Upper (hulu) Kapuas River Tours

Visit Putussibau at the Upper Kapuas River

Putussibau is a small town located approximately 800 kilometers upstream Kapuas River from Pontianak City, situated in the Kapuas hulu district West Kalimantan Province of Indonesia Borneo island.

The Kapuas River is an important natural feature in the region, stretching over 1,143 kilometers in length, making it the longest river in Indonesia and in the top 10 of the longest rivers in the world after the Amazon River. The river plays a vital role in the region, and it is navigable by boats all the way to the village of Putussibau. Smaller motorized boats or long boats can travel further upstream, navigating through rapids and reaching the village of Tanjung Lokan, which lies at the base of the Muller mountain range. From Tanjung Lokan, one can begin an expedition across Borneo, heading towards East Kalimantan through pristine rainforests. This journey, which involves hiking and trekking, typically takes about 5 to 7 days to reach the Mahakam River.

The presence of Chinese people in the Putussibau region dates back to the 14th century. At that time, Chinese traders came from China in search of valuable stones and established a diamond mining company. Diamonds and other precious stones were found in the mountainous areas of Bengkayang, Lumar, and Batu, as well as along the Ambawang, Darit, Landak, and Ayak rivers, the Cempedak Tayan delta, the Tayan River, Kembayan, Timur Senaning, and the upper regions of the Kapuas River near Putussibau. The locations where diamond panning takes place are found along the Landak River, from Ngabang to the highlands, and around Sanggau.

Putussibau Kapuas River Travel information