Delving into South Kalimantan`s Mystical Meratus Mountains

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Meratus Mountains in South Kalimantan can currently be placed on the list of "to-visit destinations" for tourists not looking to tread the beaten path of the typical must-see sights.

Tourists on the lookout for unconventional destinations can engage in interactions with the indigenous people of Dayak Meratus and witness up-close their rituals, soak in the beauty of the waterfalls and the scenic Meratus Mountains from the Halau Halau Peak.

Meratus Mountains, situated 1,901 meters above sea level and viewed by many as mystical mountains, is home to the indigenous people of South Kalimantan, the Dayak Meratus tribe.

The Hulu Sungai Tengah District of South Kalimantan Province has prepared a tour package in collaboration with the Dayak Meratus tribe in Balai Kiyu Kampong of Hinas Kiri Village that will blend the beauty of nature and culture.

"We will design a tour package that combines the nature and culture. We also have waterfalls and the Halau Halau Peak," Wahyudin, head of the district’s Youth, Sports and Tourism Office, stated.

Visitors can spend their nights in local houses and witness the daily life of the Dayaks steeped in local wisdom.

The Dayak Meratus tribe has gained popularity for its perseverance to preserve its customs handed down from their ancestors for the subsequent generations.

However, they are relatively open to modern life and will warmly welcome guests interested in observing their rituals.

Those looking to go on a more challenging trip can join the group to scale the Halau Halau peak, or what the locals call Mount Besar (big mountain), the highest peak of Meratus Mountains.

Wahyudin confirmed that the government will involve the local people to help in materializing the plan.

The local government’s tour will be a specialized one, as it is rather challenging to reach the kampong that is home to 24 families and is located at the foot of Meratus Mountains.

It takes some 1.5 hours to reach the village located 40 kilometers from the district's capital of Barabai. Visitors are required to be careful in passing an uphill, narrow, and winding village road.

Wahyudin admitted that the lack of infrastructure has emerged as the key hindrance to the area’s tourism development.

"This is a specialized tour, only for those who really have interest. It is because it is not easy to reach the location," he explained.

Halau Halau Peak

The Dayak Meratus people have welcomed the government's plan to design a tour package.

Syahdi, a villager, gave his thumbs-up to the plan, and the Dayaks in the village will provide a house for visitors.

"We, the villagers in Balai Kiyu, will provide a house for visitors. They do not have to stay in a villager's house, but we will prepare a special house for climbers or visitors to stay during the nights," Syahdi stated.

Halau Halau Peak is the highest peak of Meratus Mountains, generally known among local and foreign climbers.

"Many foreign climbers have reached the peak, including those from Russia, Japan, and Spain," he stated.

It takes no less than three days and two nights to reach the peak and back to the basecamp in Balai Kiyu, while it takes two days to climb and reach the peak and a day to return to Balai.

The Dayak Meratus tribe considers Halau Halau as a sacred mountain that protects them from evil.

"In ancient times, the Dayak ancestors meditated on the mountain. Halau Halau has become a protector for the community," he stated.

Syahdi cautioned visitors to gain an understanding of the dos and don'ts before climbing the mountain.

"You have to seek permission from the local tribal elder before climbing the mountain," he pointed out.

He further added that visitors are also banned from taking any plants from the mountain, littering, shouting, and engaging in indecent talks. It is also a taboo for visitors to climb the mountain when villagers are still conducting rituals.

Meratus Geopark

South Kalimantan Governor Sahbirin Noor affirmed that Meratus Mountains, with their slope partly covering the area of Nateh Village in Batang Alai Timur Sub-district, Hulu Sungai Tengah District, was recognized as a national geopark.

The province will apply for the UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGp) status and has sought the Tourism Ministry’s support.

Responding to the request, Tourism Minister Arief Yahya confirmed the ministry’s support to the South Kalimantan provincial government's endeavors to apply for the UGGp status to facilitate broader international exposure.

Once the UGGp status is attained, Meratus Mountains can also be developed further to become one of the well-known tourist sites, and more tourism products can also be promoted at the global level, Yahya remarked.

"South Kalimantan has a huge tourism potential owing to its diverse natural and cultural heritage in the form of the Barito River, Bekantan (proboscis monkey endemic to Kalimantan), and foods. Please pick the most favorable one," he noted.

The government is keen to choose Meratus Mountains based on its most favorable tourism potential for South Kalimantan to make the province one of the global tourist destinations, he remarked, adding that a meeting was held to discuss this matter.

"We are willing to see South Kalimantan become a global tourist destination. Next year, we are launching the 2020 Visit of South Kalimantan. The Tourism Ministry will help promote and advertise it, develop tourist destinations, and prepare human resources," he stated.

"We feel that a tourist site can become a global tourism destination if we select it accurately. I had also resided here and fell in love with Meratus Mountains. When I travel by land, I am used to making a stopover at Meratus to enjoy the scenery," he revealed.

ANTARA