One thing I notice with first-time visitors is that they sometimes pack for Indonesia as if they are going straight to the beach.
Toraja is different.
We are in the highlands, and the weather can change during the day. You can have a warm afternoon, then rain, mist or a cool evening.
You also need to think about where you will be walking.
Some village paths are easy.
Others are muddy, rocky, steep or slippery.
So my advice is simple: pack for comfort rather than fashion.
You don’t need special equipment
For an ordinary Toraja trip, you do not need serious hiking equipment.
A comfortable pair of walking shoes, a light jacket and something for rain will take you a long way.
For most visitors, I would bring:
- comfortable everyday clothes
- trousers or longer shorts
- one warmer layer
- a lightweight rain jacket
- comfortable shoes with good grip
- sandals for the hotel
- sun protection
- insect repellent
- a small day bag
- a reusable water bottle
- Indonesian rupiah
- your usual medication
- a power bank
You don’t need a different outfit for every day.
Bring one warm layer
Even though Toraja is in Indonesia, the highlands can feel cool.
Mornings and evenings can be particularly pleasant and sometimes quite cool, especially in higher areas such as Batutumonga.
A light sweater or fleece is usually enough for a normal visit.
I would not bring a heavy winter coat unless you have a particular reason for needing one.
And bring something for rain
I recommend a light rain jacket even if the forecast looks good.
Mountain weather can change.
An umbrella can also be useful, but I prefer a rain jacket when walking because your hands remain free.
If you are carrying a camera, telephone or other electronics, a waterproof pouch or small dry bag is a good idea.
What should you wear in villages?
You don’t need to dress formally.
But Toraja is a conservative place in many situations, and modest clothing is the easiest choice.
I would avoid very short shorts, transparent clothing and anything that exposes a lot of the body when visiting villages, family compounds or cultural places.
Clothing around the knee and covered shoulders is a practical choice.
You will also be more comfortable if your clothes allow you to walk, sit and climb stairs easily.
What about a funeral?
If you are attending a funeral ceremony, I recommend dark, modest clothing.
Black is a safe choice.
You do not need to buy traditional Torajan clothing just to attend.
Wear something respectful and practical.
Remember that ceremonial areas can include grass, mud, stones and uneven ground, so your shoes matter too.
If you are unsure about what is appropriate for a particular ceremony, ask your local guide before going.
Every ceremony is not exactly the same.
Shoes are more important than people expect
This is probably the one thing I would not compromise on.
You may walk over:
- uneven stones
- wet grass
- mud
- village paths
- rice-field edges
- stairs
- cave floors
For normal sightseeing, a good pair of trainers or walking shoes is usually enough.
If you are planning longer countryside walks, stronger walking shoes can be useful.
But please don’t buy new hiking boots and wear them for the first time here.
Your feet will remember that decision.
Flip-flops are fine around the hotel, but I would not choose them for caves, wet paths or longer walks.
Do you need hiking boots?
Usually, no.
It depends on what you are planning to do.
If your trip is mainly traditional villages, cultural sites, markets and sightseeing, ordinary shoes with good grip should be enough.
If you are doing longer walks in the countryside, particularly during wetter weather, then stronger footwear makes sense.
Tell me what sort of walking you want to do and I can give you a more useful answer than simply saying “bring hiking boots”.
Keep your day bag small
You don’t need to carry your whole suitcase around.
For a normal sightseeing day, I would take:
- water
- rain jacket
- small umbrella if you like
- sunscreen
- insect repellent
- phone
- small amount of cash
- medication
- tissues
- power bank
Keep it light.
You will enjoy walking much more with a small bag than with something that feels like a second suitcase.
Cash is still useful
Cards and digital payments are becoming more common, but I would not travel around Toraja relying only on them.
Carry some Indonesian rupiah, including smaller notes.
You may need cash for small restaurants, markets, parking, entrance fees, drinks or purchases in villages.
You don’t need to carry all your travel money with you every day.
Just take what you expect to use.
If you are travelling with children
Families need a few extra things.
I would bring familiar snacks for long journeys, spare clothes, a rain jacket and whatever medication your child normally needs.
A large stroller can be difficult at many rural sites.
A child carrier is often more practical for younger children, although every family is different.
If you are travelling with older family members
Comfort becomes more important.
Tell me before we plan the itinerary if someone has difficulty with stairs, uneven ground, long walks or standing for long periods.
The most useful “packing advice” is sometimes not something you put in your suitcase.
It is choosing the right route.
A walking stick will not make a difficult route easy if the route itself is unsuitable.
What you probably don’t need
You can leave behind:
- a heavy winter coat
- lots of formal clothes
- several pairs of shoes
- a huge hiking backpack
- camping equipment for a normal cultural trip
- traditional ceremonial clothing
- expensive jewellery
Pack less.
You can always arrange laundry if you are staying longer.
My simplest advice
If you are wondering what to bring to Toraja, think about three things:
Will I be comfortable walking in it?
Will it keep me comfortable if the weather changes?
Is it respectful for the places I am visiting?
If the answer is yes, you are probably prepared.
You don’t need expensive equipment.
You need comfortable shoes, a light warm layer, something for rain and clothes that allow you to move easily.
And leave a little space in your bag.
You may find something here that you want to take home.
— Diana