NATSIR'S NATURE SCHOOL
Exploring Tana Toraja
Tana Toraja is a land of magnificent scenery.
Step back hundreds of years and explore the deep culture and history of Toraja people.
Makale
Makale, the capital city of Tana Toraja, is a small city that runs along two main roads heading in opposite directions. In the centre of town you will find a large man-made pond with a statue of Laki Padada, the mythical character who wished for eternal life.
A short walk away is the Makale market, a vibrant centre for sellers to sell their produce. Here you can find fruits, vegetables, coconuts, spices, traditional desserts, clothes and other small items. It is open everyday, but once a week is 'market day' which is a lot busier but otherwise the same.
Livestock Market
Rantepao holds a livestock market every six days. Locals gather here to buy and sell buffalos and pigs.
Tilanga
Tilanga is a spring close to Rantepao. It is well maintained and kept clean throughout the year.
Entrance is 20,000IDR/person.
Batutumonga
Batutumonga is a valley with sweeping views of rice terraces and rock formations.
It is an idyllic place to go trekking or drive through by motorbike.
You will find guest houses and homestays here, starting from 150,000IDR/night.
Burake
A statue of Jesus Christ has recently been built on Burake Mountain.
Here you will find panoramic views of Toraja.
To get here, you can either walk or hire an ojek (motorbike taxi) to ascend the mountain.
The ojek will drop you at the parking lot steeped in the mountain, from where you will need to climb stairs.
Surakan
Surakan has one of the most beautiful viewpoints in Tana Toraja.
It is also where the kingdom of Toraja is believed to have begun (according to Aluk Todolo).
It is a 2 hour walk from Rembon, or a quick motorbike drive away.
Kete' Kesu'
Kete' Kesu' is one of the top highlights of Toraja. It is split into two sections; Tongkonans and their traditional rice barns in one area, and graves in another.
There are three types of traditional graves in Toraja. Erong (wooden coffins) were used to bury people before the 17th Century. Leang (stone graves) came into practice to replace the use of Erong, and are still used today. The third type of traditional grave is called Patane (a grave which looks like a traditional house).
At Kete' Kesu' you will see spectacular Erong dating back to over 500 years, as well as recently built Patane.
Entrance is 20,000IDR/person
Tampangallo
Tampangallo is a cave that holds incredibly intricate Erong dating back past the 17th Century. These coffins are perched from above, and stand beside Tau Tau (human effigies).
Entrance 20,000IDR/person
Londa
Londa is one of the oldest burial sites in Toraja, dating back to over 500 years. Here there are Erong and newer wooden coffins perched throughout the inside and outside of the cave. Tau Tau sit along the cave entrance alongside wooden plates and bowls used by the deceased.
It is believed that the oldest Erong is located in Londa.
Entrance 20,000IDR/person
Suaya
Suaya has stone graves believed to be belonging to the descendents of Tamborolangi (an important character in Aluk Todolo belief). There is also a room with intricately carved Erong stacked to the roof.
Entrance 20,000IDR/person
Lemo
Lemo is said to be the oldest of the stone graves in Toraja, which were believed to have been created in the 17th century. The first person to have ever been buried in a stone grave was called Pong Soma'. Pong Soma' is the direct descendent of Songi Patallo, a noble man in power of the area of Lemo.
Entrance 20,000IDR/person
Lokomata
Lokomata is another place with stone graves, near batutumonga.
Entrance 20,000IDR/person
Kambira
Kambira is a well known place where baby graves exist. Baby graves were in use until fifty years ago. When this was practiced, babies that died before they grew teeth were buried in a hollow tree and the grave was covered with palm fibre. The tree became the new mother of the baby, and the tree's sap represented the mother's milk.
Entrance 20,000IDR/person
Want to hire a guide?
Tourism plays a central part in our project's ambition to empower young people in Tana Toraja. Toraja people know more about Toraja culture than any other guide coming from Bali or Java. Our project hopes to provide the young locals with the opportunity to reap the benefits of tourism here (through English language education). If you would like to support our locals, please consider hiring a local guide with our project.