Cruise through the tangle of Kalimantan’s wild jungles and lush rainforests as you search for orangutans in the heart of Indonesian Borneo.
This labyrinth of river systems is a trove for incredibly exotic and rare wildlife.
Fringe the Tanjung Puting National Park as we visit Camp Leakey, home to the endangered orangutans, founded by primatologist Dr. Biruté Galdikas, a protégé of legendary paleontologist Louis Leakey in 1971. Visit the feeding stations in the forest at Camp Leakey as you learn the significant contribution this former research station has made to save the orangutan from extinction through rehabilitation and habitat preservation. With our unique access, you will encounter semi-wild orangutans.
Overnight in traditional longhouses of the Dayak tribe, a culture who traditionally live along the river banks. They live by complex religious practices which involve numerous local spirits and omen animals. Interacting with these local tribes people offers a rare opportunity of cultural exchange as you help increase their understanding of conservation as well as providing a platform for them to teach you about their ancient ways of life.
This is truly a journey of discovery, education and enrichment – perfect for those with a wild and generous heart!
Welcome to Pangkalan Bun, the main entry point to central Kalimantan in Indonesian Borneo! Upon arrival at Pangkalan Bun Airport, our guide and driver will meet and transfer you to Kumai Port. At the port, board a local klotok boat for a scenic journey along the Kumai and Sekonyer Rivers.
Begin your cruise heading along the Kumai River. After approx. 20 minutes, enter the much smaller Sekonyer River, which marks the border of Tanjung Puting National Park. The lush vegetation along the river bank first consists of Nipa palm and is slowly replaced by Pandan trees.
Lunch is served on board.
While cruising through Tanjung Puting National Park, take note of its variety of tropical animals. The area is renowned for its spectacular ecological and biological diversity, and contains mangrove swamps, rainforest and dense jungles filled with rare primates such as orangutans, proboscis monkeys and macaques.
Enjoy dinner this evening on board the boat surrounded by the beauty of nature. (L,D)
Overnight on a Deluxe Houseboat
After breakfast on board the klotok boat, start cruising up the Sekonyer River towards Camp Leakey.
The cruise turns off the Sekonyer River and enters a narrower branch of the river where the water changes colours. In addition to being a fascinating natural spectacle, this area is also full of wildlife. The guide will point out the various types of animals seen here; kingfishers, broadbills and hornbills are almost a guaranteed sighting!
Continue navigating for about two hours to reach Camp Leakey. Housing the largest population of orangutans in the world, it is the most famous place for orangutan research. Over the years as many as 200 orangutans have been reintroduced to the wild here. Today, the camp only operates as a feeding platform, but orangutans are still fed and medically monitored by the local rangers. There are only three feeding platforms in Tanjung Puting providing supplementary food to the orangutans so as to limit their reliance on feeding and to encourage them to forage in the jungle.
Lunch is served on board just before arriving at Camp Leakey.
Around 13:30, disembark at Camp Leakey for a 30-minute walk along a wooden platform. Continuing into the jungle there is a chance to spot gibbons, long tail macaque and wild pigs.
Make it in time to a feeding platform (14:00) to witness the rangers offering bananas and other fruits to the orangutans. Sitting with the park rangers (10 meters from the feeding platform), enjoy the opportunity to get up close with these amazing animals.
Return to the boat and around 16:00 and start cruising again.
At this time of the day, many proboscis monkeys, found only in Borneo, can be seen gathering in large groups around the banks of the river (excellent photo opportunity.) There is also a chance to spot a few orangutans in this area as they come to pick up fruit from the pandan trees in the late afternoon.
Dinner is served onboard the boat. (B,L,D)
Overnight on a Deluxe Houseboat
After breakfast on the boat, disembark for a 5 hour transfer by private car to Lopus Village.
Lunch will be served en route at a local restaurant.
Upon arrival in Lopus Village, enjoy sightseeing around the village. Your afternoon is free at leisure.
In the evening after dinner, you will be welcomed by the Dayak Tomun with their Bagondang ceremony. The Dayak are a tribe who worship nature. The ceremony includes beating of traditional drums where you will have the chance to dance with the Dayak people who also will serve you rice and wine often served in a horn. Enjoy the ceremony before returning back to the longhouse. (B,L,D)
Overnight in a traditional longhouse
Note: Please bring a small bag for your goods/clothes needed for one night in the longhouse. Your main luggage will be dropped off at the hotel for the following day. Sleeping bag, towel and air mattress will be provided for the stay in the longhouse
After breakfast in the longhouse, drive to Kudangan Village to see another longhouse and jurung (rice storage building).
After your visit, begin the five-hour drive back to Pangkalan Bun. Lunch is served en route at a local restaurant. Arrive in the late in the afternoon in Pangkalan Bun and check in to your hotel.
Dinner is served in a local restaurant. (B,L,D)
Overnight in the Swissbel Hotel or similar
After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy the rest of the morning at leisure until it is time to transfer to the airport for your onward flight. (B)
Download this tour’s PDF brochure and start your planning offline!
**Please note that this tour can be organised on request for private departures.
* Pricing is subject to change at anytime until full payment has been received.
* A minimum of 2 adults is required to guarantee this departure.
A non-refundable deposit of $1000 AUD per person is required to secure your place. Final payment is due no later than 60 days prior to departure. Travel insurance is mandatory for travelling with Crooked Compass. For full terms and conditions, please click here.
Stay up to date with the latest travel trends and new destinations opening up. To be the first to go, you need to be the first to know.
This category of tours involves light trekking, walking, cycling, rafting or kayaking for a few hours each day with a small amount of inclines and declines. You will require a reasonable level of fitness and good health to participate. It is important to note that due to the nature of some of our trips, they may take place in remote areas (with basic facilities) and can involve long travelling days on various modes of transport.
Suggested preparation : At least 3 months prior to departure, it is recommended that you undertake aerobic exercise (this may include jogging, cycling or fast walking) for 30 minutes, three times a week. It is also advised to walk on variable terrain and in variable weather conditions. For a cycling adventure, road cycling twice a week is recommended and for adventures which involve paddling and kayaking, it is important to gain confidence and rhythm rather than speed prior to departure.
This category of tours involve trekking, kayaking and cycling for period of 6 to 8 hours a day at a fairly consistent pace. Ideal for people looking to slightly increase the heart rate. For our moderately rated tours, you must have a good level of fitness and also be in good health. It is also important to be prepared for variable weather conditions. Altitude may also come into play. This category of tours may involve visiting remote areas where facilities can be quite basic. Accommodation may also involve camping, homestays or basic accommodation where facilities may not be considered of western standards. To enjoy this style of travel, it is suggested for travellers to have a reasonable level of fitness and health, a positive attitude, as well as a fairly active lifestyle. An open mind is also required.
Suggested preparation: At least 3 months prior to departure, it is recommended that you undertake 45mins – 1 hour of aerobic exercise, three to four times a week. Some potential exercises that could be beneficial include hill walking with a backpack on over variable terrain and weather conditions, as well as running and cycling dependent on the activity you plan on undertaking.
This category of tours involves trekking, kayaking, cycling or other adventure activities in remote areas for up to 8 to 10 hours a day. It is important to note that with the remoteness of some regions comes a variety of other challenges such as variable weather conditions, accommodation as well as facilities. You must have an excellent level of fitness and good health to be able to partake in this category of tour. You must have confidence in your own ability and be in good physical condition. Includes extended periods of endurance.
Suggested preparation: At least 3 to 4 months of strenuous exercise, four times a week. When preparing for treks it would be beneficial to participate in hill walks with a weighted day pack (approximately 5-8 kg) once a week for aerobic fitness and strengthening of leg muscles. It is also important to do this on variable terrain to prepare for challenging adventures. When preparing for cycling adventures, regular bike riding (at least 4 to 5 times a week for 1-4 hours is essential). It is also important to cycle on uneven surfaces or even participate in other aerobic exercises such as running or swimming to build up strength and stamina. Altitude may also be a factor in these tours.
This category of tour often involves extreme trekking, cycling or other extreme adventure activities. It is important to expect remote and poorly defined tracks and to be prepared for variable weather conditions for 10 to 12 hours per day (may sometimes be more depending on weather and altitude). These adventures are suitable for travellers who have prior experience in strenuous travel and activities, are extremely fit and have excellent health. It is also important to note that some of the terrain on these adventures will involve trekking in snow, at high attitude levels and may require technical equipment.
Suggested preparation: It is important to note that physical fitness should be an ongoing activity, commencing around 5-6 months prior to departure, or even before if you have no prior fitness. Exercise should focus on building maximum endurance and stamina. Four to five hard sessions of 40-60 mins per week should be completed and can include exercises such as going to the gym, running, swimming or cycling to focus on building aerobic stamina. It could also be beneficial to prepare by hiking on rough terrain, in extreme weather conditions or partake in altitude training.
Back to Asia
