Travel type

Expedition grade

Duration
Days
Accomodation

FROM
$ (AUD)

EXPEDITION OVERVIEW

This specially crafted expedition combines the unique experience of visiting the Tanjung Puting National Park with a Palangkaraya Rungan River cruise aboard a fabulous riverboat to see the orangutan release islands.

From wonderful boats to small dugout canoes, wide rivers to deep forests, and small fishing towns to traditional Dayak villages, the Central Borneo adventure has it all. Be immersed in local culture and all facets of life in Borneo as you gain a greater understanding of the orangutan’s plight. 

Your expert host, Leif Cocks, founder of The Orangutan Project. Join world-renowned orangutan expert, Leif Cocks, as he guides you throughout your journey and the Bornean forests. Leif will provide invaluable insight drawing from personal experiences that now shape The Orangutan Project and its dedicated efforts to saving the species through wild-release programs.

Leif Talks Tours
"Want an enjoyable holiday, but want it to be something more? Connect with the most intelligent fellow beings on the planet, meet the people working at the coalface and become part of the solution. I have now completed several Leif Cocks Orangutan Odysseys Eco-toursand on all we have had a great time, learnt all about the orangutan's habitat, made new friends, and most importantly raised awareness and much needed funds to help save this critically endangered species." 

EXPEDITION GOALS
We want our guests to have a truly unique and connected experience, and to have the pleasure of observing wild and semi-wild orangutans in their natural habitat.

Orangutan Odysseys will provide you with a safe platform to observe the incredible wildlife of Borneo, including orangutans (of course), proboscis monkeys, hornbills, red leaf monkeys, gibbons and more. It’s also our goal to educate and inspire our guests so that you become future stewards for the destination, its natural environment, and the survival of the orangutan.

In driving this legacy we have partnered with The Orangutan Project to support their conservation programs across Borneo in Sumatra. Each guest's fare includes the cost of adopting an orangutan for one year.

Tour Food - Vegetarian and Vegan based
All included meals provided during this tour will be vegetarian, with a vegan option available. Guests will have the option of non-vegetarian meals during breakfast at hotels and for meals (some dinners) not included in the itinerary. 

WHAT TO EXPECT
You are embarking on an adventure to places and amongst people whose lives are very different from your own. Many aspects of life in Indonesia will seem unusual. Remember that these are often the same aspects that make an area an exotic and attractive destination. Whilst boat expeditions are considered easy, no trek is easy, even those rated "easy or moderate". In addition to the personal physical challenges you may face, travel conditions can present unexpected obstacles, such as rough and bumpy roads and changeable weather. To prepare for this "pack" a flexible and relaxed attitude. Bring a spirit of adventure and inquiry, a healthy sense of humour and a willingness to encounter the unexpected and you will find your trip to Indonesia the adventure of a lifetime!

HIGHLIGHTS

ITINERARY

8 days - 16 to 23 March 2020
*Subject to change due to local conditions

Day 1 - 16 March: Arrive in Jakarta.
Today you will be met at Jakarta airport and transferred to your Jakarta hotel (FM7 Resort Hotel) for your overnight stay. This evening the group will meet for a tour briefing and details about tomorrow's departure. 

Day 2 - 17 March: Jakarta to Pangkalan Bun - Tanjung Puting National Park
Early this morning you will fly from Jakarta to the Central Borneo town of Pangkalan Bun. On arrival you will be met at the airport by our local OO guides. You will then be taken to the Port of Kumai where you will board our klotoks (river boat) and start your journey up the Sekonyer River into the National Park. We will continue to cruise slowly up along the river in search of orangutans and other amazing wildlife, possibly a crocodile or storm stork, until we reach our overnight parking spot near crocodile lake. (B,L,D)

Day 3 - 18 March: Crocodile Lake -  Pesalat - Rimba Lodge:
This morning we will wake to the sound of the jungle and enjoy breakfast on the peaceful river. We then start cruising slowly back down the river in search of more of the jungle's wildlife and hopefully some wild orangutans. It's then off to Pesalat Plantation station, where you will get to plant some trees to help the Friends of the National Park Foundation to regenerate the forest. From there, you will be back on the boat for lunch followed by check in at Rimba Lodge. This afternoon we take a walk through the local Tanjung Harapan village to see what village life is like. We will then head back to the boat and travel along the river, stopping along the way to watch the fabulous proboscis monkeys in action on the riverbanks. Overnight in Rimba Lodge. (B,L,D)

Day 4 - 19 March: Tanjung Puting - Kumai - Airport - Palangkaraya
This morning after breakfast we will board the boat once more and cruise our way back out of the National Park, stopping along the way to see more wildlife. We will reach Kumai around lunchtime where our cars will be waiting to transfer us to the airport for our flight to Palangkaraya (capital of Central Borneo). In Palangkaraya we will met by our local guides and be transferred to the Rungan Sari Resort for our overnight stay. (B,L,D)

Day 5 - 20 March: Palangkaraya - River Cruise
After an optional early morning walk in the adjacent forest, you will be transferred to our wonderful riverboat to start your river cruise. We will journey up the Rungan River to our first stop at the village of Kanarakan, where we will meet local villagers, to learn about dayak life and try a cup of their traditional spiced coffee. Enjoy lunch back on-board as we cruise downstream for our second stop, Sei Gohong. Take a local canoe to closely observe the orangutans on Kaja Island, a BOSF orangutan pre-release island that is home to over 50 individuals. In the late afternoon, you will be driven to nearby Tangkiling Hill. Here you have the option of walk up to the top (around 250 stairs) see the sunset, stopping along the way to see the colourful Dayak spirit houses and the huge boulder, Batu Banama, and hear about its legend. Afterwards it’s back to the boat for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D).

Day 6 - 21 March: Cruise Day 2: Bapallas Island - Sei Gohong
This morning we start with a leisurely cruise downstream to another of the BOSF pre-release islands. On arrival to Bapallas Island, you will take a motorised canoe to observe orangutans. You will then continue on to the BOSF Information Centre where some orangutans are waiting to be placed on the pre-release islands. You will also learn about the BOSF rehabilitation programs from one of the staff. After returning to the boat, we move downstream and in the early evening, take a canoe through the shimmering black water lakes. Keep an eye out for proboscis monkeys, hornbills, brahmini kites and possibly wild orangutans. Return to the boat for a quiet dinner in the midst of the jungle. (B,L,D)

Day 7 - 22 March: Cruise Day 3: Sei Gohong - Muara Rungan - Palangkaraya
This morning you will enjoy breakfast on board as we continue to cruise downstream stopping at Katimpun village. We will walk along the boardwalks of this tiny town and visit the small library foundation, Ransel Buku. Learn about the activities here and watch a performance by the children. Upon returning to the boat, we will cruise down the Rungan River into the muddier Kahayan River at Muara Rungan to Palangkaraya. In the afternoon you will leave the river boat and be transferred to the Swiss Bel Hotel for your overnight accommodation. (B,L)

Day 8 - 23 March: Palangkaraya - Jakarta
This morning you will be transferred to the airport for your flights back to Jakarta. In Jakarta you will transfer to your connecting flights home or onward travels. Tour ends. (B)

TRIP EXTENSIONS
Why not think about seeing more amazing locations in Indonesia after your orangutan expedition? For more details about some of the exciting trip extensions on offer to other parts of Indonesia please contact us.

Please note: Additional accommodation can be arranged for day 8 in Jakarta should you require it. Please ensure that if departing for home or onward travels on day 8 that all departing flights are booked for early to late PM to allow enough connecting time from your Palangkaraya flight.

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