Bukit Baka-Bukit Raya National Park

Taman Nasional Bukit Baka-Bukit Raya

A mountainous national park covering pristine peat swamps and lowland rainforest with exceptional biodiversity in southwestern East Kalimantan. It's ideal for trekking and encountering wildlife in a less-visited natural reserve.

Things to do

• Bukit Raya Summit Trek — A challenging multi-day trek to the park's highest peak (2,278 m) offering panoramic views of the surrounding peat swamps and rainforest canopy.
• Peat Swamp Exploration — Guided walks through the unique peat ecosystems that cover much of the park, home to endemic plants and rare wildlife like proboscis monkeys and clouded leopards.
• Wildlife Spotting at Dawn — Early morning forest walks along established trails to observe orangutans, gibbons, hornbills, and other endemic species in their natural habitat.
• River Trekking and Bathing — Cool off in pristine mountain streams and rivers that flow through the lowland rainforest, often encountering aquatic wildlife along the way.
• Photography and Bird Watching — The park is a hotspot for birdwatchers with over 150 bird species including the iconic Bornean hornbill and various endemic species throughout different forest levels.
• Night Forest Walks — Guided nocturnal treks to spot nocturnal creatures such as flying squirrels, owls, and insects using flashlights in the darkness of the rainforest.

Food to try

• Ikan Bakar Kalimantan — Freshly caught river fish from local streams grilled over charcoal and seasoned with lime, chili, and local spices, a staple protein for park visitors and guides.
• Nasi Kuning — Fragrant yellow rice cooked with turmeric, coconut milk, and local herbs, commonly served as the base meal in park lodges and guide camps.
• Sambal Kalimantan — A fiery locally-made chili paste blended with garlic, shallots, and wild jungle herbs that accompanies almost every meal in the region.
• Jungle Herbs and Wild Greens — Local guides forage indigenous leafy plants and herbs from the forest edges, boiled or lightly stir-fried and served as nutritious side dishes.
• Ketam Goreng (Crab Dishes) — Freshwater crabs caught from the park's streams, fried until crispy with local spices and served as a protein-rich treat in local settlements.

Local customs & good to know

• Hire Local Guides — Using certified local Dayak guides is essential for safety, navigation, and supporting the community while gaining insider knowledge of the forest and wildlife behavior.
• Respect Sacred Sites — The Dayak people maintain spiritual connections to certain forest areas and burial grounds; ask guides about restricted zones and observe quiet respect in sacred locations.
• Participate in Communal Meals — Sharing meals with guides and local porters is customary and strengthens relationships; accept food offerings graciously and eat together rather than separately.
• Leave No Trace Ethic — The local Dayak communities practice sustainable forest stewardship for generations; visitors should strictly follow no-trace principles and remove all waste from the park.