Kalimantan Indonesia. Open left menu Kalimantan. Kinabalu National Park

Kalimantan includes 78% of the territory (south), where 70% of the island's inhabitants live. This part of Borneo is divided into five provinces - West, Central, South, East and North Kalimantan.

Adventure seekers should go on holiday to Kalimantan in 2019 to see the jungle and tropical forests, travel along the rivers and learn a lot of interesting things about Indonesian culture.

Each tourist chooses his own time to travel - the equatorial climate prevails here, that is, a hot and humid climate. average temperature for the year - +26 degrees, the average humidity is 85%, the average precipitation for the year is 2000 mm. Thanks to the heavy rains, which intensify in spring and autumn, the area is not subject to drought, and it is much easier for European tourists to endure the heat.

Kalimantan - no beach island. To bask in the sun and lie on the beach without worrying about anything, you need to go to other islands in Indonesia, for example, Bali. Kalimantan attracts energetic travelers who want to see tropical wildlife.

Each province of Indonesian Borneo has its own geographical and cultural characteristics. As a rule, tourists settle in one of the large cities of the island, and from there they go out into the jungle on foot or along rivers, accompanied by guides, tour guides with an organized group of tourists, or on their own (which is very difficult, since there is a chance of getting lost).

West Kalimantan and Pontianak

The western part of the island is a wetland, located closest to the equator. In Pontianak, the capital of the province, there is a monument to the equator. People come to this city for other attractions. Here are the 18th century Abdurrahman Mosque, the State Museum, which has preserved artifacts of the culture of the Dayaks - the aborigines of Kalimantan, and the Kadriah Palace with an exhibition family values Sultan.

Inexperienced tourists can take a cruise along the Kapuas River with stops and overnight stays in local villages. The tribes living in the jungle welcome tourists and organize traditional dances for them.

South Kalimantan and Banjarmasin

The southern province is a rich and fertile land, divided almost equally by the Miratus Mountains. There are rocky forests, tropics, and a large number of rivers.

Banjarmasin is the capital of the province where most of the tourists stay. The main attraction of the city is its network of canals and rivers. Local residents travel by boat - this is the most convenient and fastest transport. There are even two floating markets here - Kuin and Lokbaintan. Architecture lovers will be able to admire the Sabilal-Mukhtadin Mosque.

IN Southern Province there are diamond mines, which are also a unique attraction.

Central Kalimantan and Palankaraya

The territory of the Central Province is almost completely covered with dense jungle. However, there are tropical forests, rivers, mountains, and swamps. This is a suitable area for interesting trekking - hiking with an accompanying person.

It is also worth visiting the provincial capital, Palankaraya. This is a beautiful Indonesian city, which was originally built as an alternative capital of Indonesia. The city has historical Museum, as well as an eight-way central intersection, symbolizing the 8 main cities of Indonesia.

East Kalimantan and Kayan Mentarang

It is an industrial province where most of Kalimantan's production is concentrated. Despite this, Kayan Mentarang National Park is also located here, where you can see rare species of animals.

You can stay in one of the modest hotels in the provincial capital, Samarinda, or in the city of Balikpapan, which has various hotels and tourist sites to suit every taste and budget.

The Eastern Province is famous for its artisans. Here you can buy fabrics, wickerwork and pearl jewelry.

North Kalimantan and Tarakan

Perhaps this is the most favorite among tourists part of Kalimantan. At the same time, North Kalimantan was created as a province quite recently - in 2012.

Most hiking routes start from here - the area consists of jungle, swamps and mountains ( highest point- 1600 meters). Brave tourists go rafting down the Kayan River, and diving enthusiasts dive off the coast of Tarakan Island.

Holidays in 2019 in Kalimantan

In large Kalimantan cities you can rent a hotel room or guest house. Booking prices per person in a homestay start from approximately 600 rubles per day. Typically, such guest houses provide a bed, a shower (may be shared) and food. More expensive hotels(3-5 stars) provide Additional services, in particular the work of the guide and routes. The cost of a room in a 5-star hotel costs on average 2,500 rubles.

You can fly to the island from Jakarta, for example, to Palankaray (Chile's airport to Rivut) or to Balikpapan (the second large and busy Indonesian airport), and travel around Kalimantan itself by bus, boats or on foot.

It is worth remembering safety precautions while in the jungle: various insects that are unusual for European residents, as well as leeches, live in the forests. Also, not all guides and travel agencies provide tents, sleeping bags and other equipment, so if you want to go into the wild forest for several days, you should take care of the equipment in advance.

Kalimantan is a part of the island of Borneo that belongs to Indonesia. These unique places attract thousands of travelers every year, especially popular exotic island Enjoyed by fans of beach holidays and eco-tourism. Each city in Kalimantan is a treasure trove of interesting sights and cultural centers, so lovers of excursions will not be bored during their vacation.

The city of Pontianak is very interesting from an excursion point of view. It is located almost on the equator itself, as the corresponding memorial sign reminds guests of the city. The main historical value of the city is the beautiful Abdurrahman Mosque (Mesjid Abdurrakhman), which was built in the 18th century. The mosque was built in the best national traditions, after centuries she managed to retain her original features. An equally important architectural monument is the Kadriyah Palace (Istana Kadriyah), which once belonged to a wealthy sultan. Today the palace has been converted into a museum, which houses priceless family heirlooms of its former owners. Main cultural center Pontianak remains the City Museum (Museum Negeri Pontianak), whose rich collections are incredibly interesting. Its spacious halls display antique ceramics and porcelain, as well as a host of other interesting exhibits, one way or another related to the culture and traditions of the indigenous people.

Perfect for hiking picturesque city Banjarmasin, the main symbol of which has been the Sabilal Muhtadin Mosque for many years. Its tall minarets are visible from literally any area of the city; the mosque is the tallest building on its territory. Another important symbol of the city remains the numerous canals, as well as the most interesting floating markets - Lokbaintan (Pasar Lokbaintan) and Kuin (Pasar Kuin). In the immediate vicinity of the city there is the village of Banjarbar, which also deserves the attention of inquisitive tourists. The fact is that a large-scale ethnographic museum was opened here, the exhibition of which is incredibly diverse. Among its exhibits you can see Dutch cannons, which are reminiscent of the times of colonization of the island, and household items of the indigenous population, as well as a lot of interesting religious artifacts and cultural objects. Copyright www.site

One of the most unusual tourist sites on the island is the Diamond Mines, located near the village of Champak. Tourists have the opportunity to watch the hard work of the workers who come here every day in the hope of finding precious stones. For many travelers, one of the main attractions is visiting the village of Dayaks - local aborigines, whose lifestyle has no power over time. Just like many hundreds of years ago, today they continue to live according to the laws of the jungle, carefully preserving their culture and centuries-old traditions. It is worth noting that the Dayak tribes are very friendly to tourists, so organized excursions to ancient villages are regularly held for guests of the island.

It is impossible not to mention the priceless natural attractions of Kalimantan. On the island there is National Park Canibal, a walk through whose outstanding places will be an unforgettable adventure. Here you can see not only hundreds rare species animals and plants, but also the largest flowers in the world - rafflesia. The real decoration of the park is the Kipungit waterfall, whose height is more than 10 meters. There are also healing hot springs in the park, next to which comfortable swimming pools are equipped for vacationers. Kalimantan is ready to offer its guests excellent conditions for the most different types recreation.

Kalimantan offers a huge selection of entertainment for fans active rest. For them, one of the main attractions of the island is Mount Bukit Raya; for local residents, it continues to be sacred place. The height of this mountain is more than 2,000 meters; according to ancient legends, an army of spirits lives on the top of the mountain. Along the slopes of the sacred mountain there are many interesting walking routes, some of them can be easily overcome without special training. More sacred mountain attracts the attention of climbers; some of its slopes will impress even experienced athletes.

And occupying an area of almost 2 million square meters. km, this endlessly intriguing, always intoxicating country offers tourists to go to one of the most exciting and unusual travels in their lives. Among the huge variety unique places in Indonesia, one of the special attractions that deserves the attention of every adventure lover is largest islands world - Kalimantan.

Where is Kalimantan Island?

To see the island of Kalimantan on the world map, just find Australia and look a little higher. Thus, you will see a fairly large area in the central part of Indonesia, however, this is related to its geographical location, do not end. Exotic country thousands of islands belong to only 73% of the third largest island in the world (748,168 sq. km), the remaining 27% is divided between 2 more regions. So which states own the territory of the island of Kalimantan? The answer is simple: a little more than ¼ (26%) is allocated and only 1% is allocated to Brunei.

The area of Indonesian Kalimantan, which occupies the south of Borneo (another name for the island), is 544,150 square meters. km. The population of this region is 15.321 million people. Concerning administrative division, then, according to its location, the island is divided into 5 provinces: South, East, West, North and Central Kalimantan.

Climate and beaches of Kalimantan

The island has very favorable weather and offers year-round high temperatures reaching more than +30°C. Its climate is directly related to the equatorial environment, as well as the influence of air masses Indian Ocean. Sunny days are observed in this region almost 365 days a year, although there is, of course, a rainy season when it falls greatest number precipitation – period from December to April. The dry season in Kalimantan is from May to October and is accompanied by high temperatures, and soft ocean breezes provide a pleasant cooling effect.

If the main purpose of the trip is beach holiday, then it’s better to go to the western or eastern part of the island, where, according to travelers, the best public beaches are located:

Kijing in Mempawa;
Batu Lampampu Beach in Nunukan;
Tanjung Gundul and Pasir Panjang near Singkawan.

For lovers of peace and quiet, more isolated ones are better suited wild beaches, which are located north of.

Sights of Kalimantan

Photos of the island of Kalimantan are recognizable all over the world: they are luxurious golden, tall palm trees and azure water. However, the beauty of the Indonesian paradise does not stop there - there are many unforgettable places And , worthy of attention tourists. The most visited cities in Kalimantan are:

Particularly popular among all vacationers are natural attractions, including several national parks(Tanjungputing, Kutai, Kayan Mentarang, Sebangau) and the Pulau Deravan Marine Reserve.

Kalimantan Hotels

One of the most beautiful islands the world annually attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world, so it is not surprising that on its territory there are many options for accommodation for every taste and budget. The best, according to guest reviews, are:

Canopy Center Hostel– a small hostel in Pontianak, which is ideal for a budget tourist. Here, in addition to free Internet access, there is a restaurant and bicycle rental. Price for 1 night stay in shared room for several people – 6-11 USD
Quest Hotel Balikpapan– 3-star hotel in Balikpapan, offering Wi-Fi, a bar and a restaurant. Each room is designed in a modern style and is equipped with air conditioning, plasma TV, and a private bathroom with shower. The average cost of a room is 30-60 USD.
Grand Jatra Hotel Balikpapan– the most luxurious of Indonesian Kalimantan, located in the very center of Balikpapan. On the territory of the luxurious 5-star hotel there is a large open pool, restaurant, lounge bar, spa, conference room and much more. etc. Dry cleaning and laundry services are provided if necessary. Price per room for 2 adults – 70-100 USD

Where to eat?

Local cuisine is a mixture of traditional Indonesian dishes and specific delicacies that can only be tasted in Kalimantan. Thus, in the western part of the island, spicy food with the addition of large quantity garlic and pepper of different types. Local residents hold fish and poultry in high esteem among meat products, and most national delicacies are prepared using chicken broth.

You can try all these delicacies at one of the following establishments:

Kaizeki Japanese Restaurant;
Sky Bar;
Duck King Resto;
Ayam Goreng Banjar etc.

Shopping in Kalimantan

Although the island of Kalimantan is not small, there are not many places to do things here. To buy handicrafts, go to Pontianak or Balikpapan, and if you are more interested in rattan goods (all kinds of hats, baskets, etc.), then best city, than Palankaraya, you cannot find. Jewelry made from precious and semi-precious stones (topaz, jade, emerald, turquoise), which are quite cheap here, are also especially popular among the fair sex.

You can purchase the necessary goods at one of the floating markets or at a local store:

Hendra Art Shop (Samarinda) – antiques, exotic products;
Jasa Menenun Mandiri (Sintang) – fabrics, clothing;
Pasar Kebun Sayur (Balikpapan) – handicrafts, souvenirs, jewelry made of natural stones;
Balikpapan Plaza (Balikpapan) is a huge shopping mall where you can find absolutely any product.

How to get there?

To get to Kalimantan, you need to fly to one of the local airports:

As for moving around the island, it’s better not to rely on public transport. The fare is very high, and the buses themselves run extremely rarely, so the best way to visit all the local beauties is to book a tour with an agency, agreeing in advance on a list of all the attractions you want to see.

Basic moments

Borneo is divided between three countries - Indonesia (73%) in the south, Malaysia (26%) and Brunei (less than 1%) in the north. Kalimantan is the Indonesian name for the island, but the Malays prefer to call it Borneo, and that is how it is known around the world. The island is washed warm seas– South China, Sulawesi, Sulu, Java, as well as the Karimata and Makassar straits. It has an equatorial climate and is home to unique plants and animals.

Europeans learned of the existence of Borneo in 1521, thanks to round the world expedition Ferdinand Magellan. Currently, representatives of 300 ethnic groups living on the island speak different languages. The island aborigines are called Dayaks. Translated from Malay, “Dayak” is a pagan, that is, one who professes animism. They are believed to be descendants of Australonesians who arrived here from Asia about 3,000 years ago. Typical buildings of the Dayaks are long houses.

The economy of the island of Borneo is based on oil, diamonds and timber. Tourism also brings significant income to local residents. Most travelers come to Borneo for beach holidays and diving, and the vast majority of tourists stay in the Malaysian part of the island - in the states of Sabah and Sarawak.

Borneo resorts welcome guests all year round, although during the monsoon period there are few hotel guests. Since the inhabitants of the island are representatives of different cultures, local kitchen fully absorbed their culinary traditions. While vacationing in Borneo, you can try dishes of Thai, Chinese, Indonesian and other cuisines of the world.

origin of name

The island is known by many names. On English language and internationally it is called Borneo. This word comes from the name of the Sultanate of Brunei, where F. Magellan's ships anchored, and then the expedition extended it to the entire island in the form of "Borneo". It is also possible that this word was derived from the Sanskrit "Váruṇa", meaning "ocean", or from the mythological Varuna - the god of the ocean in Hinduism.

Indonesian aborigines, in turn, call the island “Kalimantan”, and this word has several versions of its origin. According to one of them, it comes from “Kalamanthana”, which translated from Sanskrit means “island of burning weather”. According to the most common theory, “Kalimantan” was transformed from the name of the local Clementan tribe. There are other beautiful translation options: “mango land” and “diamond river.”

Climatic features

The island of Borneo lies in the equatorial climatic zone, and it is warm and hot here all year round. The average air temperature ranges from +27°C to +32°C, and only in the area of the Kelabit mountain plateau is it cooler.

Borneo is humid because it rains a lot. In the flat parts of the island, 2000-3000 mm of precipitation falls annually, and in mountainous areas - up to 5000 mm. However, tropical downpours rarely bother tourists. As a rule, they go at night, without affecting the program of excursions and beach holidays. The main monsoon period in Borneo begins in November and ends by the end of February. In the Malaysian state of Sabah, the rainy season lasts until mid-March. The second, shorter rainy season occurs in October-November.

Nature of Borneo

The island is covered by many mountains, the height of which on average ranges from 1000 to 2000 meters. In the northeast of Borneo is located the most high peak islands – Kinabalu, rising to 4095 m.

The wonderful warm climate means that the entire island abounds in lush tropical vegetation. Much of Borneo is covered in dense jungle, which is considered the oldest tropical forests planets. In some places they are difficult to pass and therefore have not been explored. Biologists are convinced that in some areas of the island there are plants and animals not yet known to science. Their correctness is confirmed every year by expeditions of scientists from different countries who manage to discover more and more new species.

In the forests of Borneo there are many unusual orchids, the largest flowering plant in the world - Arnold's rafflesia, as well as predator flowers - nepenthes, whose menu includes insects and even small birds. In the jungle you can find orangutans, gibbons, the endemic species of proboscis monkeys, as well as elephants, rhinoceroses, leopards and giant flying foxes. In addition, Borneo is home to more than one and a half thousand species of birds, many snakes, crocodiles and tree frogs.

Video: Wild Borneo

Beaches

All year round, the water temperature in coastal waters ranges from +25°C to +30°C. Almost all Borneo beaches are covered with fine white coral sand. From big waves coast protected coral reefs and islands, and the shores are covered with lush tropical greenery. 4-5* hotels have their own equipped beaches.

Many travelers prefer to leave on boats and motor boats. neighboring islands and swim there. This often occurs during a red tide. This is what they call the plankton breeding season in Borneo, when the sea turns red. Swimming in such water can lead to toxic poisoning, so tourists choose safer beach holidays on the islands. Typically, red tides occur from February to May and last for 1-2 weeks.

North Borneo. Sabah and Sarawak.

The northern part of the island of Borneo belongs to Malaysia. It is divided into 2 states: Sabah and Sarawak.

Sabah

Malaysia's second largest state, Sabah, is famous for its mountainous terrain, and most its territory is covered by dense tropical jungle. The capital of Sabah is Kota Kinabalu. In the very center of this city stands the Muslim shrine of Malaysia - a large golden-domed mosque in which 5,000 believers can pray at the same time. The state museum is located not far from it. Here you can see examples of housing of local peoples, archaeological finds, a rich ethnographic collection and a luxurious botanical garden.

There are many interesting markets open in the settlements of Sabah, where artisans, chefs and farmers trade. The goods are inexpensive, and their range is very large.

A popular place for a beach holiday in Sabah is Tanjung Aru, where the clear azure sea harmoniously combines with snow-white sand. Near this beach there is a hotel of the same name. Travelers also love to visit the famous Prince Philip Yacht Club and Park.

One of the most famous places Borneo - mountain and national park reserve Kinabalu, located 85 km from the capital of Sabah. The protected area covers 754 hectares and is located at an altitude of about 1500 meters above sea level - which is why it is a little cooler here than in coastal areas. Traveling through the vast reserve is an opportunity to see rare plants, animals and thermal springs.

Many tourists try to get to the well-known orangutan reserve far beyond the island of Borneo, which is located in Sepilok. Its employees have been teaching little monkeys, who for various reasons were left without parental care, to survive in the wild for many years.

State of Sarawak

The heart of the state of Sarawak, located in the northwest of the island, is the city of Kuching, built near the coast, in the valley of the river of the same name. The name "Kuching" translates as "cat city". There are many historical and architectural monuments located here - colonial mansions, Fort Margaret, picturesque Chinese temples, ancient Christian churches and Muslim mosques. The city embankment is laid along Jalan Gambir - perfect place for promenades and buying souvenirs. In Kuching, it is interesting to visit the state and police museums.

Kuching City

Sarawak is attractive great beaches, jungles and large caves. More than 50 hotels have been built for tourists in the state - from simple guesthouses to 5-star hotels.

Those who come to Sarawak should go on excursions to the Bako or Mulu nature reserves. The latter became famous thanks to the largest cave in the world. Its vaults rise 100 m, and the dimensions of the underground cavity are 600 by 450 meters.

Borneo has several crocodile farms and a marine reserve spanning five picturesque offshore islands. Tourists interested in the original culture of local peoples can visit specially created ethnographic villages.

West Borneo. Pontianak and surroundings

In the west of Borneo, the main city is Pontianak, a former gold mining center. now this major port, located at the very equator. The Equatorial Monument is located on the eastern bank of the Kapuas River. You can check the accuracy of its location in a simple way - pour water into a paper funnel. To the north of the monument it will twist clockwise, and a few meters to the south – counterclockwise. In addition to the landmark crossing of the earth’s axis in the city, you can eat cheap fruit and explore the Negeri Museum of Local Lore. (Jl. Ahmad Yani, Tue-Sun, 8.00-12.00) and former Sultan's palace Keraton Kadria, made of wood. There is an airport in Pontianak with flights " Malaysia Airlines» in Kuching and local companies in Jakarta, Surabaya and east coast cities.

Pontianak Equatorial Monument

The road heading north leads to the Malay city of Kuching. Crossing the Indonesia-Malaysia border is through the only land crossing between the two countries. The areas east of Pontianak along the Kapuas River are interesting for their Dayak settlements.

Actually, Dayaks are a collective image of two hundred tribes united by similar traditions and rituals. One of the most famous is initiation into men. A young man cannot marry until he brings back the skull of the person he killed. Only after this is he considered initiated into a man. This is not a sign of cruelty or bloodthirstiness, it is a sacred ritual that is many centuries old. IN last years the government has outlawed the custom and severely punishes those guilty, but sometimes suspiciously fresh skulls appear on Dayak huts...

Men of the tribes lead a hunting lifestyle and masterfully handle formidable weapons - a pipe and poisoned arrows. You can look at such unusual and awe-inspiring children of nature by renting a boat on the city river pier in Pontianak. The path along the Kapuas River is replete with hot springs, waterfalls and caves, along which short treks are easy to organize. The starting point for them is the village of Sanggau, where you can spend the night. Further downstream, at a distance of a day's march, lies the Dayak settlement of Sintang. Continuing their journey east, tourists arrive at Puttusibau, the last locality on this route. The surrounding area is replete with Dayak villages, visiting which you can even stay alive. It is recommended to take the return trip by bus to speed up the journey and change the landscape.

The most adventurous can make a trip worthy of National Geografic magazine by swimming to the upper reaches of the Kapuas River, doing a 4-day trek across the ridge to the Sungai Mahakam River and sailing along it to east coast Kalimantan to the city of Samarinda. This path will require extensive equipment and medical training, but can be considered autobiographical.

South Borneo. Banjarmasin and surroundings

This area of Borneo is literally riddled with hundreds of rivers flowing from mountain range. The former capital of the local Banjarmasin Sultanate is famous for its floating markets, where boats filled with all sorts of goods act as a counter.

The most famous of them are Pasar Lokbaitan and Pasar Queen, north of the city center. As befits a sultanate, the rules in the city are strictly Islamic, so clothing should not be free-thinking. The richly ornate Rayya Sabilal Mukhtadin Mosque (Jl. Sudirman) with large copper domes and minarets, it is worthy of admiration and a visit. The airport is located 26 km from the city and provides daily flights with Garuda and Merpati airlines to Jakarta, Surabaya and Balikpapan. Pelni ships enter sea port and take passengers to Semarang and Surabaya.

The area around Banjarmasin is in a permanent state of gold and diamond rush. Driving 45 km from the city to the village of Chempaka, you can watch its victims spending whole days waist-deep in muddy water with round vats in their hands. In the neighboring town of Martapura, stones are cut and sold much cheaper than in the West, but often without concern for quality.

Travel agencies in Banjarmasin organize treks into the interior of Borneo to the Dayak villages, but they are in much less demand than similar ones in the eastern part of the island. By volunteering for a 10-day trek, you can get into the possessions of the Pelaihari Martapura nature reserve with its lakes, humid jungles and even some semblance of wild savannah. The main thing why tourists come to Banjarmasin and Borneo in general is to visit National Park Tanjung Puting and the orangutan rehabilitation centers located on its lands.

Central Borneo. Tanjung Puting National Park

Strictly speaking, this area is considered part of central Borneo. It is connected to Banjarmasin by a road through Palangkaraya, where there is a small local airport, before final stop in the towns of Pangkalanbun and Kumai. Traveling by bus along this multi-hundred-kilometer route is quite difficult, so the best way to get to the National Park is by Merpati and DAS Air planes to the airport near Pangkalanbun. Due to the exponentially increasing popularity of the attraction, new flights have been introduced (up to 5 per day) from Pontianak, Banjarmasin, Jakarta, Semarang and Jogja.

Upon arrival in Pangkalanbun, you need to register and continue on the minibus to Kumai - the starting point of all treks. Alternatively, you can sail to the Kumai seaport on the weekly Pelni ferry from Surabaya and Semarang.

The main street of this small town is Jl. N.M. Idris is full of hotels and small guesthouses where you can hire a guide for your orangutan trek. The best way– rent motor boat klotok for $35 per day for 1-4 people. In Kumai, you need to stock up on provisions and water, and the boat will serve as transport, a floating hotel, and a restaurant.

The surrounding area along the Sungai River is very picturesque, and the first stop will be the Tanjung Harapan Orangutan Rehabilitation Center, where newly arrived young monkeys and orphans are kept. Here you can spend the night at the Sekonyer River Ecolodge. ($40-50/DBL) and get information from the tourist office. Further downstream is the Pondok Tanggui center, where you can see monkeys and feed them bananas. Eye to eye, hand to hand - you can spend hours watching these leisurely, intelligent animals, feeling an indescribable feeling of unity with nature.

But still, the main and most interesting camp lies even further and is called “Camp Liki”. It was founded in 1971 by Birut Galdikas, whom everyone called “the professor.” He and his associates freed orangutans that had fallen into the hands of monkey traders and simply flayers. In parallel, scientific research was carried out, now practically curtailed. Camp Leakey is good for those interested in seeing orangutans in their natural habitat while trekking through the jungle. There are specially trained guides for this, and the fee is much lower than in a similar center in Bohorok in Sumatra.

Even further up the river you can reach the habitats and study of long-tailed proboskis monkeys. Almost more interesting than the monkeys themselves is the opportunity to observe the rich animal world along the river banks - from pythons to crocodiles. Treks of varying durations and levels of comfort with overnight stays in lodges or on boats are organized by all travel agencies major cities to Borneo.

East Borneo. Balikpapan, Samarinda and surrounding areas

This part of Kalimantan is the most developed. Found oil deposits and active logging attracted many settlers from Java and Madura. The largest city, Balikpapan, is typical industrial centre with an overloaded port and a complete lack of interesting places.

From the point of view of tourists, its usefulness lies only in the presence of an airport with flights from Silk Air to Singapore, Malaysia Airlines to Kota Kinabalu and local companies Garuda, Merpati and Bouraq to Pontianak, Banjarmasin, Tarakan, Jakarta , Surabaya, Denpasar and Makassar. Flight schedules and directions change frequently; for current information, it is better to contact travel agencies and carrier representative offices. Of course, the largest East Kalimantan seaport receives Pelni ferries going to Java and Sulawesi. With the south of the island and its capital Banjarmasin East Coast connected by quite a decent road, but public transport sparse and leisurely, and the distance is great (12 hours by bus from Batu Ampar bus station).

Once in Balikpapan, tourists immediately set off on a short 2-hour journey to the city of Samarinda, considered the provincial capital. Taxi is the most convenient and fastest, but expensive way; alternatives are buses and passenger boats. An international airport is being built near Samarinda, and transit through Balikpapan will soon become unnecessary. The goal of the trip is not the city itself, in which it is interesting to spend a maximum of half a day, but treks into the depths of the Dayak lands. They are organized by all travel agencies in Balikpapan and Samarinda, such as Borneo Discovery Tours.

The path to the region of the “headhunters” begins at the river pier of the provincial capital and passes along the Sungai Mahakam River by motor boats.

The first point after a couple of hours of travel is Tenggarong, former capital local sultanate. Its banks are full of all kinds of consumer goods for the amusement of tourists - Dayak souvenirs, traditional dances. Get away from here, further along the river, to Kota Bangun! This is the last stronghold of civilization, 8 hours from Samarinda, with human hotels and hot water. The surface road also ends here.

Many travelers visit the nearby Dayak village of Muara Muntai, with its imposing longhouses on stilts and quite peaceful natives in national costumes. Further downstream, a series of beautiful lakes begins, and the shore of one of them - Danau Jempang - has become a shelter for the popular village of Tanjung Isui, where guests can enjoy already familiar dances.

Do you already want to see the bloodthirsty natives and fresh skulls of tourists from previous excursions? For them you need to sail further to the villages of Melak, famous for the chic orchid garden “Kersik Luwai”, Longiram and Longbagun. In this territory, 40 hours away from Samarinda with large powerful boats, most “civilian” tours end and adventures begin for adventure seekers. The surrounding areas are rich in routes for lovers of exotic tribes, but a guide is required. What if some brave Dayak youth likes your skull?

Transport

The major cities of Borneo are connected by air. The main companies serving passengers on domestic airlines are Air Asia and Malaysia Airlines.

A railway exists in the west of Borneo. It runs between the cities of Beaufort and Kota Kinabalu. The 134 kilometers of the route can be traveled on air-conditioned express trains or regular trains, which stop at every stop.

Sabah City Airport

Major cities in Malaysian states are connected by a network highways, where regular express buses run. Minibuses and taxis operate within cities and in the suburbs.

Boats connecting coastal cities and towns are another popular look transport, which is often chosen and local residents, and tourists. Inside Borneo, it is customary to travel along the rivers by long boats or sampans.

How to get there

The Malaysian state of Sarawak has two international airport– in Kuching and Miri, where planes fly regularly from Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

You can get to the capital of Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, from Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Brunei, Kuala Lumpur, Manila and Jakarta.

Since the beach in Borneo is becoming more and more popular every day, many are interested in where the island is and how to get to Borneo. The amazing nature of the island and its beaches attract tens of thousands of tourists here every year.

Geography

Finding the island of Borneo on the world map is not difficult: it is located on the border of the South China, Sulu and Java seas, east of the island of Sumatra and the Malacca Peninsula, north of the island of Java.

general information

Borneo is the third largest island in the world: it is second in size only to New Guinea. Borneo has another name - Kalimantan, which is used as often as the first. This is due to the fact that there is more than one state on Borneo: this island is the only one in the world whose territory is divided between three countries: Indonesia and Brunei.

The northeastern part of the island belongs to Malaysia (and in the Malay language the island is called Borneo - as the members of Magellan’s expedition who dropped anchor near the Sultanate of Brunei called it), the northwestern part is occupied by Brunei, and the southern part belongs to Indonesia, where it and is called Kalimantan.

Malaysia owns only 26% of the island, but the bulk of tourists vacation here. The Malaysian part of Borneo does not have a capital as such: the states of Sabah and Sarawak are located here, each of which has main city- and correspondingly.

Climate

In general, Borneo has a tropical climate, but different places islands, it is still somewhat different. In Sarawak, the temperature does not change too noticeably throughout the year and ranges from +27°...+32°C; in Sabah the temperature is about the same. But the mountainous areas - the Kelabit Plateau in Sabah and Mount Kinabalu in Sarawak - are known for cooler weather. Those who want to climb should stock up on warm clothing.

In Borneo, the rainy season begins in November. In Sarawak it ends in February, and in Sabah it lasts until mid-spring. Precipitation here ranges from 2 to 3 thousand mm per year, in mountainous areas– up to 5 thousand mm. It rains all year round; the rainy season differs only in its length and abundance.

wild nature

The islands of Borneo are most often depicted in photographs snow-white beaches and blue sea. However natural beauty The islands don't stop there. There are rain forests here - some of the oldest in the world (their age is about 130 million years). The island is home to many endemic plants.

The animals of Borneo are also amazing in their diversity. Here you can see the smallest bears on the planet - biruangs, dwarf elephants, Sumatran rhinoceroses, clouded leopards, orangutans, proboscis monkeys, and binturongs.

Resorts Borneo

Borneo's beaches are considered one of the best in Malaysia - a long, almost endless coastal strip of sand. The sand here is white and fine. There are practically no waves off the coast, since the island is reliably protected by coral islands. The ominous “red tide” (active bloom of water) rarely happens here - usually waves and currents carry everything towards China and Thailand - but when something similar happens (this can happen in late April-May), you can go to any of islands located nearby: boats constantly ply between them.

4* and 5* hotels have own beaches. The best of them are located near Kota Kinabalu, and the most popular on the island, perhaps, can be called Tanjung Aru. Very good beaches in, which is located on the islands a few kilometers from Kota Kinabalu.

Sights of Borneo

Borneo is an island packed with attractions, so there's plenty to do when you get bored of your beach holiday. Tourists wondering: Borneo or - what to choose? – first of all, they should be guided by what type of recreation attracts them.

If it’s exclusively the beach + sea, then you can still think about it, since both the first and second options have their pros and cons. But those who want to take breaks from “doing nothing” and want to get acquainted with culture, art and culture should choose Borneo. Most of the attractions are located far from cities, and to get acquainted with the beauty of the island of Borneo, you should book and visit:

Kuching National Park;
Kota Kinabalu Wetlands;
Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park;

What to see in Borneo in cities? Very interesting in Kota Kinabalu:

Sabah State Museum;
Seawater aquarium and a museum.

How to get to Borneo?

How to get to Borneo from ? By plane. In the capitals of the states - Kuching and Kota Kinabalu - they are located, to which you can fly from the capital in 1 hour 25 minutes, respectively. and in 2 hours 30 minutes. Borneo airports accept flights from the capital of Malaysia, other major cities, as well as international flights.

Transport network

You can fly from Kota Kinabalu to Kuching and back: these airports serve domestic flights Malaysia Airlines and Air Asia. By west coast islands passes Railway, which links Kota Kinabalu with Beaufort. The length of the line is 134 km. In addition, there are many buses running around the island. Between state capitals and from capitals to others big cities There are express trains that are quite comfortable and equipped with air conditioning. There are also a lot of regular flights with stops in all localities.