A thriving traditional village bursting with tongkonan (many new) just 5km northeast of Rantepao makes for a fine, relatively flat, excursion from town. Near Marante there are stone and hanging graves with several tau tau, skulls on the coffins and a cave with scattered bones. From the village, you can strike out cross-country, winding through rice paddies on your way back to Rantepao.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
3.2 MILES
The four stately tongkonan and many granaries that make up Ke'te Kesu' were moved to this picturesque site in 1927 when the savvy family head noticed the…
9.34 MILES
Whether it's the tau tau, the cave itself, or the peaceful rice paddy setting squeezed between a maze of cliffs, this is one our favourite sites in Tana…
5.64 MILES
Live out your Indiana Jones fantasies at this extensive (and very popular) burial cave below a massive cliff face. Its entrance is guarded by a balcony of…
7.02 MILES
A veritable village of tau tau stare down with unblinking eyes and outstretched arms from this impressive burial cliff riddled with tombs. The sheer rock…
1.44 MILES
Heralded as the world's largest water buffalo market, this dusty, chaotic scene pops off every Tuesday and Saturday when stately beasts imported from…
2.52 MILES
There are lots of places to see standing stones, but this is one of the nicer ones. With 102 stones – each representing a different funeral conducted at…
4.83 MILES
Whether its claim to be the oldest known baby grave in Toraja is accurate or not, this site is definitely one of the more compelling. The minimal…
8.81 MILES
Torajans traditionally inter deceased babies, who have not yet teethed, in trees, believing that these infants are more pure than adults, and that their…
Nearby Tana Toraja attractions
1.44 MILES
Heralded as the world's largest water buffalo market, this dusty, chaotic scene pops off every Tuesday and Saturday when stately beasts imported from…
2.52 MILES
There are lots of places to see standing stones, but this is one of the nicer ones. With 102 stones – each representing a different funeral conducted at…
3.16 MILES
On the outskirts of Rantepao, just off the road to Makale, Karassik holds an interesting array of obelisks moved here by the Dutch from Lantangin in 1906 …
3.2 MILES
The four stately tongkonan and many granaries that make up Ke'te Kesu' were moved to this picturesque site in 1927 when the savvy family head noticed the…
3.26 MILES
Buntu Pune village has two fine tongkonan houses and four rice barns some with ancient roofs covered in vegetation. According to local legend, one of the…
4.83 MILES
Whether its claim to be the oldest known baby grave in Toraja is accurate or not, this site is definitely one of the more compelling. The minimal…
4.93 MILES
Rows of tongkonan also house several workshops of traditional weavers who are happy to demonstrate their handicraft. A variety of fabrics are on display…
5.06 MILES
Billed as the 'Country Above the Clouds', the long north–south ridge line looming to the west of Rantepao certainly has spectacular views – especially at…