Tomohon Travel Guide, North Sulawesi
Tomohon is a small town up in the highlands, about one hour drive from Manado, thus a natural cooling respite for travelers and locals alike.
It is also a springboard to discover the rest of the North Sulawesi (Sulawesi Utara) highlands.
Why visit
Tomohon is a place to get into the rough and feel of rustic highlands, with vast lands spread out that boosts relaxation.
What to see
Local market to feel some hustle and bustle.
Mount Lokon, an active volcano that rises above the Tondano plain with a flat and craterloss top. Many tourists did this moderately difficult hike up to the crater for the views over Tomohon and the lake.
Mount Mahawu Volcano, which can be access with a scenic drive through fields of plantations, is one of the best kept secret of Indonesia, where at end of the 1 hour trek at vantage point you get to see Bunaken Island and Manado Tua in a view. The bottom of the crater is still steaming with volcanic lake and sulfuric air.
Handicraft Villagee of Woloan which is mainly the architectures of the houses.
Where to stay at Tomohon
There are only a selected few resorts to stay in Tomohon and a couple of homestays too. The popular one is the Mountain View Resort & SPA *, where like its name you get a pleasant stay with a view of Mount Lokon. Another good choice here would be the Highland Resort & Nature Tours *, with traditional huts surrounded by beautiful sceneries.
How to get there
Fly in to Manado and then it is another 1 to 1.5 hours drive away. Else you can also take a pelni ship from Manado harbor.
Get around
Tomohon is just an hour drive from Manado. There is also a local public transportation from traditional horse cart called bendi, if you would like to try something unique. The common public transport to go around the place is a mikrolet. You may also use a mikrolet to connect with Manado.