From CAD 3,790
Guarantee
Small Group
Average
Rating
(12 reviews)
Experience Overview
Go in search of the gentle giants of the Borneo jungles – the elusive orangutan – on a 12-day wildlife expedition. Kalimantan, the Indonesian portion of Borneo, is teeming with jungles to explore, cultures to learn, and welcoming people to have a laugh with – and your wildlife expedition will be so much more than that. Staying in comfortable eco-lodging and a traditional longhouse in the heart of the jungle, go out in search of orangutans and learn about how the local communities’ conservation efforts have ensured that these creatures, along with other endemic wildlife, continue to thrive in this slice of jungle paradise. Share in the wonder of an untouched Borneo before others find out about it, with a unique opportunity to spot orangutans in their natural habitat.
Highlights
- Travel aboard a traditional klotok boat, traversing the winding rivers in Tanjung Puting National Park in search of local and endemic wildlife, including the elusive orangutan.
- Learn about the organisation working to rescue, rehabilitate and release these critically endangered animals at the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF).
- Appreciate a truly local experience in Tumbang Malahoi village with a stay in a longhouse. Receive a welcoming blessing ceremony and enjoy a night of eating and dancing with local families.
- Head out on a canoe safari in Sebangau National Park, searching for orangutans, proboscis monkeys, macaques, monitor lizards, hornbills, kingfishers, and – if you’re lucky – clouded leopards!
- Discover Indonesia’s central metropolis in Jakarta and the up-and-coming city of Palangka Raya, with plenty of free time in both to explore at your own pace.
- By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Coral Triangle Center Foundation. Donations help expand their coral restoration project and support their educational outreach activities for local schools in Nusa Penida.
Trip Details
Product Code: 2689
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: Plane,Taxi,Klotok boat,Canoe,Private vehicle
Guide Language: English
Supplier Code: TISW
Starts: Jakarta, Indonesia
Finishes: Jakarta, Indonesia
Duration: 12 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical rating:
Average
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (11), Lunch (7), Dinner (4)Accommodation: Hotel (6 nights),Ecolodge (3 nights),Resort (1 night),Longhouse (1 night)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD 3790 (CAD 316 /day)
Itinerary
Selamat datang! Welcome to Jakarta, Indonesia. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm today. If you happen to arrive early, check out some of Jakarta's interesting museums such as the Wayang Museum (full of traditional puppets), Balai Seni Rupa Museum (fine arts and ceramics) or the National Museum. If you don’t have a lot of time today, do not fear! You’ll have time at the end of your expedition to explore the city some more. After your important meeting, why not gather a few of your travel pals for a local meal – your group leader will know of some great spots to go.
Optional Activities:
- Jakarta - Wayang (Puppetry) Museum (50000 IDR)
- Jakarta - Museum Seni Rupa Dan Keramik (Fine Arts & Ceramics) (50000 IDR)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Time to begin your Kalimantan adventure! In the morning, transfer to the airport for a flight bound for Kalimantan on the island of Borneo. Once arrived, take a taxi to the port where you'll board a traditional klotok river boat. These boats are named after the sound the engines make: ‘klo-tok’. On your way to the eco-lodge – your accommodation in the national park – keep an eye out for the elusive proboscis monkeys, endemic to the island of Borneo. On arrival, check into your accommodation right in the heart of the jungle and enjoy a welcome lunch. Later visit the Tanjung Harapan feeding station at the park headquarters, where large alpha male can often be spotted. Dinner is included at the ecolodge, where your leader will fill you in on the program for the next few days.
Included Activities:
- Tanjung Puting NP - Tanjung Harapan orangutan feeding station
- Tanjung Puting NP - Klotok boat cruise
Accommodation:
- Ecolodge (Number of Nights: 1)
Head off for an early morning aboard your klotok and cruise upriver in search of the local wildlife. Your first stop is the renowned Camp Leakey – possibly the most famous place for orangutan research in the world. At Leakey, visit the education centre to learn a little bit more about the region, and keep an eye out for agile gibbons and wild pigs. You’ll visit the feeding centre for an up close look at the orangutans – a truly special experience. Afterwards, cruise down the river in search of proboscis monkeys and wild orangutans socialising along the riverbank, then return to your ecolodge accommodation for dinner.
Included Activities:
- Tanjung Puting NP - Camp Leakey
- Tanjung Puting NP - Orangutan Feeding Platform 2
- Tanjung Puting NP - Klotok boat cruise
Accommodation:
- Ecolodge (Number of Nights: 1)
After breakfast, leave for the feeding station of Pondok Tanggui, 1 hour upstream for morning feeding time. Look out for giant squirrels, pigs, and many butterflies on the walk in. As at most of the stations, you are likely to spot another large alpha male here too. After viewing the orangutans, spend some time exploring the area before getting back on the boat. Lunch today will be on board before travelling to the Tanjung Harapan feeding Station for the afternoon feeding. Visit the nearby Tanjung Harapan village across the river and then return back to your ecolodge for the evening.
Included Activities:
- Tanjung Puting NP - Tanjung Harapan village visit
- Tanjung Puting NP - Pondok Tanggui orangutan feeding station
Accommodation:
- Ecolodge (Number of Nights: 1)
After breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye to Tanjung Puting National Park, boarding your klotok once more and taking a leisurely boat ride to the port city of Kumai. Stop for lunch in the city, a good chance to reflect on your special time in the national park, then drive on to Sampit. This port city is famous for its fresh seafood, so be sure to ask your leader for some tips on where to pick up local specialties for dinner this evening.
Included Activities:
- Tanjung Puting NP - Klotok boat cruise
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Your journey continues as you drive on to the city of Palangka Raya, the capital of the Central Kalimantan Province. This low-key city is pretty new, having grown from a small Dayak village in 1957. On arrival, your leader will let you know the best spots to sample some local dishes for lunch.
There are a range of optional activities on offer this afternoon, including a trip to Tangkiling Hill – about a 30-minute drive away from the accommodation. Here, you can climb up the steps 200 metres to the top of one of the seven hills and get a 360-degree view of the city and its surroundings. On the way back, you might like to stop at the Dayak spiritual site of Batu Banama. Otherwise, there’s a range of walks to local villages or bikes for hire to explore further afield.
Optional Activities:
- Trip to Tangkiling Hill & Dayak Spiritual Site of Batu Banama (50000 IDR)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Time to head off for more adventures in the wild! Depart early this morning for Sebangau National Park, home to orangutans, proboscis monkeys, macaques, monitor lizards, hornbills, kingfishers, and clouded leopards. For many years, this area was impacted by illegal logging and wildfires, and though sightings are not a guarantee, the wild animals have begun to repopulate. Spend a few hours exploring by canoe and on foot with a local ranger. After lunch, enjoy some free time to relax or swim before returning to Palangka Raya and your hotel for the evening.
Included Activities:
- Sebangau NP - Wildlife ranger walk
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
After breakfast, you’ll pay a visit to the Balanga Museum, where you’ll find fascinating Indonesian artifacts that provide insight into Kalimantan's indigenous cultures. Enjoy a local lunch nearby before taking a drive to your longhouse stay tonight. Longhouses are the traditional dwellings of people in this area, and your accommodation is located right in the centre of Tumbang Malahoi village. On arrival, there will be a Tumpang Tawar (blessing ceremony) to welcome you into the village and the longhouse. After dinner, join in on the fun with a family dance in the longhouse’s hallways.
Included Activities:
- Tumbang Malahoi Village - Blessing ceremony
- Tumbang Malahoi Village - Traditional dancing
- Palangka Raya - Balanga Museum
Accommodation:
- Longhouse (Number of Nights: 1)
After a simple local breakfast, take a walk around to learn about how the people of this village live. The majority of the villagers here work as carpenters, gold miners or fishermen. Later, explore the nearby jungle with some of the locals. After lunch in the jungle, return to the longhouse to say your farewells before heading back to Palangka Raya. Sit back and relax with a chilled-out afternoon at the hotel with your travel crew.
Included Activities:
- Tumbang Malahoi Village - Village & jungle walk
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
After breakfast, embark on a Sei Gohong river tour by canoe, making your way to Kaja Island, where you will witness the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation’s (BOSF) pre-release program in action. Kaja Island is the final step of the BOSF program before the orangutans return to the wild. In addition to observing these magnificent creatures, the island is home to a diverse range of other wildlife and birds.
Included Activities:
- Palangka Raya - Sei Gohong River Boat Tour
- Palangka Raya - Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation Kaja Island Visit
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Transfer to the airport today for your flight back to Jakarta. After checking into the hotel, the rest of the day is free for you to spend as you wish, and with a range of things to see and do in Jakarta, such as visiting the Grand Mosque or the Catholic Cathedral – you’ll be kept occupied by this lively city.
With no activities planned for today, your adventure comes to an end, and you are free to leave the accommodation at any time.
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Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
Reviews
Robert - Traveled, September 2023
An amazing adventure to encounter Orangutans and the local ways of life. Varied activities at a good pace = one great experience.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/27/2023
Louise - Traveled, September 2023
Such an amazing trip! Well paced and a great variety of activities. Abraham looked after us all so well, so everything ran smoothly. It was so wonderful to see the orangutans; the rehabilitation efforts are clearly successful, as we saw so many mums with babies and young. For me the absolute highlight of the trip was the optional boat ride around the pre-release islands just outside Palangkaraya; I thoroughly recommend it! The trip wasn't all about the orangutans though, the visit to the Dayak village was excellent too!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/13/2023
Lesley - Traveled, September 2023
This trip was an adventure indeed ! Abraham was so knowledgeable and we had fabulous experiences with the Orangutans and also learning about village life, deforestation and the challenges for this very interesting country. Loved every minute of it and appreciated the great group of fellow travellers i was fortunate to meet and share this with. One to add to your must do list !
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/15/2023
Leon - Traveled, July 2023
Absolutely amazing trip - the wildlife was fantastic, our group leader was great, and we got to see so many different aspects of Kalimantan that I had not expected to see. Highly recommend.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/02/2023
Anne Maree - Traveled, July 2023
A fabulous experience. We had an excellent leader in Abraham who made sure everything was well organised. This was the first time this trip was run but you would never know as it ran so smoothly. We had various guides, drivers & cooks and they were all amazing. There are many meals included and they were well above what I expected. The jungle / orangutan experiences were special. As well we had a very compatible group who all supported each other & Abraham. I definitely recommend this trip, especially at this time of year.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/22/2023
Cameron - Traveled, July 2023
An excellent trip if you want to see the rural areas of Indonesia and are passionate about orangutans. There are lots of boats on the trip which are excellent, and make the trip travel fun!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/20/2023
Espen - Traveled, July 2023
Very nice small group trip to a part of Indonesia which not too many Westerners will visit. This was the very first departure of this trip, but everything run smoothly. The itinerary might need some small changes, though, but that must be expected from a first departure. I highly recommend to join the optional canoe trip to see the islands where Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation’s pre-release program takes place, because that was one of the trip's highlights (the orangutans here felt more natural, as we saw them in the wild and not at the feeding stations, and we didn't share the sight with hundreds of other tourists).
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/12/2023
Hugh - Traveled, July 2023
If you want to see Orangutans this is the trip for you! Many amazing encounters!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/26/2023
Robert - Traveled, July 2023
Simply brilliant. Well run. Well organised. Saw everything that I was hoping to see plus more (other wildlife)
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/26/2023
Nicholas - Traveled, June 2024
Excellent immersive adventure that gets well off the Westerners' tourist track to see rural areas, jungle and lots of orangutans and other wildlife. The days crusing the river on a Klotok in Tanjun Puting National Park going to the orangutan centres are superb as is the Dayak Village stay and visit and Orangutan Release Centre visit at the end. It does have a few early starts and travel days but it's all to pack in more wildlife encounters. And Abraham was a great tour leader!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/14/2024
Amanda - Traveled, June 2024
Excellent orangatan focused tour in less touristed area with fun, small group & excellent guide Nova. Tour starts and ends strong, with stay at eco lodge & boat ride to visit feeding stations as well as briefing from BOSF and boat trip around pre-release island. Enjoyable stay in longhouse with warm, welcoming villagers. Tour lags in middle with several days of long drives & limited activities. Good accommodation, meals, & local rangers.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/11/2024
Harriet - Traveled, June 2024
Tanjun Puting is amazing, we saw many orangutans and our local guide Hakim was excellent. However, the itinerary is quite misleading in places, for example it is suggested we might see orangutans in Sebangu however, whilst there are orangutans living there, you will not see them in the dry season due to the fruiting conditions. Also, the BOSF sanctuary is permanently closed to the public so you won't be going there either. Overall, the trip was outstanding and I would recommend but Intrepid does need to update the itinerary and trip info so it better reflects the experience.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/24/2024
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