Melak village along the Mahakam River
Melak is a small Town and the last one along the Mahakam River before the adventure begins. The Dayak tribe trade center of art souvernirs, and other value products of the rainforest could be bought, as the connection place between the Hinterland and the Coastal line City Samarinda in East Kalimantan Province. The surrounding villages are Dayak settlements with traditional Culture with longhouses, hard wooden statutes, and coffins. The Kersik Luway park has rare flora as diverse wild orchids and pitcher plant species.
Melak Mahakam River Travel information
Tour Destination :Melak, Mahakam River, East Kalimantan, Indonesia
Main Interest & Tour Activities :
Dayak Culture and Jungle Trek
recommended visit time is 1 or 2 days
Dayak Tunjung and Dayak Bahau are the major tribes,Barong Tongkok actualy became the center of West Kutai Regency.
The area along Barong Tongkok is filled with Rubber plantations, and lowland rainforest
a Traditional longhouse with 35 Dayak Tunjung families can be found at Eheng village about 35 km from Barong Tongkok.
Black and other wild orchids at Kersik Luwai Reserve about 25 km from Barong Tongkok
Ombau Asa waterfall about 40 km from Barong Tonkok along the way to Eheng.
Tering Lama is the place where Dayak Bahau and Hudoq ceremonies can be found, its about 50 km from Barong Tongkok.
Melak and Tering villages are jump off points to the hinterland of the Mahakam river if public ferries can not cruise further up the Mahakam river.Jungle Trek can be done between villages
Culture :
Dayak Bahau, and Dayak Tunjung
Flora & Fauna :
Rainforest & exotic tropical wildlife
Tour Starting Point :
Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, Indonesia
Tour Transport Possibilities :
by Public Bus from Balikpapan to Samarinda, cruise up Mahakam River by public ferry, or by chartered motorcanoe to Melak either Tering village, from here chartered cars have to be used to surround the area, no public transport is availeble here.Daily public buses go up to Melak and Barong Tongkok from Samarinda bus terminal.
Estimated travel time to reach Barong Tongkok is 1 to 2 days from entry point Balikpapan.
Tour Ending Point :
Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, Indonesia
Travel Distance to entry point :
450 Km to from Balikpapan Airport
Tour Duration :
Short Get Through Visit 5 to 6 Days
Hotels & Accommodation :
Hotels
Grade :
Moderate