Balikpapan
City Gateway to East Kalimantan
Balikpapan
is the gateway to the jungle of East Kalimantan province.
Balikpapan has grown in
importance for the tourism industry since the opening of the
International flight routes. This
town has a population of about 600.000 and has connections by Pelni
passenger ships on the
route Surabaya - Ujungpandang - Balikpapan.
Outwardly,
Balikpapan presents two different faces. The first is the old
Dutch-built section of the town. The other is the newer part that as
gown as a result of recent development efforts in the oil industry.
Most
destinations, such as the Dayak settlements in the hinterland along the
big rivers, can be reached from Samarinda, moreover, a visit to
Kalimantan does not seem complete without a visit to East Kalimantan.
The forests of East Kalimantan contain a wealth of rare flora and
fauna. The black Orchid (Clogena pandurata), Nephents Amularia and
Rattan vines growing in the forest up to 200 meters long. So
do various species of valuable tropical hardwoods trees.
Among
the animal species typical of Kalimantan, living in the forests are
Orang Utans, chimpanzees (Pongee pygmaeus), bekantan (Nasalis
Larvatus), Mahakam
fresh - water dolphins or pesut (Orcela fluminalis) and many bird
varieties.
The
cultural and artistic traditions of the island's indigenous Dayak
population are still preserved in this region, especially in the
hinterland of East Kalimantan. Sailing up the streams near the
Malaysian border, one can still meet Traditional Dayak settlements than
seem to have been little touched by the modernity.
Balikpapan
The
name Balikpapan is from an overloaded ship, which
capsized near Tukung Island. A Dutch geological map of 1870 singes a
small village with the name Balikpapan bay.
Now-a-days
Balikpapan is
East Kalimantan's leading oil town, and a very important in
Indonesia, Balikpapan was during World War II the target of assaults by
both the Japanese and the Allies.
Balikpapan
is the main gateway to East Kalimantan province. It has grown in
importance for tourists since the opening of the International flight
routes. Balikpapan
town has a population of 600.000
Black
River ( Sungai Hitam )
Located about 35 kilometers from Balikpapan, a small River called
Sungai Hitam, or Black River, with lowland and mangrove forest, which
streams into the Balikpapan bay. The area covereved with forest, is
home to monkeys as the proboscis species, and a
lot of birds, during a pleasant canoeing tour at the river,
you can expect many wildlife species, including lizards and birds.
Sungai
Wain & Sunbear Rehabilitation with an education center
Sungai
Wain is an conservation area, with swamp and mangrove forest, home to
orangutans, and sunbears. The Sun bear as the mascot of Balikpapan
City, is a threatened animal now-a-days, and lost about 30% of it's
population over the last 20 years at Borneo. The Rehabilitation center
at 28 kilometers from Balikpapan, is an few hectares of forest where up
to five sun bears can be rehabilitated in a natural habitat, beside the
Rehabilitation center there is an education center to learn more about
the sun bears and their nature instincts
Bukit
Bangkirai Hard wooden hill forest
A
10.000 hectares of hardwooden trees of the Bankirai species, at a
hill-top located about 38 kilometers from Balikpapan City on the way to
Samarinda. The Tree-top bridge hanging about 40 meters high in the
trees give you a beautiful view over East Kalimantan Rain forest hills.
Tour
Destination :
Indonesia, East Kalimantan, Balikpapan
Main
Interest & Things to do :
City
sightseeing Tour, visiting Manggar Beach, Japan Monument,Crocidile
Farm,and Bankirai Jungle Trek
recommended
visit time is 1 or 2 days
Balikpapan
is an booming oil city, and the entry point with an international
airport ( flights from Singapore ) to the dayak country East Kalimantan
province.
Manggar
beach north of Balikpapan city, is the most famouse beach and relax
place at Balikpapan, about 15 km from the center of the city
Crocodile
farm near Manggar Beach is a tourism object for mostly local visitors
to see crocodiles and the farming system The Japan Monument, reminds to
the Japanese invasion, and can be found in almost the center of the
city.
Canoeing the Black River forest for wildlife as the proboscis
monkeys, and a lot of birds
Sungai Wain, a small jungle area for trekking with wildlife spotting
opertunities, of sun bears, and orang utans, next to the rehabilitation
and sun bear education center.
Several
shopping malls, international and simple Hotels are available in
Balikpapan.
Bukit
Bankirai, or Bankirai National Park, is located on the way to
Samarinda, orangutans, monkeys, wild orchids and other kind of tropical
flora and fauna including several kinds of wooden trees can be found
here, overnight can be done in the resort of Bankirai, to know and
experience the sounds and the jungle by night.
Culture
:
Javanese, Buginese, Kutai and Dayak Mix
Flora
& Fauna : farming,
plantations and lowland Rainforest can be found outside of
Balikpapan
Tour
Starting Point :
Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, Indonesia
Transport
Possibilities :
Public Bus and chartred car.
Tour
Ending Point :
Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, Indonesia
Travel
Distance to enry point :
0 Km to from Balikpapan Airport
Tour
Duration :
Short Get Through Visit 1 to 2 Days
Hotels
& Accommodation : International
Star to Simple Hotels
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A
Jungle trek with Wild Life spotting at Samboja Lestari Sungai
Wain Reserve with Orangutans and Sun Bears is the highlight
of this tour itinerary. Samboja Lestari Sungai Wain Reserve is a part
of BOS (
Borneo
Orangutan Survival Foundation ) organization, where Orangutans after
Rehabilitation learn to survive in their natural Habitat. Overnight at
Samboja Eco Lodge. ...full
itinerary
...........................................................................
4 Days Myghty Mahakam River
Cruising
the
Mahakam
River, with exotic scenary at both sides of the River. Visit Muara
Muntai
wooden village, crossing jempang lake, during the cruise you
could see rainforest wild life at Ohong
Creek like
several species of monkey's and birds. At Mancong village one of the
Oldest Dayak
Longhouse of East
Kalimantan
can be found,
a
Dayak Welcome
Ceremony could be held. At Muara Pahu a visit to the Fresh
Water Dolphins Information center, and when
lucky spotting can be done at the Delta of
the Bolowan River.....full
itinerary

Mahakam
River cruise Safari, passing villages along the river. Visit Muara
Muntai
wooden village, crossing jempang lake, during
the cruise you
could see rainforest wild life along
Ohong
Creek like
monkey's and birds species. Mancong village one of the
Oldest Dayak
Longhouse of East Kalimantan can be
found,
a Dayak Welcome Ceremony could be held. At Muara Pahu a visit to the
Fresh Water Dolphins Information center, and when
lucky spotting can be done at the Delta of
the Bolowan River. In
Melak village short sight seeing and visit
the Dayak Tunjung Longhouse at Eheng and
the National Park
Kersik Luwai where you can
find wild orchids, and when lucky you can see the "Black Orchid". ....full itinerary
............................................................................
Cruising
the exotic Mahakam
River, Visit Muara
Muntai
wooden village, crossing jempang lake, during the trip you
could see rainforest wild life while passing Ohong
Creek like
several kinds of monkey's and birds species, arrival at Mancong
Dayak
village with one of the Oldest Dayak
Longhouse of East Kalimantan. Dayak
Welcome
Ceremony could be held here. At Muara Pahu a visit to
the Fresh Water Dolphins Information center, and when
lucky spotting can be done at the Delta of
the Bolowan River. A
Jungle trek with Wild Life spotting at Kutai National Park
with Orangutans and
Sun Bears, and exotic Fauna.....full
itinerary

Flight
to Long Lunuk ( Data Dawai Airport ) at the Upper Mahakam
River, cruising up to Long Apari as the last Dayak village of the
Mahakam River, here you can enjoy the exotic virgin Rainforest
of Borneo, wild traditional huntings can be done with the Dayaks who
already do this for centuries as their daily activity to
provide themself. This is totaly an ecological kind
of life, and it's just to you to explore this kind of harmony between
the Dayak people and the Nature....full itinerary
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