East Kalimantan or Borneo is a province of Indonesia. Its territory comprises the eastern portion of Borneo. It has a population of about 3.5 million, and its capital is Samarinda. East Kalimantan has a total area of 129,066.64 square kilometres and is the second least densely populated province in Kalimantan. The majority of the region shares a maritime border to the east with West Sulawesi and North Sulawesi; its coastline faces the Makassar Strait and the Celebes Sea. Its former northernmost region is now North Kalimantan; to its south, East Kalimantan borders the South Kalimantan province. The province bordered Sabah before the split, but still borders Sarawak.This province is the location of the oldest Hindu kingdom in Indonesia, Kutai, the existence of which is attested to by a stone manuscript, or Prasasti, which is now kept in the National Museum in Jakarta. The manuscript is written in the Pallava alphabet and the Sanskrit language. The replica of this manuscript can be seen in the Governor's Office in Samarinda. Inscriptions on seven stone pillars “yupa posts” erected in the fifth century BCE on the command of a local ruler, King Mulavarman, records his victories, his generosity to Brahmins, his princely genealogy.
The orangutans are the two exclusively Asian species of extant great apes. Native to Indonesia and Malaysia, orangutans are currently found in only the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra. Classified in the genus Pongo, orangutans were considered to be one species. However, since 1996, they have been divided into two species: the Bornean orangutan (P. pygmaeus) and the Sumatran orangutan (P. abelii). In addition, the Bornean species is divided into three subspecies. Based on genome sequencing, the two extant orangutan species evidently diverged around 400,000 years ago. The orangutans are also the only surviving species of the subfamily Ponginae, which also included several other species, such as the three extinct species of the genusGigantopithecus, including the largest known primate Gigantopithecus blacki. The ancestors of the Ponginae subfamily split from the main ape line in Africa 16 to 19 million years ago (mya) and spread into Asia.
The Dayaks are the native people of Borneo. It is a loose term for over 200 riverine and hill-dwelling ethnic subgroups, located principally in the interior of Borneo, each with its own dialect, customs, laws, territory and culture, although common distinguishing traits are readily identifiable. Dayak languages are categorised as part of the Austronesian languages in Asia. The Dayak were animist in belief; however many converted to Islam and since the 19th century, mass conversion to Christianity.
This is an adventure tour for those who like to search an indigenous Culture of the Dayak in the deep dense jungle with it's exotic flora and fauna. This is a full board Tour Package.. *This trip can be combined with Bali, Lore Lindu National Park, Toraja Highland, Komodo Island or Jogyakarta *Required 2 - 12 Participants
DAY 01: BALIKPAPAN, SAMARINDA, MAHAKAM
Upon arrival at Balikpapan airport, meeting service and transfer to Loa Janan, to board houseboat for exciting adventure on Mahakam river. Meals provided and overnight on houseboat.
DAY 02: MUARA MUNTAI, MANCONG, TANJUNG ISUY,MUARA PAHU
Short sight seeing at Muara Muntai Wooden village, then crossing Jempang Lake by motor canoe to Mancong. During the cruise you could see Rain forest and wildlife at Ohong creek like monkey’s and birds, Upon arrival at Mancong, welcomed with a traditional ceremony by the Dayaq Benuaq, one of the Oldest Dayak Longhouse of East Kalimantan can be found here, Late afternoon by motor canoe to Tanjung Isuy for sightseeing and continue to Houseboat for dinner and overnight. Houseboat will cruise up to Muara Pahu.
DAY 03: MUARA PAHU, KEDANG PAHU RIVER, MOUNT BAYAN, TERBISAK, DOWNSTREAM
Arrive at Muara Pahu, continue cruise upstream the Kedang Pahu River by canoe for more then one hour by canoe to Mount Bayan to visit Terbisak village, known of its Longhouse of the Benauq Dayak tribe which is still habituated by about 100 Dayak people living in their community house, by traditions of dry rise fielding and hunting, continue downstream by canoe along the river bank, you will dicover the exotic nature and wildlife as otters, leaf monkeys, endangered roboscis monkeys and birds. Continue to the delta of the Belowan river as a black water peat swamp forest land, with opportunities to spot the fresh water dolphins in the colliding stream of the Kedang Pahu and the Bolowan River. Afternoon, return to houseboat for return downstream to Tenggarong.
DAY 04: TENGGARONG, SANGATTA, KUTAI NATIONAL PARK
In the morning depart downstream by houseboat to Tenggarong. Arrive at Tenggarong, continue visiting the former palace of Sultan Kutai Kertanegara, there you will see the Sultan's impressive collection of heirlooms, ceramics, Dayak's art and culture items. continue by car to Sangatta village, continue cruising up Sangatta River by motorcanoe into the jungle of Kutai National Park. On arrival at Orangutan Research station, drop our stuff and direct start a jungle trek into the forest, looking for wild life and Orang Utans, which are completely wild. Lunch on the way, Dinner and overnight at Prefab Research station.
DAY 05: SANGATTA, KUTAI NATIONAL PARK, BALIKPAPAN
Early morning another forest trek at Kutai National Park searching for wild life and orangutans, experiencing the beauty of the flora & fauna of the Rainforest. Proceed 7 hours by car to Balikpapan airport for your next destination.
The End of Our Service
***If you wish to extend to other destination please let us know..