Mahakam Adventure

07 Days/06 Nights

Day 1 :  Balikpapan 

Upon arrival at Sepinggang Airport of Balikpapan, you will be picked-up at the airport and transferred to Samboja Lestari Project. The rest of the day is free for you to enjoy the nature around.

Day 2 :  Free Program Samboja Lestari Project 

Today free on your own. Perhaps fulfill your day helping at the Orang Oetang rehabilitation center, or just walk around the trail there.

Day 3 :  Samboja Lestari – Samarinda – Mahakam river

In the morning you will be met by your 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 function as your hotel and restaurant during 6 days. The boat consist of two floors: below is an closed space surrounded by windows that can be all opened and is used for eating and relaxing. There is a small open deck on which chairs are placed. Upstairs is a large air-conditioned room (around 13 m x 3,5 m) that can hold around 12-13 people. Comfortable mattresses are placed on the floor and not on beds because the ceiling is, in accordance with typical Kalimantan riverboats quite low around 1,80 meter. There is a western toilet and shower on this floor and an Indonesian style toilet on the lower floor.

The Mahakam river is one of the longest rivers in Kalimantan. It finds its way through the lands of several Dayak-tribes, known for their mystical practices, their silent stalking through the deepest darkest jungle, their longhouses and their appearance with long earlobes and heavily tattooed wrist and ankles. Although quite modern these days still a lot of the old mystic can be traced and some of the older men and women still keep their long earlobes and their tattoos. The smaller children are still carried in often beautiful decorated typical baby carriers to the fields and forests.

Near its estuary the Mahakam is quite broad but it gets smaller and smaller the more inland you travel. The first part of the river, near Samarinda and Tenggarong, is the main highway. Relatively small tug boats pull enormous barges full of coal and wood down river to Samarinda, and there is a lot of boat traffic with passengers traveling down and up streams. Once you are ‘out of town’, the scenery changes and becomes more rural. Small villages with lots of activity taking place at the riverbank, including people fishing in canoes, women beating clothes on river stones and once in a while a floating toilet that passes the boat.

*The feasiblitiy of the Mahakam program described here depends on the water level of the Mahakam. It could be possible that you spend 1 or 2 nights in a small village instead of on board. It is also possible that several sights can not be reached. Travel times also very much depend on the rate of flow of the Mahakam river.

Day 4 :  Muara Muntai, Tanjung Isuy, Mancong 

In the morning you will arrive in the town of Muara of Muara Muntai. This is one of the many towns built on the river with the ‘main road’ full of boats of all shapes an sizes zipping up and down transporting people as well as animals, produce, 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. Together with your guide to explore this typical river village. Shortly after Muara Muntai you will get in a small motorized canoe with loud engines and 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 is 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 will find yourself surrounded by much higher and dense vegetation and will 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 will travel down streams by canoe to the village of Tanjung Isuy. You will be greeted by the villagers (Dayak Benuaq tribe) with a dance performance. Afterwards you will continue to the houseboat for your diner and overnight.

Day 5 :  Melak, Eheng, Kersik Luay, Ombu Asa Waterfall. 

Arrive in Melak then drive to Eheng by Jeep / Minibus passing beautiful

highland to reach the old longhouse of Dayak Tunjung. Afterwards visit

Kersik Luway and explore the forest, if lucky the famous black orchid can be

seen. Afternoon to Ombau Asa waterfall, an exciting place for swimming.

Return to Melak then board to the houseboat and downstream to Tenggarong.

Day 6 :  Tenggarong – Loa Janan – Balikpapan

In the morning you will arrive at Tenggarong, the centre of the former powerful Kutai-sultanate. You will visit the Mulawarman museum and have a look at the impressive collection of heirlooms, ceramics, Dayak art’s and culture items. Tenggarong is the place where you Mahakam-trip will come to an end. You will be transferred by car to Balikpapan and check-in at your three star hotel Grand Tiga Mustika.

Overnight in Hotel Grand Tiga Mustika

New three-star hotel, just opened in september 2006. Centrally located and not far from the ocean front. With comfortable rooms (some of them with ocean view), restaurant and swimming pool.

Day 7 :  Balikpapan – Transfer Out 

You will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Makassar. End of the Tour Program.