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Samarinda
Jump Off Point Mahakam River Cruise
Is the provincial capital of East Kalimantan. Located on the Mahakam
river, the town occupies a space of about 167 square kilometres and has
a population of approximately half a million people.
Samarinda
city started as a small village of Bugis settlers who, in 1668, arrived
from Sulawesi, led by La Mohang Daeng Mangkona. Those first settlers
came from Wajo to Parepare, from where they proceeded to Muara Pasir
and Kutai. There, on January 21, 1668, they founded the settlement
which is now the city of Samarinda. The date is commemorated annually
as the official birthday of Samarinda. Samarinda is the capital town of
East Kalimantan and located about fifty kilometers upstream from the
mouth of the Mahakam River. It's a trading town established in 1730,
much cheaper and easier going instead of Balikpapan. For inland tourism
Samarinda is the starting point for exciting Mahakam River, Jungle and
Cultural Dayak adventure.
Mahakam
Delta & Samarinda
Samarinda
is surrounded by rivers. The Karangmumus flows to the east of the town,
and the Karangasem river to the west. All of them empty in the Mahakam
river mouth area.
Those
rivers are important to the people of Samarinda. Besides serving as
avenues for transportation, they also meet the people's need for
sanitation, and other facilities. Motorboats plying those rivers are
popularly called water taxis, and it is mostly these noisy, agile
vessels that cause the hustle and bustle on the riverside. The Mahakam,
at this point, is about 430 meters wide, and the water-taxis are
everywhere. The river splits the town parts, known respectively as
Samarinda Kota and Samarinda Seberang . One unique feature of this
provincial capital is that it is probably the only one that as a
forest, 212,000 hectares in size, in the center of town, more than half
of which is a production forest.
Citra
Niaga Shops
There is
an attractive shopping center in Samarinda, called Arena Promosi Citra
Niaga, covering an area of 2.7 hectares. Shopping at the Citra Niaga is
pleasantly relaxed. The center is clean and artistically designed.
There are shows and exhibitions on Saturday night on the open plaza.
Sarong
From Samarinda
Sarongs
from Samarinda are very well known throughout Indonesia. Samarinda
sarongs are woven in cottage industries, and usually use high-quality
silks.
Tanah
Merah Indah Lempake
Tanah
Merah Indah Lempake, 16 kilometers from the center of Samarinda, is a
popular recreation park with a waterfall and playgrounds for children.
There are also facilities for camping, fishing and swimming. There is
also an art market where souvenirs are sold. Pampang Dayak Kenyah
Village, is a transmigrated village for the Apokayan Dayak
and is located 40 km north of Samarinda, here Long Ear Dayak
can be found, also Regular ceremonies are been held, for information,
please feel free to contact us.
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Tour Destination :
Samarinda, Mahakam River, East Kalimantan Indonesia
Main
Interest & Things to do :
Cruise up
the Mystic Mahakam River which is rich of Dayak Culture and exotic
Flora and Fauna, with Longhouse and Dayak arts, surrounded by Jungle
and Rainforest.
Small
Dayak Populated villages along the almost upper part of the Mahakam
River, learning traditional Art and the History of the Dayak Kenyah
Culture, also a jungle trek, or rainforest hikking can be done,
recommended visit time is 1 or 4 days
Pampang
village near Samarinda is a Dayak Transmigration project for Apokayan
Dayaks.
Sarong
traditional Weaving at Samarinda Seberang can been visited, as it is
home industry.
Mahakam
Dayak Villages are Tanjung Isuy, Mancong, Eheng, Data Bilang, Rukun
Damai, Long Apari, the Mahakam River is also the entry for a trekking
to the Apokayan region or cross the Muller Mountains to the Kapuas
River at West Kalimantan.
Kutai
National Park Reserve can be reached from Samarinda by road to the
north, here Orangutans and exotic wild life and flora & fauna
can be found, just at a 3 hours distance.
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Culture
: Dayak,
Javanese, Buginese and Banjarese
Flora
& Fauna : Low Land
Rainforest
Tour
Starting Point : Balikpapan,
East Kalimantan, Indonesia
Tour
Transport Possibilities :
by Public
Bus or car from Balikpapan to Samarinda, for Mahakam River Safari Tour
cruises continue by Houseboat or public ferry to Long Iram, and then by
motorcanoe cruise up to the upper Mahakam River, estimated travel time
to reach Upper Mahakam River is 2-3 days.
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Tour
Ending Point :
Balikpapan, also possible to Trek via the Muller Mountains to Pontianak
Travel
Distance to enry point :
125 Km to from Balikpapan Airport, East Kalimantan
Tour
Duration : Short Get
Through Visit 1 to 10 Days
Tour
Grade : Usual
till challenging
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