Private Driver Makassar

Toraja was a name given by Buginese people to people that live in Toraja. It comes from two words, tau means people and riaja means uphills. Even now most of Torajanese are christian but they still practice the old belief system or "aluk to dolo".

Most Torajanese live in Tana Toraja and North Toraja.Makale is the capital of Tana Toraja and Rantepao is the capital of North Toraja. Most tourists stay in Rantepao because it's closer to many tourist destinations.

How to get to Rantepao, Toraja from Makassar

By public transport (bus)

There are many bus companies that go to Rantepao, Toraja. Metro Permai, Primadona, Bintang Timur, Bintang Prima, Borlindo, Litha, Alam Indah, etc. Some bus companies leave twice a day from Daya Terminal in Makassar, one that we know leave twice a day from Daya Terminal in Makassar is Metro Permai. First at 9 am and second at 8 pm. It takes around 9-10 hours to get to Toraja with 2-3 stops for coffee break/ lunch/ dinner and for rest room.

To take these busses you can go to Terminal Daya which is located around 18 km from the downtown.

If you need any help to book the bus ticket with Metro Permai company, We'd be glad to help.

By airplane via Toraja Airport

There is only one company that flies to Toraja Airport. Wings Air flies from Sultan Hasanuddin airport in Makassar to Toraja airport and Toraja airport to Sultan Hasanuddin airport in Makassar. The flight schedule from Sultan Hasanuddin airport Makassar to Toraja airport is every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The flight from Makassar to Toraja takes 45 minutes.

Toraja airport is located around 30 km from Rantepao and there is no public transport. Make sure you book a pick up before hand.

If you need an airport pick up at Toraja Airport, We provide an airport pick up at Toraja Airport to your hotel in Rantepao. Please check here for more info.

Hire a car with driver

Another option to go to Rantepao, Toraja from Tentena is with charter car. We provide transfer from Makassar to Toraja with an English speaking driver or you can rent a car with English speaking driver to Toraja. Minimum rent for Toraja is 3 days. We also provide a guided tour to Toraja. Please contact us here for more info.

How to get to Rantepao, Toraja from Tentena

By public transport (bus)

To get to Rantepao, Toraja from Tentena you can use a bus. There are 3 companies that go from Palu to Rantepao: Rappan Marannu Ketty, and Batutumonga. These busses leave Palu around 9 am everyday an will be in Tentena Terminal around 4 or 5 pm. The price is between 200-250 per person.

Hire a car with driver

Another option to go to Rantepao, Toraja from Tentena is with charter car. We provide transfer from Tentena to Rantepao, Toraja with an English speaking driver or you can rent a car with English speaking driver to Toraja. Minimum rent for Toraja is 3 days. We also provide a guided tour to Toraja. Please contact us here for more info.

How to get to Rantepao, Toraja from Ampana

By public transport (bus)

To get to Rantepao, Toraja from Ampana you must first use minivan to Poso because there is no bus that goes directly to Rantepao, Toraja. After you arrive in Poso, you can get a bus from Palu that goes to Rantepao, Toraja.

Hire a car with driver

Another option to go to Rantepao, Toraja from Ampana is with charter car. We provide transfer from Ampana to Rantepao, Toraja with an English speaking driver. We also provide a guided tour to Toraja. Please contact us here for more info.

Sleeping

Here is a list of some accomodations in Rantepao:

Santai Toraja Hotel

Photo is taken from agoda.com

Located at Jalan Innovasi in Rantepao. The hotel has spacious rooms, comfortable beds, and the bathrooms have water heater.

Pia's Poppies

Photo is taken from booking.com

Simple hotel but rooms are clean and spacious. They provide hot shower and you will get welcome drink.

Rosalina Homestay

Rosalina homestay runs by Enos ad his family. Rooms are clean and they provide hot shower. Beautiful view of rice field from the balcony. We are ready to help if you need to book a room here.

Ne paku Manja Homestay

Ne'paku Manja homestay runs by Meyske and her family. The homestay is on the second floor of the house. It's located in a village called La'bo, close to Kete Kesu tourist object. We are ready to help if you need to book a room here.

What To Do In Toraja

Lemo

Located 9 km south of Rantepao, Lemo stone graves are still being used by the locals to bury the dead. From far away, you can see wooden effigies or locally known as tau-tau with colorfull dress.

Londa

Londa is located 7 km south of Rantepao. To get to the tomb cave, we must descend number of stairs and we will need to rent a lantern from the loccals.

Kete Kesu

Kete Kesu is a village with 6 traditional houses called Tongkonan and 12 rice barns called Alang. It is located 4 km south east of Rantepao. Beside of the beautiful houses, you can also see some type of graves behind the Tongkonan houses.

Tampang Allo

Natural cave grave that has many erong (wooden coffin), tau-tau (effigy), and hundreds of skeletons.

Sarapung

Baby grave near Tampang Allo. The Torajanese believe that infants who died without teeth are pure and have no sin so they buried them in Tarra tree because it produces white sap which resembles breast milk.

Eating

Most of restaurants are located in Jalan Ahmad Yani and Jalan Andi Mappanyukki in Rantepao. Here are some of them:

Aras Cafe

Cafe that serves Torajanese food, Indonesian food and western food. It's a cafe and also an art gallery.

Monika Cafe

Serves Torajanese food, Indonesian food, and Pizza. There is live music and you can even sing too, if you'd like.

Ayam Penyet Mbak Ria

Serves many choices of Indonesian food and juices. The place is spacious so it's good for a big group.

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Gedung Pancasila, part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' building complex. Image by: kemlu.go.id

The Indonesian Government has reopened its Visa on Arrival services for tourism or governmental visit, at the following entry points:

Airports

Soekarno Hatta, Banten
Ngurah Rai, Bali
Kualanamu, North Sumatra
Juanda, East Java
Hasanuddin, South Sulawesi
Sam Ratulangi, North Sulawesi
Yogyakarta, Special Region of Yogyakarta

Seaports

Nongsa Terminal Bahari, Riau Islands
Batam Centre, Riau Islands
Sekupang, Riau Islands
Citra Tri Tunas, Riau Islands
Marina Teluk Senimba, Riau Islands
Bandar Bentan Telani Lagoi, Riau Islands
Bandar Seri Udana Lobam, Riau Islands
Sri Bintan Pura, Riau Islands

Cross-border posts

Entikong, West Kalimantan
Aruk, West Kalimantan
Tunon Taka, North Kalimantan
Mota’in, East Nusa Tenggara

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The Visa on Arrival costs Rp. 500.000 and is valid for 30 days. The Visa on Arrival can get extended once, with 30 days, at a local Immigration Office in Indonesia. The Visa on Arrival cannot be converted into another type of stay permit.

Requirements

Official national passport with a minimum validity of 6 months from the entry date
Copy of a return ticket, or ticket continuing the journey to another country
Show proof of being in the possession of health insurance that covers medical expenses and Covid-19 treatment.
Documents required in accordance with the provisions of the Indonesian Health Protocol issued by the Covid-19 Task Force.
In case of a governmental visit, the traveller must also attach an invitation letter regarding the attending of a meeting / conference issued by the Indonesian Ministry / Department / Institutions concerned.

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Tana Toraja in South Sulawesi is well known for their unique culture and traditions. Beside that Toraja is also popular with beautiful sceneries and beautiful traditonal houses called Tongkonan.

If you don't have much time then this short Toraja tour is perfect for you.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Makassar - Toraja

Pick up at Sultan Hasanuddin airport/ hotel in Makassar then proceed to Toraja. Driving to Toraja takes around 9-10 hours with some stops.

We will stop for lunch in Teras Empang Pare-pare or other places around. Next stop is in Buntu Kabobong or Erotic Mountain, Enrekang for a cup of coffee or tea then continue to Toraja and check in at hotel.
Then free program.

Erotic Mountain in Enrekang

Day 2: Full Day Toraja Tour

After breakfast we will visit Lemo which is an ancient grave with tau-tau on the cliff. Then we continue to a natural burial cave in Londa. We'll have lunch at a local restaurant on the way to Bori Kalimbuang. After lunch we will visit Bori Kalimbuang to see megalith stones. We will finish the day with a visit to Kete Kesu, a village with old traditional houses. Back to hotel then free program.

Lemo Stone Grave

Londa Cave Grave

Menhir in Bori Kalimbuang

Kete Kesu Traditional Village

Day 3: Toraja - Makassar

After breakfast we will go back to Makassar to catch your flight or drop off at the hotel if you stay overnight in Makassar. We will have some stops on the way back to Makassar.

Note:

This program is flexible and you can customized it based on your preferences and needs.
If you want to see a funeral ceremony please let us know in advance so we can find an information about schedule of funeral ceremonies that happen to be held when you'll be here.
A moderate amount of walking is involved.
Wear hiking shoes or hiking sandals.
Don't forget your sunscreen and mosquito repellant.

Inclusions:

Private car ( Avanza or similar). We provide some type of cars depending the number of guests. Please contact us for more info.
English speaking driver.
Gasoline.
Parking & toll.
Entrance fees based on program.
Accomodation at Torsina hotel or similar.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Mobile WiFi hotspot.
Baby car seat.
Baby stroller.
Cooler box.