Tarakan is the only city in North Kalimantan, Indonesia’s 34th and newest province, and therefore is an important stop for anything planning on exploring the Borneo jungle. It is also one of the most remote regions in the entire country. Its primary tourist attraction is the complete and utter lack of tourists. The jungle is in charge out here, and it is not something be underestimated. As the saying here goes, “Getting into North Kalimantan is hard. Getting out is even harder.” Locals use the rivers to get around, which means that although the jungle is too thick for trekking, there are plenty of rivers to explore.Rides on local boats can be booked cheap and easily, although some knowledge of basic Indonesian will go a long way as foreign tourism to the area is still basically non-existent. It is also possible to charter private boats, and while these are not cheap, they do allow for much more convenience.
Along these rivers are a few small villages and collections of stilt houses. This is an ideal destination for photographers and nature lovers alike. However, if relying on public transportation, make sure to bring a small bag of supplies. Although there is no guarantee that you’ll be able to catch a boat back the same day; rest assured that the locals are friendly and it will be easy to find somewhere to rest your head for the night.
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