Set out on a captivating journey to the Maros Karst region, where ancient caves and archaeological wonders await. The Makassar: Maros Cave Adventure Tour promises an 8-hour immersion into the region’s rich history and stunning natural beauty. With a knowledgeable guide, visitors will explore the Leang Leang Archaeological Park and the Sumpabita Prehistoric Cave, uncovering the lives of early inhabitants through remarkable rock formations and cave art. This private tour offers a chance to uncover the secrets of the past, leaving you eager to discover more.
Key Points
- The tour offers an 8-hour excursion to explore Leang Leang Archaeological Park and Sumpabita Prehistoric Cave near Makassar.
- The tour price of $90.87 per person includes private transportation, an English-speaking guide, and entrance tickets.
- Visitors can discover the rich history and geological features of the caves, which have evidence of human occupation for over 45,000 years.
- Leang Leang cave features a stone garden and rock formations, while Sumpabita cave is known for its ancient hand-painted images.
- The tour is not suitable for certain groups, such as pregnant women, individuals with altitude sickness, and babies under 1 year old.
Tour Overview
The Makassar Maros Cave Adventure Tour is an 8-hour excursion that takes visitors to explore the rich cultural and geological history of the Leang Leang Archaeological Park and the Sumpabita Prehistoric Cave.
Priced from $90.87 per person, the private tour includes a live English-speaking guide, transportation, toll fees, and entrance tickets.
Travelers can reserve the tour and receive a full refund for cancellations up to 24 hours in advance.
The tour isn’t suitable for pregnant women, individuals with altitude sickness, babies under 1, or people over 95 years old.
Looking for more options in Makassar? We've reviewed plenty of other experiences.
Itinerary Highlights
The tour begins with an 8 a.m. pickup from the hotel in Makassar, followed by a 1.5-hour drive to the Leang Leang Archaeological Park.
Visitors walk through a stone garden and climb 64 steps to reach the cave, which has been explored for over 45,000 years.
The next stop is the Sumpabita Prehistoric Cave, reached after a 40-minute drive and a hike of approximately 1,000 steps.
A 40-minute drive and a hike of around 1,000 steps take visitors to the Sumpabita Prehistoric Cave, discovered in 1902.
This cave, discovered in 1902, features 68 handprint paintings and images of animals and boats.
Lunch featuring local cuisine is included during the tour.
Leang Leang Archaeological Park
Leang Leang Archaeological Park lies a 1.5-hour drive from Makassar, where visitors embark on a 15-minute walk through a stone garden before climbing 64 steps to reach the cave.
This site has been home to human exploration for over 45,000 years, with rock formations that started 12 million years ago. The land has been uplifting at a rate of 3 cm per thousand years, making this an archaeologically significant location.
Visitors can explore the rich history and unique geological features of this ancient site, seeing the story of human habitation in the region.
Historical Significance of the Site
As a site of human exploration for over 45,000 years, the Leang Leang Archaeological Park offers a glimpse into the region’s rich history.
The limestone rock formations here started forming 12 million years ago, and the land has been uplifting at a rate of 3 cm per thousand years.
This remarkable geological process has preserved ancient evidence of human activity, including:
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Rock art depicting pigs, deer, and boats
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Children’s footprints
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Hand stencils on cave walls
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Artifacts from the Neolithic and Paleolithic eras
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Insights into the daily lives and cultural practices of early inhabitants
Sumpabita Prehistoric Cave
After exploring the captivating archaeological wonders of Leang Leang, the tour progresses to another remarkable prehistoric site – Sumpabita Cave.
A 40-minute drive takes visitors to the cave, which requires a hike with approximately 1,000 steps to reach the entrance.
Discovered in 1902 by Swiss naturalists Paul and Fritz Sarasin, Sumpabita Cave features 68 hand-painted images on its walls, depicting pigs, deer, boats, and even children’s footprints.
This ancient site provides a glimpse into the lives and artistic expressions of our ancestors who inhabited the region over 45,000 years ago.
Unique Features of the Caves
Though the Leang Leang Archaeological Park and Sumpabita Prehistoric Cave share a fascinating history, each site boasts its own unique features that captivate visitors.
The Leang Leang caves are renowned for their striking rock formations, including the iconic "stone garden." In contrast, the Sumpabita cave’s claim to fame lies in its impressive collection of ancient hand paintings, depicting various animals and even children’s footprints.
These cave art masterpieces offer a rare glimpse into the lives of the region’s early inhabitants. From natural wonders to archaeological treasures, the Maros caves promise an unforgettable adventure for all who explore them.
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Iconic "stone garden" rock formations at Leang Leang
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68 hand paintings at Sumpabita cave
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Images of pigs, deer, boats, and children’s footprints
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Evidence of human occupation for over 45,000 years
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Continual land uplift at a rate of 3 cm per thousand years
Inclusions and Exclusions
The tour package includes a private car for transportation, toll fees and parking, guide services, and entrance tickets or donations to the sites.
Lunch featuring local cuisine is also provided.
However, the tour isn’t suitable for pregnant women, individuals with altitude sickness, babies under 1 year, or people over 95 years old.
Plus, the use of alcohol and drugs is prohibited during the tour.
Customer Feedback
How do customers rate the Maros Cave Adventure Tour? Based on a single review, the tour receives a perfect 5/5 rating.
Reviewers highlight a positive overall experience, praising the knowledgeable guide, enjoyable sites, and delicious local lunch. The availability of snacks and water during the trip is also noted as a plus.
Customers highly recommend the tour for those with time to spare.
Key features that stand out:
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Knowledgeable guide
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Enjoyable historical sites
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Delicious local lunch
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Snacks and water provided
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Highly recommended for interested travelers
The Sum Up
The Makassar: Maros Cave Adventure Tour offers an enriching exploration of the Leang Leang Archaeological Park and Sumpabita Prehistoric Cave. Travelers can enjoy the region’s captivating history, marvel at the stunning rock formations, and savor local cuisine, all while accompanied by a knowledgeable guide. This private tour is a perfect adventure for those interested in ancient cultures and natural wonders.
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