Indonesia: Borneo Orangutans of Tanjung Puting National Park

Welcome to Indonesia. Arrive at any time.

ACTIVITY: Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

An early morning flight from Jakarta to Pangkalan Bun start our adventure through Kalimantan. A short drive brings us to Port Kumai and we'll board a traditional Klotok boat, our home for the next few nights, to roam through the rivers of Borneo. A klotok boat is a traditional wooden river boat that is the primary mode of transportation in Tanjung Puting. It provides a comfortable and intimate way to explore the waterways of the national park. Our first stop is at the incredible Tanjung Harapan Orangutan Rehabilitation Center to observe as the local park rangers feed the orphaned orangutans. This facility is semi-wild, which means these animals were rescued and rehabilitated here but still have the freedom to come and go as wild animals. Only the trained rangers will feed the animals, but we have the special opportunity to watch! We'll get back on the boat and arrive to our docking place for the night before joining a night trek in search of nocturnal animals!

Additional Information: Klotok boats are purpose built river going vessels that allow us to get up close and personal with the waterways of this unique area. The boats are wooden, and all members of the tour sleep on deck in a shared space. There are shared facilities on board and all meals are served on board throughout the duration of the 3-night adventure. While basic, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to disconnect from the bustle of the world and take it slow.

TRANSPORT: Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.

TRANSPORT: Board the traditional klotok boat, a classic and historic wooden vessel designed for river cruising. Your crew will welcome you aboard and will travel with you throughout the entire experience. As we cruise through the Bornean waterways, keep an eye out for the magnificent wildlife we could spot along the riverbanks. Think proboscis monkeys, macaques, birds, and possibly even crocodiles. The klotok is also like a houseboat. We will explore the river onboard by day and rest with the gentle rock of the river by night.

ACTIVITY: Visit the amazing Tanjung Harapan Orangutan Rehabilitation Center for orphaned orangutans. It offers a unique opportunity to see these magnificent creatures up close in a semi-wild environment. Embark on a short trek around the area to see the grounds through the rainforest. We'll then have the chance to witness an absolute highlight of the day—the orangutan feeding session. Watch as these intelligent primates descend from the treetops to receive bananas and other fruits from the park rangers. This is a unique opportunity to observe orangutans up close in their natural habitat.

ACTIVITY: Head out on a night trek excursion to explore the forest by moonlight. This is an excellent opportunity to discover nocturnal animals like frogs, insects, and hopefully even slow lorises. Grab your flashlight or headlamp, put on some comfortable walking shoes, spray on some insect repellent and let's explore!

Wake up on the klotok boat for a delicious breakfast before disembarking to visit Tanjung Harapan Village for a tour of Borneo local life. Climb back on board, kick your feet up, grab a drink and watch as the beautiful rainforest unfolds before you. As we travel to our next destinations onboard the klotok, we can see proboscis monkeys in the trees, macaques, colorful birds like hornbills and kingfishers, and other wildlife like crocodiles and monitor lizards. Our first stop today is to the incredible Camp Leakey, a renowned orangutan conservation and rehabilitation center. After a tour of the grounds, we'll have a chance to see the park rangers feed the local orangutans. Jump back onto the klotok boat for a delicious local Bornean meal cooked by our hosts on board. Tonight we'll dock in Pondok Tanggui after another peaceful day along the river.

ACTIVITY: Visit Tanjung Harapan Village, a small settlement nestled within the lush confines of Tanjung Puting National Park. Visiting the village provides a glimpse into the daily life of the local people and their relationship with the rainforest. Stroll through the village, observing the traditional stilt houses built along the riverbanks.

TRANSPORT: Enjoy a scenic river cruise today as we head to our destinations, the first Camp Leakey and the second, Pondok Tanggui. The journey to Camp Leakey is a significant part of the experience, offering stunning views of the Sekonyer River and its surrounding rainforest.The boat will slowly navigate the river, providing ample opportunities to spot wildlife along the riverbanks and in the trees. Each meal will be enjoyed on the klotok and cooked by our fabulous hosts onboard. Delicious meals and the natural wonder of the rainforest as our show! Tonight we arrive to Pondok Tanggui area, where our boat will dock for the evening.

ACTIVITY: Reach Camp Leakey, established by the renowned primatologist, Dr. Biruté Galdikas, in the 1970's. This site plays a crucial role in orangutan conservation and rehabilitation. Tour the camp area, observing the facilities and learning about the research and rehabilitation programs. Spend time in the visitor center to learn more about the orangutans and the park's ecosystem. Then have the amazing chance to observe the feeding session, where orangutans gather to receive bananas and other fruits provided by park rangers.

Today we are lucky to have not one but two opportunities for orangutan interactions. Watch as these intelligent and playful primates swing effortlessly through the trees, showcasing their incredible agility and problem-solving skills. Their human-like expressions and complex social behaviors make them fascinating to observe, offering a glimpse into the deep emotional and cognitive lives of one of our closest relatives in the animal kingdom. Board the klotok after watching the orangutans in their protected environment, and enjoy your final cruise back towards Kumai Port. On the river, while observing your wild surroundings, consider the importance of the conservation efforts we've witnessed that ensure the survival of these magnificent animals. Relish in that positive feeling as you celebrate one final night abroad the klotok. Cheers to an incredible experience on the Bornean rivers.

TRANSPORT: Cruise through the beautiful Tanjung Puting National Park, from Pondok Tanggui, Camp Leakey, along the Sekonyer River, to Kumai Port. These rides offer an incredible viewpoint of Borneo that most do not get the chance to see. With a connection to both the natural side, but also its cultural side, as we ride with our local hosts. Get to know them, enjoy their amazing traditional meals and learn about life along the river. This is our last night on the klotok boat, so make the most of it.

ACTIVITY: Pondok Tanggui is a remote area deep within Tanjung Puting National Park. Embark on a guided trek through the lush rainforest to reach an important feeding platform early this morning. Witness as the orangutans gather for breakfast provided by the park rangers. As we observe the feeding session up close, learn about the behavior and habits of these intelligent primates. After the feeding, continue trekking along forest trails to explore the surrounding area. Your guide will point out unique flora and fauna, such as pitcher plants, lianas, and interesting insect life.

ACTIVITY: Visit Camp Leakey this afternoon but this time explore a different hiking paths to see the park from a whole new perspective. Attend another awe-inspiring orangutan feeding session to observe these amazing creatures. Admire the beauty of mother nature and take some incredible photos.

Wake up to the sound of birds and the smell of delicious Bornean breakfast onboard the klotok for the last time. Say goodbye to your klotok boat crew and disembark as we drive back to Pangkalan Bun. The rest of today is free to explore this town, known as the gateway to Tanjung Puting National Park. Walk along the river, take some time to rest or join a tour of the town.

TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

FREE TIME: Spend today free to explore the charming town, Pangkalan Bun.

Bid farewell to Kalimantan and fly back to Jakarta. A morning flight means we have the whole day to explore Indonesia's capital city, so choose how you want to spend it! Opt for a kayak tour through the mangroves of Taman Wisata Alam or go thrift shopping at Jalan Surabaya.

TRANSPORT: Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.

FREE TIME: Spend today at leisure in Jakarta.

Depart at any time.