Guided Tours (update last on 28-11-2010)
Guided Tour or Renting a Car? On the way in Sulawesi, I always had many weeks time and therefore could travel - equipped with an up-to-date guide-book - on my own initiative. On the spot I then had myself led to the sights by a local guide. If I lost my way, had to wait for a ferry a couple of days or if if I stated, that the guide was extremely incompetent, this was not a tragedy. Who has only a restricted time at the disposal, however, thinks differently. The shorter the stay, the harder carry weight the relatively high ticket costs for the often long distance flights. Every day is then precious and should not be wasted by a wrong planning. Therefore one should not save the additional costs for a tour which is well organized and carried out. Those of you which do not only like to dive intensively (BUNAKEN, LEMBEH) but also see other worthwile parts of Indonesia (e.g. BALI, FLORES, KOMODO) can find now a new tour package for divers below. If you are interested in a tour according to your individual wishes, I can recommend a very experienced tour-guide for you or your family/group who will arrange a cheap tailor-made tour. Should you not want to follow a larger group or you think of a smaller tour in North Sulawesi, an individually planned tour with a rented vehicle with or without driver could be a cheap alternative .. Since I take friends to North Sulawesi again and again, I also "must" repeat my tours consequently every time. Meanwhile I usually rent a vehicle with driver. I can negotiate a price depending on a desired tour and do not experience afterwards unpleasant surprises and tricks. At interest to rent a vehicle with or without driver or also tour-guide I can help you along willingly. Another piece of advice: If you would like to make a trip to the Tangkoko National Park with a public transport, you should consider that there is no possibility of coming back the next day at the same price again. Of course the locals know that you are dependent on them and they therefore often demand outrageously excessive prices.
These trips are e.g. carried out : Below you can find the description of tours to different destinations (at least 2 persons) which are planned if requested with you together:
Example 1: Tour "South and Central Sulawesi" 14 days / 13 nights
On the 5th day goes the trip from Tomohon to Gorontalo. Other stations are Torosiaje, Tentena, Lake Poso, Rantepao (Toraja)
You can download details on route, conditions and approx price as a PDF file.
Example 2: "Indonesia Trip for Divers" (Bali - Flores - Komodo - Bunaken - Lembeh .15 days/14 nights)
You can download details on route as a PDF file.
In my opinion you can scarcely carry out such a tour (everything including) more cheaply in a management of your own . And this all without unnecessary The price depends on the number of the taking part persons and on the current hotel, flight and diving prices. Simply ask for an offer. You have the possibility to suggest changes and to negotiate directly with the Indonesian tour operator about the price (email). If you lucky fellows have more than 15 days time at the disposal, you can continue your dive holiday on Bunaken or Lembeh or include additional trips in North Sulawesi (Tangkoko, Volcanos, Minahasa Highland).
There are lots
of tour-guides on Bunaken, who will offer their services to you.
But it is not easy to find out in a short time, who of them is
really experienced and qualified for his job and morover not shady
in character (after all you want to spend your time with him for
quite a while). For example... It isn't my intention, however, generally, to discourage you to
take a private guide for your trips. Of course, there are some black sheep
under many serious ones, like everywhere in the world. But due
to my experiences and to reports of travellers I must advise you,
though: Always pay- if possible - at the end of your tour!
At greater tours, which you plan jointly with your tourguide
already from at home, of course an advance payment is
required in order to book hotels and flights in time.
The remaining payments then can be carried out step by step. Important notice: All images represented, created and displayed on these pages are protected by the Berne Convention. No use, reuse, copying or reproduction is allowed without the authors specific agreement and permission, not even on the internet.
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The tour begins in Manado where you are picked up by an air-conditioned car with guide either directly by the harbour or after the breakfast at your hotel. From there to the 
. The tour ends in Makassar, from where you can after a hotel overnight stay make a sightseeing tour in and around the city on your own. Or you take your flight home or to other destinations.
It is a tour of 15 days, starting in Bali, continued over Flores to the islands of KALONG, KOMODO and RINCA. ( visit of the National Park Komodo with its unique Komodo-dragons). Then flight to Manado. From now on the diver will get his money's worth on Bunaken and Lembeh. The journey ends at the airport of Manado. The tour can, of course, be adapted to your special wishes.
losses of time. It can only be realized, because it is calculated by Indonesian standards and the tickets ar bought in Indonesia.