Overview

A Kalimantan trip in style; with a private comfortable houseboat you sail up Kalimantan’s mighty Mahakam River, you stop along the way to get to know the mystic Dayak culture and visit their traditional long houses in hidden kampungs (villages). With some luck you might spot the rare fresh water Irrawady dolphin and the probiscus monkey with its funny nose, whom are living on Kalimantan. Come with us, the Kalimantan tour specialists and discover Kalimantan with its dense jungle and fascinating habitants.

• Day 1: Samboja

  After arrival at the airport of Balikpapan, a private car and driver (no guide, 45 min trip) will transfer you to the reforestation site of Samboja. Samboja Lestari comprises an area of 2000 ha which used to be all tropical rainforest. Due to illegal logging, shifting cultivation, droughts and fires caused by El Nino most of this forest was destroyed. The Bos Foundation (Balikpapan Orangutan Survival Foundation) concerned with both the natural habitat as well as with its inhabitants bought this area and planted it with all sorts of indigenous (fruit) tree species and flowers. The Samboja Lestari project has the mission to bring back the rainforests and the natural habitat for the Orang Utan and other wildlife. The project has also created many jobs for the people of Samboja village and neighbouring villages.

  Accommodation: at Samboja Lodge(Standard Twin)

• Day 2: Samboja – Samarinda – Mahakam

  Picked-up by your Mahakam guide and transferred by car to the small town of Loa Janan on the banks of the Mahakam river. Here you will board your houseboat that will be your hotel and restaurant during the next 5 days. The boat consists of two floors: below is a closed area, which is used for eating and relaxing, and a small open deck with chairs. Upstairs is a large air-conditioned room for appr. 6-10 people. Comfortable mattresses are on the floor. There are no beds because the ceiling is quite low (1,50 m), in accordance with typical Kalimantan riverboats. There is a western style toilet and shower on this floor (or sometimes below) and an Indonesian style toilet on the lower floor.

  Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  Accommodation: Dormitory Boat

• Day 3: Muara Muntai, Tanjung Isuy & Mancong

  In the morning you will arrive in the town of Muara Muntai. This is one of the many towns built on the river. The ‘main road’ is full of boats of all shapes and sizes that are zipping up and down transporting people as well as animals, wood, engines and virtually anything that can fit on a boat.

  A large part is built on stilts and the smaller roads are made of wood. Shortly after Muara Muntai you will get in a small-motorized canoe with loud engines and you cross the Jempang Lake. This lake is one of the biggest lakes in the Mahakam area, which supports around 32 bigger and smaller lakes. Its size very much depends on the water level of the Mahakam. The bigger lakes and wetlands are the home of the rare and threatened Irrawady dolphin.

  You will find the first part of the Jempang lake stark and quite lifelessness. But in no time, you will enter a totally new environment of green lush everglade-type wetlands. Entering the Ohong Creek you are surrounded with much higher and dense vegetation. You have the opportunity to spot some wildlife like birds and the proboscis monkey with their funny nose. In Mancong you will visit a nice renovated and decorated longhouse. In the afternoon you travel down streams by canoe to the village of Tanjung Isuy. The villagers (Dayak Benuaq tribe) will greet you with a dance performance. Afterwards you continue to the houseboat for your diner and overnight.

  Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  Accommodation: Dormitory Boat

• Day 4-5: Bolongan river & Tering

  Not too far from Muara Muntai you enter the Bolongan-river. The Irrawady dolphin is constantly monitored and therefore the location of the animals is known precisely. With this information the chance of seeing a dolphin is around 30-50% (also depending on water conditions).

  Returning to the Mahakam-river the river gets narrower and village life from both banks are well visible. You leave the boat at the village of Tering. The longhouse of Eheng you will visit by car. You continue to the Ombau Asa waterfall where you can swim in the refreshing pool of the waterfall. In Melak you board the houseboat again for your return journey.

  Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  Accommodation: Dormitory Boat

• Day 6: Tenggarong – Loa Janan – Balikpapan

  You arrive at Tenggarong, the centre of the former powerful Kutai-sultanate. You can visit the Mulawarman museum and have a look at the impressive collection of heirlooms, ceramics, and Dayak art and culture items. At Tenggarong your Mahakam-trip will end. You will be transferred by car to Balikpapan and check-in at your comfortable hotel.

  Meals: Breakfast
  Accommodation: Mustika Ratu(Superior Room)

• Day 7: Balikpapan Departure

  You will be taken to the airport of Balikpapan.

  Meals: Breakfast