Long Bagun

A remote upriver Dayak village accessible by boat journey from Samarinda, offering immersion in traditional indigenous culture and daily life. Visitors can experience authentic longhouse living, traditional crafts, and rainforest knowledge.

Things to do

• Longhouse Home Stay — Sleep in a traditional Dayak longhouse and participate in daily communal activities, meals, and evening gatherings with resident families.
• Rainforest Trekking — Hike through surrounding dipterocarp forest with local guides who identify medicinal plants, wildlife, and traditional hunting grounds used by the community.
• Beadwork and Weaving Workshop — Learn traditional crafts from village artisans, including beaded jewelry-making and hand-weaving of textiles using natural dyes and fibers.
• Mahakam River Boat Journey — Take a guided longboat ride upriver to observe local fishing methods, visit neighboring settlements, and experience the vital waterway that connects isolated communities.
• Traditional Hunting or Fishing Expedition — Accompany hunters or fishermen on dawn expeditions using traditional methods like blowguns or fish traps to understand subsistence practices.
• Village Ceremony or Celebration — If timing aligns with Gawai Dayak or other festivals, witness ritual dances, ceremonial feasts, and spiritual practices central to Dayak culture.

Food to try

• Bubur Manado — A savory rice porridge cooked with fish, coconut milk, and aromatic spices, served as a communal breakfast staple throughout the village.
• Ikan Bakar (Grilled Fish) — Fresh river fish caught daily from the Mahakam, wrapped in banana leaves and grilled over open fire with turmeric, ginger, and local herbs.
• Sagu Lempeng — A starchy, pancake-like sago preparation served with sambal and dried fish, representing a traditional carbohydrate staple of upriver Dayak diets.
• Kalamansi and Forest Fruits — Local citrus fruits and wild jungle fruits like durian and mangosteen foraged seasonally and served fresh or preserved with salt and chili.
• Cassava Leaf Soup (Gulai Daun Singkong) — Tender cassava leaves cooked in coconut broth with garlic and chilies, a nutritious accompaniment to rice and protein at evening meals.

Local customs & good to know

• Ask Permission and Show Respect — Always seek consent before photographing people, entering family spaces, or touching sacred objects; the Dayak value personal autonomy and spiritual boundaries.
• Learn Basic Dayak Phrases — Greeting elders and attempting words in the local Dayak language demonstrates respect and deepens connection with hosts who may speak limited Indonesian or English.
• Participate in Communal Meals — Eating together from shared dishes in the longhouse is fundamental to social bonding; accepting hospitality and trying all offerings strengthens relationships with families.
• Respect Adat (Customary Law) — The village operates by traditional customary rules governing behavior, dress modesty, and interaction with sacred forest areas; violating these carries social and spiritual consequences.