Mancong is a small village on the mighty Mahakam River in the south of East Kalimantan. It lies near to the more popular Tanjung Isuy Village and is known for its boat houses and nearby rainforest.
Mancong lies on a popular three-day circuit of the Lower Mahakam from the main city in the region, Samarinda. The route takes in the historic town of Tenggarong along with some Benuaq Dayak settlements and the villages of Tanjung Isuy and nearby Mancong.
The predominant people in Mancong are the Dayak Banuaq, who live in longhouses on the river and lakes. Mancong has one of the most famous of these longhouses. A popular side trip while in Mancong is to get on nearby Lake Jempang and do some dolphin spotting on a boat tour.
Getting There & Away
Ferries arrive in Mancong daily from Loa Janan near Samarinda. It takes the best part of a day to get here, while the nearest major airport is that of Sepinggan International Airport in Balikpapan, 400kms to the south. Samarinda Airport also receives flights from Jakarta and is 150kms to the east by road or river.
Things to Do
Mancong Attractions
- Mancong boating
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Like other villages in the region, the best thing to do in mancong is to go boating on the mahakam river and lake jempang and visit the rainforest.
Side trips from Mancong
- Tanjung Isuy
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This nearby village on lake jempang is more high profile than mancong and is the place to check out the dayak banuaq and stay on their house boats.
Events
- Ehek Jempang
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This yearly may festival happens in nearby tanjung isuy every may and celebrates the dayak benuaq tribe with handicrafts and traditional competitions.