The Meratus Mountains divide South Kalimantan into two distinct regions. The southern section of the province is much flatter with large rivers meandering through lowlands to vast mangrove swamps along the coast, that why South Kalimantan an exceptionally fertile land. Many villages and settlements build along the Barito River, by the indegenous majority, the Banjar. Exquisite traditional and commercial handicrafts are all made from local raw materials which include a variety of precious and semi precious stones, gold, silver, brass, iron and wide variety of woods including bamboo and rattan. South Kalimantan is one of the largest wood producers in Indonesia. Extensive forests with wide variety of trees such as ironwood, meranti, pinus and rubber have helped to make the province a unique and rich natural resource. The provincial capital, Banjarmasin, lies a short distance from the delta of Barito River. A lot of business is done on the waterways; Local people build traditional floating houses made of wood or bamboo facing the river, called “lanting”. Floating market flourish selling an enormous variety of goods including a tropical selection of fresh fruit such as Kesturi, a rare aromatic species of mango, durian, rambutan, butter fruit, pineapple, watermelon and banana.

Tourist Office:

Jl. Pramuka No.4, Banjarmasin
Phone : (0511) 3264511
Fax : (0511) 3264512

Getting there:

South Kalimantan is well connected with cities all over the Indonesian Archipelago through Syamsuddin Noor airport, which is about 25 km from Banjarmasin. This busy airport handles DC9’s. South Kalimantan can also be reached by sea at Trisakti and Banjarmasin. For interior travel there are roads, but waterways are the preferred form of travel.

Tourism Events

Mappanretasi (Sea offering Ceremony) in Pagatan South Kalimantan. A sea offering ceremony a form of thanksgiving. The ceremony is held on April’ 08 in the middle of the sea by a san ro, chief of the Adat. The highlight of the Even includes game contest and art performances.

Places of Interest=]

Muara Kuin on the Barito River

Muara Kuin on the Barito River, Banjarmasin is one of two floating markets in this planet. There a lot more to see in the region, among them diamond mining and polishing villages at Cempaka.
To experience Banjarmasin you must take to the river, either by “klotok“ (river bus), or a speedboat for longer trips.

Negara

Negara. At this place, traditional weapons usually carried by the Dayaks, the mandau or machete, are made.

Kembang Island.

Kembang Island. This island is located at Barito River and it is not far from the floating market, inhabited by tame monkey in an old Chinese temple. According to local people of Chinese origin, if one is surrounded by these monkeys, he will get his luck and fortune.

Kaget Island

Kaget Island. It takes about 1 1/2 hours by klotok boat or 1 hour by speedboat to get to this island reserve, home to wide variety of birds and Bekantan (Long-nosed and reddish-turred monkey).

Cempaka Traditional Diamond Mining.

Cempaka Traditional Diamond Mining. Cempaka is a small village 5 km from Martapura, and 45 minutes from Banjarmasin. It is an old site of traditional diamond mine, using very simple equipment. In 1965 a large raw diamond of 167.7 carats was found. Martapura is the capital of Banjar Regency.

Loksado.

Loksado is an important market town in mountains about 170 km from Banjarmasin and good for trekking. There are a few small losmen and hotels for accomodation.

The Amandit River Rafting

The Amandit River Rafting The river trip, by either bamboo or rubber boat, includes some exciting white water sections. The first trip is from Loksado to Muara Hatip. The second is from Muara Hatip to Batu Laki. The first strech has rapids ranked grades 1 to 2 1/2. The second includes rapid grade 3. Besides rafting along river Amandit, tourist may visit another objet of interest, Hatari waterfall. (Visit Indonesia)