Balikpapan
A Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation project, Samboja Lestari houses more than 150 orang-utans on a series of islands, along with a separate sun bear…
Must-see attractions in Kalimantan
Kalimantan
The western skyline of Samarinda is dominated by this must-see complex containing an ornate and colourful mosque with adjacent observation tower. The…
Pontianak
Pontianak's dramatic domed cathedral was opened in 2015, replacing the earlier 1908 church deemed not large enough to accommodate the city's Catholic…
Tanjung Puting National Park
Orang-utan feedings at Tanjung Puting National Park are part of an ongoing rehabilitation process, but also allow visitors a near-guaranteed opportunity…
Kalimantan
The more authentic of Banjarmasin's floating markets is about one hour by boat northeast of the centre on the Martapura River.
West Kalimantan
Known for its high-quality rice, this verdant farming village at the foot of Gunung Palung, 10km northeast of Sukadana, has a unique attitude and…
West Kalimantan
Built in 1864, this betang is home to Tamambaloh Apalin Dayak. Debate over whether it's the oldest longhouse in the region (if not Kalimantan) abruptly…
KWPLH Sun Bear Conservation Center
Balikpapan
This informative sun bear conservation centre is surprisingly straight to the point about the heartbreaking plight of all of Kalimantan's animals. Seven…
Kalimantan
Indiana Jones would feel right at home ascending to this alcove in a limestone cliff above the forest, 5km from Merabu village, where travellers left…
Kalimantan
Wooden sluices filter muck from pits where men stand chest deep blasting away at the sediment with water cannons. Mining at Kalimantan's largest diamond…
West Kalimantan
One of the most authentic and welcoming longhouses close to Putussibau, Ariung is home to 38 families in a jungle setting on the banks of the Sungai…
Kalimantan
This vivid turquoise spring full of fish at the base of the limestone mountains begs you to dive in. Best enjoyed after the short but gruelling hike to…
Kalimantan
This exquisitely restored 1930s longhouse is flanked by intricately carved totems. Those with chickens represent a healing ceremony. The souvenir shop…
Balikpapan
This waterfront development is unique in Kalimantan and offers everything you need for a night out, including above-par restaurants, live music, lounge…
West Kalimantan
This organisation actively works to preserve and reinvigorate the practice of traditional weaving. The excellent gallery, in a replica longhouse known…
Kalimantan
The closest floating market to central Banjarmasin is lively but touristy.
Kalimantan
The former sultan's palace, built by the Dutch in 1937, is now a decent museum chronicling the culture, natural history and industry of Indonesia's oldest…
West Kalimantan
Not the oldest, nor the most picturesque, but perhaps the most welcoming longhouse community, this betang is 93km northwest of Putussibau. An ecotourism…
Pontianak
For an outing that will show you a bit of town, visit the wooden palace of Pontianak's first sultan on the east bank of the Kapuas; in a refurbishment…
Kalimantan
Few lamin (the local word for longhouse) around here are occupied outside of community ceremonies, but this Benuaq Dayak house is an exception – you may…
Kalimantan
An above-average museum of local arts and history, with approximate English translations providing nuggets of information about pivotal events – such as…
Balikpapan
Standing 30m up on the canopy bridge among old-growth dipterocarp trees offers an impressive view and an adrenaline shot, but it's hard not to feel sad…
West Kalimantan
This well-kept town beach, 3km south of the centre, is encircled by rainforested hills and looks out on some alluring islands. Basic warungs and stalls…
Kalimantan
This rough wood-and-rattan Benauq Dayak longhouse is sparsely occupied during the day, but welcomes visitors – especially those interested in purchasing…
West Kalimantan
The Taman Dayak longhouses of Melapi 1 to 5 stretch along the Kapuas upriver of Putussibau. As per usual, the sequels don't quite live up to the original…
Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation
Kalimantan
The centre is typically closed to visitors to increase the rehabilitation success of its 600-or-so orang-utans. The tiny visitor centre opens on the…
Pontianak
If you want to stand on two hemispheres, you can formally do so here – though continental drift has moved the monument 117m south of the actual equator…
Balikpapan
In the mid-'90s, 82 orang-utans were released in this protected primary lowland forest, but fires and illegal logging have taken their toll. Get a 6am…
Kalimantan
The mostly empty wooden hilltop palace overlooking Pangkalan Bun Park celebrates three architectural traditions of the sultans' assorted wives: Chinese,…
Balikpapan
A cleanish beach lined with a few cafes and restaurants, and a laid-back vibe. If you need a break from the jungle (urban or natural), this is your best…
Kalimantan
Though it marks the first Islamic place of worship in Borneo, the beautiful angular wooden building was reconstructed in 1746, leaving the oldest physical…
Pontianak
This small patch of Borneo jungle is a welcome relief from the urban jungle outside. It's a community project with an orchid garden and a boardwalk…
West Kalimantan
This Dutch-sponsored local museum, about 12km east of Sintang on the road to Putussibau, is housed in enormous twin wooden buildings with three display…
Kalimantan
An excellent museum on two levels introducing just enough Dayak ritual, custom and livelihood to inspire you to head into the forest in search of the real…
Kalimantan
Located at the site of Berau's original keraton, this 1981 building houses an eclectic collection of sultan-obilia starting from the 17th century. Get…
Pontianak
The wooden Mesjid Abdurrahman stands north of the river where a cannonball reportedly landed after Pontianak's first sultan fired it at a pontianak (the…
West Kalimantan
This gleaming waterfront mosque, opened in 2015, dominates the town both visually and aurally. The chalk-white dome and minarets are quite a sight…
Kalimantan
This large, flat-domed mosque looks like something off a Star Wars set. During Ramadan, the famous Pasar Wadai (Cake Fair) runs along the adjacent…
Museum Provinsi Kalimantan Barat
Pontianak
In an imposing building this well-maintained collection of artefacts provides an informative English-language overview of local Dayak, Malay and Chinese…
Balikpapan
An impressive sight, this mosque is adorned with a complex sheath of Islamic geometrical patterns, and is lit up in multicoloured splendour at night.
