Sulawesi-Minahasa Highland & Tangkoko Nature Reserve
8 Days/7 Nights
Overview
Discover North Sulawesi, a captivating province that covers 13% of Sulawesi—Indonesia’s fourth-largest island. Sulawesi is the largest and most central island in Wallacea, a remarkable biogeographical region where Asian and Australasian flora and fauna converge. North Sulawesi's dramatic landscapes of active volcanoes and geothermal wonders are enriched by the vibrant culture and artistic traditions of the Minahasa people, adding a unique and colourful character to the province.
Tour at a Glance
Day 1 – Arrival in Manado
Arrival in Manado and private transfer to your hotel. Free time to relax and settle in.
Day 2 – Manado City Tour & Highland Journey
Explore Manado’s historical landmarks, visit Kali Waterfall, and continue into the highlands with stops at a Buddhist temple and scenic viewpoints.
Day 3 – Volcano Trek & Twin Lakes
Wander through Tomohon Market, hike up Mount Mahawu for panoramic crater views, visit the color-changing Lake Linow, and enjoy the peaceful shores of Lake Tondano.
Day 4 – Lokon Volcano & Journey to Tangkoko
Early morning hike to Mount Lokon crater. Visit a traditional house-building village and ancient Waruga tombs before heading to Tangkoko Nature Reserve for a mangrove birdwatching cruise.
Day 5 – Tangkoko Wildlife & Transfer to Siladen
Sunrise walk in Tangkoko to see rare tarsiers and black macaques. Transfer by boat to the tropical paradise of Siladen Island in Bunaken Marine Park.
Day 6 – Explore Bunaken Marine Park
Free day for snorkeling, diving, or relaxing. Discover world-class coral reefs and abundant marine life.
Day 7 – Leisure on Siladen
Enjoy another day at leisure with optional water activities or island exploration.
Day 8 – Departure
Boat and car transfer to Manado Airport for your onward journey.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Manado – Transfer to Cocotinos Manado
Upon arrival at Manado Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in a private, air-conditioned vehicle. Check-in and overnight at your hotel.
Approximate distances:
Airport to hotel: 15 km / 30 minutes
Meals included: None
Accommodation: Cocotinos Manado (Garden Room)
Day 02: Manado City Tour – Kali Waterfall – Tomohon
After breakfast, check out and begin your city tour with a visit to Ban Hin Kiong, the oldest Taoist temple in Manado, founded in 1819. Originally made of bamboo, it was rebuilt after a fire in 1970. Take a short walk to experience the daily life of locals around Jalan Roda, a popular gathering spot for coffee and conversation. Continue to Centrum Church and the World War II Monument, commemorating the bombing of Manado in 1945.
Next, drive south with a quick photo stop at the Jesus Blessing Statue, the fourth tallest Christ statue in the world. Proceed to Kali Waterfall, where a short 20-minute trek leads to a small bridge with scenic jungle views.
After lunch at a local restaurant, continue to Tomohon and visit Vihara Ekayana, a Buddhist temple with distinctive pagodas. It's an important spiritual site for Tomohon's Chinese community, particularly during Cap Go Meh celebrations.
Check into your hotel and enjoy the serene garden setting with views of the active Mount Lokon.
Approximate visit durations:
- Ban Hin Kiong: 1 hr
- Centrum Church & WWII Monument: 1 hr
- Jesus Blessing Statue: 1 hr
- Kali Waterfall: 1 hr
- Vihara Ekayana: 1 hr
Approximate distances:
- Hotel to Ban Hin Kiong: 22 km / 50 min
- Ban Hin Kiong to Centrum Church: 2 km / 10 min
- Centrum Church to Jesus Statue: 8 km / 25 min
- Jesus Statue to Kali Waterfall: 6 km / 15 min
- Kali Waterfall to Vihara Ekayana: 10 km / 30 min
- Vihara to hotel: 1 km / 5 min
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Gardenia Country Inn (Bungalow)
Day 03: Tomohon – Mount Mahawu – Lake Linow – Lake Tondano
Start your day with a visit to Tomohon Market, once the largest in the Minahasa Regency. Note that the meat section, sometimes referred to as the "macabre market," features unusual offerings—please inform your guide if you wish to skip this part.
Next, drive to Mount Mahawu, one of Indonesia’s most accessible volcanoes. A 20-minute walk up man-made steps brings you to the crater rim, where you’ll enjoy panoramic views of Mount Lokon, Empung, and the coastline. Walk around the crater for better views of the lake and sulphur deposits, and look out for carnivorous pitcher plants.
Continue to Lake Linow, a volcanic lake famous for its vivid color changes due to hydrothermal activity. Cross the lake by boat to explore fumaroles and boiling mud vents, and walk to a water geyser that shoots steaming water from a riverbed.
After lunch, drive past geothermal energy plants and head to Lake Tondano, the largest in North Sulawesi. En route, stop at Pulutan Village, renowned for traditional pottery. End the day with a scenic horse-drawn carriage ride along the lakeshore before returning to your hotel.
Approximate visit durations:
- Tomohon Market: 1 hr
- Mount Mahawu: 1 hr
- Lake Linow: 1 hr
- Lake Tondano: 1 hr
- Pulutan Village: 1 hr
Approximate distances:
- Hotel to Market: 3 km / 15 min
- Market to Mahawu: 6 km / 15 min
- Mahawu to Linow: 15 km / 35 min
- Linow to Tondano: 31 km / 1 hr
- Tondano to Pulutan: 29 km / 1 hr
- Pulutan to Hotel: 22 km / 1 hr
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Gardenia Country Inn (Bungalow)
Day 04: Lokon Volcano – Tangkoko Nature Reserve – Birdwatching
Start early at 4:30 AM for a guided hike to the Mount Lokon and Empung crater, one of Sulawesi’s most active volcanoes. Trek through a lava channel for about 2 hours to reach the summit. On clear mornings, enjoy stunning views and volcanic activity like steam and sulphur emissions. Return to your hotel for breakfast.
After check-out, drive to Woloan Village to observe traditional Minahasa house-building techniques. Then stop at Airmadidi, known for its ancient Waruga stone tombs, once used by the Minahasan tribes.
Arrive at Tangkoko Nature Reserve and check into your lodge. In the afternoon, embark on a birdwatching boat trip through the mangroves. The reserve’s diverse habitats host over 200 bird species, including the White-Bellied Sea Eagle, Great-Billed Kingfisher, and several endemic parrots.
Note: Lodges near Tangkoko are basic, with limited electricity (off after 10 PM). Rooms have fans, mosquito nets, and cold-water showers.
Approximate visit durations:
- Lokon & Empung: 1 hr
- Woloan Village: 1 hr
- Airmadidi: 1 hr
- Tangkoko Reserve: 2 hrs
Approximate distances:
- Hotel to Lokon base: 5 km / 15 min
- Lokon to Woloan: 9 km / 25 min
- Woloan to Airmadidi: ~30 km / 1 hr
- Airmadidi to Tangkoko: 39 km / 1 hr 15 min
- Reserve to hotel: 33 km / 1 hr
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Tangkoko Hill Resort (Standard AC Room)
Day 05: Tangkoko Nature Reserve – Siladen Island
Enter the reserve at dawn with your ranger to see Spectral Tarsiers, rare nocturnal primates returning from their nightly hunt. Continue your walk past the research station studying Celebes Crested Macaques.
After breakfast, transfer to a jetty near Manado for a boat ride to Siladen Resort, located in Bunaken National Marine Park, one of the world’s richest marine biodiversity hotspots.
Approximate visit durations:
Tangkoko Nature Reserve: 2 hrs
Approximate distances:
- Hotel to Reserve: 33 km / 1 hr
- Tangkoko to Siladen Jetty: 32 km / 1 hr 10 min
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Siladen Resort (Garden View Villa)
Day 06: Day at Leisure – Diving or Snorkeling
Enjoy a free day in paradise. Siladen is a gateway to Bunaken National Marine Park, which features over 390 coral species and more than 50 world-class dive sites. From vibrant wall dives to macro life and pelagics like reef sharks, rays, and turtles—this is a diver’s dream.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Siladen Resort (Garden View Villa)
Day 07: Day at Leisure
Spend the day at your leisure. Optional diving, snorkeling, or simply relaxing on the beach are all available.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Siladen Resort (Garden View Villa)
Day 08: Departure
Enjoy your morning at leisure until it's time to transfer by boat and car to Manado Airport for your onward flight.
Approximate distances:
Siladen Jetty to Manado Airport: 19 km / 40 minutes
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: None
PRICE: The price is subject to your travel dates and the number of people traveling. The itinerary can be customized according to your preferences. Contact us for detailed quotation!
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