HIGHLIGHTS
- Travel with COP founder Hardi Baktiantoro and TOP Conservation Manager Kylie Bullo
- See wild orangutans in their natural rainforest habitat at Kutai National Park
- Experience the dayak way of life including ovenright at homestay
- Travel on river boats through remote and unseen locations
- Visit COP's Orangutan Centre (closed to the public) and their Orangutan "university" islands
- Travel through East Kalimantan to understand the land and culture
- Meet the indigenous people of East Borneo
- Help save the orangutans
Gallery
ITINERARY
8 days (24-31 July 2022)
*Subject to change due to local conditions
Day 1 - 24 July: Arrive Denpasar, Bali.
Today you will arrive in Bali and be transferred you to your hotel for your overnight accommodation at the Holiday Inn Express Hotel located near the airport. Tonight our group will meet and hold a tour briefing.
Day 2 - 25 July: Bali - Samarinda
This morning we fly from Bali to Samarinda. On arrival in Samarinda, we will meet our local guide and transport, stop for lunch, and check into our hotel in Samarinda.
Upon arriving in Samarinda you will see the Mahakam bridge and the largest Islamic centre in Southeast Asia, Baitul Muttaqien Mosque. You can also see the lives of surrounding communities living around the waters on the side of the Mahakam River. Afternoon we shall take a walk in the town and see the "mighty" Mahakam River. Overnight Samarinda hotel. (B,L)
Day 3 - 26 July: Samarinda - Mahakam River - Old Kutai Village - Sangata
In the morning after breakfast, we head to the boat dock to visit some of the oldest Hindu kingdom relics in Indonesia using a tour boat to the old Kutai village which is famous for folklore that is very suitable to be presented to increase knowledge about the kingdom's story in Indonesia. Afterwards, we continue to head to Sangata by minibus. drive from Samarinda to Sangata (about 5 to 6 hours). Along the way we will stop at the equator monument. We will have lunch at Kenari restaurant between Samarinda-Bontang. Late afternoon check into the hotel. Overnight Sangata Hotel. (B,L)
Day 4 - 27 July: Kutai National Park - Sangata Hotel
In the morning, depart from the hotel to the Kutai National Park 20 minutes from the hotel then proceed with a motorized boat about 20 minutes to the simple camp in the Kutai National Park forest. Afterwards, continue the activity along the forest to find wild orangutans in the national park. Lunch will return to the camp. After lunch, then continue the track to another route to look for other wild orangutans and various animals in the Kutai National Park. Late afternoon transfers out from Kutai National Park to the village and drive back to the hotel for overnight. Dinner at local restaurant or hotel (B,L,D)
Day 5 - 28 July: Sangata - Merasa Village
This morning we will drive through to Merasa Village (approx 6-7 hours). Along the way, we can stop at Bukit Pelangi Hills and see the biggest coal mine in Indonesia. We will also see many palm oil plantations at we drive. We will stop for lunch at Wahau (Miau Baru) where we will see the traditional Dayak longhouses and perhaps even see some more wildlife. From here we will visit Merasa Village, a traditional Dayak village to experience the Dayak culture starting with a Welcoming Ceremony. You will meet the village chief, see traditional dancing and be introduced to the traditional way of life of the Dayak people. Later in the afternoon, you will check into your village homestay accommodation for overnight. Mattress, pillows, blanket and mosquito nets provided. (B,L,D)
Day 6 - 29 July: COP Orangutan Islands - Merasa Village Home Stay
This morning, after breakfast we will travel down the river in motorised canoes to see the COP Orangutan islands. The islands are a place for orangutans to prepare for their release back to the wild. We will join the COP monitoring team and learn about the orangutans and watch them being fed.
There may be time for a swim and a coconut. Then it's back to the village for lunch. In the afternoon we will get back onto our boats and head up river to see the white cliffs and the old tomb of Dayaks set in a cave on the side of the cliffs. We will visit the original home of the Dayak people, enjoy birdwatching and a visit to a waterfall. We will then return Merasa village to experience more of the Dayak culture. You may be asked to join some of the activities and spend time with the local people walking around their village. Later in the day guests will join with the local people to learn how to make some traditional food from Merasa village, Lemang. This is a nice time to communicate with local people while waiting for the Lemang to cook. Dinner and overnight at the homestay in the village. (B,L,D)
Day 7 - 30 July:- Merasa Village - COP Borneo - Berau
Today you will be given a special visit to COP's Orangutan Centre. You will be taken to see the process for rehabilitation and release and be given a presentation about the rehabilitation and rescue work being done by COP. Later, we will enjoy lunch at the centre and time to chat with some of the wonderful people working there. After lunch, we will return to the town. Final night stay and dinner at the Berau Hotel. (B,L)
Day 8 - 31 July: Berau - Samarinda - Bali
This morning you will transfer to the airport and start our travels back to Bali (via Samarinda). On arrival in Bali, you will to connect with your evening flights home or continue your travels in Indonesia. Tour ends.
OR
Continue to Derawan Island - Diving and snorkelling - 3 days/2 nights extension (POA)
Day 8 to 10 - 31 July to 2 August: Berau Hotel - Derawan or Maratua Islands
Today you will leave the hotel and travel to the beautiful island resort at either Derewanor Maratua Islands to enjoy 2 and half days of snorkelling, diving, swimming and relaxing before returning to Berau for a final night.
Day 11 - 3 August: Berau - Samarinda - Bali
This morning you will travel back to Bali (via Samarinda) to connect with your evening flights home or continue your travels in Indonesia. Tour ends.
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.
INCLUSIONS - EXCLUSIONS
INCLUSIONS
- Return domestic airfares from Bali
- Accommodation in Bali
- Accommodation in Balikpapan, Sangata, Kutai and Berau
- Homestay accommodation and meals in Dayak village
- Meals as outlined in Itinerary. (B,L,D)
- All National park fees including camera fees
- All transfers in all locations
- Professional local guides through the expedition
- One Orangutan Adoption in partner with TOP
- Orangutan Odysseys travel pack and water bottle
- Ranger and local guide fees and porters
EXCLUSIONS
- International Airfares and any expenses due to flight delay or cancellations
- Travel Insurance
- Personal Expenses - phone calls, alcohol, laundry
- Tipping
DONATIONS, FEES AND COST
The purpose of this trip is to create awareness of the threat of extinction facing orangutans due to the destruction of their rainforest habitat and to raise funds to help orangutans. The trip hosts, Hardi and Leif are generously donating their time and expertise to help make this a unique trip and a special experience for all our guests. Orangutan Odysseys has raised over $1,000,000 since 2009 to help support the orangutan's survival. Each participant of the trip will adopt an orangutan (included in trip fare) and agree to raise a minimum of $1,000 in donations for COP. Your participation in this event WILL make a difference.
How else you can help? Bring along some urgently needed equipment.
The following items are needed by the COP quarantine centre and can probably be purchased online or through your local veterinary surgery. All are small, light and easily packed in a suitcase and needed at the quarantine centre. You will be able to present any small items to the centre at the time of our visit.
- Micropore tape 2.5cm width
- Non-sterile 10cm x 10cm gauze swabs
- Vicryl suture material 2/0 or 3/0 with reverse cutting needle
- PDS suture material 2/0 and 3/0 with reverse cutting needle
- Small 50ml baby bottles (Not the larger normal size baby bottles as the centre has a surplus of these)
- Digital thermometers
- Microscope slides and coverslips
- Sterile surgical dressings
- Probiotics in powder form
- Disposable sterile surgical gowns
- Towels
EXPEDITION OVERVIEW
On this eight-day fundraising tour, beginning and ending in Denpasar, Bali, you will be visiting rainforests, trekking into the jungles of the Kutai National Park, travelling up rivers on motorised canoes, driving through the landscapes of East Borneo and experiencing the traditional Dayak culture. You will go back in time to a place in the jungle where orangutans have lived freely for generations and see where COP is working to save orangutans and protect the jungles.
You will also have the unique experience of visiting an orangutan rescue centre. You will see how COP's team are working incredibly hard to prepare orangutans for reintroduction back into the forests. This is where you will see the real difference being made by COP.
After East Kalimantan, guests have the option to spend 3 days on a tropical island off the coast of Berau.
Guests that want further adventures, we are offering action-packed extensions to Krakatoa, Lombok, Java or perhaps to see Komodo dragons. If you are interested in adventure and giving back to the world at the same time, then you have got to be part of this expedition.
An Introduction to COP.
The Centre for Orangutan Protection was founded in 2007 and works to counter crimes that threaten the orangutan and their natural habitats. As part of this mandate, we investigate, document, expose, and if necessary, readily confront any persons or groups who threaten to disrupt the lives of the orangutan or local communities living nearby. COP is at the forefront of saving critically endangered wild animals, and strive to create a second chance for orangutan to thrive, whether this is in their natural environments or in captivity. COP operates several rapid-response teams that work to rehabilitate orangutan into Labanan, East Kalimantan. We work wherever orangutan are in need of assistance, whether from the cruelties of the illegal animal trade, circus performances, or low-standard zoos.
Your hosts
You will be joined on this tour by two remarkable individuals. Hardi (COP founder) and Kylie Bullo (TOP Conservation Project Manager). Hardi and Kylie will travel with you throughout the journey and give you their personal views about orangutans and how their organisations are helping to save and allow them to released back into the jungle.
Hardi Baktiantoro - COP Founder
From 2005-2006, COP founder Hardi Baktiantoro worked as an assistant to Lone Droscher Nielsen at the Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Reintroduction Centre/BOSF Nyaru Menteng. During this year, at least 256 orangutans were saved from concession areas reserved for palm oil plantations. This figure does not include the orangutan that died before reaching the reintroduction centre. Moved by his experiences at Nyaru Menteng, Hardi was compelled to make a stand against the palm oil companies committing these atrocities in forest areas. From the onset, he sought to expose their actions, alerting people around the world to what was truly happening on the ground. To do this, Hardi invited his two friends, Wahyuni, a videographer, and Hery, a photographer, to join his cause. During the early stages, COP also received significant assistance from Sri Hastutik, an accountant, and Nurhalik, a teacher. Eventually, COP employed these two figures as founding members. To strengthen the organisation and ensure its continual growth, COP's founders then invited several other staff to become founding members. COP is the first and remains the only orangutan conservation organisation to originate from Indonesia.
Kylie Bullo - Conservation Project Manager for The Orangutan Project
With a background in primate zoology, specialising in orangutans, Kylie has worked alongside Founder of The Orangutan Project, Leif Cocks for more than twenty years. Together they trained and released the first zoo-born orangutan to ever be released into the wild. Her book Reaching for the Canopy describes her journey with zoo-born Sumatran orangutan Temara to the jungles of Sumatra. All participants on this tour will receive a copy of this inspiring book.
Kylie has spent extensive time in both Borneo and Sumatra, working with staff and providing guidance and training in orangutan behaviour and rehabilitation training. Kylie will travel with you throughout the journey and share her orangutan knowledge and experiences with you. She will also explain how The Orangutan Project works to conserve orangutans and their rainforest habitat.
Kylie Talks Tours:
"Im really looking forward to leading this tour and meeting people who are passionate about orangutan conservation. I greatly enjoy sharing my understanding and insights on orangutans with others as I have been so fortunate to spend so much time with our orange cousins. I hope to see you in Borneo!"
PROJECT FUNDRAISING OBJECTIVES
Participants in this expedition will raise funds (a minimum target of $1,000 AUD per participant) by getting friends, family and colleagues to fundraise via your own customised fundraising page, specially designed to direct these monies straight to The Orangutan Project. Details of how to achieve this goal and further info will be sent once you have booked. Participants in this expedition will also be contributing to the survival of the orangutans and their habitat by adopting an orphaned orangutan. (These costs are included in your trip fare).
EXPEDITION GOALS
Our goal is to provide our guests with a unique experience, to observe wild and semi-wild orangutans in their natural habitat. We will provide you with a safe platform to observe the wildlife Borneo has to offer including proboscis nose monkeys, gibbons and more. We will also provide you with comprehensive information about the destination you are in so that you are fully informed of your surrounds. Further, Orangutan Odysseys has partnered up with The Orangutan Project which supports conservation programs in Borneo and Sumatra.
Tour Food - Vegetarian and Vegan based
All included meals provided during this tour will be vegetarian (with a vegan option). 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. While 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!
To place a booking simply click the 'Book Now' button for your preferred date and complete the compulsory fields of the booking form.