|
|
Jungle
Wildlife Tours Upstream The Barito River
The Barito River cascade down from the
Meratus Mountain highlands, and is a crucial river highway
channel
between the coast and the deep interior of South Kalimantan. The Barito
river attract tourists who wants to travel into the Meratus jungle
regions,
and visit the traditional living Banjarese tribes. The delta
area has characteristic wide swamps
and lowlands. During high tide, the sea
water floods the area, and the Barito river water
becomes salty. In the dry season, when the river water decrease, the
wells and ponds are filled with sea water, and also become salty. The
Barito river environment, however, gives an appeal that
is all its own. Rivers are since the Dutch Kolonial period
busiest trading centers as
Pasar Baru, Kuripan Market and some modern markets such as the Antasari
Shopping Center. The Floating Market of Banjarmasin is a traditional
market at the estuary of the Kuin river, a tributary of the Barito.
As the day proceeds, the atmosphere becomes more cheerful. The number
of buyers increase, and more boats gather. At a little past noon, the
market quietens down. The now empty boats leave. The number of buyers
dwindles, and finally everything is quiet again on the river. The best
time to see market in action is in the early morning, between 6 a.m and
7 a.m.
The Barito River is the longest river in South Kalimantan with its
length of 600
kilometers, and it's three
kilometers wide give an impression to see. The water of Barito River is
muddy as it carries silt and rubbish from the hinterland.
Flotsam
is everywhere along the lower reaches of the river. Beyond Marabahan
village, the Barito river splits into two branches one is a tributary
coming from Negara village, Amuntai and Tanjung. The other branch comes
from the west, and has its head waters near the Central Kalimantan
border.
Upper Barito
River, is Barito Selatan district and part of Central
Kalimantan (Kalteng) Province, this area covers 8830
sq.km, Buntok is the capital of the
district. The Lowland rain forest is about 377.395
ha, and has swamp forest of 271.550 ha with 44.623 ha lakes.
This Upper River is potential for Tourism development, as
the forests has a lot of wildlife including wild
orangutans, beside the black orchids and carnivorous pitcher plant
species. The lakes and side rivers are romantic places with
opportunities for bird watching.
Buntok can be caught by car from Palangka Raya and Banjarmasin.
The
orangutan is probably the magnet for tourism to visit the
area, while still almost unknown as it is not exposed and
developed yet. Orangutans can be found in the Madara, Sungai Puning,
and Pedang area. Near the Orangutans, Puning is famous of it's Black
water eco-system as the only one at Borneo Island, the Sanggu forest is
good for it's flora with species of wild orchids, and pitcher plants,
last but not least the area has also limestone caves and waterfalls
|
Tour
Destination : Barito River, South Kalimantan,
Indonesia
Main
Interest & Things to do :
Culture and Jungle Trek
recommended visit time is 3 or 4 days
Banjarnese and Ngaju Dayak Culture,
Rainforest and traditional farming, with pepper and rubber plantations
can be found along the Barito River
Jungle Trek can be done between villages and into the Meratus
Mountains, crossing to Loksado area for Bamboo Rafting adventure
Culture
: Banjarnese and Dayak Nagju
Flora
& Fauna : Swaps, Rainforest &
exotic tropical wild life
Tour
Starting Point : Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan,
Indonesia
|
|
|
Tour
Transport Possibilities :
by Public boat or ferry, or charter a motor canoe to cruise up Barito
River.
Tour
Ending Point : Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan,
Indonesia
Travel
Distance to enry point : Barito River is 600 Km
long and runs through Banjarmasin city
|
|
|
Tour
Duration : Short Get Through Visit 5 to 6 Days
Hotels
& Accommodation : Hotels at the Cities
and Local Houses in the villages up Barito River
Tour
Grade : Usual |
|
