TRAVEL IN MAKASSAR, SOUTH SULAWESI, INDONESIA.

At the heart of Indonesia’s South Sulawesi territory lies the vibrant provincial capital of Makassar. Formerly known as Ujung Pandang, the city has for centuries made its mark in Indonesian history as a bustling port. Today it’s a sprawling metropolis, still rich in history and culture – a perfect gateway from which to discover the rest of South Sulawesi and East Indonesia.

Of particular interest is Tana Toraja, or “Torajaland,” a highland region that sits peacefully in the mountains more than 300 kilometres north of Makassar. This “Land of Heavenly Kings” is home to the indigenous Toraja people, who are known for their unique funeral rites, traditional houses with high-peaked roofs called tongkonan and their friendly and hospitable nature.
As a base of operations, though, the city of Makassar has something to offer to urbanites and outdoor enthusiasts alike. In town, a Makassar city tour takes visitors to see the most important cultural and historical icons, such as Fort Rotterdam, which was built during the Gowa/Makassar Kingdom in the 15th century and taken over by the Dutch in 17th century, Katangka Mosque, the oldest in the city, and Paotere Harbour, where you will find the traditional Pinisi sailboats.
The nature reserve of Bantimurung, located a short distance from Makassar, provides a snapshot of Sulawesi’s captivating natural beauty, while the Leang-Leang Caves, which can be covered as part of the same tour, opens a window into the lives of some of mankind’s ancient ancestors. Alternatively, sun-seekers can opt for a visit to Samalona Island, one of several neighbouring isles where guests can spend a day toasting under the sun on a powdery white-sand beach or go skin diving amongst thriving coral reefs. These are just a few of the many things to see and do in Makassar.
Of course, even further afield, various Tana Toraja tours allow travellers to immerse themselves in the traditional village life of the Toraja people, see the ancient graves where they bury their dead and walk through the region’s extensive, picturesque rice paddies.

The new portal to Makassar and Toraja is now proudly owned by Ng Sebastian and the rest of his team at Incito Tours, also the local connection in nearby Komodo and the Lesser Sunda Islands. The launch of www.makassar-hotels.com gives travellers direct access to Makassar and Toraja hotels for every budget, as well as insight into the best places for shopping and eating, all of which contribute to an ideal getaway experience.
“Makassar and Toraja are destinations I know well as I live in Makassar and I started my tourism involvement here back in 1987 as a tour guide,” Sebastian gladly shares. “Makassar is my home base and my involvement in tourism at the destination is far more extensive than what I started 24 years ago. My whole life since then seems to be devoted to tourism, not only as a field where I earn my living, but also where I share my passion with others to make the destination better developed through my participation in various tourism activities. Operating the Makassar & Toraja portal, I talk about tourism but also take action in serving would-be visitors through the latest tourism trend: the use of information technology in planning the trips. whl.travel provides a great platform to work with, and there is always someone to help us out.”