PONTIANAK & KALIMANTAN Adventure TOURS & Travel Guide

Indonesia Borneo Island is a intriguing history of Sultan Kingdoms and traditional Dayak Tribes, with a wealth of ecological and cultural treasures that survive deep within the rainforest jungle of Indonesia ’s largest island. With its legacy of Chinese, Malay, Hindu, Muslim, and Dutch influences, we discover a virtual mosaic of traditions flourishing in the bustling seaports and riverside cities of Borneo. Kalimantan ’s dense jungle and wide terrain of wetlands have traditionally kept the region isolated from all but the adventurous travelers, and along the upper reaches of the rivers, you can discover the rich Dayak Culture. The indigenous Dayak settlements along the Rivers of Kalimantan is an ideal way to experience the incredible culture, where village elders practice traditional medicine and mark their status with intricate body tattoos and remarkably heavy ear adornments, we will be warmly welcomed guests in their traditional longhouses. At Borneo you can enjoy a sightful experience of traditional culture and grand diversity of exotic flora and wildlife from black orchids to fresh water dolphins and orangutans, and venture ashore for captivating jungle explorations and unforgettable encounters in our village visits. Join us for a once-in-a-lifetime exploration of the Kalimantan Island!

The Expeditions are a collection of exploratories and Indonesia dream destination journeys that reflect the particular passions and favorite places. We created the Borneo adventure tours for those who search a indigenous Dayak Culture in the deep dense jungle with it's exotic flora and fauna. Borneo travelers will have an unforgettable experience trip in Indonesia, however, it is designed for those who are adventurous in body and spirit.

PONTIANAK & WEST KALIMANTAN
The Enchanting Kapuas And The Equator

Pontianak, City On The Equator
With a population of about 300,000 Pontianak, West Kalimantan's provincial capital, known as the city on the Equator, is a bustling economic hub as well as the center of administration in the province. Pontianak was initially the center of the Pontianak sultanate the last kingdom in West Kalimantan, which was established at the same time as that of the Dutch administration in the second half of the 18th century. The founder of the sultanate was Syarif Abdurrahman. As the seat of the kingdom, Pontianak was founded on October 23, 1771 on a spot covered by jungle at the mouth of the Kapuas Kecil and Landak rivers. Pontianak has since, served as a kind of cultural gateway through which influences from the outside reached the population of the hinterland. People from the hinterland also come to the city and mixed with Malays, Javanese, Chinese, Bugis and other peoples. For the Japanese, Pontianak has a special significance because the first battle occurred in this city. Pontianak lies on the Kapuas river where many houses are built over the water and are connected with each other by wooden bridges. Small boats sail up and down the river to transport people and goods from one place to another. Pontianak is known as a producer of oranges, although the fruits are actually grown in the Tebas district, 300 kilometers north of the city. Pontianak has some attractive tourism objects. The city is located on the equator, at the north of the rivers Kapuas and Landak.
The Kapuas is 1,143 kilometers long. It is the most important river in the area, and can be navigated by small boats weighing up to 1.000 tons up to Putussibau, the capital of the Kapuas Hulu regency, 814 kilometers from Pontianak. A small motorboat can even go further upstream.
Pontianak's links with various other cities inside the province and outside are smooth. Air transportation is available to and from Jakarta (381 miles), Balikpapan (456 miles), Singapore (344 miles) and Kuching (Malaysia -118 miles). From Pontianak planes fly to various small towns throughout West Kalimantan where airstrips exist.

Mujahiddin Mosque
The Mujahiddin Mosque in Pontianak is the pride of the city and the province. Officially inaugurated in 1978, it is the biggest mosque in the province.

Bugis Dalam
In the village of Bugis Dalam, is the Jami' Mosque of Sultan Abdurrahman Al-Qodri. The historical mosque was built in 1771 by Sultan Syarif Abdurrahman. It is 40 by 35 meters large, and 20 meters high, and has a multi-tiered roof, like that of a Balinese temple. It has six pillars, made of giant belian trunks.

Palace Of Khadariyah
The Palace of the Sultan of Pontianak lies nearby and is also called the Palace of Khadariyah. It is two stories and is built entirely of belian wood. A sturdy main entrance in the shape of Portuguese gate is found at the front of the palace. In former times, a fortress protected the palace against possible enemy attacks, and a cannon was installed. A monument of the Pontianak Kingdom is found near it.

There is a historical cathedral in this city. A clock stands on the top of the church.

Equator Monument
To the north, three kilometers away from the city, towards the Pinyuh river, there is the well-known Equator Monument, standing on the exact spot, passed by the equator.

Museum Of Pontianak
The Museum of Pontianak is two kilometers outside the city. It is a beautiful building in modern design, with the ornamental characteristics of West Kalimantan. The museum's collections include relics from the time of the arrival of Islam in this region.

Patria Jaya Heroes Cemetery
The Patria Jaya Heroes Cemetery, 12 kilometers from the city towards the Soepadio airport, is where those who died in the cause of independence are buried.

Juang Mandor Cemetery
The Juang Mandor Cemetery is a cemetery for those killed in the fight against the Japanese. About 21,037 bodies lie buried in ten mass graves.

Palace Of Mempawah Kingdom
The Palace of Mempawah Kingdom is 80 kilometers away from Pontianak. It was built in 1780 by Panembahan Adiwijaya of stone wood. The palace is smaller than that of Khadariyah.
Mempawah is the capital of the Pontianak regency. It lies at the side of the river and is a busy town. The cannons of Kyai Sumi and Ratu Destari are found near Munggu village.

Penibungan Island
Penibungan Island lies four kilometers from Mempawah and is reachable by motorboat. Its beaches are beautiful and are much-favored holiday resort.

Temajo Island
Temajo Island is close to Mempawah, and 78 kilometers from Pontianak. The grave of Fatimah Jemaje is found on this island, in Tanjung Mutus. Fatimah was a queen of Siak who died in a battle between the kingdoms of Sambas and Siak. The beach is clean and white, and the sea suitable for surfing. Cloves and kruing grow on the island.

Putussibau
The Chinese presence in the Sambas region started in the 14th century, when groups began coming from China to set up a diamond mining company. The mining regions were found in the regions of Bengkayang, Lumar, Batu Mountains, the Ambawang river, Darit, the Landak and Ayak rivers, the Cempedak Tayan delta, the Tayan river, Kembayan, Timur Senaning and upstream regions of the Kapuas river around Putussibau.
Putussibau is the capital of the Kapuas Hulu regency, 816 kilometers from Pontianak. It is can be reached by boat over Kapuas river. The river between Pontianak and Putussibau can be navigated by boats weighing up to 1,000 tons. Small motorboats or canoes can sail as far as Sibau village, further upstream. Cane races are occasionally held by the Dayak people. Near the villages Nanga Bunut and Nanga Embaluh, lakes are found, such as Sriang, Luar, Sentarum, Bekuan, Geneli, Tang, Merekas and Kemeryan. The mountains Betung, Uluselua, Harung and Piabung are also found in this region. A Dayak longhouse is found at Melapi village, and stone axes from prehistoric times can be seen in Naga Belang.

Diamonds
The sites for panning diamonds are found along the Landak river, from Ngabang to the highlands, and around Sanggau. During the Dutch colonial period, the mining was done by a Dutch company, Erdman & Sieleken, near Landak. As a result of those efforts, the diamond reserves have been almost depleted. Since the old days, panning was also carried out by the people. During the long dry seasons, when the river is shallow, the local people still pan for the mineral along the area. Besides diamond, kaolin, mica, iron, gold, mercury, copper, silver, manganese, lead, zinc, salt and other minerals are also found in West Kalimantan in general, the Sambas region in particular.

Kalimantan Tour Solutions

EAST KALIMANTAN

SOUTH KALIMANTAN

CENTRAL KALIMANTAN

WEST KALIMANTAN

KALIMANTAN FACTS

KALIMANTAN TOURISM DESTINATION GUIDE

Fascinating Wealth of Borneo

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