Loksado
A Dayak mountain village at the foot of the Meratus Mountains, where you can float down the Amandit River on a bamboo raft and hike to waterfalls and Dayak longhouses. It is one of South Kalimantan's most popular mountain destinations.
Loksado is a mountain subdistrict in Hulu Sungai Selatan Regency, South Kalimantan. It lies on the western foothills of the Meratus Mountains, upstream on the Amandit River, about 170 km from the provincial capital, Banjarmasin. It is home to the Dayak Meratus people. Mountain villages are scattered among rainforest, bamboo groves, and rubber plantations. Many villagers still follow the traditional Kaharingan faith and hold ceremonies in communal longhouses called balai. It is one of South Kalimantan's most popular mountain and cultural destinations.
The core experience is a 2–3 hour bamboo raft ride down the Amandit River, steered by Dayak boatmen. Next, walk or ride a motorbike to Haratai Waterfall, visit the Balai Malaris council house, soak in the Tanuhi hot springs, or climb Langgara Rock before dawn to see the sea of clouds. If you have time, hire a guide for a multi-day trek through the Meratus Mountains, sleeping in longhouses in mountain villages.
Plan 2–3 days. On the way from Banjarmasin, you can stop in Kandangan to try Kandangan rice dumplings. The May–September dry season is best, with calm water and dry trails. From November to March, heavy rain can swell the river, rafts may be suspended, and mountain roads turn muddy.
Getting there: From Banjarmasin, take a bus or hire a car to Kandangan (about 3–4 hours), then travel about an hour on mountain roads to reach Loksado. Public transport runs infrequently, so hiring a car is the most convenient option. Village accommodation is mostly simple guesthouses and riverside wooden cabins. ATMs are scarce, so bring enough cash. In the mountains, guard against mosquitoes and leeches, and respect local customs when entering villages and longhouses.
Top sights
- Amandit River Bamboo Rafting – Ride a long bamboo raft poled by a Dayak boatman down the Amandit River for two to three hours, past rainforest, bamboo groves and rapids…
- Haratai Waterfall – A multi-tiered waterfall and natural pools in the Meratus Mountains, reached on foot or by motorbike via suspension bridges from Loksado, w…
- Balai Adat Malaris – A large traditional longhouse of the Dayak Meratus people, shared by many families and used for Kaharingan ceremonies.
- Tanuhi Hot Spring – A natural hot spring resort on the Amandit River with pools and wooden cabins, ideal for soaking after rafting or hiking.
- Bukit Langara – A steep limestone hill visible from the road to Loksado, with a summit offering views over the Meratus valleys and the Amandit River.
- Meratus Mountains Trekking – A multi-day trek starting from Loksado through the rainforests of the Meratus Mountains, visiting Dayak mountain villages and their longhou…
- Kandangan – The capital of South Hulu Sungai Regency and the gateway to Loksado, famous for its signature dish, Kandangan ketupat, and its traditional…
Where to eat
- Warung Ketupat Kandangan – A Kandangan rice-cake restaurant open since 1975, serving ketupat in spiced coconut broth with grilled snakehead fish…