Map of Indonesia Expedition: Orangutans of Kalimantan  including Indonesia

Embark on an authentic Indonesian orangutan expedition

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.


Start
Jakarta, Indonesia
Finish
Jakarta, Indonesia
Destination
Indonesia
Style
Original
Theme
Expedition, Wildlife
Code
TISW
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

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.

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

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.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Jakarta - Wayang (Puppetry) Museum - IDR5000
  • Jakarta - Museum Seni Rupa Dan Keramik (Fine Arts & Ceramics) - IDR5000
  • Jakarta - Museum Nasional - IDR10000
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.
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.
Accommodation
  • Ecolodge (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Tanjung Puting NP - Tanjung Harapan orangutan feeding station
  • Tanjung Puting NP - Klotok boat cruise
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
We will be flying Batik Air to and from Kalimantan.

The boat ride to our acommodation in Tanjung Puting NP takes around 90 mins.
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.
Accommodation
  • Ecolodge (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Tanjung Puting NP - Camp Leakey
  • Tanjung Puting NP - Orangutan Feeding Platform 2
  • Tanjung Puting NP - Klotok boat cruise
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Please note that at the feeding centre, as with other places where you’ll encounter orangutans, visitors are not allowed to bring in food or water, and no contact with the animals is permitted to prevent the possible spread of diseases.
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.
Accommodation
  • Ecolodge (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Tanjung Puting NP - Tanjung Harapan village visit
  • Tanjung Puting NP - Pondok Tanggui orangutan feeding station
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
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.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Tanjung Puting NP - Klotok boat cruise
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
Today's total driving time is approximately 4.5 hours.
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, then in the afternoon you’ll pay a visit to the Balanga Museum where you’ll find fascinating Indonesian artifacts that provide an insight into Kalimantan's indigenous cultures. The evening is free for your own discoveries.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Palangka Raya - Balanga Museum
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today's total driving time is approximately 4.5 hours.
Time to head off for some more wildlife adventures! Depart early for Sebangau National Park this morning for the best chance to see wildlife seeking out food and water near the riverside. There is the possibility of seeing orangutans, proboscis monkeys, macaques, monitor lizards, hornbills, kingfishers and (if you’re extra lucky) clouded leopards. Sebangau National Park is a place where wild animals have begun to repopulate after the area was affected by illegal logging and wildfires for many years. You’ll be able to explore by canoe and on foot with a local ranger for a few hours. After lunch, there is some free time to relax or take a swim, before heading back to Palangka Raya and the hotel for the evening.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Sebangau NP - Wildlife ranger walk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
Walking through peat swamp forest can be a challenge. During dry season it is quite easy but it will be harder when water levels are high. Expect rough trails and watch out for tree roots, ant nests, mosquitoes, other insects and snakes. Wear long trousers, a long-sleeved shirt and trail boots – high rubber boots will be necessary when the trail is flooded.


After breakfast, travel around 40 minutes to the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF). Here, you’ll get to learn all about the foundation and its work in rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing critically endangered orangutans back into the wild. You’ll see a series of presentations and videos at the visitor centre explaining their work, and you’ll also have a chance to ask questions of the staff. Behind the centre, you can view  the pre-release orangutan section through a glass wall, where some primates will be living until they are returned to their jungle homes. 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, why not join in on the fun with a family dance in the longhouse’s hallways.
Accommodation
  • Longhouse (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Tumbang Malahoi Village - Blessing ceremony
  • Palangka Raya - Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation visit
  • Tumbang Malahoi Village - Traditional dancing
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Please note that the the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation is currently closed for renovation, but is scheduled to reopen in 2023.

Tonight you will be staying with a local family. Accommodation is basic, but comfortable. There will be simple mattresses set up on the floor in the communal area of the longhouse to sleep on, with sheets and pillows provided. Bathing facilities are cold water bucket showers and there is a squat toilet, located outside. Dinner will be served in the longhouse tonight – expect true local food, shared together while sitting on the floor.
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.

Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Tumbang Malahoi Village - Village & jungle walk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
Travel time from the village to Palangaka Raya is approximately 5 hours.
After a pretty jam-packed week, today is free for you to do as you please. There are a range of optional activities on offer, including a canoe trip to see the islands where Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation’s pre-release program takes place. Also on offer is a trip to Tangkiling Hill – about a 30-minute drive away from the accommodation. Here, you can climb up the steps for 200 metres to the top of one of the seven hills and get a 360-degree view of the city and surrounds. 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.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Palangka Raya - Sei Gohong River boat tour (per 2 people) - INR300000
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
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.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
With no activities planned for today, your adventure comes to an end, and you are free to leave the accommodation at any time.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

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)

Included 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
  • Palangka Raya - Balanga Museum
  • 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

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

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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.

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