If you are looking for a different Indonesian experience, away from the islands of Bali and Java, then Kalimantan is definitely for you. Wild, exotic and still relatively unexplored, Kalimantan is your ticket to some of the world’s most untamed rainforests, animals and remote tribal villages.

So, you would like to experience the exotic, yet do not know where Kalimantan is. No worries, we’ve got you covered. Kalimantan is located on the northern half of Borneo Island. Geopolitically, the island consists of two other countries, Brunei and Malaysia. If you still can’t find it on a map, here are some other clues. The Malay Peninsula and the Indonesian island of Sumatra are to the west. Java is to the south, to the east is Sulawesi and northeast of Kalimantan are the Philippines. Found it? Great, cuz that’s where we’ll be heading!

Kalimantan is best discovered by boat. In fact, it might as well be your hotel for the duration of the trip! The island’s rivers and waterways lead to very beautiful scenes, such as riverside villages and markets. Use your camera to capture these colorful scenes!

Kalimantan is home to numerous tribes where ancient traditions, customs and clothing have remained unchanged for centuries. One of these tribes are the Dayak people, known for their large and intricate tattoos and huge body piercings. Learn more about the people and their customs by visiting their log houses and delving into their customs and traditions.

Due to its island location, you will also be treated to some exotic and bizarre animals. One of these weird animals you may encounter at Kalimantan is the comically looking Proboscis Monkey. What makes it so funny? Its big red nose makes Pinocchio look like an amateur when it comes to lying and its round stomach looks like beer is the monkey’s main diet. We may laugh at these traits, but the females are certainly attracted to it. Guys, take note!

Search the jungles for giant lizards, colorful birds, macaques and unusual species of kingfishers that are all lurking around and waiting for you to check them out! These animals are certainly unique!

Exotissimo’s Kalimantan: Tribes and Villages tour brings the Indonesian section of Borneo to you! Examine the region in deeper and in greater detail than what any documentary can achieve. Meet the aforementioned Dayak people as well as the Dayak Kenyah tribe, the Isuy and the Kutai people. Snap away at the Pinocchio looking beer belly Proboscis Monkey and any other alien-like animal you may encounter on your journey.

With over 17,000 islands consisting of lush forests, beautiful oceans, beaches as well as interesting peoples and customs, Indonesia presents numerous travel options, yet can be a little problematic when planning a trip. No sweat. Exotissimo’s Indonesia tours page can help clarify things a bit. Whether it is Bali, Java, Sulawesi, Lombok, West Timor or Kalimantan you are looking to go to, we got it covered. You can also create your perfect holiday from scratch with us! How? By visiting our tailor made page. Tell us where you want to go and what you like to do and we will work with you to create the perfect itinerary.

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If you haven’t noticed, Indonesia is a huge archipelago made up of thousands and thousands of islands.  Here’s a geography quiz for you.  What island is Jakarta (Indonesia’s capital) in?  If you answered Java, then give yourself a pat on the back.  That is one out of a reported 17,508 islands.  The capital is also where you will begin your journey on the Sunda Express.

Just a couple geography pointers before we detail this journey.  The Sunda Islands make up the lower section of the Malay Archipelago.  The Sunda Islands themselves are then divided into two distinct sections, The Greater Sundas and the Lesser Sundas.  The island of Java constitutes a part of the Greater Sunda Islands and that’s where we the action will take place on the Sunda Express tour.

Your first stop is of course at Jakarta.  As with any big Southeast Asian capital, this is the perfect opportunity for you to do some shopping and site seeing.  Some of the sites you will be seeing include the Presidential Palace and Istiqlal Mosque as well as Kota, Jakarta’s old colonial town.  It was once dubbed “The Jewel of Asia” and “Queen of the East” in the 1700’s by European sailors.  You might just agree with these old guys.

Leave the tall skyscrapers and city streets behind for the green trees and budding flowers of Bogor’s beautiful and lush Botanical Gardens.  You may think you are in the middle of a wild jungle until signs indicating plant name and species reassures you that you are not lost in Java’s rainforests.  The world’s largest unbrached flower cluster can be seen here.  Be wary though, this thing smells like raw meat that has been left out of the fridge for weeks!  This odor attracts flies and beetles which love the ‘fragrance’ and are attracted to come and pollinate it.  Well, at least the flower looks good.

You will then make your way to Bandung, Indonesia’s third largest city.  It is a relief to get here because the weather is noticeably cooler, thanks in large part to it being 770 meters above sea level.  The city is also a hub for Sundanese culture and a traditional dance performance serves as a great way to familiarize yourself with Indonesia’s second largest ethnic group.

From here it is time to explore Tangkuban Perahu, one of Indonesia’s many active volcanoes.  Here you can easily hike to its numerous craters and hot springs and get a firsthand look at some of Earth’s most powerful creations.  If you are feeling hungry, feel free to purchase an egg and cook it on the mountain’s hot surface.

Transfer to Bandung’s railway station and hop on the morning express executive train to Jogjakarta.  The trip is amazing and colorful.  Scenes of bright green rice terraces fringed by a mountainous back drop constitute the general scenery as you make your way to one of Indonesia’s oldest and most artistic cities.

To say that Indonesia is huge is a massive understatement.  This is the region’s largest country by the way and it is easy to get lost in all of its beautiful attractions and finding the best destination for you.  Exotissimo’s Indonesia tours page can help ease things and give you some ideas on where to go.  If you would like to tweak one of our tours, then contact us.  We would work with you to build the perfect itinerary for your dream holiday.

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