Indonesia Expedition: Orangutans of Kalimantan

12 Days | Embark on an authentic Indonesian orangutan expedition

5 out of 5 based on 9 reviews submitted.
Expeditions
Wildlife
From
CAD $3,587
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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.

Trip overview

Map of Indonesia Expedition: Orangutans Of Kalimantan including Indonesia
Start
Jakarta, Indonesia
Finish
Jakarta, Indonesia
Theme
Expeditions, Wildlife
Destinations
Indonesia
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Original
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 12
Trip code
TISW
We’re in the process of figuring out how much CO2-e this trip generates. In the meantime, find out more about our climate commitments and carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • 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.

Is this trip right for you?
  • This trip takes you to a part of Borneo not often visited by foreign travellers and is ideal for those who have been to Indonesia previously and are keen to explore more. Each day is an adventure, and we filled this trip full of diverse wildlife experiences of Borneo which are impossible to find on any other trip. Please note that there is no guarantee of seeing wildlife on specific days of this journey, as you will be visiting national parks with endemic and rare species. Your expert guides will provide the best opportunity to see wildlife along the way, but as to be respectful to your environment, you may have a day or two simply admiring the jungle around you.
  • Sometimes you’ve got to rough it to get amongst it. While most of the accommodation on this trip is tourist class, there will be some very basic accommodation during the overnight stay in the longhouse. All bedding and mattresses are provided, plus mosquito nets to sleep under.
  • Some of the best scenery is found deep in Borneo’s jungles, which can be quite steamy, muddy and, at times, slippery. In order to experience the splendour of the diverse landscapes and waters, the included activities on this trip often require a moderate level of fitness. We ask that you read the Essential Trip Information and itinerary carefully to ensure that you will be able to participate fully.
  • Temperatures and humidity can be high in Indonesia, especially when walking around the jungles of Borneo where there may be little respite. Be prepared by taking plenty of drink breaks and wearing appropriate skin protection.
  • This trip has some long travel days by private vehicle, including on bumpy local roads. It's not unusual for journeys to take longer than estimated and travel times to vary from one departure to the next. Extra space can be tight, and conditions may feel a little cramped. It’s all part of the adventure and a great way to get to know your fellow travellers. Please read the itinerary carefully for travel time estimates.
  • The longhouse stay is a wonderful opportunity to witness everyday rural life and includes a home-cooked dinner. Facilities are simple and multi-share but comfortable, with mattresses, bedding and mosquito nets all provided. Some travellers are nervous about the experience before they arrive, but we find most end up naming this as a highlight of their time and a rewarding, authentic experience. Other accommodation is in no frills, simple guesthouses and hotels, perfect for travellers on a budget. On occasion our accommodation may not have hot water, but you will probably be keen to cool down from the heat with a refreshing cold shower!

Itinerary

Map of Indonesia Expedition: Orangutans Of Kalimantan including Indonesia

Inclusions

Meals

11 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 4 dinners

Transport

Plane, Taxi, Klotok boat, Canoe, Private vehicle

Accommodation

Hotel (6 nights), Ecolodge (3 nights), Resort (1 night), Longhouse (1 night)

Activities
  • Tanjung Puting NP - Tanjung Harapan orangutan feeding station
  • Tanjung Puting NP - Klotok boat cruise
  • Tanjung Puting NP - Camp Leakey
  • Tanjung Puting NP - Orangutan Feeding Platform 2
  • Tanjung Puting NP - Tanjung Harapan village visit
  • Tanjung Puting NP - Pondok Tanggui orangutan feeding station
  • Sebangau NP - Wildlife ranger walk
  • Tumbang Malahoi Village - Blessing ceremony
  • Palangka Raya - Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation visit
  • Tumbang Malahoi Village - Traditional dancing
  • Tumbang Malahoi Village - Village & jungle walk
  • Palangka Raya - Balanga Museum
Add on activities
  • Jakarta - Wayang (Puppetry) Museum - IDR5000
  • Jakarta - Museum Seni Rupa Dan Keramik (Fine Arts & Ceramics) - IDR5000
  • Jakarta - Museum Nasional - IDR10000
  • Walking/biking to local villages - IDR60000
  • Trip to Tangkiling Hill & Dayak Spiritual Site of Batu Banama - IDR20000
  • Palangka Raya - Sei Gohong River boat tour (per 2 people) - IDR650000

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. Please provide your full name exactly as per passport at the time of booking for the flight ticket on this trip. Ticketing fees may apply for amendments to details within 45 days of departure, and in some cases you will be required to cover the cost of issuing a new ticket.
2. A Single Supplement is available on this trip excluding Days 2-4 (Ecolodge) where you will be in twin share accommodation and Day 8 (Longhouse) which is multishare.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

5 out of 5 based on 9 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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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.
Review submitted 27 Sep 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!
Review submitted 13 Oct 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 !
Review submitted 15 Oct 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.
Review submitted 08 Aug 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.
Review submitted 22 Jul 2023
Indonesia Expedition: Orangutans of Kalimantan
From
CAD $3,587