Bali & South Sulawesi

Fly today from Amsterdam, Brussels, or Düsseldorf to Denpasar. We recommend Qatar, Etihad, Emirates, Turkish Airlines, Saudi Airways, Singapore Airlines, and KLM/Garuda. On www.momondo.com you can easily compare flight times and prices across different airlines. If you’d like us to take a look for you, just let us know!

Upon arrival at Denpasar airport, a private car will be waiting to take you to Munduk. The journey takes approximately 4 hours. You will quickly notice that daily life here is closely connected to religion and tradition. On the way to your hotel, you will see small, handwoven palm-leaf baskets with flowers, rice, and sometimes fruit or a small snacks placed on the streets and in front of houses and shops. These are called canang sari and are daily offerings in Balinese Hinduism. Through these offerings, Balinese people express gratitude for life and ask for protection and harmony.

Villa Sande is a peaceful hotel surrounded by rice terraces and mountains. The hotel features spacious, tastefully decorated rooms with traditional Balinese details. There is a restaurant, offering a selection of Indonesian and Western dishes. You can swim in the pool, and enjoy the serene sounds of nature all around. Depending on the stage of the rice production process, you can sit on your terrace and enjoy watching the local farmers at work in the rice fields, or take a walk through the rice fields yourself.

At 09:00, a private car will pick you up. Together with a guide, you will start the day with the Tamblingan Trekking, which takes about 2 hours. This scenic hike takes you through the forests surrounding Lake Tamblingan and offers beautiful views. From a viewpoint, you can enjoy views of the twin lakes Tamblingan and Buyan. Once you reach the lake, you can also take a short canoe ride to enjoy the serene surroundings from a different perspective. Next, you will visit Wanagiri Hidden Hills. Wanagiri Hidden Hills is a popular viewpoint. From here you have a beautiful view over the twin lakes, Lake Buyan and Lake Tamblingan. There are photo spots such as large bird nests, swings, and bamboo platforms where you can take pictures with the lakes in the background. Please note: waiting times for the different photo spots can sometimes be quite long. Afterwards, you will continue to Banyumala Twin Waterfall. From the ticket counter, it is roughly an 8-minute walk to reach the waterfall. Here you can see two waterfalls flowing into a clear natural pool. You can also go for a swim here. After that, you will visit the beautiful Ulun Danu Beratan Temple on Lake Beratan. This iconic temple is dedicated to Dewi Danu, the goddess of water, lakes, and rivers. Its picturesque setting on the lake, often shrouded in mist and surrounded by mountains, makes it a perfect spot for photos and sightseeing. After visiting Ulun Danu Beratan, you can make a stop at Handara Gate. Handara Gate is a famous Balinese split gate with mountain scenery in the background it is a popular place to take photos. Please note: waiting times to take a photo in front of the gate can sometimes be quite long. After this, the driver will take you back to your hotel.

Today you have a free day to spend at your own pace. A great recommendation is a visit to Munduk Moding Plantation. Munduk Moding Plantation is a luxury eco-resort built on its own working coffee plantation, with a strong focus on sustainability. You can start the day with a coffee plantation tour. During this tour you will walk, or ride in a buggy, around the extensive resort and its coffee plantations. Along the way you will learn all about the coffee process: from growing and harvesting the coffee cherries to drying, roasting, and finally brewing a perfect cup of coffee. What makes this resort even more special is its strong focus on sustainability. Moding Plantation actively works on proper waste management and recycling. Organic waste from coffee production and the kitchen is composted and reused on the plantations. In addition, the resort aims to reduce plastic use as much as possible, and different materials are separated and recycled. During the tour, they will be happy to tell you more about these sustainability initiatives. After the tour you can join a coffee tasting, where you will sample five different types of coffee. One of them is the famous Luwak coffee. This unique coffee is made from coffee cherries that are first eaten by the civet cat (luwak). During digestion, the beans are naturally fermented, which gives the coffee its distinctive and smooth flavor. After the beans are collected, they are thoroughly cleaned, roasted, and processed into this exclusive type of coffee. For lunch, you can enjoy the resort’s excellent restaurant, which offers a wide selection of Indonesian and Western dishes, while overlooking the green hills and plantations. In the afternoon you can treat yourself to one of the relaxing spa treatments. It is also possible (for an additional fee) to enjoy the beautiful infinity pool, which offers spectacular views over the mountains, nature, and the sea of Bali. A perfect day to relax, enjoy nature, and discover Bali’s unique coffee culture.

At 09:00, a private car will pick you up, take all your luggage with you. The driver will take you to Sukumpul Waterfall. Sekumpul Waterfall is considered by many travelers to be one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Bali. The name Sekumpul literally means “group” or “collection,” which perfectly describes what you will find here. In a deep, lush jungle valley, several waterfalls cascade down close to each other. The tallest falls reach a height of about 80 meters, creating a truly spectacular natural scene. From the parking area, you will first be taken a short distance down by scooter. From there, the hike begins. You will walk down a series of steps and jungle paths, enjoying beautiful views over the green valley along the way. It is recommended to wear good sandals or sturdy shoes that can get wet, as the stones can sometimes be slippery. During the hike you will also cross a few small streams, which adds a bit of adventure to the experience. Once you reach the bottom, you will find yourself surrounded by nature and the impressive waterfalls. You can feel the refreshing mist of the falling water and hear the powerful sound of the different waterfalls rushing down side by side. If you like, you can even stand under one of the waterfalls for a natural and refreshing shower. The total hike down and back up usually takes around two hours, depending on your pace and how long you stay at the bottom to enjoy the waterfalls. You can also decide yourself how many waterfalls you would like to visit up close, making the hike as relaxed or adventurous as you prefer. Once you return to the top, the scooter will bring you back to the parking area, where you can take a shower and change into dry clothes. Afterwards, the driver will continue the journey and take you to Kintamani, a journey of approximately 2 hours.

Black Wood Cabin is a small and stylish accommodation. The cabins are built mainly from dark wood and have a modern yet natural design that blends well with the surrounding landscape. Each cabin has a cozy living area and a private terrace with outdoor bathtubs. On the second floor, there is a large relaxation net where you can lie down and enjoy the views of the mountains and Lake Batur around Kintamani.

Black Wood Cabin offers a special experience in the evening. On the private terrace of your cabin, you can enjoy a cozy gourmet dinner with the warm and inviting atmosphere of a campfire. A small grill is provided so you can cook your meal yourself.

At 04:30, you will be picked up by jeep from your hotel to enjoy the sunrise at Mount Batur. The jeep will drive along a rugged trail to reach the sunrise viewpoint near the summit of Mount Batur. Here, you can admire the beautiful volcano panorama and take stunning pictures as the sun rises. Enjoy a cup of hot coffee or tea while waiting for the sunrise, and take some great photos on top of the jeep. After sunrise, you will receive a simple breakfast and the tour continues off-road through the black lava and black sand areas formed by past volcanic eruptions. Next, you will stop at the Batur hot springs, where you can swim in the warm, mineral-rich pools while enjoying the stunning views of Lake Batur. When you are finished at the hot springs, you can take a shower and get changed. Afterwards, the driver will bring you back to your hotel.

At 11:00, a private car will pick you up and will take you to Sidemen. The journey takes around 2 hours.

Abian Ayu Villa is a peaceful and charming accommodation nestled in the heart of Sidemen. Surrounded by rice terraces, tropical gardens, and panoramic views of Mount Agung. The rooms are beautifully designed with traditional Balinese elements, combined with modern comforts to ensure a relaxing stay. There is a swimming pool where you can relax and look out over the rice fields. The hotel also features a spa and a restaurant, offering a variety of both Western and Indonesian dishes.

At 09:00, you will be picked up and taken to Klungkung Market, the second-largest market in Bali, where your guide will explain the local products, including vegetables, fruit, spices, and traditional Balinese goods. Next, you will drive to the cooking location and start with a visit to their organic garden, where you can pick fresh ingredients yourself. With guidance from an experienced local chef, you will learn how to prepare traditional Balinese dishes from start to finish. The workshop makes use of all traditional cooking tools, and the dishes are cooked over a wood fire. Each step of the process, from cutting the ingredients to cooking, will be clearly explained. After all your hard work, you will enjoy the delicious food you have prepared yourself. Around 14:00, the cooking class will finish. You will also receive the recipes of the dishes you prepared. After the cooking workshop the driver will bring you back to the hotel.

The best way to discover all the beautiful views of Sidemen is on the back of a scooter. At 09:00, the scooter drivers will pick you up and you will set off on a scenic journey through the charming villages. The first stop will be at the rice fields. Enjoy a self-guided scenic walk along the marked paths, lasting approximately one hour. Make sure to wear sturdy shoes, as some paths can be a bit challenging. Along the way, you’ll stroll through the iconic terraced rice fields, watch local farmers at work using traditional techniques, and follow the small irrigation streams. Cross charming bridges and take in breathtaking views of the surrounding hills and countryside, an authentic glimpse of rural Bali at its most beautiful. After the rice field walk, you can stop at a local silversmith to see how traditional Balinese jewelry is crafted. If you like, you can even try making your own piece, guided by the skilled artisans, and take home a unique souvenir of your experience. Next, the scooter tour will make a stop at a traditional weaving center. Here, you can see how intricate patterns are created and learn how time-consuming and labor-intensive the weaving process is. After that, you will visit a local home arak (Balinese rice spirit) factory. Arak is a traditional Balinese alcoholic drink made from distilled rice or palm sap. During the visit, you can see how it’s made and even have a small taste of this unique local spirit. The tour will finish at Gembleng Waterfall. The path to the top of the waterfall is only a few minutes’ walk, where you will be rewarded with amazing views. On the way back, you can take a dip in the natural pool and enjoy the special setting, while the waterfall cascades below. After the waterfall, the scooter drivers will take you back to your hotel.

At 09:00, a private car will pick you up, take all your luggage with you. The driver will take you to Tirta Gangga Water Palace, a former royal palace built in the early 20th century by the Karangasem royal family. The palace is famous for its ornate stone carvings, fountains, lotus ponds, and gardens. Walk through the peaceful grounds and admire the traditional Balinese sculptures. You can also buy fish food and feed the large koi fish, perfect for taking beautiful photos. Next, you will stop at Lahangan Sweet, a popular viewpoint and café where you can relax and enjoy panoramic views. Here, you can also step onto the tree platform for stunning photos. The final stop is Lempuyang Temple, also known as the Gate of Heaven. This is one of Bali’s oldest and most sacred temples, located on the slopes of Mount Lempuyang. The guide will explain the temple’s spiritual significance and its role in Balinese Hinduism. This is also a famous spot for photos in front of the gate with the breathtaking mountain backdrop and mirror reflection shots. Please note that at all these photospots, waiting times may occur. After visiting Pura Lempuyang, the driver will bring you to your hotel.

At 11:00, a private car will pick you up and will take you to Denpasar Airport. The journey takes around 2 hours and 30 minutes.

You will fly with Lion Air on a 1 hour and 25 minute journey from Denpasar to Makassar. Departure is scheduled at 15:30, arriving at 16:55.

Upon arrival at Makassar airport, a private car will be waiting for you to take you to Ecolodge Rammang-Rammang. The journey by car takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. Once you arrive at the river, you'll take a short 2-minute boat ride across to the hotel.

Rammang Rammang Ecolodge is beautifully surrounded by nature, with views of limestone hills and small boats passing by. The rooms are simple but offer a unique experience in traditional wooden bungalows. You can relax on your terrace and listen to the sounds of nature. The ecolodge has a restaurant that serves tasty food. Depending on when you arrive, you can take a short walk by yourself to a nearby viewpoint. There, you can see many bats flying out of a cave around sunset as they go hunting at night.

At 08:00, a guide will meet you at the ecolodge, and you will start a full day of exploring on foot. Today’s walk is about 10 kilometers long. You will walk through beautiful rice fields and pass traditional stilt houses. The children playing in the street will greet you with cheerful smiles. Your first stop is a prehistoric cave. Inside, you can see old handprints on the walls, made by some of the first people who lived in this area. Many of the handprints are missing one finger, which people believe is part of a mourning tradition. Next, you will go to a nearby cave with stalactites and stalagmites. You can climb inside and look at the amazing white and brown shapes. After this, you can go back to the ecolodge for lunch. In the afternoon, your guide will take you by private boat to Stone Park. There, you will walk between strange rock shapes and narrow paths that look like small temples. Then, you will continue by boat to Kampung Berua. You will walk through the village and see how local people live. At the end of the afternoon, your guide will take you back to Ecolodge by boat.

At 08:00, you will cross the river by boat again. A private car will be waiting to take you to Rantepao, in the Tana Toraja region. The drive takes about 10 hours and shows you many beautiful landscapes. You will stop to enjoy the view of Erotic Mountain, named because its shape looks like a woman in an erotic pose. As you get closer to Tana Toraja, you will start to see the traditional Toraja houses.

Misiliana Hotel is located in the center of Tana Toraja. You will sleep in a traditional Sulawesi-style Tongkonan house. You can relax on your terrace and enjoy views of the garden, the mountains, and the swimming pool. The hotel area also has a restaurant, a bar, a bakery, a small grocery shop, and a souvenir store.

The most special experience in Tana Toraja is joining a ceremony, especially in a village in the northern mountains. Because ceremonies don’t happen every day, your guide will check the day before to see if one is taking place. Sometimes, there may be no ceremony at all, so it cannot be guaranteed. Below is an example of a two-day plan, but your guide may change it to create the best program for you. Activities from both days can be swapped, combined, removed, or new ones added.

If you are lucky enough to attend a ceremony, at 09:00 a private car will pick you up and take you to a local animal market. Buffaloes and pigs are sold here and later used in the rituals. You can also buy a gift for the family, such as a carton of cigarettes, which is seen as a kind gesture in Toraja tradition. Toraja people wear black to ceremonies, so it is best to wear a black shirt with sleeves and long black trousers. Other dark colors are okay too, but light clothes or bright patterns should be avoided. The ceremony can be intense. Many animals are sacrificed in front of you. The sounds can be loud, and the smells may be strong. You can decide for yourself whether you want to see everything up close or prefer to watch from a distance. Your guide will explain the meaning and traditions during the event.

The person who passed away is placed in the top part of a traditional house. Often, the person passed away months before, and the family keeps the body at home while saving money for the expensive funeral. During the ceremony, children are dressed in beautiful clothes and play music. When you are ready to leave, the day continues with a walk through the nearby area and villages, or you can explore further by car. At the end of the day, your driver will take you back to your hotel.

At 09:00, a private car will pick you up to explore Tana Toraja. You will learn more about the different types of graves and the traditional houses in Tana Toraja. You will visit Lemo, where family graves are carved into steep rock walls. Inside these rock chambers, several generations from the same family are buried. The graves are usually closed with wooden doors and watched over by Tau Tau, wooden statues that represent the person who has passed away. You will also visit Kambira, where babies who died before ever eating solid food and were only breastfed are buried inside trees. The people of Tana Toraja believe that placing the baby in the tree helps the child’s spirit grow together with the tree, as if the tree becomes a new mother, giving life and protection. During the tour you will visit megalithic stone graves, where people are buried under or inside large stones. The height of the grave in the rock wall or the size of the stone shows how rich or important the family is. Making these graves is very hard and need help from the whole community. You will also explore a mysterious burial cave, where old coffins and human bones can still be seen. This gives you a deeper look into Toraja’s spiritual beliefs. You will also visit the traditional houses of Sulawesi where you will learn about their special design and decorations, and you will even get the chance to step inside one of the houses to see it up close.

At 08:00, a private car will pick you up and take you to Sengkang. The journey takes about 6 hours. You will go down through the mountains and pass the Erotic Mountain again. Near the end of the drive, you will start to see Lake Tempe.

BBC Hotel Sengkang is a small hotel in the center with comfortable rooms and a small breakfast buffet. The location is ideal, as the departure point for the sunset boat tour is less than a minute’s walk from the hotel.

At 16:00, you will step into a long-tail boat for a scenic tour of about 30–45 minutes to the floating houses. The first part takes you along the river, where you can see locals washing their clothes, taking a bath, and children playing in the water. The boat then continues onto the lake, where fishermen pass by with their freshly caught fish. In the distance, you’ll already spot the floating houses. Upon arrival, you step onto one of these houses and are welcomed by the fishermen. Take a walk around the boat-house to see their living and fishing activities. You will be offered a cup of coffee or tea, along with delicious pisang goreng. After capturing some beautiful photos, you head back onto the boat and enjoy the sunset that makes the lake look very beautiful. The boat will bring you back to the hotel.

At 08:00 a private car will pick you up and take you to Bira. The journey takes approximately 7 hours.

BaraCoco Bungalows is a small and charming accommodation surrounded by tropical nature. From the bungalow, you can enjoy a beautiful view of the sea, and via the steep stairs, you can walk straight down to the beach. The bungalows are built with natural materials and offer a relaxed, authentic Indonesian atmosphere. BaraCoco Bungalows also features a restaurant serving delicious dishes.

At 09:00, a private boat will pick you up directly at the hotel, and from there, it will take you across to the island. Liukang Loe Island lies just off the coast near Bira. On the way, the boat makes its first stop at the coral reef located just in front of the island. Put on your snorkel gear and jump into the water to explore the underwater world. After snorkeling, the boat continues to Liukang Loe Island, where you will be welcomed at Ramli Guesthouse. The rest of the morning you can enjoy the island, relax on the beach, take a walk along the long white sandy shore, or visit the small village to experience local island life. Sadly, there is quite a lot of plastic waste on the island, but the beautiful scenery and clear turquoise water still make it well worth a visit. You can also go snorkeling again from the beach. For lunch, Ramli Guesthouse serves freshly grilled fish. Once you’ve had enough time to enjoy the island, the captain will take you back to the hotel.

At 08:00, a private car will pick you up and take you back to Makassar. The journey takes about 6 hours. Along the way, you will stop at Bissapu Waterfall. You’ll reach the beautiful waterfall after a short 5-minute walk, and afterwards the car will continue to Makassar. Before checking in at your hotel, you will visit the impressive 99 Domes Mosque, one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. The mosque’s 99 domes symbolize the 99 names of Allah. You can admire its unique architecture and colors from the outside before the driver takes you to the hotel.

Swiss-Bell Makassar is a modern hotel in the center of Makassar. You can easily walk to Losari Beach and Fort Rotterdam in just a few minutes. The hotel has a pool with a view of the ocean and a rooftop bar where you can enjoy the sunset. The restaurant serves a variety of Indonesian and Western dishes.

You can have dinner at the hotel, but for a more local experience, walk to Losari Boulevard. In the evening, the street turns into an outdoor restaurant with many food stalls, plastic chairs and tables filled with locals enjoying seafood and local specialties. Recommended dishes are Ikan Bakar (freshly caught fish grilled with local spices), Coto Makassar (a traditional beef soup with spices), and for dessert, Pisang Epe (grilled banana with palm sugar syrup).

At 09:00 you can walk in just five minutes to Fort Rotterdam, a well-preserved Dutch colonial fortress that dates back to the 17th century. After you have purchased the entrance tickets, you can ask whether a local guide (at an additional cost) is available to give you a tour, or you can explore the fort on your own. The fort was originally built by the Gowa Kingdom and later rebuilt by the Dutch. Inside, you can explore the old stone buildings, wide courtyards, and small museum that tells the story of Makassar’s history and its role in the spice trade. You can visit the La Galigo Museum, which displays traditional Bugis and Makassarese artifacts such as ancient manuscripts, traditional clothing, old maps, and maritime equipment. Some rooms show how people lived during colonial times, with furniture and decorations from that era. Standing on the fort's ramparts, you can enjoy a nice view over the harbor and the sea. A famous local artist, Pak Arifin, makes small clay paintings within minutes. A unique handmade souvenir to take home.

At 11:30, a private car will pick you up and take you to Makassar airport. The journey takes approximately 40 minutes.

You will fly with Lion Air on a 1 hour and 20 minute journey from Makassar to Denpasar. Departure is scheduled at 14:25, arriving at 15:45.

Upon arrival at Denpasar Airport, a private car will be waiting to take you to Harris Hotel Kuta Tuban. The journey takes approximately 10 minutes.

HARRIS Hotel is a comfortable modern hotel with modern facilities. Denpasar Airport is only a short drive away, making it a convenient choice for transfers. The hotel features a restaurant and a swimming pool.

Depending on your flight departure time, a private car will take you to the airport. The journey takes approximately 10 minutes.

Your Indonesia vacation has come to an end. We hope you will look back on a carefree and wonderful journey, enriched with new experiences.