Manado
Located in northern Sulawesi, a K-shaped island bordering Malaysian Borneo, Manado and the Bunaken Marine Park teem with life; almost 400 species of coral and 90 species of fish reside in the area, making for wonderful opportunities for diving and snorkeling. Within Bunaken are about 20 villages, home to 35,000 people - most of whom reside in the shadow of the volcanoes that dominate the island. With only about 10,000 international visitors a year, Manado and Bunaken are well off the beaten path, and a worthwhile destination.
Experiences
A handpicked selection of experiences endorsed by our experts. If you can’t see what you’re looking for, let us know, as our extensive network of local contacts can open many doors.
Culinary Delights
Manadonese, or Minahasa, cuisine is famous for two things: first, the Manadonese cook almost anything, and second, their foods are the spiciest in the entire country. In addition, sugar is little used; instead, cooks prefer to add flavor through lemons and herbs. Also, as the population of the area is predominantly Christian, the Manadonese often cook pork, and marinate it in alcohol as well.
Diving and Snorkeling
Opened in 1991 as one of the first Marine Parks in Indonesia, Bunaken measures five islands, and approximately 89,000 hectares (roughly 36,000 acres) of warm, tropical waters.
Kali Waterfall
Trek to the Kali Waterfall, a roaring cascade of water that shoots over jungle cliffs. Over the river is a neat little bridge, which offers an excellent vantage point from which to take pictures, or simply admire the beauty of the falls.
Tangkoko Nature Reserve
First established in 1919, Tangkoko Park has seen some several additions over the years, and is now home to hundreds of birds, reptiles, mammals, and amphibians; notable creatures include the Tarsius monkey, which at 3 inches, or 10 centimeters, is the second tiniest monkey in the world.
Tomohon
A charming little town, Tomohon is surrounded by a troika of active volcanoes. Due to its higher elevation, Tomohon enjoys a cooler temperature than the rest of Sulawesi - and offers a variety of pleasant walking and hiking activities, including art galleries, waterfalls, and traditional markets.
Underwater Life
Within Manado are just under 400 species of coral, about seven times more than Hawaii; in addition, of all the species of fish in both the Indian and Pacific Oceans, 70 percent can be found in the confines of the park.
Volcanoes
Mount Lokon, Mount Masarang and Mount Mahawu are all within a half hour of Manado. The Mount Mahawu Volcano Trek involves a one hour hike to the edge of the volcano’s crater edge. From this vantage point, trekkers will be able to see the Manado Tua and Bunaken Islands. The bottom of the crater features a steaming lake of sulfur-laced water.
Indonesia Regions
Explore in-depth information, experiences and highlights by navigating to specific regions using the links below on the right.
Java
Sulawesi
Sumatra
Papua
Cruising & Diving
Other Islands
Multi-Country Specialists
Indonesia Goes Well With
Why Remote Lands?
Exclusively Asia
With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.
With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, in the continent that our north American founders Catherine and Jay have adored and explored for decades, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.
Travelogues
An Asia-focused magazine brought to you by Remote Lands - a platform for adventure, luxury, and authenticity from experts and explorers around the continent.
Lembeh: Muck Diving for the Luxury Traveler
- Author
- Juanita Pienaar
Get down in the muck in Lembeh for the best muck diving in the world; cruise the bottom of the Lembeh Strait and beyond for otherworldly creatures.
Dozen Dream Destination: Torajaland for Something Different
- Author
- Travelogues
With new flights from Makassar to Palopo, it’s time for travelers interested in the strange to try Torajaland, a world funerals, sacrifices, and a culture like nowhere else in Southeast Asia.
What Others Say
Here is a small selection of the kind words our clients have said about us recently.
A British-German couple from Spain
There was nothing provided by Remote Lands that was anything other than 1st class.
Family from Australia
Thank you for putting together such an inspiring trip through Indonesia. We used two different charter boats and, for one leg of the journey, a private charter flight and all were of extremely high quality.
