Balanced pace

5-Day Minahasa Highlands, Kali Waterfall & Tangkoko Wildlife Adventure

5 daysSample route
1 / 15

About this tour

Combine hidden jungle waterfalls and highland crater vistas with coastal rainforest wildlife on a 5-day adventure through North Sulawesi. Trek through tropical forest to the towering Kali Waterfall, explore active volcanoes and ancient waruga tombs in the Minahasa Highlands, and track black crested macaques and nocturnal tarsiers in Tangkoko Nature Reserve

What's included5

  • Airport pick-up and drop-off transfers in private AC vehicle
  • 4 nights accommodation (2 nights Tomohon Highland Resort + 1 night Tangkoko Lodge + 1 night Manado City Hotel)
  • Daily breakfasts and lunches as specified in the itinerary
  • All entrance fees (including Kali Waterfall and Tangkoko Nature Reserve) and local ranger fees
  • Professional English-speaking tour guide and local park ranger

Not included5

  • Domestic airfare to/from Manado (MDC)
  • Camera/video camera permits inside Tangkoko Nature Reserve (if applicable)
  • Dinners and personal hotel expenses
  • Personal travel insurance
View all (5)
  • Gratuities for driver, tour guide, and wildlife rangers

Where you go

5 stops · 5 days

  1. Arrival in Manado, Kali Waterfall Jungle Trek, Scenic Drive to Tomohon Highlands

    1 day

    Day 1
    Discover Tomohon

  2. Mount Mahawu Crater Trek, Lake Linow Geothermal Springs, Woloan Wooden Houses & Waruga Tombs

    1 day

    Day 2

  3. Lake Tondano, Bitung Coastal Drive, Tangkoko Nature Reserve & Dusk Tarsier Trek

    1 day

    Day 3
    Discover Tangkoko

  4. Early Morning Tangkoko Wildlife Canopy Trek, Volcanic Sand Coastline, Return to Manado

    1 day

    Day 4
    Discover Manado

  5. Manado Cultural City Tour / Souvenir Stop, Airport Transfer Departure

    1 day

    Day 5
    Discover Manado

Tour highlights

  1. Arrival in Manado, Kali Waterfall Trek & Transfer to Tomohon
    01Arrival in Manado, Kali Waterfall Trek & Transfer to Tomohon
  2. Mount Mahawu Crater Trek, Lake Linow & Ancient Waruga Tombs
    02Mount Mahawu Crater Trek, Lake Linow & Ancient Waruga Tombs
  3. Lake Tondano, Coastal Drive & Dusk Tarsiers in Tangkoko
    03Lake Tondano, Coastal Drive & Dusk Tarsiers in Tangkoko
  4. Early Morning Tangkoko Wildlife Canopy Trek & Return to Manado
    04Early Morning Tangkoko Wildlife Canopy Trek & Return to Manado
  5. Check-out & Sam Ratulangi Airport Transfer
    05Check-out & Sam Ratulangi Airport Transfer

Jungle waterfalls, volcano crater trekking, highland lakes, and tarsier encounters across North Sulawesi.

Itinerary in detail

The route, day by day. Every day can change with who is travelling, so treat this as the shape of the trip rather than a fixed schedule.

Day 1

Arrival in Manado, Kali Waterfall Trek & Transfer to Tomohon

  • Pick up from Sam Ratulangi International Airport (MDC) or your hotel in Manado by private AC transport.
  • Drive to Pineleng at the foot of Mount Lokon and begin a guided walk through shaded rainforest trails to the twin falls of Kali Waterfall.
  • Cool off near the misty waterfall pool before continuing the scenic ascent into the cool mountain air of the Minahasa Highlands towards Tomohon.
  • Check into your highland resort for an evening at leisure.
Arrival in Manado, Kali Waterfall Trek & Transfer to Tomohon

Day 2

Mount Mahawu Crater Trek, Lake Linow & Ancient Waruga Tombs

  • Hike up gentle forest steps to the rim of Mount Mahawu crater for views of the active steam vents and Mount Lokon in the distance.
  • Stop at Lake Linow to watch the color-shifting sulfur waters while enjoying local Minahasan coffee.
  • Visit Woloan village to see traditional knock-down wooden houses being hand-built by local craftsmen, followed by a visit to Sawangan to see ancient megalithic Waruga stone tombs.
Mount Mahawu Crater Trek, Lake Linow & Ancient Waruga Tombs

Day 3

Lake Tondano, Coastal Drive & Dusk Tarsiers in Tangkoko

  • Drive around the perimeter of Lake Tondano, stopping for a fresh lakeside fish lunch.
  • Descend toward the port town of Bitung and enter Tangkoko Nature Reserve in the afternoon.
  • Guided rainforest trek to spot troops of endemic black crested macaques (Macaca nigra) and bear cuscus.
  • Position near giant strangler fig trees at twilight to watch tiny spectral tarsiers (Tarsius spectrum) emerge from their roosts before checking into your lodge.
Lake Tondano, Coastal Drive & Dusk Tarsiers in Tangkoko

Day 4

Early Morning Tangkoko Wildlife Canopy Trek & Return to Manado

  • Wake early (around 5:30 AM) for a morning jungle trek when birdlife, kingfishers, and hornbills are most active.
  • Walk along the black volcanic sand beach bordering the rainforest before returning to the lodge for breakfast.
  • Check out and take a relaxed return drive back to Manado city, checking into your hotel for the evening.
Early Morning Tangkoko Wildlife Canopy Trek & Return to Manado

Day 5

Check-out & Sam Ratulangi Airport Transfer

  • Breakfast at the hotel.
  • Optional morning visit to local spice markets or souvenir shops in Manado city center.
  • Private transfer to Sam Ratulangi International Airport (MDC) for your departure flight.
Check-out & Sam Ratulangi Airport Transfer

Questions about this trip

Answered by the team who runs it.

Sulawesi time

Chat on WhatsApp
What is the hike to Kali Waterfall like?

The trail down to Kali Waterfall involves a 20 to 30-minute walk through lush jungle along concrete paths and steps. It is suitable for most fitness levels, though paths can be slippery near the misty splash zone.

What should I bring for the waterfall trek?

Wear sturdy walking shoes or sandals with good grip, bring insect repellent, a light rain jacket or towel, and waterproof protection for cameras or electronics.

Need more inspiration?

Local businesses where this trip goes

Dive centres, tour operators and guides in the places on this trip. Each one has its own page and contacts.

So, ready to start?

Chat on WhatsApp