Day 1 Manado
After arrival at the airport there is a transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is for leisure. Manado is a lively city located in the bay, with coconut plantations and the Klabat volcano as background
Day 2 Manado, Air Madidi
The day starts with a visit to the Naemundung Safary Zoo. See the unknown and remarkable flora and fauna of Sulawesi. Meet the unique Tarsius Spectrum, the smallest monkey in the world that weighs only 250 grams with a length of 15 cm. Moreover, catch a glimpse of the black Macaca Nigra and other birds never to find else than in Manado. The journey continues to Air madidi, a town situated at the foot of Gunung Klabat and known for the legend Tumuten. After this visit the journey continues to the 144 megalithic stones, an impressive resting place where the dead were buried in a sitting position. The pre-Christian belief was that the babies were born in a sitting position in the womb and it is in this position that man should leave life on earth. The engravings on the headstones depict the person, the cause of death, their hobbies and their character or profession.
Tumuten
The story is about a lake with its seven fountains, during full moon angels bathe in this lake. The name Air madidi comes from mendidi air, which means boiling water. The legend describes how Mamanua, the founder of the village Tumatenden at Air madidi, fell in love with the heavenly angel Lumalandung whom came to bathe in the hot springs at his village. One day he stole her beautiful feathers while bathing and she had to spend the rest of her life with him. From their marriage, the current village population ensued. |
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Day 3 Manado - Pulisan
In the morning the journey goes via an interesting road to the Pulisan-cape. The last 15 minutes are taken by foot via a jungle path as the road ends here. Pulisan-cape has cosy cottages situated nearby a white sandy beach and surrounded by jungle. The tops of the Tangkoko and Batuangus mountains serve as background. The house reef is easy accessible and guarantees great snorkelling. Nearby are the Bangka islands which have good diving spots as well as the Lembeh Street.
Day 4 Pulisan
Free day for snorkelling, diving, swimming, relaxing etc.
Day 5 Pulisan
After lunch the boat will leave to the Tangkoko-Batuangus Park. It is a beautiful park, filled with fruit trees and palm trees. As fruits are abundant here, the forest can hold a large number of mammals and birds. It is not too difficult to spot the black short-tail monkeys which are endemic to Sulawesi. Try also the spot the tarsier which is a very small monkey, just the size of a human hand. It feeds during the night and will only return to its sleeping tree just before sunrise. The excursion ends in the late afternoon at Pulisan.
Day 6 Pulisan - Tomohon
This day the Minahasa districts will be explored. On an average altitude of around 700-800 meters this district has a lot to offer to its visitors. In the town of Sawangan the ancient waruga sarcophagi can be found in which important people were buried in a sitting position. At Woloan people construct wooden houses to break them down again and to sell them as a ‘do-it-yourselves-packet’. In the village of Pulutan pottery is being made. Afterwards it possible to make a short walk near the coloured lake of Linow and walk to the Kali waterfall. In the afternoon the trip ends in Tomohon.
The Minahasa are known for eating everything with at least two legs, so you will find dogs, rats and bats ready to take home and to cook. Together with very spicy sambal these animal make a very fine dish. Manado is the capital of the province of Minahasa, an area that was called ‘The Twelfth Province’ by the Dutch colonials. In the 16 e century the town was founded by Dotu Lolong Lasut. Its name was then Wenang, derived from special wenang-trees that grew abundantly in the area. In 1623 the name was changed to Manado, which according to local sources is derived from Manarowe, meaning ‘collecting’ of ‘reuniting’. |
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Day 7 Tomohon
First a visit is brought to the Tomohon market, afterwards it is possible to go rafting or climb the Mahawu or Lokon volcanoes. The climb of the Mahawu volcano starts at an altitude of 1000 meters and within an hour the top is reached. The top provides a stunning view of the Crater Lake as well as the surrounding area including the national park Bunaken.
Day 8 Tomohon - Bunaken
From Tomohon the road goes to the harbour. Here a boat is waiting to take you to Bunaken. The island of Bunaken is one of the islands belonging to the national Sea park of Bunaken. The coral garden and its drop-offs enjoy worldwide fame.
Day 9 Bunaken
Free day for snorkelling, diving, swimming, relaxing, explore the island.
Bunaken is an island of 8 km², part of the Bunaken National Marine Park. Oceanic currents may explain, in part, why Bunaken National Marine Park has such a high level of biodiversity. North easterly currents generally sweep through the park but abundant counter currents and gyros related to lunar cycles are believed to be a trap for free swimming larvae. A snorkeler or diver in the vicinity of Lekuan or Fukui may spot over 33 species of butterfly fish and numerous types of groupers, damsels, wrasses and gobies. The gobies, smallish fish with bulging eyes and modified fins that allow them to attach to hard surfaces, are the most diverse but least known group of fish in the park. |
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Day 10 Bunaken
Here the amazing Sulawesi journey ends. There is a transfer to the airport to take you
to your next destination.
Price starting from € 1.195,- p.p.
* The arrangement as described can be booked as a private or as a group journey.
* Due to weather conditions the program can be changed
* The journey includes hotel or cottage accommodation with breakfast
* Transfer by private car
* Additional options can be arranged, such as:
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- International or Domestic flights
- Lunches and/or dinner
- Daily guide, speaking the language of your choice
- Insurances
- Entrance fees at the sites
- Any other wish to complete your journey |
