Leang Leang Maros is a karst mountain geopark in Sulawesi with ancient limestone caves and Indonesian cave art.
The prehistoric caves in this area are known for having the oldest cave paintings in the world. I went to see these human hand prints up close on my first trip to Sulawesi in 2018, and it was completely fascinating!
This travel guide will explain how to get there, and everything you need to know before you go!
History Of Leang Leang
The limestone mountains at Leang Leang Maros make up one of the biggest karst areas in the world, right behind the Tsingy area in Madagascar and Shilin in China.
Youβll also notice some similarities to Krabi in Thailand, and Ha Long Bay in Vietnam, although this oneβs not underwater anymore!
Naturally the limestone erosion is great for creating caves, so there are hundreds of them at Leang, and a bunch were inhabited during prehistoric times.
The caves at Leang Leang were discovered by two Dutch explorers in the 1900s, but it wasnβt until recently that people realized just how old and valuable the artwork is.
The current estimate is that the Indonesia cave paintings here are 40,000+ years old, making it the oldest figurative artwork in the world, and also the oldest known hunting scene.
More caves and prehistoric art are still being discovered in this area, and Indonesia has applied to UNESCO to have it recognized as a world heritage site.
Leang Leang Maros β What To Expect
β’ Cave Paintings
The cave paintings at Leang are in a high cave that can only be reached by climbing 25 steps up a metal staircase built into the rock.
Watch your step, because the passage is narrow and the smooth rocks at the mouth of the cave can be slippery.
At the top, suspended on a cave wall, youβll see half a dozen primitive paintings showing human hand prints and babi rusa (wild boar).
If you look around, youβll also find seashells embedded in the rocks, indicating that this whole area used to be submerged in the Java Sea.
Itβs an interesting and thought provoking place. A long time ago, someone left their mark here.
β’ Karst Rock Garden
When youβre done exploring the caves, thereβs a rock garden outside with lots of unique shaped limestone rocks.
These are naturally formed rocks with weird and cool shapes, including a dog, heart, and a few different rock windows you can look through.
Entrance Fees
- Foreigners: 20k IDR (~$1.50 USD)
- Indonesians: 5k IDR
How To Get There
Leang Leang Maros is located in south Sulawesi, Indonesia.
The nearest airport is Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport (UPG) in Makassar, which has direct flights from Bali, Jakarta, or Kuala Lumpur. You can shop for flights to Makassar at Skyscanner.
Leang is a 1 hour drive from the Makassar airport, or a 1.5 hour drive from the city center.
You can get there with a tour package, a private driver, or a taxi (more info on this below).
Tour Packages For Leang Leang
The easiest way to visit Leang is to book this tour package with pickup from the Makassar airport or city.
The tour includes a private car and driver, entrance tickets for Leang, and a guided visit to the prehistoric cave paintings. Youβll also go to nearby Rammang Rammang, take a boat trip on the river, and grab lunch at a local house in the village.
This is a good option if you want to see some of the highlights of the Maros area with a local guide to show you around the area. That way you wonβt have to arrange anything yourself.
Other Transport Options
Another good option is to hire a private driver for the day, and set up an itinerary yourself. This is a bit more complicated, but it can be a lot cheaper.
Weβve done trips like this with Dodo Mursalim, a driver from Makassar. Heβs very friendly, helpful, and punctual, and he speaks English.
You can contact Dodo on his Facebook page or via WhatsApp at β +62 812-4129-913.
EXTRA: Rammang Rammang
When youβre visiting Leang, thereβs another karst geopark near Makassar called Rammang Rammang.
This place has huge karst mountains, jungles, and even more caves to explore. Itβs one of my favorite places in Indonesia.
If you have time, check out both Rammang and Leang!
Read More: Rammang Rammang
Best Time To Visit
The best months to visit Leang are in the dry season, especially from April to August when things are greenest.
You can definitely visit outside of these months, but it may be more dried out (at the end of the dry season) or rainy (in the middle of the wet season).
The best time of day to visit is early in the morning, before the heat picks up. Daytime temps here can be over 32Β° Celcius (90 Β°F).
Where To Stay
There are some very basic homestays in Rammang Rammang village if you want to stay overnight near the karsts or get an early start for sunrise. The most popular homestay is Nasrul House.
We stayed in Makassar city instead, and I think thatβs generally your best bet, because the city has lots of hotels and restaurants in all price ranges.
The Makassar hotels below are some of our top recommendations! You can see more options here.
See Also
- Most Beautiful Indonesian Islands - Best Places To Visit In Indonesia
- Best Hikes In Indonesia - Volcanoes, Jungles, & Waterfalls
- Indonesia Waterfall Guide - Best Waterfalls In Indonesia
- Indonesia Beach Guide - Best Beaches In Indonesia
- Best Things To Do In Indonesia - What To Do In The Islands
- Indonesia Travel Guide - Tips, Info, & Photos
2 comments
thanks a lot. Is it realistic to finish Leang Leang and Rammang Rammang in a single day if we charter a car?
Hi, sure. You can do both places in a single day, although it will be a full day since there is plenty to see and do at Rammang.