About this Destination
The Mahakam River winds for over 980 kilometers from the pristine interior highlands of the Muller Mountains down to the Makassar Strait. Cruising the Mahakam allows travelers to witness the delicate freshwater Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris / Pesut Mahakam), expansive wetlands of Lake Jempang and Lake Semayang, and timeless Dayak Benuaq and Kenyah communities in Manjau, Tanjung Isuy, and Long Bagun. Farther upriver lies Long Apari, a breathtaking remote frontier of roaring rapids and karst limestone pinnacles.
Destination Gallery
How to Get There
Drive from Balikpapan or Samarinda to Loa Janan or Kota Bangun harbor, then board our river cruiser or motorized canoe.
Responsible Travel Tips
Respect Dayak ancestral rituals and ask permission before photographing tribal elders in traditional longhouses.
Best Time to Visit
Year-round; April to November offers ideal river water levels for upper expeditions
Need Customized Planning?
Our tour architects in Balikpapan can combine this destination with your broader Borneo itinerary.
Plan Journey HereTours & Expeditions in Mahakam River & Upper Mahakam
RBK002
3D2N
RBK004
4D3N
RBK006
7D6N
RBK010
14D13N