Balikpapan Airport (BPN)
Balikpapan Airport (BPN)
East Kalimantan
Easy
4 Days & 3 Nights
ATB 101
Travelers have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the vibrant traditions of the dayak people, witnessing mesmerizing performances of traditional dances, intricate handicrafts, and experiencing their warm hospitalty. Beyond its cultural significance, the Mahakam River unveils a panorama of natural beauty. The river journey itself is a spectacle, with lush rainforests flanking its banks and diverse wildlife thriving in its ecosystem. Travelers may spot proboscis monkeys leaping between trees, colorful birds perched gracefully, and the occasional glimpse of elusive monkeys swinging through the canopy.
The Essential Mahakam River Cruise offers visitors a memorable way to discover East Kalimantan’s river wildlife, traditional villages, and Dayak culture.
River • Wildlife • Culture • Adventure
3 nights aboard a houseboat in a twin-share or double room
All meals are prepared by the onboard cook.
Experienced English-speaking guide.
Entrance fees for all listed attractions are included.
Transfers and transport by private vehicle, houseboat and motor canoe as specified in the itinerary.
Meals other than those specified.
Services not mentioned in the itinerary.
International and domestic Flights
Telephone calls, laundry and personal purchases
Travel insurance coverage
Alcoholic beverages & soft drinks.
Upon arrival at Balikpapan Airport, meet our guide and travel by vehicle to Loa Janan, where your Mahakam River journey begins. Board your traditional houseboat and settle in as the journey takes you upstream. Enjoy lunch on board, relax on deck, and watch the landscapes of East Kalimantan slowly unfold along the river. Continue cruising toward Muara Muntai, immersing yourself in the timeless rhythm of life along the Mahakam.
The boat is equipped with mattresses, pillows and toilet.
.Meals, coffee, tea, and mineral water are prepared on board.
Arrive in Muara Muntai in the morning and explore this charming riverside village, known for its traditional wooden houses. Continue by motor canoe across Lake Jempang toward Mancong, passing local villages and observing everyday life along the waterways.
Enter Ohong Creek, where the surrounding rainforest provides opportunities to encounter Bornean wildlife, including proboscis monkeys, macaques, and a variety of bird species. Upon arrival in Mancong, experience a traditional Dayak Benuaq welcome ceremony at the longhouse, one of the historic traditional longhouses of East Kalimantan.
In the late afternoon, continue by motor canoe to Tanjung Isuy for sightseeing before returning to the houseboat. The boat then continues upstream toward Melak, offering a relaxing journey through the changing landscapes of the Mahakam River.
Breakfast & dinner are served on board
Packed lunch is served en route.
Arrive in Melak early in the morning and, after breakfast, drive to Eheng Village, home to the Dayak Tunjung people and their traditional communal longhouse. Continue by road to Kersik Luway, passing through scenic hills, forested valleys, and the surrounding countryside.
Explore the natural beauty of Kersik Luway, with the opportunity to see the rare black orchid in bloom when conditions are right. After the visit, return to the houseboat and begin the downstream journey toward Tenggarong, enjoying the changing landscapes along the Mahakam River
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner are served on board
Enjoy breakfast on board before arriving in Tenggarong, the former seat of the Kutai Kartanegara Sultanate. Visit the historic mosque, the royal family’s graves, and the former palace, where you can discover an impressive collection of royal heirlooms, ceramics, and traditional Dayak art and cultural artifacts.
Return to the houseboat and continue cruising downstream toward Samarinda, enjoying the final stretch of your journey along the Mahakam River. Upon arrival, disembark and transfer by vehicle to Balikpapan for your onward flight.
End of the Essential Mahakam River Journey
Breakfast and lunch are served on board
Mahakam River Cruise
Cruise along the Mahakam River aboard a traditional houseboat, enjoying riverside scenery and local life along the way.
Lake Jempang & Ohong Creek
Explore Lake Jempang and Ohong Creek by motor canoe, with opportunities to see proboscis monkeys and other Bornean wildlife.
Dayak Benuaq & Tunjung Culture
Experience a traditional Dayak Benuaq welcome ceremony, visit a traditional longhouse, and discover local culture and handicrafts.
Tanjung Isuy & Mancong Village
Visit Tanjung Isuy & Mancong, a cultural center of the Dayak Benuaq people, and experience village life in the heart of East Kalimantan.
Eheng Longhouse
Visit the traditional communal longhouse of the Dayak Tunjung people and learn about their traditional way of life.
Kersik Luway Black Orchid
Explore the forest of Kersik Luway and look for the rare black orchid when it is in bloom.
Tenggarong Royal Heritage
Discover the royal heritage of the former Kutai Kartanegara Sultanate and its collection of historical and cultural artifacts.
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