Spend 15-days immersed in the culture natural beauty and wildlife of Kalimantan
Discover Kalimantan, the Indonesian portion of the island of Borneo on the Ultimate Kalimantan Adventure tour. With spellbinding adventures on both land and water, you’ll come to know the beautiful landscapes that make this part of the island so special.
Visit floating markets, remarkable villages on the water, and remote tribes who will share their wisdom, traditions and culture with you. With several days on the water, you’ll spot the bountiful wildlife of this region, including monkeys, orangutans and an array of birdlife. Balance relaxing days on the river with exhilarating hikes in the Meratus Mountains where you’ll explore the rainforest with an expert guide. Discover the real Kalimantan with a unique homestay experience in the longhouse Tumbang Malahoi.
Get off the beaten path and discover a lesser-known part of Indonesia on the Ultimate Kalimantan Adventure!
Highlights of the Ultimate Kalimantan Adventure
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Ultimate Kalimantan Adventure Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Jakarta
Your adventure begins as you arrive and Jakarta and meet your local representative who will transfer you to your hotel nearby the airport. Get some rest and prepare for 2 weeks of remarkable adventures ahead!
Overnight Location: Hotel in Jakarta
Meals: None
Day 2 Fly to Palangkaraya – Tumbang Malahoi
Rise early and refreshed this morning and transfer to the airport for your flight to Palangkaraya. On arrival, your guide will meet you and directly drive to Tumbang Malahoi by car (approx 5 hours). On arrival, a welcome ceremony will be performed before settling into your room at the longhouse and resting. Later join the family of the longhouse for dinner. Gather after dinner to talk with the elders about the history of this longhouse and everyday life here, the culture and traditions.
Overnight Location: Homestay in Tumbang Malahoi
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3 Tumbang Malahoi Jungle walk and Live Music
After breakfast, a local guide will take you hiking in the forest near the longhouse to see ironwood or rubber tree plantation areas. See how to take latex from the trees and listen to the Dayak agricultural philosophy. After lunch together at the longhouse with the family, visit a Kaharingan (the Dayak traditional religion) temple. Enjoy the evening with musical performances and dance. Learn some stories behind some of the particular dances and even join in and play some traditional musical instruments!
Overnight Location: Homestay in Tumbang Malahoi
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4 Drive to Palangkaraya
After breakfast, pack your bags and say goodbye to your gracious hosts! A 5-hour drive through the same road as the first day will take you to Palangkaraya where you can check into your room and enjoy a refreshing swim!
Overnight Location: Hotel in Palangkaraya
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Set Sail from Palangkaraya Harbour
The guide will meet you at your hotel and transfer you to the Rahai’I Pangun in Palangkaraya harbour to start your journey. Cruise past the stilted and floating houses of the provincial capital and continue along the forested river, passing multiple villages. In the early evening, take a canoe through the shimmering black water lake and make a short stop and stroll around the Kalaweit Island. Keep an eye out for proboscis monkeys, hornbills and Brahmini kites. Return to the Rahai’i Pangun for a quiet dinner in the midst of the forest.
Overnight Location: Onboard the Cruise Ship
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 6 Bapallas Island, Kanarakan, and Tahai
The Rahai’i Pangun moves upstream along the Rungan River while you enjoy breakfast this morning. On arrival at Bapallas Island, you’ll take a motorized canoe to observe orangutans in their natural habitat. Enjoy a leisurely lunch on board while cruising to Kanarakan, a tiny riverside village on the Rungan River.
Arriving in the village in the afternoon, village elders from the Dayak Ngaju tribe perform a welcoming ceremony before a pleasant stroll around the village. Joined by a local host, you’ll see the village home gardens, a rubber tapping demonstration, and other village livelihoods. Visit the elder’s house and enjoy a traditional spiced coffee or herbal tea while sharing stories. Head back to the boat and cruise down to Lake Tahai.
Overnight Location: Onboard the Cruise Ship
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 7 Discover the Medicinal Plants of Sei Gohong with Locals
Enjoy an optional sunrise canoe trip on the lake this morning to take in the birdlife. Back on board, enjoy a delicious breakfast before visiting the village of Sei Gohong to meet the traditional medicine expert then a short walk to the nearby forest to find several plants that are used as traditional medications by the Ngajus. Heading back to the village, you’ll see a larger collection of the traditional medicines and have the chance to discuss their functions with the locals. Back to the boat and cruise downstream to Muara Rungan passing Bapallas Island for more orangutan sightings.
Overnight Location: On board the Cruise Ship
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 8 Tanjung Sanggalang and Palangka Raya
After breakfast, the boat cruises to the village of Tanjung Sanggalang on the Kahayan River. Transfer to cars for the short trip to Bukit Rawi and Sigi, where you’ll see the ancient Dayak painted sandungs and watch a traditional dance. Board the boat for your final cruise to Rambang Harbour in Palangka Raya.
Check out at 2pm and transfer to your hotel.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Palangkaraya
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Day 9 Drive to Banjarmasin and Afternoon Canal Sightseeing
Following breakfast this morning, you’ll transfer to Banjarmasin which takes approximately 5 hours. In the afternoon, explore the Banjarese river civilization while sightseeing on the canal. The canal trip is by motor-canoe through the river in the city.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Banjarmasin
Meals: Breakfast
Day 10 Banjarmasin Floating Market and Drive to the Meratus Mountains
Early in the morning, you’ll visit the floating market of Banjarmasin where you can explore the unique culture of the Banjarese who trade commodities as fruit, and vegetables from boat to boat. Afterwards, return to the hotel to check out before continuing your journey overland by car/minibus to Cempaka village. Up next, you’ll drive to the Meratus Mountains for a beautiful view over Kalimantan’s lush green jungle landscape. Then, visit Pandak Daun stilt village where you can observe the unique activity of the buffalo farmers. This evening, enjoy the romantic sunset over the water before continuing to Loksado for your overnight at the lodge.
Overnight Location: Resort in Loksado
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 11 Meratus Mountains Rainforest Hike and Dayak Villages
Enjoy a hearty breakfast before setting out for the foothills of Meratus Mountain from where you’ll start your jungle hike to take in unique Dayak villages. The hike leads through both primary and secondary rainforest as your journey over hills and passes cascading waterfalls via suspended bamboo bridges. Meet local Dayak people at home in their villages and enjoy this authentic rainforest experience. In the afternoon, continue your trek to return to Loksado lodge, enjoying lunch en route. Dinner and overnight at Loksado lodge.
Overnight Location: Resort in Loksado
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 12 Bamboo River Rafting and Drive to Muara Koman
Following breakfast at the Lodge, you’ll cruise downstream the Amadit River by a handmade Bamboo raft, crossing the beautiful landscape of tropical rain forest along the riverbank to end up at Muara Hariang. From here, transfer to Muara Koman and overnight at Batu Kajang Hotel.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Muara Koman
Meals: Breakfast
Day 13 Kandilo River by Canoe and Drive to Samboja
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before transferring by car to the harbour at Kandilo River. Sail the River by canoe taking in the Karst limestone formations and caves with the chance to spot leaf and probosci's monkeys! Later, continue by car to Samboja Lodge.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Samboja
Meals: Breakfast
Day 14 Orangutan Island Visit, Forest Hike and Black River Tour
After Breakfast you’ll set out to hike the forest, visiting the orangutans that populate the man-made islands. Learn about the Orang Utan Survival Foundation programs here. This Samboja Lestari is a very special place, as it is a sanctuary for orangutans rescued from captivity who are now being integrated back into their natural habitat. Lunch at Samboja Lodge. In the afternoon, transfer by car/minibus for about one hour to the harbour at Black River. Board a motor-canoe to sail in the mangrove forest of the Balikpapan Bay in search for wildlife including monkeys, lizards and an array of birds. Return to the Saboja lodge in the late afternoon to enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Samboja
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Day 15 Samboja Lestari Reserve, Departure
Enjoy the remainder of your time at Samboja lodge at your leisure. Following lunch, you’ll check out and head to the airport to depart as your tour comes to an end.
Overnight Location: None
Meals: Breakfast
Ultimate Kalimantan Adventure Price and Dates
Pricing for this partially guided tour to Kalimantan is always run as a private tour for your group only and the prices depend on the size of your group. Please note that the prices might be higher during the Indonesian National Holidays. The prices below are per person sharing a double or a triple room and those and those willing to have a single room will have to pay a supplement of $1,900 USD (per room).
Important note: The departures for this tour are available on Tuesday and Friday only.
- Guided Groups of 2-3: $4,625 USD per person
- Guided Groups of 4-6: $4,050 USD per person
- Guided Groups of 7+: on request
Accommodation on Ultimate Kalimantan Adventure
The accommodation types on this tour vary greatly: from rustic homestays to beautiful resorts and cruise ships. The hotels and resorts offer all modern conveniences, while the homestays are rather rustic but full of local character.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
Standard rooms are of double and triple occupancy and those willing to have a single room will have to pay a supplement of $950 USD.
Hotels on Standard Tour
FM 7 Hotel in Jakarta
Enjoy this contemporary hotel featuring modern amenities and an upscale vibe.
Homestay in Tumbang Malahoi
Come to know the very heart of Tumbang Malahoi as you commune with locals who will welcome you with open arms.
Swiss Belhotel in Palangkaraya
A polished hotel in Palngkaraya featuring a refreshing outdoor pool and modern amenities.
Onboard the Cruise Ship
Fall asleep to the sound of the water as you enjoy this unique stay aboard a cozy river cruise ship.
Swiss Belhotel in Palangkaraya
A polished hotel in Palngkaraya featuring a refreshing outdoor pool and modern amenities.
Victoria Hotel in Banjarmasin
Relax and unwind at this no-fuss hotel set along the Martapura River.
Meratus Resort in Loksado
Enjoy the views of the Meratus Mountains from this laidback resort in Loksado.
Batu Kajang Hotel in Muara Koman
Comfort and value blend seamlessly at the Batu Kajung Hotel in Muara Koman.
Samboja Lodge in Samboja
Enjoy traditional Indonesian dining and excellent hospitality at this unique lodge set within the Samboja Lestari rainforest.
What’s Included in the Ultimate Kalimantan Tour?
Meals
14 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 7 dinners are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 14 nights are included.
Transportation during the Tour
Transportation for you and your luggage is included throughout the tour, including transfers to and from the airport. In some cases, the transfers are shared.
Also Included
- Local English-speaking guides
- Cruise
- Taxes
Not included
- Visa fees
- International flights and taxes
- Personal expenses
- Optional excursions
Optional Extras
- Extra nights at any point of the tour
Frequently Asked Questions about Ultimate Kalimantan Adventure
Founded in 2003, Happy Trails Asia is a sustainable, adaptable, understanding and passionate partner in Asia. We operate tours to Indonesia, Bali, Malaysia, Borneo, Singapore & Brunei.
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