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It follows then that the tours covering these regions will likewise vary in character. So just as we've divided our Tours into categories, ranging from culture and leisure, to overland, adventure and hard adventure. Which means once you've decided which region you'd like to see, you can decide exactly how you'll see it.
LEISURE
As
you'd expect, these are tours that give you plenty of spare time to do
exactly what you please. For some, that means lazing on a sun-drenched
beach in Bira ( south Sulawesi ), Togean islands ( central Sulawesi ),
Tanjungkarang ( Donggala - central Sulawesi ). For others, maybe a hectic
visit to Kuta beach in Bali. Or perhaps a few days spent on the shore
of
Lake Toba in North Sumatera.
But
you can rest assured that on all the tours in this category you'll find
accommodation that
has
all the modern conveniences and comforts you need to unwind and relax competely.
.
CULTURE
Most
regions in Indonesia developed quite independently of each other ; some
were influenced by European traders, others by the Chinese, and still others
had no outside influences whatsoever. So perhaps it's best if you decide
firstly which type of culture
interests
you
most.
In the highlands of South Sulawesi, for example, live the Torajans, a people with some particularly unusual local customs ( you'll read about them later ).
Each
of the larger cities also has distinct culture ;Yogyakarta, in Central
Java, once the seat
of
a mighty Javanese empire, is decidedly Javanese, while Bandung, near Jakarta,
reflects
far
more the influence of the Dutch, with its wide boulevards and elegant mansions.
Dutch influence, as well as that of the seafaring Portuguese and Spanish, is also very obvious in the Maluku Spice Islands.
But whichever region you choose you visit, your accommodation on each of our tours will be clean, comfortable and , in the cities, very often world class.
ADVENTURE
These
tours are particularly interesting to many visitors because they take you
to some of
Indonesia's
more remote areas. And although they're not exactly physically demanding,
you
won't
find too much comfort and luxury. But surely part of the attraction of
driving from South to North Sulawesi - Overland Tour, or a boat ride up
the Mahakan river in Kalimantan or visit
to
the Baliem Valley in Irian Jaya is seeing a people who remain relatively
untouched.
HARD
ADVENTURE
Though
obviously more demanding these tours are also very rewarding. You will
need, however, to be rasonably fit and be prepared to spend the odd night
in some fairly primitive conditions, a small sacrifice once you've experienced
the excitement of rafting through the
remote
highlands of North Sumatera on the Alas River, or Trekking through the
vast Lore Lindu ( Bada Valley, the megalithic & rainforest ) National
park in Central Sulawesi.
OVERLAND
In
most countries, the prospect of travelling overland isn't really terribly
appealing, but admittedly few countries have a landscape that compares
with Indonesia. Travelling overland in Indonesia crossing still highland
lakes in Sulawesi, and driving through tangled
rainforest
and across ancient volcanic craters in Java. And all in the comfort of
an air-conditioned coach, staying in the best accommodation that each city
can offer according
to
the tour category requested.
STAYOVERS
Stayovers
offer accommodation but no tours , so they're ideal as a break between
tours or to start and finish your holiday.
