Bukit Bangkirai

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Bukit Bangkirai is one of the tourist destinations in East Kalimantan that you must be visit. About a two hour’s drive north of Balikpapan city central. Bukit is actually a park within the rain forest, featuring log cottages for overnight stays, a small restaurant, restrooms, several [overgrown] jungle treks, a questionably maintained swimming pool and, for those who linger until five in the afternoon or so, the lure of viewing East Kalimantan famous Hornbills that frequent the area around dusk.
Bukit Bangkirai (Hill of Bangkirai) located in Samboja District, Kutai Regency, East Kalimantan situated between the trans Balikpapan – Samarinda, precisely at KM38. Here you can enjoy outbound of tropical rain forest which is became the one of lungs of the world today. Bukit Bangkirai is a natural tourism area which is managed by PT. INHUTANI Balikpapan.
Bukit Bangkirai can be reached by traveling overland for 1.5 hours from the city of Balikpapan. In this area there is a canopy bridge along 64 m were hanged connect 5 Bangkirai tree at a height of 30 m. This canopy bridge is the first in Indonesia, both in Asia and the eighth in the world. Its construction was made by cooperation among the United States and Indonesia government.
This Canopy Bridge is undertaken by American contractors who are members of the CCA (Canopy Construction Association ) as six field executive with three people as local power assisted. In addition to its construction are also use by Bangkirai woods and Galvanized nail were made in America. The age of this canopy bridge completion can be expected to last for 15-20 years according to age and durability of materials.
Besides enjoying the beautiful of rain forest from the height of canopy bridge, you can enjoy various types of trees and vegetation with a round track that has been provided by the park management. And after enjoying Bangkirai Hill National Park , you can buy something at the souvenir shop to bring back home.

Bangkirai Hill Attraction

With an area of up to 1,500 hectares, the Bangkirai Hill area has a variety of attractions that will spoil visitors, namely :

1. Natural Panorama of Bangkirai Hill

     

The first attraction of Bangkirai Hill is the natural panorama it presents, the many trees that make the air cooler and more refreshing. If you want to explore Bangkirai Hill more deeply, you can follow the footpath that is already available. To do this, you have to be physically fit. It's more fun to do it with friends. Because the further you go, the thicker the forest becomes, and it's scary to do it alone.

2. Suspension Bridge Or Canopy Bridge

     

The existence of the Canopy Bridge or Suspension Bridge is always being hunted by visitors to witness the natural panorama of Bangkirai Hill from a height. The Canopy Bridge is made between 5 Bangkirai Trees with a height reaching 30 to 40 meters, and the length of the bridge is estimated to be 64 meters. You must have enough guts to cross the suspension bridge. From the top of the bridge, you can witness the dense tropical forest area, accompanied by gusts of wind that sweep over your body.

However, if the wind speed around the Canopy Bridge is large enough, you will not be allowed to cross it, because it's not safe. To be able to climb the Suspension Bridge, you have to do it one by one, you can't do it all at once. This is intended for the safety and comfort of visitors themselves.

Did you know that the Canopy Bridge on Bangkirai Hill is the first suspension bridge in Indonesia, even the second in Asia.

          

3. There are a variety of flora and fauna

Besides seeing the Bangkirai Tree, while on this hill you can also find other rare trees such as Keruing, Red Meranti, Red Kempas and Ulin. There are also various types of orchid plants, from the Black Orchid to the Joget Orchid. And what's interesting is that you can adopt some of the trees that have been provided at a certain rate.

Namely starting from Rp. 1,000,000 to Rp. 2,000,000, - per tree. Where the funds will be used for the cost of maintaining the tree that you buy. The purpose of adopting these trees is for the preservation and survival of these trees so that they can be maximally preserved. While on Bangkirai Hill you can also meet a number of unique animals such as gibbons, monkeys, red langurs, to giant forest ants.

Location of Bangkirai Hill

The location of Bangkirai Hill is in a natural tourism area managed by PT. Inhutani I Unit I, Balikpapan.

The full address is located in Samboja District, Kutai Kartanegara Regency, East Kalimantan.

Route to Bangkirai Hill

The route to Bangkirai Hill if taken from Balikpapan City will take about 1.5 hours, by heading to KM 38 Jl. Soekarno Hatta. Then all you have to do is walk down the street until you find a gate to enter the Bangkirai Hill tourist area.

          

The path that is passed is quite wide, but the road is not flat because it has not been paved properly. Even in some parts it is still red soil.

Approximately you will pass two posts until you finally arrive at the Bangkirai Hill location. If using a motorbike, it's better to be careful when driving the vehicle.

Bangkirai Hill Opening Hours

The operational hours of Bangkirai Hill itself are open Monday to Sunday, from 07.30 to 17.00 local time.

Bangkirai Hill Tickets

The price for the entrance ticket to Bangkirai Hill you have to pay Rp. 30.000,-

         

Bangkirai Hill Facilities

The facilities at Bangkirai Hill include:

• Vehicle parking area
• Bathroom
• Prayer Room
• Meeting hall
• Food and drink stalls
• Lodging

Field Trip