5 Days Tropical Wonders of Manado

Upon arrival at Sam Ratulangi Airport Manado, the group will be welcomed by the tour guide and begin a city tour of Manado. Visit the city center, Chinatown, and Ban Hin Kiong Temple - the oldest temple in Manado, built in the 18th century (±300 years old). Continue by passing Sentrum Church, the first Protestant church in North Sulawesi from the Dutch era, and the World War II Monument, which marks the destruction of Manado in 1942 by Japanese forces. 

The tour then proceeds to the Ring Road area of CitraLand to see the Blessing Jesus Monument, a statue of Jesus built in a unique forward-leaning position overlooking Manado City. After that, visit Makatete Hill - located at 200 meters above sea level, offering panoramic views of Manado City, Manado Tua Island, Bunaken Island, Siladen Island, the open sea, and Mount Klabat, the highest peak in North Sulawesi.

Optional dinner at a local restaurant. After dinner, visit SunBae, one of Manado’s trendy seaside hangout spots, where guests may enjoy the evening atmosphere along with various snacks and drinks from numerous food stalls (optional). Afterwards, transfer to the hotel for check-in and rest.

After breakfast at the hotel, the tour participants will be picked up by the guide and head to Bunaken Island. From the hotel, transfer to Megamas Pier and cross to Bunaken by boat for approximately 30 minutes. Bunaken Island now features the newly developed Bunaken Tourism Pier (New Bunaken), offering a more charming and photogenic spot for photos and videos.

Afterwards, the tour participants will be taken to explore the beauty of Bunaken Marine Park, renowned for its colorful coral reefs and diverse tropical marine life. Guests may enjoy optional snorkeling or diving activities, or simply take a leisurely walk while relaxing and enjoying the beach atmosphere of Bunaken. Optional lunch at a local restaurant.  After lunch, guests will have additional free time for optional snorkeling/diving.

Return to Megamas Pier and proceed to visit a local coffee production house, where participants can taste the authentic flavors of North Sulawesi coffee. Afterwards, continue to a souvenir shopping area offering a wide variety of Manado specialties (or return to the hotel first and be picked up again before dinner). Optional dinner at a local restaurant, followed by transfer back to the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, the participants will be picked up by the tour guide for a full-day excursion to the Minahasa Highlands, passing through the Tinoor area where guests can enjoy panoramic views of Manado City from an altitude of 500 meters. 

Upon arrival in Tomohon, visit the Pelangi Tourism Park, where participants can admire the beauty of various colorful flowers. Continue to the Tomohon Extreme Market, where guests can see a variety of wild meats such as bats, forest rats, snakes, and other exotic animals. At a separate spot, guests may also witness the live cooking process of Manado traditional snacks such as kue cucur, apang gula merah, dodol, and other local delicacies.

The tour continues to Tuur Maasering, a forest of aren (palm) trees featuring several Instagrammable photo spots. Here, participants can also observe the traditional production of the local liquor “Cap Tikus,” made through the fermentation and distillation of aren tree sap.

Optional lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, the journey continues to Bukit Kasih, a unique natural attraction featuring active sulfur craters and stairways leading to the hilltop, offering scenic views and a distinctive cultural experience. The area also has natural sulfur hot springs where guests may swim or soak their feet for relaxation (optional).

Next, visit Lake Linow, a sulfur lake famous for its ever-changing watercolors and beautiful scenery, where coffee or tea will be served. Return to Manado City. Optional dinner at a local restaurant, followed by transfer back to the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, the participants will be picked up by the tour guide and travel to the Likupang area, approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes from Manado city center. The first stop is Serei Port, and upon arrival, continue by boat for about 15 minutes to Lihaga Island.

On Lihaga Island, participants can enjoy its stunning white and powder-soft sandy beaches, explore the island, and take photos at various beautiful and Instagrammable spots. Guests may also join optional activities such as snorkeling, canoeing, or diving. Lunch will be served on the island. After lunch, participants will have additional free time to relax by the beach.

On the return journey to Manado, make a stop at Budo Tourism Village, where guests can enjoy a beautiful sunset accompanied by local treats of fried bananas and fresh coconut. Optional dinner at a local restaurant, followed by transfer back to the hotel.

After breakfast and completing the hotel check-out process, the tour participants will be picked up by the guide and transferred directly to the airport for their return flight. Tour ends.