Tomohon Things to Do

Visit one of the many hot springs in the area, there is a choice of public or private with individual bathtubs where you can regulate the hot water flow with the cold water to find a comfortable temperature. There is also Lake Linon which is hot but be careful if you are in the water as your foot may penetrate the bottom and sink into the hot earth below where you can get burnt. At Lahendong is a beautiful commercial hot springs.

Gunung Mahawu at 1,300 m is a comfortable climb but there is more than one way to reach the top, but the view is worth it. Gunung Lokon , over 1500m above sea level was well worth climbing for the astounding view at the top, and the trail was very easy to follow, clambering up the lava flows until you finally reach the rim. This volcano erupted in '91, '01 and more recently in 2011, so i am not quite sure if the trail is still there.

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It's going to be an experience of your lifetime! You are going to see the unique things that the locals buy and sell. The things that they eat, drink, use and wear. They have barbeque bats, dogs, fishes, pigs, rats and etc. They sell canned food, chickens, clothes, coconuts, cooking oil, fruits, vegetables and their daily necessities. This is the place where you can experience the life of the people there.

a Buddhist religion and meditation complex. you can see Chinese culture preserved in the architecture in statues, Kwan Im goddess palace and pagoda. Religious service every Sunday 15.30 Admission free but donation expected

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Opposite Mount Lokon (1580m) is its smaller sister, Mount Mahawu (1311m), both have crater lakes of considerable beauty, duck-egg blue and smoking. The gentler slopes of Mahawu offer a less challenging hike but the view is no less impressive. Inside the crater is a steaming emerald-green lake ringed with yellow sulphur deposits.

The trek to the top should be made by climbers in reasonable condition. The steaming crater lies 600 m below the peak of the mountain and the lake is about 60 m deep. The best time to start walking from Kakaskasen is 7am while the morning is still cool and sun just filled the crater.

It is important to contact the observation post, Pengamanan Gunung Mahawu (Mount Mahawu Observatory Center) in Kakaskasen III, Tomohon.

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This natural 60 meters waterfall is an ideal place to enjoy nature and fresh water pools at the base of the falls.

It is beautiful, quiet and impressive. It takes an hour to walk from the Highland Resort. A pleasant jungle trek.

If you have four hours to kill from Manado, get in a taxi or microlet to Tomohon. Pass Gran Puri Hotel and you will make a left hand turn after about ten minutes later, as you begin to wind up the hill towards the highlands. Once making this turn, the road is actually pretty good all the way up to the parking lot. This short ride is about 10 to 15 minutes. The walk down to the waterfall - first stop is the scenic overlook of Manado, where there is a private residence at this point and sometimes you may get pisang goreng (fried bananas) for a nominal fee but it is worth with the sambal chilli - do this on the way back.

After some brief Fuji moment, take your next right and follow down approximately 200 stairs and some flat area and voila, you arrive at the base of the falls. Be ready for lots of wind blown spray as the force of the water is pretty intense, causing the mist to pretty much cover everything and everyone. There is a nice bridge that spans the river where you can get some great shots of the waterfall!

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a quiet area made for Christian pilgrim to remember steps of Jesus to the cross. Inside the area there are Virgin Marry chapel, amphiteather Mahawu and man made grotto. All welcome