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HIGHLIGHTS
A quick look about this trip!
DURATION
14 DAYS
COMFORT
LANGUAGE
RATING
  • Thrill to the whitewater of the Sa'dan and seldom-run Lariang rivers
  • Feast your eyes on remote rainforest, dramatic mountains, and rare and colorful birdlife
  • Experience the burial rituals, traditional villages, and giant stone megaliths of the Toraja and Bada peoples
ACTIVITIES ON THIS TRIP
Primary: Walking Tour
Other: Hiking, Canyoning, Rafting, Rainforest, sightseeing, national parks, cave, Camping
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ONGOING PROMOTIONS
"Get 5% off when you book with AdventureLink before May 31st, 2012!"
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Applies to Departures Between:
4/25/2012 and 1/1/2013
Promotion lasts :
From 4/25/2012 To 6/1/2012
TRIP MAP
See the locations you'll visit!

Sa-dan & Lariang Rivers

Follow MTS co-founder John Yost to raft two of Indonesia's most thrilling and remote rivers—the Sa'dan and Lariang—with Class III-V rapids, colorful birds, and jungle-covered cliffs rising above the river.
Sulawesi is an explorer’s dream, an island so extensive, so rugged, and so remote that the secrets of its interior have barely been exposed. We probe these hidden treasures on two rivers connected by a revealing drive north through the heart of the island. This adventure far off the beaten tracks is bookended by nights in magical Bali, the romantic heart of Indonesia. You’ll go with John Yost, co-founder of Sobek Expeditions (merged with Mountain Travel in 1991) and organizer of the Signature Series trips which strive to revive the classic river adventures of Sobek lore. He has dreamed of the sparkling waters of the Sulawesi jungle ever since they were first explored by Sobek in the 1980s. Since our team unveiled these rivers, the Sa’dan has become wellknown, but the Lariang far to the north remains a rarely-seen mystery. Its appeal has not lessened, its draw is still magnetic. Led by a skilled team of Indonesian and US river guides, we will take on the Sa’dan and Lariang, alternating our attention between the Class III-V rapids, colorful birds, and jungle-covered cliffs rising around us. After our Sa’dan warm-up, we’ll challenge the tricky waters of the precipitous Lariang, navigated commercially less than 10 times in 25 years. We’ll soak up the untouched wonders of the rainforest, accessible only by river, and enjoy beach siestas deep in this idyllic jungle wilderness. Sulawesi has a long history of Portuguese, Dutch, and English influence, but the traditions of the native peoples, sheltered by the impenetrable topography, have survived this onslaught. As we appreciate the land of the Toraja and Bada people, we learn about their fascinating cultures—visiting animistic stone graves in Lemo, Marante and Londa, and traditional Torajan boat-shaped houses. We'll stop at giant stone megaliths of the isolated Bada Valley in Lore Lindu, one of eight national parks on the island. This Sulawesi expedition is sure to leave your heart racing—from the culture and scenery as much as from the rafting itself.
Day 1: Arrive Denpasar, Bali
Arrive at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar. Transfers to our hotel will be provided by the hotel, so look for their representative holding a Poppies sign with your name on it when you walk out of the customs area. At 6:00 p.m. we’ll meet in the hotel lobby for an orientation talk and welcome dinner.
Lodging Poppies
Description Poppies Bali offers twenty thatch-roofed cottages nestled in gardens of hibiscus, scented jasmine, and frangipani. Red brick paths meander past lily ponds, waterfalls, and time-worn stone figures, watched over by the towering palms of an ancient coconut grove.
Day 2: Makassar and Toraja
Return to the airport in the morning for a flight to Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport in Makassar (formerly Ujung Pandang), Sulawesi. We drive north to the mountainous Central Sulawesi a large portion of the day, stopping for lunch along the way. We’ll stop to capture the beauties of the Sulawesi landscapes and villages, fascinating scenes for the photographer. In the late afternoon, we arrive in Toraja and check in at our hotel before eating dinner together. We’ll stay three nights at this hotel, allowing great conveniences in planning what to carry with you and what to leave behind each day. [Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner]
Lodging Toraja Heritage Hotel
Description Poised at an altitude of 2,300 feet with views across to a huge mountain range, the Toraja Heritage Hotel follows the architectural style of traditional Torajan clan houses with a massive roof shaped like a ship’s prow. Inside, the resort's comfortable furnishings and traditional Bali architecture allow utter relaxation.
Day 3: Sadan River
We drive to the trailhead and start our short hike through the changing perspectives of the Sa'dan Canyon as the trail winds its way into the river valley. In late morning, we’ll begin traveling the very best way through the grandeur of Sulawesi—on water. Rafting on the Sa'dan River, we’ll journey into the remote depths of Torajaland, with mountains rising dramatically overhead. Stretches of calm water allow us to enjoy our surroundings, punctuated by the exhilaration of more than 20 rapids on this Class III+ river (three rapids are designated Class IV). We arrive at our camp, isolated deep in the wilderness, halfway down our river run. [Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner]
Day 4: Sadan River
We take up our oars and paddles again, passing through majestic ridges and mountains in the southern gorge, alternating between quiet passages and swift rapids. It’s a great day of boating, a perfect shakedown cruise to prepare us for the more demanding whitewater of the Lariang. We reach our take-out in the afternoon, and after cool refreshments, we drive back to Toraja to rest and enjoy dinner. [Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner]
Lodging Toraja Heritage Hotel
Description Poised at an altitude of 2,300 feet with views across to a huge mountain range, the Toraja Heritage Hotel follows the architectural style of traditional Torajan clan houses with a massive roof shaped like a ship’s prow. Inside, the resort's comfortable furnishings and traditional Bali architecture allow utter relaxation.
Day 5: Toraja
This day is devoted to the cultural highlights of the region. The Toraja people are known for their unique funeral ceremonies, and we will stop at the stone graves of Lemo, Marante, and Londa, where the bodies of the dead are placed in caves with the same animistic ritual that has been used for centuries. At Ke’te Kesu’, Siguntu’ and Nanggala, we'll visit traditional Toraja houses—designed in the shape of a boat or buffalo horn in order to carry the spirit through the afterlife. The unique traditions of Toraja are fascinating, and they are at their most interesting in this area. Make sure your camera has plenty of storage capacity, as you are sure to be clicking away throughout the day! [Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner]
Lodging Toraja Heritage Hotel
Description Poised at an altitude of 2,300 feet with views across to a huge mountain range, the Toraja Heritage Hotel follows the architectural style of traditional Torajan clan houses with a massive roof shaped like a ship’s prow. Inside, the resort's comfortable furnishings and traditional Bali architecture allow utter relaxation.
Day 6: Lake Poso
Our long journey north into the less-visited realms of the island begins today. Our destination is Lake Poso, the third-deepest lake in Indonesia. It will be an easy day of observing the tropical flora and lush mountain terrain as we cross the island. With an early start we should arrive at our hotel on the shores of Lake Poso by nightfall, perhaps in time for a spectacular sunset over its extensive water. [Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner]
Day 7: Bada Valley
Another early start for our drive northwest to Bomba, the first village in the Bada Valley. The road follows a high and difficult pass for 30 miles, allowing for excellent opportunities for birding along the way. It's in Bomba that we will meet one of our river guides, Frankie. He is originally from the Bada Valley and has extensive experience on local rivers, so he will be invaluable on our river run. Please remember that this road is not often used and that conditions can change. Our drive could take longer than planned and unexpected adventures could await us. We may see deer, macaques or other wildlife, or more of the famous megaliths, and are sure to be treated to the colorful dress of the villagers and the variegated greens of the rainforest. Tonight we will be treated to the intimacy and cultural interest of a home stay with locals. [Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner]
Day 8: Lariang River
We launch on the upper portion of the Lariang River, which is the longest river on the Sulawesi. Downriver, we'll stop to visit megaliths—large stone statues left by the Bada people. They're just a few of many scattered in the valley, leaving glimpses into the fascinating ancient culture of these geographically isolated people. We will choose a place to camp tonight on the banks of the river above the Bada village of Tuare. This is an introduction to the Lariang, a warm-up with the real rapids awaiting us downriver. [Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner]
Days 9-10: Lariang River
Our biggest rafting days, as we plunge into the liquid heart of the Lariang River—a solid Class IV (with one Class V) in normal water, it's the wildest river rafted in Indonesia. The river originates on Mount Rorekatibmu and Mount Nokilalki and flows until it reaches this point, forming the southern border of Lore Lindu National Park. The rafting should be fast and furious. However, we will exercise caution—running only what we have planned, and carrying the rafts if we anticipate the rapids to be questionable. We will be aided by several expert local guides on the river for the safest experience possible. The Class V Royal Flush, named after the famous stretch of rapids on the Bio-Bio, is the crux of our trips, a hydraulic problem that will test the skills of paddlers and oarsmen alike. It’s not all action of course. We float through the beautiful countryside of lowland primary rainforest, an ecosystem rapidly disappearing in the world as logging, other extractive industries, and population growth threaten rainforest around the world. This preserved jungle is only accessible by the river and is protected by park status, but with an extremely weak local government and a financial crisis in Indonesia, it is also likely to be stripped of anything of value—wood, rattan, stones, beautiful birds. Knowing that, we will appreciate our glimpse of the park as it is today even more. [Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner]
Day 11: Lariang River
We enjoy a day of serendipitous leisure, staying in our river beach camp for some serious R&R. Here in remote jungle wilderness, our agenda is to swim, sunbathe, bird-watch, and take in the sounds and smells of the rainforest. If that sounds too strenuous, a nap would not be amiss! [Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner]
Day 12: Lariang River and Palu
We follow the river on its now more modest course, away from the national park to the village of Gimpu. At our take-out point, we pack the equipment and finish the last of the cold beers. We drive to Palu to rest and recount stories from our time on the river. Palu, a city of a quarter-million, is situated on the shores of the Makassar Straits. It owes its dry climate to the shelter of a surrounding ring of peaks. We may enjoy a walk on its beaches before nightfall. Tonight is our farewell dinner, a nostalgic goodbye to an incredible adventure. [Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner]
Lodging Silae Palu Hotel
Description The only 4-star hotel in Sulawesi, the Silae Palu Hotel is a sea-front property with modern conveniences. With luxuriously appointed rooms and contemporary furnishings, the calm atmosphere is completed with a large pool surrounded by palm trees.
Day 13: Flight to Denpasar
We fly to Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport in Makassar around 7:00 a.m., then take a connecting flight to Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar around 11:00 a.m. Free day in beautiful Bali. Lunch and dinner in Bali are on your own. If your flight to the US leaves tonight, you will have a room at the hotel until you leave. [Breakfast]
Lodging Poppies
Description Poppies Bali offers twenty thatch-roofed cottages nestled in gardens of hibiscus, scented jasmine, and frangipani. Red brick paths meander past lily ponds, waterfalls, and time-worn stone figures, watched over by the towering palms of an ancient coconut grove.
Day 14: Depart
Transfer to Denpasar’s airport for flights home will be provided by the hotel (flights may also be booked for the night prior). [Breakfast]
TRIP INCLUDES
  • expert leadership
  • accommodations as noted in itinerary (or similar)
  • if applicable, tent or safari accommodations and all arrangements in the field, including camp and cook staffs, comfortable and roomy two-person tents, kitchen and dining tents, and other community equipment
  • meals as noted in the itinerary
  • airport transfers
  • sightseeing as noted in the itinerary
  • ground transportation
  • additional guides and porters where necessary
  • tips for lodge, hotel, or camp staff
  • entrance fees and permits, unless noted separately in costs
  • basic medical and evacuation insurance
TRIP DOES NOT INCLUDE
  • International airfare
  • meals not noted on itinerary
  • insurance other than basic medical and evacuation insurance noted above (we strongly recommend you purchase the supplementary trip insurance offered by Mountain Travel Sobek, which includes trip cancellation insurance)
  • optional tipping to leader, guides and local staff
  • excess baggage charges
  • airport taxes (international—varies by location)
  • cost of medical immunizations
  • items of a personal nature (sodas, alcoholic beverages, laundry, etc.)
  • internal airfare (Denpasar/Makassar...Palu/Makassar/Denpasar)
CANCELLATIONS: 20% cancellation fee applied if cancelled 60 days prior to departure. Cancellations within 60 days are 100% non-cancelable

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