Loksado

Loksado sits in the Meratus mountains, the range that runs down the middle of South Kalimantan, and it is the base for the Dayak Meratus villages in the hills around - communities living in balai, large communal houses shared by several families, following their own belief practice alongside Islam and Christianity in the district. The activity that brings visitors is bamboo rafting: rafts of lashed bamboo poles, built for the trip and broken up and sold at the end since bamboo floats downstream cheaper than it carts, are poled down the Amandit river by two men through several hours of rapids and quiet stretches, with passengers sitting on the poles at water level. There are hot springs, waterfalls and a suspension bridge at the village.

What you actually see

• Bamboo raft descents - rafts built for one trip and sold as timber at the end.
• Dayak Meratus balai - communal longhouses in the hill villages around.
• The Amandit river - rapids and quiet water on the way down.
• Hot springs and falls - Tanuhi springs and Haratai waterfall nearby.

When to go

May to September; the river needs enough water. Two days.

Honest expectations

Rafting means sitting at water level and getting soaked; belongings need waterproofing. Trips are cancelled in low or high water. Facilities are basic homestays and guides are expected.

Nearby

Kandangan is west; Malaris and the other Meratus villages are up in the hills.