Hotels
by Location | Central Kalimantan
Central
Kalimantan is the island’s largest province, covering some
153,800 square kilometers. Within this area the land slopes
from the northern mountain range to the central tropical
forest to the southern lowlands, which are dotted with
swamps and crossed by dozens of rivers. The original
inhabitants of the province are a number of Dayak tribes,
who live in traditional longhouses, practice their ancient
animist religion and centuries old way of life, and speak a
number of distinct dialects. The province is famous for its
indigenous cultural ceremonies, known as tiwah, where
a village’s dead are sent on to the next life after weeks
of elaborate ceremonies and lavish feasting.
The province’s
capital is Palangkaraya, a small city with basic traveler’s
facilities and accommodations. On the southern shores, at
the edge of the Java Sea, is the world famous Tanjung
Putting National Park, home to two of the most well-run
orangutan rehabilitation centers anywhere. The park itself
is a true conservationist success, spanning over 300,000
hectares of rainforest and wetlands. It hosts a stunning
range of flora and fauna, including crocodiles, wild pigs,
dolphins, and a wide variety of primates.
