The Untouchable Kalimantan

Kalimantan is an unexplored land of natural beauty and indigenous heritage. The island is well known for the tropical forests, rich natural resources and exotic flora and fauna. Kalimantan is inhabited by Dayaks, Kalimantan is now home of the 10 million inhabitants with many cultures : Dayaks, Malays, Chinese and Javanese people.

South Kalimantan
This province has extensive forest with wide variety of trees such as ironwoods, meranti, pines and rubber. In the capital Banjarmasin you could find the famous Floating Market where local people trade their variety of goods including tropical fruits such as Kesturi, rare aromatic species of mangoes, durian, rambutan, butter fruit and watermelon. To experience Banjarmasin the best way is through the river. You can use either the klotok (river bus) or a speedboat for fun trips. Stopped by at Negara where you can find the traditional weapons mandau and machete are made. Also visit Kembang island where is inhabited by tame monkeys in an old Chinese temple. Also stop at Kaget Island, the home of many birds species and Bekantan, the long nosed and reddish turred monkeys. Also you should try to visit Loksado, the local important market about 170km from Banjarmasin and watch the Mappanretasi (sea offering ceremony).

East Kalimantan
In here you should be able to see the wild orangutans and prolific bird life at Kutai National Park. Technically you don’t need a guide to enter the park but finding orangutans can be very difficult. Ask the Indonesian Forest Protection and Nature Conservative Agency (PHKA) staff as your guide. This is also the home of the original mountain people of Kalimantan. The local tribes called Lamin or Umaq Daru, they built their houses on wooden piles and built it with 3m height as protection against wilds animals and flooding. And you should visit at Tanjung Isuy, the first Dayak Village on Mahakam. The territory is considered to be Banuaq Dayak territory. But don’t expect too much from this society because modernization has affected the people in here. The main interest is in Louu Taman Jamrot, a longhouse vacated in the late 1970s and rebuilt by the provincial government as craft center and tourist hotel. It is highly recommended for you to travel the Mahakam river and experience the adventure also. On the journey you will see the wild jungles to the Derawan Island. In that island you will find many rare animals such as green turtle, scarlet turtle, star fruit turtle and sea cow. The Derawan and Sangalaki islands hold an amazing marine environment including the coral, canary grabs and pearls. Also worth to visit the remains of a king called Keraton Gunung Tambur in Berau.

Central Kalimantan
Near from the capital Palangkaraya city you can find the Kuala Kapuas. The place is perfect for adventurer, rafting into the white waters and explores the nature. The specific place called Gohong Rawai and it’s famous for its beautiful and challenging rapids. And while you in here you must visit the Old Palace of Pangkalanbun. The palace is completely built out of ulin (iron wood) and this is the only royal legacy found. Also when it is the time you should see the Isen Mulang Culture Festival at Palangkaraya. Sampit is also the biggest timber port in Kalimantan. And its worth to visit the Orchid Park of pembuangan Hulu is home to number of many rare species of orchid. Move a bit to the north the Dayak villages mostly lived on Lamandau River and still well traditional. It is necessary to hire a guide to decide the best route for experience hungry travelers. As we continue more to the north you can see the small villages along the river leads to Bekonsu a village of many longhouses as well as traditional mausoleums. Last Tanjung Putting National Park is the spot where you can see the enigmatic primates living in its forest and you can see the monkeys and macaques running around the forest. Also do not miss the fireflies at evening, they will spark up the night and dance in the pandanus palms.

West Kalimantan
West Kalimantan is rich in minerals and precious stone but remains largely untouched. The capital city Pontianak host interesting tourist objects such as: Kadariah Palace in Kampung Dalam, the State Museum, and the Kapuas and Landak River. At Saham village a traditional Dayak’s longhouse is 186m long and 6m wide which about 269 people live under the same roof. On Karimata Island there is marine nature’s reserve. And the place is home for thousand species of turtles and dugongs. At Kapuas Hulu you will find Betung Kerihun and Sentarum Lake National Park. At danau Sentarum you can see a huge lagoon, the house of more than 220 species of fresh water fishes. Among the fish also there are Super Red Arowana fish very fame and rare because of the beautiful colour and highly prized by collectors. The second nature preserves is the Bukit Raya Bukit Baka National Park encountered with rainforest, rugged landscapes, mountains and meandering rivers. This is the right place for bathing, boating, water skiing, bird watching and fishing. This park is easily to go from Nanga Popai by longboats. This park is also the home of the largest flower in the world Rafflesia. Don’t miss also the Equator museum in Pontianak and find Sasirangan, the traditional batik that is once used by the nobles to protect them from evil spirits. This item can easily find with others handicrafts and souvenirs at local market.