North Sulawesi is one of those places that isn’t really on the tourist trail but isn’t totally off the beaten track either. There is definitely an element of adventure and exploration, but you can also find comfort and relaxation. It’s ideal for travellers that want to have new experiences but also need a break. To fit in as much as possible but also have some downtime, we’ve put together a 2 week itinerary for North Sulawesi that will tick all your boxes.

Manado

Most people arrive in North Sulawesi via Sam Ratulangi International Airport in Manado. The airport is just a short drive from the city where there are plenty of hotels to choose from if you arrive late and want to stay overnight before traveling on.

There isn’t much to see in the city itself, but one thing you must do is eat some of the local dishes. Popular Manadonese dishes include tinutuan rice porridge, cakalang fufu smoked skipjack tuna, and various fish and seafood spiced in rica-rica or woku spices. These can all be found in the restaurants surrounding the marina area.

Diving and Snorkeling

North Sulawesi is best known for its incredible diving and snorkeling so it will probably be first on your agenda. Heading north from Manado the islands off the north coast are a great place to base yourself. Just over an hour from the airport you’ll reach Serai Pier and then Gangga Island Resort & Spa is only 20 minutes by boat from there.

From Gangga Island you can dive and snorkel all around the area. From the house reef to Lembeh and Bangka, you will find everything from muck diving to pelagics, unique mating rituals and masters of camouflage.

If you aren’t dive certified or want to upgrade your qualification, Gangga Divers is the answer. The area is perfect for PADI certification of all types.

The Minahasa Highlands

From Manado it’s a must to head into the highlands of the region. It’s only about an hour by car to Tomohon where you can visit the local market. If you are squeamish, avoid the ‘extreme’ part of the market where animals you might not usually see are sold for meat.

From Tomohon head to Tondano Lake where you can enjoy the beautiful views and traditional life of the Minahasa people. This is the 2nd largest lake in Indonesia and is buzzing with life on its shores.

There are 2 very hikeable volcanos in the Minahasa Highlands, Mount Mahawu and Mount Lokon. You can choose to drive part of the way up both volcanos or hike the whole way. Mount Lokon takes around 2 hours from Tomohon and Mount Mahawu about 1 hour. On a clear day you can see all the way to Bunaken Island from Mahawu’s crater.

In the area there are stops at a number of beautiful waterfalls and cultural sites like the Minhasa graves or Waruga. These are ancient upright graves where people buried their loved ones in a seated position.

Tangkoko National Park

This national park that takes up 9000 hectares of protected rainforest is another reason North Sulawesi is such an incredible destination. Exotic flora and fauna are the main event here, with North Sulawesi’s iconic tarsier being the real star of the show. You’ll also see the endemic Sulawesi crested black macaque and cuscus, a slow moving tree marsupial.

A stunning array of bird species live in the lush canopy including, lorikeets, kingfishers, knobbed hornbills, and the Sulawesi myna bird. As soon as you enter the jungle here you will hear the amazing calls of the birds and feel as if you have entered a primitive world where the animals reign.

Beaches

There isn’t always a lot of talk of North Sulawesi’s beaches, but there are some beauties in the region. Pantai Paal is probably the most well-known and is near the town of Likupang. This is a favorite for families from Manado so can get very busy on the weekends. During the week you could have it all to yourself.

Bunaken and Lihaga have some lovely beaches and Gangga Island Resort & Spa has their bungalows right on the sands of the quiet white sand beach. Relax and enjoy the soft sand between your toes and the sound of the gentle waves lapping on the shore for at least a couple of days while you are in North Sulawesi.

Plenty to Explore

As you can see, there is plenty to do in North Sulawesi. Whether you are staying for a week and then moving on to Makassar or Raja Ampat, or you are spending your whole time in the area, you definitely won’t get bored. Explore and get to know the unique people and traditions and spend plenty of time under the waves.

To find out more or book your stay at Gangga Island Resort & Spa contact us now reservations@ganggaisland.com