CYCLE TORAJA INDONESIA

RAFTING, TREKKING, YOGA
NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2010
14 DAYS
9 CYCLE DAYS
736 KM, US$ 1899

If you’re looking for the adventure of mountains, the experience of a traditional culture, the fun of learning a new language, daily yoga, white water rafting, trekking and the camaraderie of riding with like minded people from different parts of the world then this cycle trip to Toraja Land, Indonesia is the one for you.

Toraja Land is a mountainous enclave in the central part of Sulawesi – that spidery shaped Indonesian island, east of Borneo and north of Bali.

Trip leader bi-lingual bi-cultural Australian Colin Freestone, has been cycling in Indonesia since 1990 and riding on the island of Sulawesi since 2000. He has led 4 group cycle trips around Sulawesi since January 2009.

Trip starts in Makassar centre of the spice trade at the height of colonial struggles for control of the world’s largest archipelago. This story is told in the bricks and buildings at Fort Rotterdam and the traditional harbour at Pa’otere a stone’s throw from our international hotel on the water.

Over the next few days we’ll head north through the middle of the island taking in the spectacular limestone outcrops, cascades and butterflies at Bantimurung, the sensual thermal pools in rainforest at Lejja, the living museum at Batu-Batu, the charming riverside town of Enrekang in the pretty foothills of the Toraja mountains and ‘erotic’ mountain .

In the next week we’ll enjoy the wonder and beauty of the Torajan mountains and valleys, a distinctive culture where animist beliefs and practices have integrated harmoniously with Christian teachings and a social life that places huge importance on looking after those who’ve passed on. Each day will be different. Each day will bring its own new discoveries as we pedal, walk and raft through a picture book landscape of manicured terraced hillsides and picturesque Torajan villages with their boat shaped houses and church spires.

Riders will come to understand Indonesian life and culture as it really is. Breakfasts will mostly be fried rice. Lunches and dinners will be Sulawesi style grilled fish or chicken, rice and stir-fried or souped vegetables. There’ll always be a supply of drinking water and the support crew will be on the look out for fruits and local village delicacies.

There’ll be a variety of accommodation: international hotels start and finish,
mountain resorts and traditional housing for most of the nights in Toraja and family guesthouses.

With an average of 83+ km a day we’ll start riding early. There’ll be no emphasis on speed per se. The pace will be relaxed with frequent stops for re-grouping, photos, fresh fruit, village cakes, stretching, talking with the locals and group camaraderie

The cycling will finish at west coast Pare-Pare where we’ll put the bikes on a truck and we’ll continue the last stage of the journey to Makassar by bus.

There’ll be many opportunities for spontaneous stops. After we’ve reached our destination and before dinner there’ll be Yoga. Swimming will be available on 9/14 days.