fbpx

Peregrine Travel Centre

Indonesia Expedition: Orangutans of Kalimantan

Indonesia Expedition: Orangutans of Kalimantan

From $ 4,195 AUD

Book Now Request a callback
Email Us Print
,

Description

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 Name
Indonesia Expedition: Orangutans of Kalimantan
Last Updated
2024-08-15
Days
12
Capacity
12
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.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.

Day 1 - Jakarta
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.
Day 2 - Jakarta – Tanjung Puting NP
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.
Day 3 - Tanjung Puting NP
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.
Day 4 - Tanjung Puting NP
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.
Day 5 - Tanjung Puting NP – Sampit
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.
Day 6 - Sampit - Palangka Raya
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.
Day 7 - Sebangau NP
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.
Day 8 - Tumbang Malahoi Longhouse
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.
Day 9 - Tumbang Malahoi Longhouse - Palangka Raya
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.
Day 10 - Palangka Raya
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.
Day 11 - Jakarta
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.
Day 12 - Jakarta
With no activities planned for today, your adventure comes to an end, and you are free to leave the accommodation at any time.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
10-06-202521-06-2025AUD $ 4,380-
24-06-202505-07-2025AUD $ 4,195-
08-07-202519-07-2025AUD $ 4,360-
22-07-202502-08-2025AUD $ 4,360-
05-08-202516-08-2025AUD $ 4,360-
19-08-202530-08-2025AUD $ 4,360-
02-09-202513-09-2025AUD $ 4,195-
16-09-202527-09-2025AUD $ 4,260-
09-06-202620-06-2026AUD $ 4,405-
23-06-202604-07-2026AUD $ 4,405-
07-07-202618-07-2026AUD $ 4,580-
21-07-202601-08-2026AUD $ 4,580-
04-08-202615-08-2026AUD $ 4,580-
18-08-202629-08-2026AUD $ 4,580-
01-09-202612-09-2026AUD $ 4,405-
15-09-202626-09-2026AUD $ 4,405-

Accommodation

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

Transport

Plane,Taxi,Klotok boat,Canoe,Private vehicle

Map

Related products

Recent Blog Posts

Browse Trips in

Indonesia Intrepid
More of activity:
Walking & Trekking