Balikpapan Airport (BPN)
Pontianak Airport (PNK)
East and West Kalimantan
Challenging
17 Days & 16 Nights
ATB 107
Borneo Heartland Expedition is an extraordinary 17-day journey into the remote heart of Borneo, combining an upstream river expedition, primary rainforest trekking, mountain landscapes, jungle camping, and authentic encounters with local communities. From the legendary Mahakam River and remote riverside villages to the rugged Müller Mountains, this expedition takes travelers deep into one of Borneo’s most remote and untouched regions. The journey continues through traditional longhouses, rainforest trails, river crossings, and remote landscapes before emerging in Putussibau and continuing overland to Sintang and Pontianak. This is a challenging adventure designed for travelers seeking a deeper connection with Borneo’s wilderness, nature, culture, and people.
Mahakam River Expedition • Müller Mountains Trek • Primary Rainforest • Jungle Camping • Traditional Longhouses • Remote Borneo Communities
Hotel, Guest house, local house, tent
Meals as program, coffee, tea and mineral water
English speaking guide.
Tours and transfers as mentioned by Public boat, public speed boat, public bus. Entrance fees for mentioned visits.
Other meals than mentioned
Other services than mentioned
International and Domestic flights
Travel insurance
Laundry, telephone calls and expenditure of a personal nature
Mahakam River Expedition – Journey deep into the heart of Borneo along the legendary Mahakam River.
Upon arrival at Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman Sepinggan Airport in Balikpapan, meet and greet service, followed by a private transfer to Samarinda. Check in at the hotel, followed by dinner and overnight stay.
Lunch & dinner will be served at the local restaurant
Hotel
After breakfast, transfer to the harbor and board the boat for an upstream journey along the legendary Mahakam River. Cruise deep into the heart of Borneo, passing riverside villages, tropical forests and remote landscapes. Meals and overnight accommodation are provided on board.
Breakfast is served at the hotel
Lunch & dinner served on board
Arrive Melak. Breakfast at the local restaurant. Take a vehicle to Tering, then take speed boat for an upstream journey along the legendary Mahakam River. Cruise deep into the heart of Borneo, passing riverside villages, tropical forests and remote landscapes. Meals and overnight accommodation are provided at the guest house in Long bagun.
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Breakfast and Lunch are served at the local restaurant
Dinner served in the guest house
Guest House in Long Bagun
After a simple breakfast, begin a full-day adventure by longboat through spectacular river rapids surrounded by towering rocks and forested landscapes. Meals are provided en route. Arrive in Tiong Ohang and experience an overnight stay in a traditional longhouse.
Breakfast at guest house
On route
Dinner served at the local house
Local house in Tiong Ohang
After breakfast, continue by motor canoe to the upper reaches of the Mahakam River. From the river’s end, begin an approximately 4–7-hour daily trek through primary rainforest and across the Müller Mountain range.
This is the most adventurous section of the journey, offering an opportunity to experience remote Borneo at close range. Along the way, travelers can explore the jungle, fish in forest rivers and streams, and experience the traditional relationship between local communities and the rainforest. Overnight stays are in simple jungle camps, with meals prepared en route
Meals served during on trip by cooking
Jungle Tent
After breakfast, begin a full-day downstream journey by longboat along the Bongan River toward Putussibau. Along the way, navigate several river rapids while enjoying the surrounding rainforest and remote riverside scenery. Overnight in Putussibau.
Meals served en route
Hotel in Putussibau ***
After breakfast, enjoy a short sightseeing tour around Putussibau before continuing by road to Sintang. Overnight in Sintang.
at hotel in Putussibau
at local restaurant
Hotel in Sintang ***
The following morning, continue by road to Pontianak, the capital of West Kalimantan. Meals are provided. Overnight at hotel in Pontianak.
at hotel in Sintang
at local restaurant
Hotel in Pontianak ***
Breakfast at the hotel. Free time at leisure until your departure for your onward flight or next destination.
at hotel in Pontianak