBAL RITUALS AND VOLCANOES

Coral gardens teeming with life, endemic species hiding in canopy, tribal rituals honoring ancestors. Sulawesi, exotic.

≈ 20
Days
691
Km
14
Stops
📖 11 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Explore Bunaken's seafloor, true coral gardens teeming with marine life, then enter Tangkoko forest where wildlife reveals itself at dawn. In the highlands of Tana Toraja, ceremonies honor ancestors, before reaching the Togean Islands and their calm shores bathed in blue.

Your day-by-day itinerary

1
Day

Manado

capital city sulawesi's northern gateway

Manado - Photo 1Manado - Photo 2Manado - Photo 3Manado - Photo 4Manado - Photo 5
5 photos
Day 1
🔍

Discover

1
Arrival in Manado - gateway to North Sulawesi
🎯

Activities

→
Installation and discovery of Manado
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 23.2 km
Travel time: 46min
2
Day

Bunaken

marine park coral teeming

Bunaken - Photo 1Bunaken - Photo 2Bunaken - Photo 3Bunaken - Photo 4Bunaken - Photo 5Bunaken - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 2
🔍

Discover

1
Bunaken Island - most popular and famous diving site in Sulawesi
🎯

Activities

→
Diving and snorkeling on the coral reefs of Bunaken
→
Ferry from Manado - easy access to the island
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 61 km
Travel time: 1h01
3
Day

Tangkoko

rainforest where endemic creatures hide

Tangkoko - Photo 1Tangkoko - Photo 2Tangkoko - Photo 3Tangkoko - Photo 4Tangkoko - Photo 5Tangkoko - Photo 6Tangkoko - Photo 7Tangkoko - Photo 8Tangkoko - Photo 9
9 photos
Day 3
🔍

Discover

1
Tangkoko National Park - park at the northeastern tip of Sulawesi
🎯

Activities

→
Tarsier observation - one of the smallest mammals in the world
→
Black Macaque observation
→
Stay at Tangkoko beach
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 15.9 km
Travel time: 32min
4
Day

Bitung

port city near tangkoko

Bitung - Photo 1Bitung - Photo 2Bitung - Photo 3Bitung - Photo 4Bitung - Photo 5Bitung - Photo 6Bitung - Photo 7
7 photos
Day 4
🔍

Discover

1
Bitung and the Lembeh Strait - popular area for muck diving
🎯

Activities

→
Muck diving in the Lembeh Strait - rare fish species
→
Observation of unique underwater creatures
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 52.6 km
Travel time: 53min
5
Day

Tomohon

highland flower town volcanic rim

Tomohon - Photo 1Tomohon - Photo 2Tomohon - Photo 3Tomohon - Photo 4Tomohon - Photo 5
5 photos
Day 5
🔍

Discover

1
Tomohon - city in the North Sulawesi highlands between volcanoes
2
Tomohon Market - unique market (rats, bats, dogs)
🎯

Activities

→
View of Mount Mahawu
→
View of Mount Lokon
6
Day

Sangihe

northern islands remote adventure

Sangihe - Photo 1Sangihe - Photo 2Sangihe - Photo 3
3 photos
Day 6
🔍

Discover

1
Sangihe Islands - archipelago near the Philippines
2
Night ferry from Manado - 12-hour journey
🎯

Activities

→
Tamako beaches - relaxation on deserted beaches
→
Lelipang jungle gate and Tedunang waterfalls
7
Day

Sangihe

northern islands remote adventure

Sangihe - Photo 1Sangihe - Photo 2Sangihe - Photo 3
3 photos
Day 7
🔍

Discover

1
Trekking to Mount Awu crater with guide
🎯

Activities

→
Exploration of deserted tropical islands
8
Day

Gorontalo

whale shark diving seasonal magic

Gorontalo - Photo 1Gorontalo - Photo 2Gorontalo - Photo 3Gorontalo - Photo 4Gorontalo - Photo 5Gorontalo - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 8
🔍

Discover

1
Gorontalo - picturesque city rich in history
2
Hot springs of Lombongo
3
Lake Limboto from the Tower of Majesty
🎯

Activities

→
Otanaha Castle
→
Ayuhulalo Waterfall
→
Beaches of Gorontalo
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 216.3 km
Travel time: 2h42
9
Day

Togean

tropical islands untouched paradise

Togean - Photo 1Togean - Photo 2Togean - Photo 3Togean - Photo 4Togean - Photo 5Togean - Photo 6Togean - Photo 7
7 photos
Day 9
🔍

Discover

1
Togean Islands - tropical archipelago in the Tomini Sea
🎯

Activities

→
Diving around colorful coral reefs
→
Exploration of pristine nature and virgin forests
10
Day

Togean

tropical islands untouched paradise

Togean - Photo 1Togean - Photo 2Togean - Photo 3Togean - Photo 4Togean - Photo 5Togean - Photo 6Togean - Photo 7
7 photos
Day 10
🔍

Discover

1
Relaxing in a hammock on paradisiacal beaches
🎯

Activities

→
Meeting with welcoming villagers
→
Snorkeling and swimming
11
Day

Palu

central city where straits narrow

Palu - Photo 1Palu - Photo 2Palu - Photo 3Palu - Photo 4Palu - Photo 5Palu - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 11
🔍

Discover

1
Lore Lindu National Park - mountainous highlands of Central Sulawesi
🎯

Activities

→
Jungle trekking - UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
→
Observation of more than 77 bird species
→
Observation of Tonkean Macaques and Dian's Tarsiers
12
Day

Palu

central city where straits narrow

Palu - Photo 1Palu - Photo 2Palu - Photo 3Palu - Photo 4Palu - Photo 5Palu - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 12
🔍

Discover

1
Discovery of megaliths scattered throughout the park
🎯

Activities

→
Hiking and biodiversity observation
13
Day

Makassar

south sulawesi capital maritime soul

Makassar - Photo 1Makassar - Photo 2Makassar - Photo 3
3 photos
Day 13
🔍

Discover

1
Arrival in Makassar - capital of South Sulawesi
🎯

Activities

→
Discovery of the city of Makassar
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 32.5 km
Travel time: 1h05
14
Day

Maros

limestone karsts where rivers sink

Maros - Photo 1Maros - Photo 2Maros - Photo 3Maros - Photo 4Maros - Photo 5
5 photos
Day 14
🔍

Discover

1
Rammang Rammang - village in the middle of the Maros Karst
2
Second largest karst in the world - UNESCO protected area
🎯

Activities

→
Boat trips along rivers and lakes through the karsts
→
Photography in this picturesque area
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 289 km
Travel time: 3h37
15
Day

Tana Toraja

highland where ancestors guide

Tana Toraja - Photo 1Tana Toraja - Photo 2Tana Toraja - Photo 3Tana Toraja - Photo 4Tana Toraja - Photo 5
5 photos
Day 15
🔍

Discover

1
Tana Toraja - highlands of Sulawesi
2
Elaborate burial sites - dead embalmed in living trees
3
Burial places on the cliffs
🎯

Activities

→
Tongkonan houses - traditional architecture
→
Highland coffee tasting
16
Day

Tana Toraja

highland where ancestors guide

Tana Toraja - Photo 1Tana Toraja - Photo 2Tana Toraja - Photo 3Tana Toraja - Photo 4Tana Toraja - Photo 5
5 photos
Day 16
🔍

Discover

1
Observation of mummified bodies in traditional houses
2
Grand funeral ceremonies - June to August
🎯

Activities

→
Immersion in the unique culture of Tana Toraja
17
Day

Selayar

island pearl offshore south

Selayar - Photo 1Selayar - Photo 2Selayar - Photo 3Selayar - Photo 4Selayar - Photo 5
5 photos
Day 17
🔍

Discover

1
Selayar Island - preserved tropical getaway
2
Third largest coral atoll in the world offshore
🎯

Activities

→
Diving and snorkeling - excellent site
→
Relaxing in a hammock on the beach
18
Day

Wakatobi

southeast islands coral gardens

Wakatobi - Photo 1Wakatobi - Photo 2Wakatobi - Photo 3Wakatobi - Photo 4Wakatobi - Photo 5Wakatobi - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 18
🔍

Discover

1
Wakatobi - UNESCO Marine Biosphere Reserve in the Coral Triangle
2
Wangi-Wangi - first of the four islands
3
Kaledupa - second island
🎯

Activities

→
Diving on the world's best coral reef sites
19
Day

Wakatobi

southeast islands coral gardens

Wakatobi - Photo 1Wakatobi - Photo 2Wakatobi - Photo 3Wakatobi - Photo 4Wakatobi - Photo 5Wakatobi - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 19
🔍

Discover

1
Tomia - third island of Wakatobi
2
Binongko - fourth island
🎯

Activities

→
Exploration of internationally renowned islands
→
Snorkeling and diving on colorful reefs

🗺️ Itinerary map

🗺️ Nearby itineraries

TROPICAL ADVENTURE FROM BALI TO LOMBOK AND THE GILI ISLANDS

📅 11 days 🛣️ 455 Km

DISCOVERY OF BALI, LOMBOK AND JAVA: BETWEEN RICE FIELDS, VOLCANOES AND SACRED TEMPLES

📅 19 days 🛣️ 1559.7 Km

JAVA, KOMODO, BALI & LOMBOK AMONG TEMPLES, VOLCANOES AND LAGOONS

📅 16 days 🛣️ 3012 Km

🛡️ Travel advice - Indonesia

Check official recommendations

UK Foreign Travel Advice →

❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Dry Season (May-September): Perfect weather, minimal rainfall, ideal temperatures, clear skies, peak tourist season, best diving conditions, advance booking recommended.

Shoulder Season (April & October): Good weather, fewer crowds, moderate rainfall, reasonable prices, excellent conditions, transitional seasons, good value.

Wet Season (November-March): Heavy rainfall, lush landscapes, tropical storms, humidity high, lowest prices, fewer tourists, challenging conditions.

Regional Variations: Diverse climates, equatorial zones, monsoon patterns, altitude differences, island variations, weather monitoring essential, seasonal planning.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 16 and 24 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

What to discover in Indonesia?

World's largest archipelago with incredible diversity, pristine beaches, and rich cultural heritage. Experience Bali's temples, Java's volcanoes, and authentic Indonesian culture. The country offers natural wonders with cultural depth and culinary excellence. Indonesia provides diverse experiences with cultural authenticity and natural beauty.