Mahakam River & Kutai National Park Exploration (8D/7N)

After breakfast on boat, we stop at Muara Muntai which is a traditional fishing village along the river. Here, you will observe the ways of life of the local tribe.

Then, continue the trip by motorized canoe over the Lake Jempang. It is one of the 3 major wetlands in the region and happens to be also a birdwatcher’s paradise. After that, you will cruise through the Ohong river where you can see wildlife alongside. The destination will be Mancong which is one of the scenic village where you will meet a Dayak tribe.

On arrival, welcome ceremony will be performed by Dayak Benuaq tribe in front of their long house. Enjoy some time with them then we will return to the house boat in the late afternoon.

Cruise by motor canoe to Tanjung Isuy which is another Dayak village where will do some sightseeing. After that, we go back to the houseboat for dinner and overnight as it cruises to Muara Pahu.

Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

Accommodation: Standard Houseboat AC

After breakfast, we will continue by canoe upstream for about one hour until we arrive at Mount Bayan. We will visit the Terbisak Village, known of its longhouse of the Dayak Benuaq tribe. It is still inhabited by about 100 people living in their community house, who preserve the traditions of dry rice fielding and hunting.

After that, we go downstream by canoe. Along the river banks, we can see the exotic nature and wildlife such as otters, leave monkeys, endangered proboscis monkeys and birds. We move to the delta of the Belowan river with chances to spot the fresh water dolphins in the colliding stream of the Kedang Pahu and the Belowan River. In the afternoon, return to houseboat to continue upstream to the town of Melak.

Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner 

Accommodation: Standard Houseboat AC

Arrive in Melak, we will drive to Eheng Village by a jeep or minibus passing by beautiful highlands to reach the old longhouse of Dayak Tunjung. After that, we will visit Kersik Luway Reserve and explore the forests. This reserve is famous for the interesting Black Orchids, and with a little luck we can find it on our journey.

In the afternoon, move to Ombau Asa waterfall, an exciting place for swimming and relaxing. Return to Melak then board to the houseboat and downstream to Tenggarong City.

Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner 

Accommodation: Standard Houseboat AC

Arrive at Tenggarong, visit the former palace of Kutai Kartanegara sultanate. Where you will see the Sultan’s impressive collection of heirlooms, ceramics, Dayak’s art and culture items. Afterwards, we go by car of about six hours to Sangatta. Check in at hotel, for dinner and overnight.

Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner   

Accommodation: Hotel in Sangatta: Three options across different categories

Early in the morning by motor canoe upstream Sangatta River into the jungle of Kutai National Park Reserve. Upon arrival at prefab orangutan research station, we will drop our stuff and directly start a jungle trek into the forest, looking for wildlife and Orangutans.

The park which extends over an area of 2,000 sq. km is home diverse flora and fauna. There are more than 900 species of flora and other vegetation types such as mangrove forest and freshwater swamp. Moreover, it provides habitat to 10 species of primates, 90 species of mammals including orangutans and 300 species of birds. Meanwhile, the number of orangutans was found to have decreased from 600 recorded in 2004 to about 60 in 2009. However, a survey in 2010 identified over 2,000 orangutans to be inhabiting the park.

In the afternoon, return to prefab station for lunch and rest then later do another forest trekking in search for more wild animals and encounter the beauty of rain forest flora. Dinner and overnight at prefab research station.

Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner   

Accommodation: Jungle Lodge at Kutai National Park

After Breakfast, go by motor canoe to the mangrove forest at the Delta of the Sangatta River to spot long-nose monkeys, birds, crocodiles and other wild in the mangrove forest.

Return to Sangatta for lunch and continue by car for about 1 and half hour to Sangkima side. There, you can find an old big hard wooden tree and diversity of vegetation. We continue by car to passing some Bugis villages along the road. We will have dinner en route to Samarinda and overnight at the hotel there.

Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner   

Accommodation: Hotel in Samarinda: Three options across different categories

Breakfast, free at leisure, enjoy the hotel atmosphere until departure transfer to Balikpapan airport for your flight to your next destination. Thank you for exploring Mahakam River and Kutai National Park with Come2Indonesia. Sampai Jumpa!

Meals: Breakfast    

Accommodation: –