Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Getting There & Away
To visit Mancong charter a
ces
from Tanjung Isuy (500,000Rp return, about three to four
hours each way) early in the morning. In the dry season, it's possible to travel to/from
Tanjung Isuy by
ojek
(100,000Rp, 30 minutes).
MUARA PAHU
Lining one side of a big curve in the Mahakam, this town is known mainly for its proxim-
ity to the Irrawaddy dolphin. There's an extensive boardwalk, a good place for a stroll
where you can also find warungs.
THE LAST IRRAWADDY DOLPHINS
The freshwater Irrawaddy dolphin (
pesut
) was common all along Sungai Mahakam until the 1980s. Today there
are around 90 left. They can generally be seen near Muara Pahu and, more frequently, en route to Muara Muntai
from Muara Kaman. If you have a particular interest in seeing them, contact Budiono or Danielle Kreb at
yk.rasi@gmail.com.
Sleeping
LOSMEN
Pension Anna $
(s/d 50,000/100,000Rp)
Two identical well-lit rooms in the front of a private home, near
the bridge.
Getting There & Around
You can charter
ces
around Muara Pahu for from one hour to all day (150,000Rp to
600,000Rp). It's also possible to combine dolphin-watching with transport to Maura Mun-
tai or Tanjung Isuy (400,000Rp) via Sungai Baroh, an area rich with birds and monkeys,
and to Melak (500,000Rp). Trained boatmen go slow for wildlife viewing, so travel times
vary.
Kapal biasa
to/from Samarinda (80,000Rp, 12 hours) pass by in the early evening.
MELAK
Unlike other towns on the river, Melak is not defined by its waterfront. As you walk up
the landing into town, and keep going, you could be anywhere in roadside Kalimantan,
